Full of excitement and relaxation. A two-day, one-night trip for two to Akita's Oga Peninsula and Kakunodate

First day

On the first day, you will travel around Akita City and the Oga Peninsula, experiencing Akita's culture and cuisine. Experience the power of Namahage and interact with Akita dogs to get a deeper experience of Akita.

Customize your own Nokkedon rice bowl at Akita City Market!

About 30 minutes by car from Akita Airport, we first headed to the Akita Civic Market.

A recommended dish to fill your stomach is the "Nokkedon." While walking freely around the market, you can have seafood prepared at participating stores and create your own original seafood bowl!

The start is getting a container for the nokke donburi. The containers are placed near the center of the market, so please take one yourself. After that, purchase an Akita Komachi rice bowl at the "Deli Market" and shop around the market. The blue lanterns are the landmarks of shops that serve nokke donburi.

This time, I chose fresh tuna from Maguroya Uohan Iseya. When I told them I wanted a bowl of rice topped with tuna, they cut the tuna into bite-sized pieces for me.

Freshly caught fish is absolutely delicious! The fish you can find vary depending on the season, so let's all put as much local Akita fish as we like on top of our rice.

Akita City Market

If you're interested in Akita Citizens' Market, check out TikTok!

If you're interested in Akita Citizens' Market, check out TikTok!

Approximately 1 hour by car

More than 150 Namahage masks on display! Experience Akita traditions at the Namahage Museum

After about an hour's drive from Akita Civic Market, you will arrive at Namahage Museum in Oga City.

"Oga Namahage" was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan in 1978, and was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018.

The Namahage event, which takes place on the evening of New Year's Eve in almost all areas of the Oga Peninsula, is a traditional folk event in which Namahage visits each household asking, "Is there anyone lazy? Is there anyone crying?" in order to ward off misfortune and bring about good harvests, good catches, and good fortune.

The "Namahage All-In-One" exhibit features over 150 Namahage masks from all over Oga city lined up in a row! You'll be amazed at how impressive they are.

In the "Namahage Transformation Corner," you can experience transforming into a Namahage. You can enjoy customizing your mask and belongings. Try taking a photo with your partner pretending to be a Namahage.

Furthermore, at the Ogashinzan Folklore Museum next door, you can see a live demonstration of Namahage customs, which is only held on New Year's Eve. It's the perfect spot to experience the traditional culture of Akita.

Namahage Museum

If you're interested in Namahagekan, check out TikTok!

Approximately 20 minutes by car

Enjoy an exclusive 360-degree panoramic view at the Kanpuzan Rotating Observation Deck!

The Oga Peninsula is also perfect for a drive. From the Japan Sea coast to tranquil rural landscapes, the ever-changing scenery is one of the joys of the trip.

About 20 minutes by car from the Namahage Museum, you will pass through a pleasant driving course called the Kanpuzan Panorama Line and arrive at the Kanpuzan Rotating Observatory at the top of the mountain.

One of the few revolving observation decks in the country, it takes 13 minutes to complete one rotation, allowing you to enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view.

To the south is the coastline stretching from Akita City to the Oga Peninsula and Mt. Chokai. To the west is Honzan, the highest mountain on the Oga Peninsula, and Mt. Shinzan, the birthplace of Namahage. To the north you can see Noshiro Port and the Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Site, and to the east is Ogata Village, which was built on reclaimed land from a lake that was the second largest in Japan after Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture. The rural landscape and mountain scenery change with the seasons, so you can enjoy the seasonal changes that are unique to Akita.

In addition to enjoying the scenery, you can also enjoy activities such as paragliding in the surrounding area. Kanpuzan is completely covered with grass, with few trees and no obstructions, making it the perfect place for paragliding. Beginners are also welcome, so why not try an exhilarating and slightly thrilling walk in the sky?

Kanpuzan Rotating Observatory

About 1 hour 30 minutes by car

Staying at "Enishi" - a private lodging where you can live with a cute Akita dog!

We stayed at "Enishi" in Kakunodate. The surrounding area, also known as "Little Kyoto of Michinoku," is a fun place to walk around.

This private lodging, a renovated 50-year-old house, is greeted by two Akita dogs, Su-chan and Fujiko. The two are hugely popular on Instagram and are beloved by guests from Japan and around the world.

This is a private lodging that specializes in accommodation only, so we recommend taking a stroll around the Kakunodate area and enjoying the local gourmet food.

You'll feel like you're living in an old house with Akita dogs in a historical area. You'll be sure to be soothed by the relaxing Japanese atmosphere and the fluffy dogs "Soo-chan" and "Fujiko"...!

Enishi

Second day

Take a morning stroll through the historic streets of "Samurai Residence Street," which still retains traces of the Edo period

The area just around the corner from "Enishi" is the center of "Samurai Residence Street."

As the name suggests, this area is lined with samurai residences that still retain the atmosphere of the Edo period. It was originally a castle town that flourished during the Edo period. The main street is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government, and is a historically valuable area that is protected as a cultural asset. In autumn, the surrounding area is dyed in red leaves, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful townscape. From here, we will introduce the highlights of the samurai residences.

First, there is the Iwahashi family home. It is a splendid Japanese house with a gabled roof and a shingled roof made from cedar and other materials. The oak tree, a natural monument estimated to be about 300 years old, planted on the house is the symbol of the samurai residence street.

Iwahashi family

Next is the Odano family home. It was rebuilt after the great fire of 1900. As the family has excelled in martial arts for generations, there used to be a dojo to the right of the gate. This is a mansion for a mid-ranking samurai, characterized by its traditional garden.

Odano family

Samurai Residence Street

Enjoy Kakunodate Kaiseki at "Ryotei Inaho"

For lunch, we will enjoy a slightly luxurious kaiseki meal at the restaurant Inaho, located along the samurai residence street.

The specialty of "Ryotei Inaho," the "Kakunodate Kaiseki," is mainly local cuisine that makes generous use of seasonal Akita seafood and mountain produce.

You can enjoy the cuisine of Akita to the fullest, from Akita specialties "kiritanpo" and "Inaniwa udon" to the thick "hachihai tofu" (a tofu dish so delicious that it was said to be eaten eight bowls at a time).

The shop also uses Akita woodwork, "kaba zaiku," and Kakunodate town pottery, "Shiraiwa ware," so you can enjoy the traditional crafts with your eyes as well.

Restaurant Inaho

Approximately 15 minutes by car

Enjoy the spectacular view while looking back at the beautiful autumn leaves at Dakigaeri Valley

Leaving Inaho restaurant behind, we took a 15-minute drive and arrived at Dakigaeri Valley.

It is said that this mountain path used to be so narrow and steep that people had to embrace each other when passing each other, hence the name "Dakigaeri."

This is a famous spot for fresh greenery and autumn leaves! It's the perfect spot to enjoy the autumn leaves in the coming season.

You can enjoy a stroll through the valley for about an hour, and a number of spectacular views will unfold before your eyes, including the Mikaeri Falls, which is so beautiful you'll want to look back at it again and again, and the Kami no Iwahashi suspension bridge, which stands out against the autumn leaves. Try taking a memorable photo of the vibrant beauty of the valley.

Dakigaeri Valley

Akita is full of attractions, including its unique culture, gourmet food, and spectacular seasonal scenery. Enjoy a relaxing, soothing weekend trip here for two days and one night.

The charms of Akita Prefecture are also being introduced by the tourism influencers Ryomai and his wife on JAL's official TikTok! Please take a look at the video.

JAL Official TikTok

Ryomai couple

A travel influencer living in Kansai. She started her social media activities to boost the tourism industry, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The couple share tips for "outings" and "travel spots" that will make you want to visit tomorrow, and have over 500,000 followers on TikTok! (As of October 2024)

TikTok

Instagram

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