Top Akita Prefecture Half-day Tours

Enjoy the original scenery of Japan from the train window on a one-car one-man train. Once you get off the train at an unmanned station, you can start cycling from there! You will pedal toward an area lined with samurai residences, stopping at temples, shrines, farmhouses, cafes, and other places to enjoy the countryside.

Kakunodate is a former castle town which flourished during the Edo period. Known as the “Little Kyoto of Tohoku”, the town is home to a district 800-meters in radius consisting of samurai residences and traditional architecture popular with both domestic and international tourists. The samurai residences lining the town’s most famous street are nationally protected Traditional Buildings. But no one really cared about the merchant district that also has history and culture that is also passed down for generations. In this tour, with an experienced local guide, we will take you to both the merchant district and the samurai district. It will show you the contrast between the 2 distinct lifestyles of people and how the tradition has been passed down to current days. We picked up the best of the best in town, so we are confident that you will acknowledge the beauty of traditional style of living which people admired from the samurai era.

Premiere Half-Day Tour of Akita. In this tour, you can see how samurais(warriors) lived in samurai residences. At one Samurai house, the head of the family or a staff member will tell us about the residence, where it is still used for living. You can witness samurai swords, armor, kimonos, etc. You can take a nice photo wearing a samurai helmet. There are cute shops in the street of Samurai residences, such as a miso and soy sauce shop, a local craft shop, a Japanese sake shop, and a traditional snack shop. At Japanese Sake shop, you can try tasting of a couple of Japanese sake for free. If you have time, you can visit Kabazaiku museum where a craft man is demonstrating to make local handy craft beautiful "Kabazaiku." In addition, you can choose cute kabazaiku products from lots of varieties in the shop. On the way back to the Akita city, we can drop in a roadside station for a restroom break and shopping. I promise you can enjoy this half day tour totally.

Namahage is designated an intangible cultural asset by UNESCO. On this tour, you can enjoy various local spots in the Oga peninsula facing the Sea of Japan. The highlight is, of course, the Namahage show played in the Oga Shinzan folklore museum. You can't miss it when you visit Akita. You can also visit Mt.Kanpuzan observatory and Nyuodo-zaki. Those are nice photo spots of Oga. Finally, we stop at Michinoeki-Oga(roadside station Oga) to enjoy a pleasant shopping time.

Walking tour in the center of Akita city. Akita city is a capital city of Akita prefecture which is located on the sea of Japan side in northern Japan. This prefecture is famous for its rice production, Japanese sake brew and lots of local attractions. In this tour, you can visit beautiful spots such as an old bank building, local market, castle park and folklore museum. You may enjoy Maiko show and tea service available only on Saturdays(reservation is needed) Let's enjoy pleasant walk with tour guide.

Explore the fascinating samurai district of Kakunodate, one of northern Japan’s best-preserved historical sites. This walking tour delves into the rich tapestry of the Edo period, revealing how social hierarchies shaped everyday life for the samurai class. With insights from your expert guide, learn about key historical figures and the transformation from conflict to stable governance. Experience guided visits to multiple samurai residences, where the architecture and lifestyle reflect the intricate social order of the time. - In-depth exploration of Kakunodate’s samurai history - Guided visits inside various samurai residences - Two participation options: direct join or from Kakunodate Station - Tours available on days when residences are open, excluding Tuesdays

In this tour, you will first experience the depth of sake brewing at the "Tenju Sake Brewery," which boasts over 200 years of history. While learning about the care and attention given to the water and rice used, you will have the opportunity to observe the sake brewing process up close. Next, enjoy a premium lunch on a chartered train from the Yurihonjo Kogen Railway. Indulge in an Italian course meal prepared with locally sourced ingredients from Akita Prefecture, while the chef provides insightful commentary. For drinks, "Tenju Sake" will be paired with the meal. The brewery's owner and staff will join the ride, offering direct explanations about the sake’s production process and history. This is a rare opportunity to deepen your understanding of sake and immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions.