Top Akita Prefecture Tours by Duration

This tour offers a well-balanced journey through Akita’s nature, history, and culture, following an itinerary actually experienced by travelers. Departing from Akita Port, enjoy a scenic drive through the countryside with a short break at Michi-no-Eki Kyowa before heading to Katamae-yama Observatory for sweeping rural views. Visit the mystical Lake Tazawa and the golden Tatsuko statue, then stroll through Kakunodate’s preserved samurai district to explore the Ishiguro and Aoyagi residences. Savor a local lunch featuring Hinai chicken and Inaniwa udon, shop for traditional miso and soy sauce at Ando Jozo brewery, and discover Akita’s festival culture at the Neburi Nagashi-kan Museum. End your day with a relaxing walk in Senshu Park, once home to Akita Castle, before returning to the port. The schedule is a little tight but provides a great overview of Akita’s beauty in one day. If you prefer a slower pace or wish to visit other places, the tour can be customized to your interests.

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.

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.

Premiere Tour of Akita. In this tour, you can see how samurai lived in samurai residences. At one Samurai house, the head of the family 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. Lake Tazawa is a mysterious Lake and the deepest one in Japan. The golden statue of Tatsuko is a must-see spot in Akita. Please take memorial photos at the shore of Lake Tazawa. We enjoy lunch at Kakunodate town or near Lake Tazawa.

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.

Immerse yourself in the magical world of the Yokote Kamakura Snow Hut Festival with our exclusive 2-day, 1-night tour! This enchanting festival, held for over 450 years, transforms the snow-covered city of Yokote into a winter wonderland, with hundreds of snow huts (kamakura) glowing with candlelight. Guided by a knowledgeable English-speaking guide, you’ll explore the festival’s rich traditions, enjoy local specialties like mochi and amazake, and experience the unique warmth and hospitality found within each snow hut. With expertly arranged accommodations and front-row access to the festival’s highlights, this tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and winter charm—an unforgettable experience in the heart of Japan’s snowy landscapes.

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.

Why not spend a special day in Yurihonjo City? Feel the weight of 800 years of history and faith at the majestic Akada Great Buddha, rediscover the joy of childhood with heartwarming wooden toys at the Chokaisan Wooden Toy Museum, and savor exquisite sake crafted by Tenju Sake Brewery, nurtured by the local nature. Visiting these hidden gems, still relatively unknown nationwide, offers the added delight of feeling like a seasoned traveler. You'll undoubtedly find yourself wanting to boast to friends and family, saying, "I found such an amazing place!" Come and experience a journey in Yurihonjo City, filled with quiet charm, healing, inspiration, and a touch of pride. We promise you a truly special time, only possible with this unique tour!

The Oirase Gorge is a popular resort in the Northern Japan, offering some of Japan's most spectacular mountain scenery. With one of the most famous hiking paths in all Japan, we set foot there on our quest for traditional Japan. The gorge is marked by interesting rock formations on both sides while the river has icy rapids and a series of 14 plunging waterfalls along the way. If there’s only one thing you do in Aomori, do this. It really is a nature lovers paradise. It is about 2.5 kilometres (1.8 miles) long and has only gentle elevation changes which takes around 2-4 hours to easy walk at a leisurely pace. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hours tour that's best for you! Note*1: National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

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

Enjoy snowshoeing in a park near the city covered white world with your guide. You may even find the footprints of rabbits and other animals. After a 15-minute snowshoeing, you can take photos and interact with an Akita dog. Known as the loyal dog Hachiko, the Akita dog is designated as a natural monument of Japan. Although it is a large dog, it is said to be loyal, obedient, obedient to commands, and close to its owner. You can have a special experience interacting with an Akita dog in Akita, the birthplace of the Akita dog. Be fascinated by the snow country and the cuteness of the Akita dog. After interacting with the Akita dog and snowshoeing, you can return to the hotel and see the hotel's snowplow. You can also play in the snow. This is a two-day tour that includes accommodation at a hotel and allows you to experience Japan's snow country.

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.

Experience Japan’s top fireworks competition — the Omagari Fireworks Festival — from your reserved seat! This special event happens once a year and features the best fireworks artists from across Japan. They compete for the top prize, the Prime Minister’s Award. This tour offers two options: a reserved seat-only plan, or a plan that includes round-trip bus transportation from Sendai Station. Enjoy amazing fireworks set to music, lighting up the summer night sky. This is more than just a show — it’s a contest of beauty and skill. Join us for a night full of lights, sounds, and unforgettable memories! The festival takes place every year on the last Saturday of August and attracts more than 700,000 visitors. It features two parts: - Daytime fireworks, known for colorful smoke effects and artistic shapes. - Nighttime fireworks, showcasing traditional shell fireworks, synchronized music displays, and breathtaking starmine performances.

Get off the beaten path and immerse yourself in Akita’s unique culture and landscapes. Visit the well-preserved samurai district of Kakunodate, a town known as “Little Kyoto of Tohoku.” Stroll around Lake Tazawa, Japan’s deepest lake, and admire the striking red torii of Gozanoishi Shrine. Learn about Akita’s spiritual side at Senshu Park and the Kubota Castle ruins. Your guide will offer insights into local folklore, traditional crafts, and Akita's famed hospitality. This tour is perfect for those looking to experience Japan’s lesser-known but deeply rewarding regions.

Omagari in Akita is one of the sacred places for Japanese pyrotechnicians. The fireworks artists gather there and compete their skill. The competition will be held in 29th August in Omagari, Akita. Be moved by fireworks drawn in the Summer night sky by pyrotechnicians. In this night, hotel accommodations surrounded the venue are fully booked and difficult to reserve every year. We offer not only tickets but also Hotel/lodge stay for participants. make sure to select one of options for your accommodation at the night of the festival. -Food and Drink- Please prepare your own dinner on the day. There will be food stalls at the venue, but drinks may sell out early, so we recommend that you bring your own drinks. -Weather and Temperature- At night the temperature drops to 20°C (68°F). We recommend bringing a raincoat in case of rain.