Soft and Fluffy
Let’s meet the Akita dogs!
Akita Prefecture is home to thewell-known Akita breed of Japanese
dogs. The bronze statue of the loyal dog
Hachiko, well-known as the meeting
spot in front of Shibuya Station, is an
Akita. Akita Dogs are characterized
triangular-shaped ears, curled tails, large
bodies, and gentle personalities.
Come and meet them here in Akita!
* There are cases when the Akita dogs cannot appear
as scheduled in consideration of their physicalcondition. For further information, please check thewebsites or social media of the tourist facilities on thispage, or contact them directly.

Namahage no Sato Ogare
Address: 1-19 Shinhama, Funagawa, Funagawa Minato, Oga, Akita Prefecture
Tel: 0185-47-7515
Dogs present: Around 10:00 on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
http://michinoekioga.co.jp/

Akita Dog Visitor Center

Address: 1st Floor Area Nakaichi, 1-4-1 Nakadori, Akita City, Akita Prefecture
Tel: 018-807-2535 (General incorporated association ONE FOR AKITA)
Dogs present: 11:00-15:00 on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays (Break time: 11:20-12:00 & 14:05-14:45)
Closed: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays *Open Thursdays just for sale of products
http://www.saveakita.or.jp/

Address: 1-13-1 Onari, Odate, Akita Prefecture
Tel: 0186-59-4649 (Akita Inu no Sato)
Dogs present: 9-00-18:00 April-October & 9:00-17:00 November-March
Closed: 31st December & 1st January
https://akitainunosato.jp/

Mt. Moriyoshi Ani Ski Resort

Address: 13-1 Sannomaru, Odate, Akita Prefecture
Tel: 018-824-8686
Dogs present: 9:00-16:00
Closed: Saturday afternoons 21st November-21st April, Sundays & national holidays,
New Year Holidays (28th December-3rd January), and afternoon of 13th August
http://akitainu.sakura.ne.jp/

Address: 79-5 Anikaginodaki, Kitaakita, Akita Prefecture
Tel: 0186-82-3311
Dogs present: Please contact us to enquire or check our homepage.
http://www.aniski.jp/

Introduction
to the sightseeing spots
and Activities of Akita

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Akita Inu Kaikan

Beautiful Akita Guide Book Published in September 2019/Edited and published by the Akita Tourism and Promotion Division Postcode: 010-8572 3-1-1, Sanno, Akita

Akita Dog Station

Activities
Lots of festivals,
hot springs, foods& souvenirs

01

04

Discover experiences in spring, summer,
autumn, and winter, all throughout the year,that you can only have in Akita!

Experience the natureof Akita to the fullest!

Enjoy Japan in Akita!
With its rich natural environment, Akita Prefecture isoften known as ‘Bi no Kuni (The Country of Beauty)’.
Naturally the essential Japanese foodand cultural experiences are here in Akita for you.
However, you can also enjoy a varietyof leisure experiences in the mountains,seas, and lakes here throughout
all four seasons.

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The rich nature of the land heremeans there are a variety ofactivities to experience!

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A giant canvas!

The deepest lake in Japan!

Feel the history!

A food that slips down the throat!

Majestic scenery!

Enjoy a secluded hot spring!

Vivid bluenessTake a walk in Mother Nature

Enjoy a diverse variety of courses!

Tambo art uses rice paddies
as a canvas to paint giant
p i c t u r e s w i t h d i ff e r e n tcolored rice plants.
*The art pictured above isalongside the Akita Nairiku
Junkan Railway.

Lake Tazawa is the deepest
lake in Japan with a depth of
42 3. 4 m . Yo u w i l l l ove i t s
beautiful blueness thatspreads out and fills yourfield of vision.

This sightseeing spot, where
the townscape gives you areal sense of the Edo era,
attracts 2,000,000 visitors
annually. You can tr y on akimono and ride rickshaws
here.

Enjoy the unique flavor andtexture of the luxury foodjunsai (water shield). This is
the only place you canexperience maneuvering asmall boat and carefully
picking these plants one byone!

Mt. Moriyoshi is known aso n e o f th e hu n d r e d b e s tmountains for wild flowers,
and also its snow-covered
tree scenery of winter.

There are 7 hot springs in thisincomparable hot spring area,and each of them has different
histories, appearances andspring types. Please try these'secret springs' of Japan.
*Kuroyu Hot Spring is pictured.

This temple has gained popularity inrecent years due to being featured in
the media as a beautiful, picturesquespot you’ll want to visit at least once.
It’s a popular spot in Oga during earlys u m m e r. I t i s a l s o b e a u t i f u l l yilluminated during the nighttime.

There are numerous well known
places for hiking in Akita with its
expanses of natural beauty. One
represent ative e xamp le is thehuge, strangely shaped Japanese
beech tree, the Agariko Daiou, in
Shishigahama wetland.

Winter sports are hugely popularin the snow countr y of Akita.
There are a large number of ski
resorts and courses around Akita
including Tazawako Ski Resortand Mt. Moriyoshi Ani Ski Resort.
*Tazawako Ski Resort is pictured.

Tambo Art

MAP A-1

01

Lake Tazawa Kayaking Experience Kakunodate Bukeyashiki Street

MAP A-2

MAP A-3

Junsai Picking

MAP A-4

Mt. Moriyoshi Gondola

MAP A-5

Nyuto Hot Spring Village The Hydrangeas of Unsho-ji Temple

MAP A-6

MAP A-7

Hiking Experience

MAP A-8Skiing & Snowboarding

MAP A-9

02

01

04

Akita
Kanto Festival

NoshiroTanabata Festival
Tenku no Fuyajo

T his is one o f the 3 great
festivals of Tohoku. The sight ofc andle - lit p ap er lanter ns
attached to countless Kanto
poles swaying like ears of rice isbreathtaking.
Venue: Akita City
Held: 3rd-6th August annuallyThis festival of giant castle
lanterns was revived in thesummer of 2013 after a gap ofove r a ce nt u r y. T h e t wo
impressive giant lanterns areparaded down the street ofNoshiro accompanied by taiko
drums and a traditional hayashi
orchestra.
Venue: Noshiro
Held: Early August

MAP B-1Giant
17.6m and 24.1m
lanterns!

MAP B-4

O ga

MAP B-7

Namahage

You can also experience
holding the Kanto poles!

What are the Namahage?

These are divine joy-bringing spirits that visit the housesof the Oga District on the night of 31st December tocaution against idleness. They also bear the blessings ofsound health and good harvests from the seas andmountains. They are registered as a UNESCO intangible
cultural heritage.

Where can I meet the Namahage?
Namahage Museum

You can see all the Namahage in this museum. The over
150 Namahage masks that are actually in use make anincredible sight here! There is also an excellent video
images area and souvenir area here.

02

Akita Prefecture is the land of festivals!
See up close the traditional skills passed down through the generations!

me
ted to so
Be trea azakemat
swee hi!
cand moNishimonai
Bon Odori Dance
This is one of the three major
Bon Odori dances and started
around 700 years ago. It is adistinctive mystical dance.
Venue: Ugo
Held: 16th-18th August05

Kamakura Festival

MAP B-5

Namahage Sedo Festival

Paper Balloon Festival of Kami-Hinokinai
Over 100 giant paper balloons depicting
pictures of warriors and beautiful womensoar up into the night sky.
Venue: Semboku
Held: 10th February annually

You can experience Namahage performances at Oga
Shinzan Folklore Musuem, which is located next to the
Namahage-Musuem.

Business hours, holidays, and entrance fees vary dependingon the season so please check the Website.

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MAP B-2

Oga Shinzan Folklore Musuem

This is a Lunar New Year's event in worship of the Godof water. Children give out sweet amazake fermented
rice drink and mochi in the kamakura snow houses.
Venue: Yokote Held: 15th-16th February annually

You crelea an also tr
pape sing these yr balloons!

ods

ge are gNamahaons!
not demThis is a tourist event that combines a Shinzan Shrineof Shinzan Shrine with the Namahage. It’s a mystical andsoul-stirring winter festival in the snow where theNamahage perform a wild dance.
Venue: Oga
Held: The 2nd Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in February
annually

MAP B-603

Omagari Fireworks

This is Japan's greatest national fireworkc o m p e t i t i o n , w h e r e J a p a n ’s b e s tpyrotechnicians gather.
Venue: Daisen
Held: Last Saturday in August annually03

You can enjoy fireworks here every month!
Being the Town of Fireworks, fireworks are set off every
month in Daisen. Not just in summer, you can enjoy
firework shows with the cherry blossoms, the autumn
leaves, and the snows of winter.
MAP B-304

Enjoy nostalgic scenes of Japanon the local train lines

Nyuto Hot Spring Village
The seven hot springs dotted around thebase of Mt. Nyuto are known as Nyuto
Hot Spring Village. Each hot spring here
has their own unique spring sources andvar ying qualities. There are over 10
varieties of hot springs in total.

Motoyu Yuzankaku Hot Spring

MAP C-2

Japan Association of Secluded Hot Spring Inns

Hotel Kazuno

Let's rideng tour’ bus!
the ‘hot spriOga Hot Spring Village
Oga, famous for its Namahage, houses this hot
spring village. There are many hot spring facilities
here where you can enjoy the nature of the Japan
Sea, Oga, and its seasonal foods to the fullest.

Oyu Hot Spring Village
Taenoyu Hot Springs

This hot spring naturally welled up alongside the Oyu River 800 years ago.
Located in the middle of the northern Tohoku region, this hot spring is popular
as a well situated base for sightseeing.
MAP C-6

MAP C-1

Yuze
Hot Spring Village
Known as ‘bijin no yu (the spring ofbeautiful ladies)’, this spring has areputation for your skin getting
softer and moister every time youbathe in it.

Yuze Hotel

MAP C-7

A therapeutic hot springsince the Edo era

This local line that connects Aomori Prefecture with
Higashi Noshiro in Akita Prefecture measures 147.2km in
length. As the view from the train windows are beautiful,
it's popular across Japan as a train line people want toexperience riding on at least once.
MAP D-1

Hachimantai
Hot Spring Village
This hot spring village wells up in thegreat natural beauty of 1,000m aboves ea l eve l . A s th e re are many h ot
s p r i n g s e ff e c t i v e f o r v a r i o u s
conditions here, they are always
bustling with guests for searching fortherapeutic bathing.

Gono Line (Resort Shirakami)

Yuri Kogen Railway

Fukenoyu Hot Springs
Japan Association of Secluded Hot Spring Inns

It measures 23km in length andconnects 12 stations around the baseof Mt. Chokai. One of its attractions is
the various events they hold inside thetrain, which vary by season.
MAP D-2

MAP C-8

Some popular hot springs,
well known even across Japan, are always
Tsurunoyu Hot Springs
ready to welcome you.
Japan Association of Secluded Hot Spring Inns
MAP C-2

Akinomiya
Hot Spring Village

Okuyama Ryokan
Japan Association of Secluded Hot Spring Inns

Known as the oldest hot spring area in
Akita, there are a number of hot springinns scattered around here. They all havedifferent sources, qualities, and effects, so
you can choose a hot spring based onthese factors.

Takanoyu Hot Springs

Tamagawa Hot Springs
Spring water gushes out of the source at the largest amount in Japan
with around 9000 liters per min. This spring is famous throughout
Japan as one of the best therapeutic springs.
MAP C-9

An outd
oor batha super from which yob panoramic v u can get
iew

MAP C-4

Japan Association of Secluded Hot Spring Inns

Ryokan Tarobee

Doroyu Hot Springs
This hot spring accommodation nestles quietly inthe valley upstream of the river. It is the mostsecluded hot spring where you can enjoy
gray-white colored and thick hot spring water.
MAP C-3

05

Oyasukyo
Hot Springs
This hot spring inn is located in
the beautiful tourist spot of
Oyasu Gorge.
MAP C-5

Akita Nairiku
Jukan Railway
Sukawa Hot Springs Kurikoma-Sanso
This hot spring has a sweeping panoramic view of the natural
beauty from the outdoor bath. You can enjoy the changing
views of the four seasons from here.

MAP C-10

This train line runs north-south inlanda n d m e a s u r e s 10 0 k m i n l e n g t h .
Nostalgic, indelible scenes of Japan
including tranquil rural landscapesand beautiful gorges spread out infront of you.

MAP D-3

Akita Prefecture, a treasure trove of beautiful foods
The origin of some Japanese foods can be found here.
From long ago Akita has had fertile land and pristine water.
Of course you can enjoy great rice, but also enjoy the seasonal foods
harvested in Akita’s mountains and sea to your heart’s content.

Cooheate ked using
d to 4 a sto
00 de ne
grees
!

n,
Hinai chicke bestn’s 3
one of Japa hicken
breeds of c

Odate Magewappa

Kawatsura Lacquerware

These are made by bending sheets of Akita cedar
wood. The great aroma of Ak ita cedar and thebeautiful wood grain and natural color tone enhancethe deliciousness of the food.

This is a traditional handicraft with an 800 year history.
These lacquerware products, including owan wooden
bowls and smaller kobachi bowls, are both beautiful
and strong.

Kabazaiku
These wood products are madeusing the bark of cherry trees.
They are a popular handicraft.

02

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Japanese Sake

Akita Confectionery
There are many kinds of confectionery in Akita long traditions. Recently
confectioneries with the popular Akita dog as a motif are on sale, too.

Japanese sake in Akita is made with excellent sake riceand pristine water. The taste of real Akita sake has fansthroughout the world.

01nly dowhtoom
Slips s roat and has
your th e chewinessa uniquds
Goo

g are available.
te Akita do
he cu
t
h
wit

From
T-s
to sm hirts
all gifts
like stationery.

Souvenirs

Popular even
within Japan!

The B
abah
era
ice cr
eam
spok
of in
en
rumo
urs!

Akita Dog
Stuffed Animals

03 04

01

07

02

03

Hinai Chicken
Oyako-Don

Ishiyaki Hot Stone
Cooking

Inaniwa
Udon Noodles

Hinai chicken is one of thethree best breeds of chicken
in Japan. Oyako-don madewith Hinai chicken and eggs
which are raised under strict
standards has an exquisite
taste.

After putting some Oga sea
bream or seaweed in awooden tub, it is cooked by
the siz zling stone placed
inside. It ’s a hear t y
fisherman’s style of cooking
to enjoy fresh seafood.

These are one of the three
best udon noodles of Japan.
They have a distinc tive
smooth texture, strong
chewiness and an elegant
flavor. They can be enjoyedhot or cold.

04

Kiritampo Nabe
This is made by boiling Hinai
chicken and vegetables
to ge th er w ith K irit amp o,which are made by pounding
cooked rice, wrapping thisrice around cedar skewers andthen toasting it. Kiritampo
n a b e i s t h e p r i m e Iburi
representative of Akita’s gakko
regional dishes.

These are very popular as souvenirs including
models of Masaru, the Akita dog presented
to the figure skater Alina Zagitova, andlimited edition designs that can only bought
at airports in Akita Prefecture.

Babahera
ice cream
Smokedradish Japanese,aof the soul food
localsAkita is the home of natural beauty. Take home
some souvenirs along with its natural blessings.

sSouvenir Shop
Akita Products Plaza
1st Floor basement, Atorion, 2-3-8 Nagadori, Akita
Tel: 018-836-7830
Open: 9:30-18:30
http://www.a-bussan.jp

Akita Station Building

Topico7-2-1 Nakadori, Akita
Tel: 018-834-1911
Open: 9:30-18:30
https://www.caoca.net

Akita Airport Souvenir Plaza

A-eru

49 Yamagomori, Yuwatsubakigawa, Akita
Tel: 018-886-3367
Open: 7:00-20:30
https://www.omiyageakita.com
08

AkitaPrefecture
Map

SapporoTo Owani and Hirosaki

102

To Fukaura

Lake Towada

Ikarigaseki IC

Ikarigaseki Station

454

Getting to Akita

103

282

JR Ou Line

KosakaKita IC

7

JR Gono Line

D-1

Kosaka Junction

104

C-6

A-4

101

B-7

Ishiyaki Hot Stone Cooking

JR Ou Line

C-1

285

A-5

Gojome-Hachirogata IC

A-2

Kakunodate Bukeyashiki
Samurai Houses
Kawabe Junction

To Morioka

46

A-3

Kyowa ICJR Tazawako Line
Akita Expressway

Omagari Station
B-3

Ouchi Junction

13

Omagari IC

D-2

Yokote Station

Nikaho IC

7

Konoura IC

JR Kitakami Line

342

Yuzawa IC

Kamakura Festival

Yuzawa Station

397

342

To Mizusawa

398

Mt. Chokai

Sukawa IC
Ogachikomachi IC
C-3

To Sakata

Higashi Noshiro Station ·······················1hr 20mins
Kanazawa

EchigoYuzawa
Nagano13

TohokuShinkansen

Takasaki

Hokuriku Shinkansen

Omiya
Tokyo
Shin-Yokohama

NagoyaTokaido Shinkansen

Shizuoka

Osaka

Drive from Akita Airport!

Time taken
to main tourist areas

Ferry *It is necessary to confirm service days by individual port.

About 2hrs by car(South bound)
Tomakomai-Higashi ⇒ Akita (about 12hrs) ⇒ Niigata (about 8hrs) ⇒ Tsuruga (about 14hrs)

About 1hrs by car

JR Tazawako Station(Akita Ferry Termina) Tel: 018-880-2600 Be sure to enquire about the operating schedule of the ferry routes.

108
398

C-4

To Shinjo

To Tsukidate

342

Kakunodate

Akita Airport

To Sendai

To Ichinoseki

JR Ugo Honjo Station

YokoteA shared taxi that connects Akita Airport to areas across Akita Prefecture without
the need for bus or train transfers. Convenient and cheap. Can be used by one

Ugo

Higashi Naruse

person or more. Further information here! http://akita.airportliner.net/en/

i Tourist Information*All the information centers below are free to use

If you’re visiting Akita for the first time and are worried about
being understood, please visit the tourist information centersthroughout Akita Prefecture!

Tourist Information Offices

Tel: 018-832-7941 Available language: English

Inaniwa Udon Noodles
C-10

Nyuto Hot Spring Village

Oga Hot Spring Village●It’s about 30mins by car from Akita Port to Akita city center. (You can also catch an Akita Chuo Kotsu Bus)

▶Akita Tourist Information Office

C-5

JR Ou Line

Kitakami
StationTo Kitakami
To YudaKitakami
Junction

107

Jumonji IC

108

398
Chokai Blue Line
Chokai Highlands Nishimonai Bon Odori Dance
Kisakata IC
B-2
Mitsuseki IC

Shishigahana Wetlands

KitakamiEzuriko IC

Yuda IC

B-5

Yokote IC
Yashima Station

Fukushima

JoetsuShinkansen

JR Omagari Station

Tohoku Expressway

A-8

Kisakata
StationNiigataKazuno Hanawa Station ····················2hrs 17mins

Airport Liner (Reservation necessary)107

Sendai
Yamagata(ANA) Tel: 0570-029-222 (JAL) Tel: 0570-025-071

Omagari Fireworks

Ugo Honjo Station
Honjo IC
Yuri Kogen Railway

ShinjoTokyo (Haneda) ⇒ Odate-Noshiro ANA············About 1hr 10mins(North bound)
Tsuruga ⇒ Niigata (about 12hrs) ⇒ Akita (about 6hrs 40mins) ⇒ Tomakomai-Higashi (about 12hrs)

Kakunodate Lake Tazawa
StationAkita Shinkansen

Iwaki IC 341

105
7

Morioka
StationStationAkita-Minami IC

Matsugasaki-Kameda IC

Morioka IC

46

105 Tazawako

Akita Airport

Nagoya (Chubu International) ⇒ Akita ANA ···About 1hr 20mins(JR East Japan Enquiries Center)
Tel: 050-2016-1600*Time required may be changed

C-2
A-9

Akita-Chuo IC

Omagari

Yuzawa Station ········································1hr 6mins

A-6Tohoku Shinkansen

JR Uetsu Line

Kanto Festival

Odate Station ·········································1hr 25mins

Akita Shinkansen
Morioka

Akita

Yokote Station ···············································47mins

Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway

B-6

Akita Airport ICTime taken from Akita Station to the closest
stations of major sightseeing spots

Ugo Honjo Station ·······································40mins

341

Akita-Kita IC

13

Sapporo (Shin-Chitose) ⇒ Akita ANA/JAL ···············About 55mins

Oga Station ····························································1hr

A-1Paper Ballon Festival

B-1

Sendai Station ⇒ Akita Station ·········About 2hrs

Kisakata Station ········································1hr 4mins

7

Akita Station

Osaka (Itami) ⇒ Akita ANA/JAL ···························About 1hr 20mins

Tazawako Station ·········································57mins

Showa-Oga Peninsula IC

Unsho-ji Temple

Tokyo Station ⇒ Akita Station ···About 3hrs 37mins

Kakunodate Station ·····································45mins

C-9

D-3

Oga Station

Tokyo (Haneda) ⇒ Akita ANA/JAL ························About 1hr 5mins

Omagari Station ···········································30mins

Hachimantai
Aspite Line

Mt. Moriyoshi Gondola

Hadachi Station

Hachinohe

Akita Shinkansen

Akita Shirakami Station ·······················1hr 48mins

C-8

Kotooka-Moritake IC

Shin-Aomori

By Air

JR Line (Bullet train)

Odate-Kita IC
To
Kosaka IC
Odate Station
Hachinohe
Noshiro Tanabata Festival
103
7
Tenku no Fuyajo
Odate-Minami IC
Towada IC Towada Minami Station
Takanosu Station
Niida-Manaka IC
Gono Line
B-4 JR Ou Line
Odate-Noshiro
Airport IC
Takanosu IC
Noshiro Station
To
Otaki-Onsen Station
Shin-Aomori
285
Higashi Noshiro Station
Futatsui-Shirakami IC Odate-Noshiro
StationKazunoHanawaNoshiro-Minami IC
KazunoNoshiro-Higashi IC
AirportStationHachimantai
IC
105
Hachimantai Station
282
Hachiryu IC
Yuze-Onsen Station
To Appi
7
Kiritampo
Junsai
C-7
101

A-7

Hokkaido
Shinkansen

Akita dog

Akitashirakami
StationNamahage

Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto▶Oga Tourist Information OfficeTel: 0185-24-4700 Available language: English▶Semboku Tourist Information Center (Kakunodate Ekimaegura)App for tourist and transport information for Akita Prefecture

A k i t a ’s N AV I

Further details here!

https://www.akitafan.com/en/first

Phone support when you need help!
▶Akita Tourism Support Center

Available language: English
E-mail: support@akita-kanko.com▶Semboku Tazawa Tourist Information Center Folake Address: 3-1-1 Sanno, Akita Tel: 018-838-0225
Tel: 0187-43-2111 Available languages: English and Korean Open: 9:00-17:00 (Closed Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and New Year Holidays)
Tel: 0187-54-2700 Available language: English

This app is useful for trips around Akita Prefecture!

RoutesearchYou can search for theroute to where youwant to go, the time
it will take and how
much it will cost.

How to download
For iPhone

Event informationand the route towhere the event will

Event
be held is provided.
information

You can search fortourist attraction
information by

Tourist facilities area, categor y or
information key word.

On App Store or Google Play
Akita’s NAVI

SearchFor Android

To Naruko

09

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