PICKUP

Access: JR East Websitehttp://www.jreast.co.jp/e/index.htmlUgo Transportation Stock Companyhttp://www.ugokotsu.co.jp/Akita Nairiku Jukan Railwayhttp://www.akita-nairiku.com/

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Akita

Kakunodate

Lake Tazawa

I n f o r m a t i o n

AKITALocated in the western part of Tohoku region Akita prefecture boasts Shirakami Mountains, the World Heritage Site, as well as the deepest lake in Japan, Lake Tazawa. Ranked third in production of rice in Japan Akita is also prosperous in its forestry. Variety of Akita’s local cuisine doesn’t leave anything to be desired either. Finally, let’s not forget Akita’s unique traditional events such as “Namahage” or Akita Kantou Festival.

Travel through one of the most famous locations in Akita, Kakunodate and Lake Tazawa, using 4 vehicles. With a “Four You Pass” you will be able to use the railway,bus, pleasure cruise and tax i f r ee l y . P lan you r t r i p efficiently!

■ Akita Prefecture Tourism Guide “Akita-fan dotcom”http://www.akitafan.com/en/index.html

■ Towada Hachimantai Tourism AssociationTEL 0186-23-2019

■ Akita City Tourist 　 Information DeskTEL 018-832-7941

■ Senboku City Lake Tazawa　 Tourist Information CenterTEL 0187-43-2111

■ Kakunodate Town Tourism AssociationTEL 0187-54-2700

http://kakunodate-kanko.jp/language/en/kakunodate.html

■ Oga City Tourism AssociationTEL 0185-24-4700

■ Akita Airport Terminal Information Desktel : 018-886-3366

ModelCourse

1Enjoy Ak

ita!

RecommendedSweets shopcrawling

This region is commonly used for shooting Japanese Samurai films. Enjoy the beauty of Japan:cherry blossoms in spring and maples in autumn.

KakunodateWarrior ResidencesKakunodateWarrior Residences

Semboku CityAreaYear RoundSeason

9-MMAP

The 94.2km long route from Semboku City “Kakunodate” to Kita Akita City, Takanosu. See the rice fields and mountain streams along the railway line. R ide above p ic tu resque ravine on the railway bridge and in 5km long tunnel.

Akita Nairiku LineSemboku City～Kita-Akita City

Area

Year RoundSeason

Enjoy the deepest lake in Japan from a boat. On board time is about 40 minutes. Don’ t miss the statue of Tatsuko, symbol of Tazawa.

Semboku CityAreaFrom end of April toend of October

Season9-MMAP

Kakunodate/ Lake Tazawa Area

A cute shop specialising in honey. Apart from a wide variety of different types of honey you can buy candies and ice cream with honey topping in here.

A grocery store selling local edible wild plants, mushrooms and fruits. Check out the sweet corner for parfait filled with the fruits of the season.

FromAkitaStation

KakunodateStation

KakunodateStation

LakeTazawaStation

MatsubaStation

KakunodateWarrior

Residences

Lake TazawaStatue ofTatsuko

Lake TazawaPleasurecruise tour

JRTohokuShinkansen

JRTohokuShinkansen

AkitaNairikuLine Public Taxi

PleasurecruiseBus

Bus Bus

Inspired by a legend of princess Tatsuko, this bronze statue facing away from the clear water of the lake symbolizes her wish of eternal youth and beauty.

Semboku CityArea Year RoundSeason

9-MMAPLake Tazawa(Statue of Tatsuko)

Lake Tazawa(pleasure cruise)

Use 4 vehicles to travel throughall hot spots.

Recommended for visiting Lake Tazawa・Kakunodate Area

Recommended for visiting Lake Tazawa・Kakunodate AreaFour You Pass

TEL0120-038-318http://www.bee-skep.com/

ContactTEL0187-54-2367Contact

An old shop specialising in miso soy sauce and pickles boasting over 300 years of history. Try out the novel taste of soy sauce flavoured soft cream.

TEL0187-53-2008http://www.andojyozo.co.jp/index.htmlContact

Café-Restaurant specialising mainly i n we s t e r n c on f e c t i o n e r y a n d pastries.The shop is famous for its un ique f l avou r o f swee tness i t achieves from using local ingredients such as Kakunodate cherry blossoms.

TEL0187-54-1997http://www.kakunodate-puchi.com/Contact

Valid fortwo days

LakeTazawa

Kakunodate

●Akita Nairiku Region Public TransportCooperation CouncilAkita Nairiku Initiation Headquarters　 TEL 0186-82-2114

Contact

Try out the unique sweetness of local Akita desserts. You can find a great number of confectioneries in Kakunodate/ Lake Tazawa area.

Adults (above 12 y/o)

¥2,100 ¥1,050Children (below 12 y/o)

You can use 4 vehicles(excluding Taxi)as manytimes as you want!●Akita Nairiku Line●Route Bus●Lake Tazawa Tourist Pleasure Cruise●Public Taxi (one-way trip once)

Mountain Honey Shop (Lake Tazawa) Sakai Shop (Kakunodate)Ando Brewery

Kakunodate Petite Phrase

One Day Course

Course fees are subject to change without notice.11 12

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modations

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PICKUP

PICKUP

Contact for further details.

Food CultureEnjoy Akita’s local mountain, sea food and village cuisines.

Akita offers a plethora of first rate wooden crafts!

Traditional Industrial Arts

Birch Craftsmanship

Traditional craft of tea caddies, trays and other tools for daily lives made from the bark of Japan’s symbol, sakura tree. Notice the amazing vivid colours.

Semboku CityArea

Magewappa Boxes

Traditional boxes made by peeling off a thin layer of natural Akita’s cedars, softening it with hot water and fastening it in a round shape with mountain sakura bark.

Odate CityArea

9-MMAP 8-OMAP

http://www.pref.akita.jp/koho/foreign/en/0220.html

http://www.pref.akita.jp/koho/foreign/en/0230.html

Also known as Matagi spring is told to have a healing effect on cuts and burns. Its amber coloured water comes from Mt.Moriyoshi.

Komata Ravine, designed as a natural memorial in the prefecture, is a mysterious ravine boasting over 100 waterfalls (a source of water for Mt.Hanayoshi’s eastern foot) and lots of caverns. You can reach Komata ship in 30 minutes by the tranquil lake pleasure cruise. From Komata ship you can walk on the 1.8 kilometers long boardwalk and enjoy variously shaped unique waterfalls, including the 20 meters tall breathtaking triple step waterfall.

A facility where you can learn the history and culture of nature co-existing Matagi society known for its strict rules.

Akita Nairiku Line.Get off at Ani-Matagi Station.

Access

From Akita Nairiku Line Ani-Maeda Station45 minutes long taxi ride.

Access

●About Matagi　●Matagi Stories ●Trying out “Jango” ※ Local cuisine

●Mountain herb and mushroom picking●Riverwalk of Ani 　●Tracking bears●Waterfalls walk of Ani

●Walking with snow shoes●Hot pot in the snow

●Fresh greenery / From middle of May to beginning of June●Autumn colors / Best scenery at middle of October

Season

Inaniwa Udon

Noodles filled with Akita history, one of the three udon dishes known to represent Japan. Enjoy its smooth texture and the addictive refreshing flavour.

Yuzawa CityArea Year RoundSeason

Kiritanpo

Representative cuisine of Akita region. This clump of rice on a cedar stick can either be fried, boiled or covered in miso sauce.

Northern AreaArea Autumn/WinterSeason

9-KMAP 8-OMAP

Yokote Yakisoba

Regarded as a B level cuisine by gourmets Yokote Yakisoba is made from thick straight noodles and enriched with a special local seasoning. Normally it also includes soft-boiled eggs and Fukujin pickles.

Yokote CityArea Year RoundSeason

Hinai Chicken

Enjoy the delicious smell and the crunchy bite of this chicken cuisine regarded as one of the Japan’s best.

Northern AreaArea Year RoundSeason

9-LMAP 8-OMAP

Shiotsuru Baked Clams

A hot menu of representative fish of Akita, “Hata-Hata”, vegetables and a special fish sauce called Shottsuru all mixed in one. Eat it while it still boils!

Akita City etc.Area Autumn/WinterSeason

Imonoko Soup

Called the “feast of autumn” in Akita and used to celebrate the success of harvest by local people, this potato cuisine is boiled in soy sauce and miso for delicious flavour.

Yokote CityArea AutumnSeason

7-MMAP 9-LMAP

A group of hunters called “Matagi” famous for hunting large animals such as bears or antelopes lived in Utto region. Learn the unique culture of “Matagi” people.

Utto Hot Springs

MorioyoshiAreaExperience “Matagi”hunting in UttoHotsprings area!

Learn the life of Matagiin a Matagi school

Indoors class　(Year Round)

Outdoors class (Spring to Autumn)

Indoors Class (Winter)

Komata Ravine

Utto Hot SpringsTEL 0186-84-2612

Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway CompanyTEL 0186-82-3231

http://www.mataginosato.com/

http://www.akita-nairiku.com/

Moriyoshi

AkitaNairikuRailway

KomataRavine

Around 100km long local railway connecting Kakunodate and Takanosu, going through gorges of Hinokinai and Anigawa rivers. Along the railway line you can see the famous Ani district of Matagi Village, Utto hot springs, Mt.Moriyoshi inn, maple trees, and much other vegetation Mt.Moriyoshi is famous for. Kakunodate rural areas, mountains and valleys, and finally Matagi Village after you get through the mountain pass. Further we recommend noting Hitachinai railway bridge for its scenic high altitude greenery.

Nairiku AreaAkita Nairiku Railway

Akita Prefecture Inaniwa Udon Cooperativehttp://www.inaniwa-udon.jp/

Akita Prefecture Sales Divisionhttp://common.pref.akita.lg.jp/aktshoku/index.html

Kakunodate Industrial Arts Cooperativehttp://www.chuokai-akita.or.jp/kabazaiku/

Odate Magewappa Boxes Cooperativehttp://www.chuokai-akita.or.jp/magewappa/

Yokote Yakisoba Shop Committeehttp://www.yokotekamakura.com/yokoteyakisoba/index.html

Odate Kiritanpo Associationhttp://www.odatetanpo.net/

Akita Prefecture Livestock Production and Feed Division http://www2.e-komachi.jp/hinaijidori/

Tourism information of Kita-Akita city http://www.city.kitaakita.akita.jp/kankou/joy/nature/komata.html

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Hot SpringsA number of famous hot springs including the Tamagawa known to output the highest amount of hot water in Japan!

FestivalsLay your eyes on some of the nationally famous festivals.

NatureDon’t miss the World Heritage site Shirakami and other scenic locations!

History/CultureExperience years of Japanese history in some of its most famous locations.

http://www.pref.akita.jp/koho/foreign/en/0150.html http://www.pref.akita.jp/koho/foreign/en/0130.html

http://www.pref.akita.jp/koho/foreign/en/0140.html http://www.pref.akita.jp/koho/foreign/en/0110.html

Tamagawa Hotsprings

Boasting the highest amount of output of hot water (9000 liters per minute) this 98C ph1.1 acidic hot spring is visited by many for its effective recuperation qualities.

Semboku CityArea

Nyuto Hot Springs Resort

Located on foot of Mt.Nyuto this hot springs resort offers hospitable lodgings from the far past. Try out the famous turbid hot springs.

Semboku CityArea

Oga Hot Springs

Observe the scenic beauty of the sun setting in the Sea of Japan. Many events including “Namahage” and drum, shamisen performances.

Oga CityArea

Goshogake Hot Springs

Hot springs located in the magnificent nature of Hachimantai National Park. Experience the profound healing effect said to be amongst the strongest in Japan.

Kazuno CityArea

Kamakura

The “lord” sitting on the Kamakura gives away sweet sake and candies to the observers. The number of Kamakuras on the streets rises above hundreds on the days of this festival which carries 400 years of tradition.

Yokote CityArea February 15th ・16thSeason

Namahage

Locals of Oga region revere Namahage as a messenger of God. It brings happiness, punishes the lazy and exorcises evil spirits.

Oga CityArea Namahage Event: December 31st Namahage Sedo Festival: 2nd Fri.to Sun.of February

Season

祭

祭

From JR limited express “Tsugaru” Futatsui Station to Yunozawa Hot Springs by Hokushu bus.

Access

Shirakami Mountains

A humongous mountain range covering parts of Aomori and Akita prefectures. Recorded as a World Heritage site in 1993 it boasts largest beech forest in East Asia.

NorthwestArea June-NovemberSeason

From JR Akita Station to Oga Station on JR Oga Line Use taxi or rental car to reach the destination.

Access

Mt. Kanpu

Having its bigger half covered in lawn Mt.Kanpu is 300m tall and is a famous paragliding location. Observatory located on the mountain is a popular tourist destination.

Oga CityArea From mid March to mid DecemberSeason

From JR Akita Shinkansen Lake Tazawa Station to Lake Tazawa Shore by public bus.

Access

Lake Tazawa

With 20km long circumference this deepest lake in Japan (423.4m) offers mysterious amber coloured water and beautiful scenery at every season of the year.

Semboku CityArea Year RoundSeason

Board JR Lake Tazawa Line from Kojiro StationAccess

Dakigaeri Valley

Primeval forest known for its greenery and autumn colours. Don’t miss the magnificent sight of red leaves reflected on the mountain stream.

Semboku CityArea From end of April to mid November

Season Year RoundSeason Year RoundSeason

Year RoundシーズンYear Roundシーズン

Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum/Namahage House

A typical house of traditional Oga region, where the traditional “Namahage” event is revived for the New Year’s Eve.

Oga CityArea Year RoundSeasonKakunodate Warrior Residences

Experience the traces of ancient Japan in this history movie like dignified residence located in Kakunodate and known for its beautiful cherry blossoms.

Semboku CityArea Year RoundSeason

7-OMAP 6-MMAP

9-MMAP 10-MMAP

5-MMAP

9-MMAP

Koraku-Kan

Experience kabuki theatre performed by some of the most famous Japanese actors in this wooden shed known to host ancient Japanese plays up to this day.

Kosaka TownArea Year RoundSeason

Matagi Museum

Learn the unique culture of mountain animal hunters “Matagi”. Touch with the harshness of life in snowy mountain villages.

Kita-Akita CityArea Year RoundSeason

9-OMAP 8-NMAP Akita Kanto (Lantern) Festival

Tohoku festival of heroism. Performers compete in their ability to hold 12m long bamboo sticks decorated with 46Kanto (paper lamps) on their palms or foreheads. Night is never dark during this festival.

Akita CityArea August 3rd-6th Season

祭 7-MMAP

Nishimonai Bon-Dance

One of the three Bon-dancing festivals in Japan. Enjoy the illusion-like sinchronicity of wild music and graceful dancing.

Ugo TownArea August 16th-18th Season

祭 9-KMAP

10-KMAP

5-MMAP

9-NMAP 10-MMAP

5-MMAP 9-NMAP

Koraku-Kan　http://kosaka-mco.com/index.php

Namahage Househttp://www.namahage.co.jp/namahagekan/

Kakunodate Town Tourism Associationhttp://kakunodate-kanko.jp/bukeyashiki.html

Matagi Museum　TEL0186-84-2458

Tamagawa Hot Springshttp://www.tamagawa-onsen.jp/

Oga Hot Springs Cooperative　http://www.e-ogaonsen.com/

Akita City Kanto Matsuri Execution Committeehttp://www.kantou.gr.jp/index.htm

Nishimonai Bon-Dance Executive Committeehttp://ugo.main.jp/index.html

Yokote City Tourism Associationhttp://www.yokotekamakura.com/index.html

Goshogake Hot Springs　http://www.goshougake.com/

Nyuto Hot Springs Associationhttp://www.nyuto-onsenkyo.com/

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AKITA