7 spots โ sorted by traveller rating
A vast UNESCO World Natural Heritage primeval beech forest straddling Akita and Aomori prefectures โ the last great untouched virgin beech forest in East Asia. The Aoike (Blue Pond) within Shirakami glows a supernatural turquoise fed by mineral springs. Strictly limited visitor access preserves its extraordinary integrity.
One of Japan's best-preserved samurai towns โ Kakunodate's 400-year-old bukeyashiki (samurai residence) street is lined with ancient black-walled mansions and weeping cherry trees planted by samurai families. Six of the original residences are open to the public, revealing the refined domestic life of the Edo warrior class.
Kakunodate's Bukeyashiki samurai quarter is one of Japan's best-preserved feudal districts, where six grand samurai residences open their gardens along a street lined with weeping cherry trees. In late April the blossoms hang over the historic earthen walls like a pink waterfall, and in autumn the maples turn brilliant scarlet. The district also houses kabazaiku cherry-bark craft workshops, a unique Kakunodate art form.
Japan's deepest lake (423 m) glows a vivid cobalt blue year-round thanks to its extraordinary depth โ it never freezes in winter. The golden statue of Tatsuko, a legendary beauty said to have become the lake's goddess, stands on the western shore. The surrounding caldera provides panoramic views from hiking trails above the rim.
The Oga Peninsula is the birthplace of the Namahage ritual, where men in terrifying demon masks and straw capes visit homes on New Year's Eve to drive out evil and laziness โ a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Namahage Museum and adjacent Oga Shinzan Denshokan folk museum allow visitors to meet costumed Namahage year-round and witness dramatic performance demonstrations. The rugged sea cliffs and fishing villages of the peninsula add natural drama to the cultural visit.
The rugged Oga Peninsula juts into the Sea of Japan, home to the Namahage โ fearsome demon-masked figures who visit houses on New Year's Eve to discipline lazy children. The Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum features nightly Namahage ceremonies, while the dramatic coastline offers volcanic sea cliffs and hidden coves.
Akita City's Senshu Park occupies the site of Kubota Castle โ the former seat of the Satake clan โ with a reconstructed turret offering city views. The park's 840 cherry trees are among Tohoku's finest, and the surrounding museum district includes the excellent Akita Museum of Art (featuring Fujita Tsuguharu's monumental canvas).
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