7 Things to Do in Akita! Interact with Akita Dogs, Experience Namahage, and More & Recommended Accommodations

When you travel to Akita, located in the northern part of Japan, you will encounter unique local specialties such as the Akita dog and Namahage. In addition, there are many fascinating experiences that allow you to immerse yourself in the local culture and customs, such as magnificent natural scenery, hot springs, snow country festivals, and traditional townscapes. In this article, we will introduce things you want to do in Akita, including experiences you can have in each area and recommended accommodations to use as your travel base.

*If you purchase or make a reservation for products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.

🚅Book your Shinkansen ticket with NAVITIME Travel! 👉 Click here

🛫Book your flight ticket with NAVITIME Travel! 👉 Click here

😄Enjoy a more convenient trip to Japan with NAVITIME eSIM!👉Click here

👉Book Hotels & Ryokan on JAPANiCAN🏨

I Want to Meet an Akita Dog! Visit Akita City and Odate City

The Akita dog is one of Japan’s most iconic breeds. They are known for their fluffy coats, dignified build, and gentle expressions. Odate City, considered the birthplace of the Akita dog, is home to several facilities where you can learn about them. There are also places in Akita City where you can interact with Akita dogs, so it is recommended to use Akita Station as your base and visit both of these areas.

3 Facilities Related to Akita Dogs

At the following facilities, you can find exhibits about Akita dogs and purchase related merchandise. Depending on the day and time, you may even be able to meet an Akita dog, so be sure to check the details in advance.

🐾 When can you meet an Akita dog? Check the details🐾

Where Should You Stay to Meet Akita Dogs?

If you are traveling to meet Akita dogs, staying in Akita City or Odate City makes it easy to visit each spot. Here, we introduce hotels that are convenient as a base for sightseeing and for accessing places where you can meet Akita dogs.

Akita Castle Hotel (Akita City)

This hotel is perfect for enjoying encounters with Akita dogs while staying in Akita City. It is located in the city center within walking distance from Akita Station, where the shinkansen from Tokyo also stops, making it convenient for sightseeing and dining around Akita Station.

It is also conveniently located as a base for traveling around Akita using public transportation, such as extending your trip to Odate the next day.

🏨Check rates and availability for Akita Castle Hotel

Royal Hotel Odate

If you want to take your time exploring Odate City, the hometown of the Akita dog, this hotel is highly recommended. It is within walking distance from Odate Station, making it easy to access city attractions such as the “Akita Dog Visitor Center.”

The hotel also features a large public hot spring bath, so after exploring Akita dog attractions or sightseeing in Odate, you can relax and unwind in the onsen, which is another great point.

🏨Check rates and availability for Royal Hotel Odate

Want to Experience Namahage? Head to Oga City

If you want to experience Akita’s traditional culture, you cannot miss the “Namahage” of the Oga Peninsula.

Namahage is a folk event that has been passed down for generations in the area around Oga City, Akita Prefecture. “Namahage” performers, wearing demon-like masks, visit homes to admonish laziness and pray for good health and safety. This unique custom is still cherished as an important part of the local culture today.

Namahage Museum & Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum

If you want to learn more about Namahage, the “Namahage Museum” and “Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum” in Oga City are must-visit spots. The Namahage Museum introduces the history and culture of Oga’s Namahage. Inside the museum, you can see a variety of masks that have actually been used, and you can compare the different expressions that vary by region.

At the adjacent "Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum," you can watch a demonstration lecture where Namahage enters a traditional Magariya-style house. The highlight is that you can experience firsthand, through the actual movements and shouts, how Namahage has been connected to people's daily lives.

A combined admission ticket is available, allowing you to visit both facilities together.

Address: Mizukuisawa, Kitaura Shinzan, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
Access: About 20 minutes by car from Oga Station
Opening hours: 8:30–17:00
Closed: Open year-round *Opening hours and closing days for the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum may vary depending on the season. Please check the official website for the latest information.
Admission: 660 yen, 330 yen for elementary, junior high, and high school students

Namahage Sedo Festival

If you visit Oga in winter, be sure to check out the "Namahage Sedo Festival." This is a traditional winter event held at Shinzan Shrine, combining the Shinto “Saitousai” ritual with Namahage, and is one of Oga's most iconic festivals. Torches light up the darkness, and the sight of Namahage walking through the snowy shrine grounds is a scene unique to Oga in winter. Advance reservation is required for entry.

Address: Shinzan Shrine, Mizukuisawa, Kitaura, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
Access: About 1 hour 10 minutes by car from Akita Station, about 40 minutes by special paid bus from Oga Station
Event hours: 18:00–20:30
Event period: Annually on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday including the second Saturday of February

Related Articles

What are the "Three Great Eccentric Festivals of Japan"? When are they held? Highlights and access information

Recommended Hotels in Oga City

After experiencing Namahage culture, relax and unwind at Oga Onsen Village. If you choose an inn where you can enjoy hot springs and local cuisine unique to the Oga Peninsula, your time at the accommodation will become a memorable part of your Akita trip, not just sightseeing. Here, we introduce recommended hotels in Oga City.

Oga Hotel, Oga Onsen Village

This is an inn you will want to visit to enjoy both Namahage culture and hot springs on the Oga Peninsula. You can soak in a spacious open-air rock bath.

🏨Check rates and availability for Oga Hotel

Seiko Grand Hotel

In addition to enjoying the Oga Onsen in both open-air and indoor baths, you can savor local flavors at dinner, such as Oga’s famous stone-grilled cuisine. This hotel is also a convenient base for sightseeing around the Oga Peninsula, including not only the Namahage Museum and Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum, but also Cape Nyudozaki and Godzilla Rock.

🏨Check rates and availability for Seiko Grand Hotel

Enjoy the Snow and Winter Festivals in Yokote City

If you are visiting Akita during the snowy season, head to Yokote City, located in the southeastern part of the prefecture. The sight of the city decorated with snow-made kamakura (snow huts) is impressive even for those who are not used to snow. Unique winter culture and scenery await you in Akita.

Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival

The Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival is a traditional Little New Year event with a history of about 450 years. Large kamakura made of snow are built to enshrine the water deity inside. During the festival, kamakura are constructed throughout the city, and at night, the white snow walls and the lights inside create a magical atmosphere. Inside the kamakura, you can enjoy interacting with local people while tasting amazake (sweet rice drink) and mochi (rice cakes).

Venue: Road Park in front of Yokote City Hall Main Building, Yokote Park, Hagurocho Samurai Residence Street, and other locations in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture
Period: Mid-February every year
Hours: 18:00–21:00
*Please check the official website for the latest information.

Recommended Hotels in Yokote City

Here are some hotels that are convenient as a base for sightseeing and where you can relax in hot springs.

Hotel Plaza Annex Yokote

Located about a 2-minute walk from Yokote Station. The hotel features a large natural hot spring bath, sauna, and stone sauna, so after seeing the kamakura and walking in the snow, you can warm up and relax in the hot springs. There are also rooms with open-air baths that use natural hot spring water, allowing you to enjoy a unique winter stay in a snowy region.

🏨Check rates and availability for Hotel Plaza Annex Yokote

Enjoy a Secluded Hot Spring with Snow Views at Nyuto Onsen Village

If you are traveling to Akita for its hot springs, head to Nyuto Onsen Village in Semboku City. This healing spot is nestled in the mountains surrounded by beech forests, where seven unique hot spring inns are scattered throughout the area.

Relax in Hot Springs While Gazing at the Snowy Scenery

The charm of Nyuto Onsen Village lies in the fact that each inn offers different hot spring sources and bathhouses. Each inn has its own unique water quality, bath styles, and surrounding scenery, so part of the fun is visiting different baths and experiencing the differences. If you use the “Yumeguri Pass” available exclusively to overnight guests, you can tour all seven hot springs in Nyuto Onsen Village.

During the snowy season, you can enjoy a “yukimi-buro” (open-air bath with snow views) while soaking in the hot springs surrounded by a white forest. The sight of the snowy landscape through the steam is a winter experience unique to Akita.

Recommended Ryokan in Nyuto Onsen Village

During winter, the “Yumeguri-go” shuttle bus does not operate to some hot springs, so be sure to check transportation information if you plan to visit in winter.

Ganiba Onsen

This mountain inn, characteristic of Nyuto Onsen Village, stands quietly deep in the forest. The hot spring water is 100% free-flowing from the source, and you can enjoy bathing in open-air baths surrounded by trees and nature. The clear, colorless water is gentle on the skin and is known as “Bijin-no-yu” (hot spring for beautiful skin). The name “Ganiba Onsen” comes from the fact that many crabs live in the nearby streams.

🏨Check rates and availability for Ganiba Onsen

Magoroku Onsen

Among the Nyuto Onsen hot spring villages, this inn retains a simple and rustic atmosphere. The hot spring, which still preserves the traditional ambiance of a therapeutic bathhouse, is also known as the “Mountain Medicinal Bath.” The bathhouse is located a short distance from the main building along the riverside, allowing guests to enjoy the hot spring while surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains.

🏨Check rates and availability for Magoroku Onsen

Taenoyu

This inn is located along a mountain stream, allowing guests to enjoy hot springs while taking in the natural scenery. It features two different hot spring sources, each with its own unique color and mineral composition, which you can fully enjoy while listening to the gentle flow of the stream.

🏨Check rates and availability for Taenoyu

Enjoy Activities on the Lake! Head to Lake Tazawa

Lake Tazawa is the deepest lake in Japan, boasting a maximum depth of 423.4 meters. The beautiful scenery is characterized by the clear blue surface of the lake and the surrounding mountains. In summer, you can enjoy water activities, in autumn the colorful foliage, and in winter the snowy landscape, allowing you to experience the changing faces of nature throughout the seasons.

Enjoy Lake Tazawa with SUP and Canoeing

At Lake Tazawa, you can experience activities such as stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and canoeing, depending on the season, all set in the great outdoors. From the water, you can take in the clear lake surface and the surrounding mountains from a different perspective than when walking along the shore.

Recommended Hotels Around Lake Tazawa

After enjoying activities at Lake Tazawa, spending a relaxing time at a hot spring inn nearby is a luxurious way to unwind. Here, we introduce accommodations where you can enjoy both the natural beauty of Lake Tazawa and the food culture of Akita.

Natural Hot Spring Tazawako Lake Resort

This hotel is located at the foot of Mount Akita-Komagatake. In addition to unique open-air and indoor baths with natural hot spring water, you can also enjoy dishes made with ingredients from Akita. It is a convenient place to stay not only for sightseeing around Lake Tazawa but also when visiting places like Nyuto Onsen Village.

🏨Check the rates and availability for Tazawako Lake Resort Onsen (Natural Hot Spring)

Kamenoi Hotel Tazawako

This hot spring inn is located at an altitude of 700 meters, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Tazawako Highlands. In addition to its natural hot springs, the buffet featuring Akita’s local specialties such as Kiritanpo Hot Pot and Inaniwa Udon is also very popular.

🏨Check the rates and availability for Kamenoi Hotel

I Want to Walk Through an Old Japanese Townscape! Kakunodate

Kakunodate, located in Semboku City, is a historic area that has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the Japanese government.

Feel the History as You Walk Along the Samurai Residence Streets

Kakunodate, also known as “Little Kyoto of Michinoku,” retains a townscape that dates back to the Edo period. Especially along the Samurai Residence Street, you will find rows of historic buildings with black wooden fences and impressive gates, allowing you to enjoy a stroll while imagining the lives of samurai in the past. The townscape changes with the seasons, featuring weeping cherry blossoms in spring, colorful foliage in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter, which is one of its major attractions.

Recommended Accommodations Around Kakunodate

After enjoying a walk through Kakunodate, it is also recommended to relax in a hot spring and savor the lingering atmosphere of a uniquely Japanese townscape.

Kakunodate Onsen Kayokan

Kakunodate Onsen Kayokan is an inn conveniently located for combining with a stroll around Kakunodate. You can enjoy dishes made with plenty of seasonal ingredients, warm hospitality, and a relaxing soak in the hot spring.

🏨Check rates and availability for Kakunodate Onsen Kayokan

I Want to Experience Akita’s Food Culture! To Akita City and Other Regions

If you are traveling in Akita, its food culture is also something worth exploring. Each region has its own unique appeal, including dishes and fermentation culture characteristic of a rice-producing region, as well as sake made using its abundant water and rice.

Kiritanpo Making Experience

When it comes to Akita’s local cuisine, kiritanpo is a must-try. It is made by mashing cooked rice, wrapping it around a stick, and grilling it. Kiritanpo is often used in hot pot dishes and more.

There are several places within the prefecture where you can not only eat at the restaurant but also experience the process of mashing rice, wrapping it around a stick, and grilling it yourself.

👉【Akita Prefecture, Yokote City】Experience Making Kiritanpo, an Akita Specialty, Finished Over Charcoal

Visit a Sake Brewery and Taste Japanese Sake

Akita, known as a major rice-producing region, is also famous for its sake. The area offers ideal conditions for sake brewing, including abundant water and rice, as well as a cold climate. Some breweries offer tours and tastings, so it is a good idea to include a visit in your travel plans.

Recommended Inns Where You Can Enjoy Local Cuisine

One way to enjoy your trip is to relax and savor a meal at your accommodation. Here are some inns where you can enjoy local flavors along with hot springs and nature unique to the region.

Okabeso

Located in Kazuno City, Okabeso is an inn established in 1955. It features five different hot spring baths with water flowing directly from the source, allowing guests to enjoy a variety of unique baths. The meals are also highly regarded, offering country-style dishes made with local ingredients such as Kiritanpo Nabe, Kazuno Beef, and Hachimantai Pork.

🏨Check rates and availability for Okabeso

Towadako Shinzantei

This inn, located on the shore of Lake Towada, offers robatayaki (charcoal-grilled dishes) prepared over an open hearth. There is also a hot spring bath using water from Towadako Onsen, allowing guests to enjoy nature, hot springs, and the cuisine of northern Tohoku all at once.

🏨Check rates and availability for Towadako Shinzantei

Model Itinerary for Sightseeing in Akita Prefecture

By combining the experiences introduced so far, you can enjoy a special trip that lets you fully experience Akita’s culture, nature, and hot springs all at once.

3 Days, 2 Nights | Enjoy Akita’s Culture, Nature, and Hot Springs

Day 1 | Akita City & Odate City

After arriving at Akita Station, start by exploring Akita City. Meet Akita dogs at Akita Dog Station and enjoy lunch in the city.

Afterwards, head to Odate City. Visit “Akita Dog Visitor Center” and “Akita Dog Museum” near Odate Station to learn about Akita dogs. In the evening, savor local cuisine in Odate and stay overnight in the city.

Day 2 | Odate → Kakunodate → Nyuto Onsen

The next morning, travel to Kakunodate. Stroll along the Samurai Residence Street and explore the townscape that has continued since the Edo period.

After lunch, head to Nyuto Onsen Village.

At your inn, relax in an open-air bath surrounded by snowy scenery or nestled in the forest. In the evening, enjoy Akita’s local dishes and savor the peaceful moments unique to a mountain hot spring inn.

Day 3 | Nyuto Onsen → Lake Tazawa → Akita City

Start your morning with an open-air bath. If you have time, visit other hot springs in Nyuto Onsen Village.

From Nyuto Onsen, head to Lake Tazawa. Walk along the lakeshore or enjoy activities such as SUP or canoeing depending on the season, and fully experience Akita’s natural beauty.

Return to Akita Station to shop for souvenirs or enjoy one last local meal to wrap up your trip in Akita.

Head home from Akita Station or Akita Airport.

Fully Enjoy the Charms of Akita! Choose Your Trip Based on What You Want to Do

Akita offers unique culture such as Akita dogs and Namahage, snow country festivals, beautiful mountains and lakes, and hot springs with distinct personalities. Instead of just visiting sightseeing spots in order, try choosing your destinations based on what you want to do, such as “I want to meet Akita dogs,” “I want to enjoy a hot spring with snowy views,” or “I want to stroll through a traditional town.” You’re sure to discover a way to enjoy Akita that’s just right for you.