SIGHTSEEING
Kakunodate is a historic town known for many samurai residences,
as well as for its beautiful nature.
In spring, weeping cherry and Yoshino cherry are in full bloom.
Visitors will enjoy a green tunnel in summer, brilliant autumn leaves in fall,
and in winter, the beautiful contrast of pure white snow and chic black fenced samurai residences.
Guests are sure to closely feel the colors of four seasons changing.
Photo: Tazawa Lake/Kakunodate Tourist Information Center
01Enjoy Culture
Watch a Play at Warabiza
Warabiza is a theater company founded in 1951 that portrays people’s minds who live in this modern world, using various expressions based on folk traditions. Their plays captivate the hearts of the audience with a wide variety of stages enjoyable for people of all ages, from small children, the elderly, to foreigners.
Visit to Suzuki Shuzo Storehouse
Suzuki Shuzo, the company that brews an original sake for Wa-no-i can be visited. The storehouse not only lets you enjoy learning about sake brewing, but also allows you to admire donated items with historical significance exhibited within the storehouse. As you enjoy tasting food and shopping, you’ll loose track of time.
A Stroll in the Samurai Residence District in Kimono
Choose a kimono you like from colorful selections and stroll the streets of Kakunodate, including the samurai residence street as if you have travelled back in time. Take photos at beautiful sights and they will become great memories of your trip.
01Enjoy Nature
Cherry Blossom Viewing
It is told that the history of cherry blossoms in Kakunodate began when three saplings of cherry trees were brought in as a part of a marital package from Kyoto by a wife of Yoshiharu Satake, during the Edo Period (1603-1868). You can enjoy the famous weeping cherry trees along the samurai residence street and a tunnel of Yoshino cherry trees along the Hinokinai River.
Lake Tazawa Kayak Experience
Lake Tazawa with amazingly clear water is distinctive in that it has different colors depending on its depth. Shallow areas are green and deep areas are blue. Hop on a kayak and enjoy the fresh greenery in spring, fall foliage, and other sceneries.
Soft Rime of Mt. Moriyoshi
The appeal of the soft rime of Mt. Moriyoshi is that it can be viewed from a location just 5 minutes away on foot from the gondola Station at the mountaintop. You will be amazed by the scenery of ice monsters in the unlimited expanse of snowy mountains and imprint it in your mind.
03Enjoy Event
Omagari Hanabi Fireworks
A historical event held on the last Saturday of August every year, counted as one of the three greatest fireworks competitions in Japan that pyrotechnicians from across the nation aspire to win. The celebrated fireworks provided by the event organizer create a spectacular show. In recent years, fireworks events have also been held in other seasons.
Yamagyoji of Kakunodate Festival
A festival inscribed on the list of “UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage” as one of “Yama (mountain), Hoko (spear), Yatai, float festivals in Japan.” A festival in which the good old traditions of Japan remain strong, held every year from September 7th to 9th. Floats topped with warrior and kabuki dolls along with musical performers of drums and shamisen are pulled around towns.
Hiburi Kamakura Fire Festival of Kakunodate
A fantastical festival held on February 14th every year where rings of fire dance amidst a landscape of snow. Straw bags filled with charcoal are tied to a rope of about 1 meter and set alight. The end of the ropes are held and swung around the bodies of holders to pray for a safe year.
The Paper Balloon Lantern Festival of Kamihinokinai
A major winter event of Akita Prefecture. Large balloons made of Japanese handmade paper with drawings of warriors and beautiful women are lit and released to the night sky in mid-winter. Every year, on February 10th, they are released in the sky, hoping people’s wishes will come true.
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