Akita Prefecture is located in the northwestern part of Japan’s Tohoku region. About 450 kilometers north of Tokyo, it takes just over 3 hours to get from Tokyo Station to Akita Station by bullet train.
Here’s what you need to know about Akita, local cuisine, and activities to help plan your trip.
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1. Quick facts about Akita
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Akita Prefecture is situated among the mountains of northern Honshu in the Tohoku region. The coastal west side faces the Sea of Japan, while the east side of the prefecture is bordered by the Ou Mountains, running from north to south.
Shinkansen or plane are the most convenient ways to get there from major cities in Japan. The Akita Shinkansen stops at four stations within the prefecture, and Akita Airport and Odate Noshiro Airport provide other options depending on your destination.
The history of Akita City, the prefecture’s capital, began in 1602. After the Battle of Sekigahara (1600), Sengoku warlord Yoshinobu Satake moved from Hitachi, now in northeastern Ibaraki prefecture, to Akita and began developing the castle town, which eventually grew into Akita City and became the heart of Akita Prefecture.
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What is Akita known for?
Akita is an area of abundant, magnificent nature where you can enjoy nature-centric activities like trekking in the Shirakami Mountains or bathing in the “secret” Nyuto Onsenkyo hot spring. Another highlight is Kakunodate, full of charm and lined with classic Japanese architecture reminiscent of the streets of Kyoto.
2. When is the best time to visit Akita?
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Akita’s weather changes noticeably with each season. Since it’s so far north, winters are cold. If snowy landscapes of Tohoku in winter are your thing, February is the best time to visit.
Inland portions of Akita Prefecture experience the heaviest snowfalls. Yokote City’s Yokote Snow Festival in February is a fun scene with its igloos and kamakura snow huts.
In winter, thick sweaters, down jackets, gloves, mufflers, and other cold-weather clothing are essential, as are boots and non-slip shoes.
Nyuto Onsenkyo, located in the Tazawako district of Semboku City, is the place to go to enjoy a unique midwinter “yukimi” bath. Seven local hot springs are both famous and nostalgic with their thatched-roof buildings and open-air baths surrounded by virgin forests. They’re ideal for experiencing a sense of old-fashioned Japanese style and the tasteful landscape of the foothills covered with pure white snow.
Nyuto Onsen: Famous Baths with Breathtaking Winter Sights in Akita’s Renowned Hot Spring Village
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Once the harsh cold has subsided, spring is also a popular tourist season for visiting Aki…
