Akita... what else?

Hi!

I have two questions...

I'm planning to visit Akita for their Kanto Festival, but I will only arrive on the last Saturday Aug 6. Will there still be parades in the morning and evening? (I checked their website, but could not find detailed schedule)

I was wondering what else is there to do in Akita... seems only this festival and a bunch of museums, which personally I don't find interest in... Where else can I go outside Akita that is good for only one day? Basically my schedule is just over the weekend:
Aug 6 - Akita
Aug 7 - somewhere near for day trip...
+ then I leave for Tokyo on the night of thr 7th
- I've seen posters of Aomori here in Tokyo, is that good destination? Where can I go there good for a day?

Any advice or suggestion would be appreciated.

Thank you!

q1

http://www.kantou.gr.jp/schedule/index.htm

[夜] night
[竿灯] Kanto (long rod and chochin ligfts)
[演技] Kanto main event(play;performance) start
[ふれあい時間] extra time with visitors, photo shooting,experience Kanto play.

[昼] daytime
[千秋公園中土橋] daytime events place : Sensyu park nakatuicgi bridge.
(not night event place : street)


q2

Tanabata fes in Sendai,Miyagi recommend.
http://www.sendaitanabata.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMDyknOFcWw
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanabata

Sendai,Miyagi attacked 3.11 earthquake,
http://www.japan-guide.com/news/0018.html
but,Fes main stage area no problem and nuclear plants effect very low safe,
Matushima,too.(top3 view ponit of Japan)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Views_of_Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCSD2RPAyBo

Aomori?
last day of "Nrbuta Fes" still crow.
http://www.nebuta.or.jp/
New Shinkansen "Hayabusa" fast to Tokyo,
but seat reservation not easy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMFEr7GizcU

Well....

Kakunodate is a lovely place with samurai houses.

Nyuto Onsen was a highlight for us. We went to Ganiba Onsen and used the mixed outdoor facilities. It was Feb though, so it was extra magical being surrounded by snow. The view of the lake from the bus is very pretty, but we didn't visit the lake itself.

If you stopped at places on your way to Tokyo (and used coin lockers for luggage), you may like these:

Yamadera is really nice too, with a stunning view from the top.

Aizu-Wakamatsu has a great castle, sake breweries that you can tour, samurai residence, iimoriyama (the site of ritual sacrifice of 19 young soldiers), etc. The castle has just been restored too.

Have a great trip :)

If I were you, I would take the opportunity to visit Nyutou Onsen (see for me travel experience here: http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Japan/Akita/blog-257015.html)
I really enjoyed this onsen and can only recommend it, even if it is only for a day trip.