Home
Back
Travel Reports by mfedley view profile of mfedley

previous post
list all posts
next post

Note: The opinions and views expressed in this user report are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of japan-guide.com.

July 4, 2018 - Hidden Honshu: Akita

For my fifth day in Japan, I decided to visit Akita which is mainly known for the Akita Kanto Matsuri which occurs in early August. This is my second visit to Akita but during the first time all I witnessed was the matsuri mentioned above. As such, I'll see today if Akita is more than a one trick pony.

As Akita City is the capital of the aptly named Akita Prefecture, the town includes a large number of museums. Due to this, I decided to buy the Kuririn Tour Pass which costs 500 yen and gets you into 8 different museums around the city. My first stop was the Senshu Museum of Art. No photography is allowed inside but this smallish museum includes some exquisite (and I think famous) pieces of art. Entry is either 300 yen or included in the Kuririn Tour Pass.

Located opposite Senshu Castle Park, the Akita Museum of Art consists of two different rotating exhibits which changes depending on the season. It costs 310 yen to enter or you get a discount with the Kuririn Pass (250 yen). Note that no photography is allowed inside and enjoyment levels will differ significantly depending on the exhibit (I did not like the current exhibit!)

Around a 5 minute walk from the Akita Museum of Art as you walk uphill into the castle is the small Satake Museum. It costs 100 yen to enter or is free with the Kuririn Tour Pass. This museum includes some good quality samurai outfits and other objects from the time. It should interest most people but I've seen too many samurai outfits (but these are better than normal)

One interesting thing I have found is how former castles have been repurposed after the Meiji restoration. If it's a small castle (most), then it's turned into a park and possibly a shrine. If it's like Akita's castle then it also includes some government offices, libraries and schools. Note that the clan in charge of Akita gathered a large amount of wealth through mining.

To give you an idea of the original size of Akita Castle, this gun turret (4 stories) is bigger than many of the original castles. This turret costs 100 yen to enter or is included in the Ruririn Tour Pass. As expected, views from the top are quite nice even on a rainy day.

My next stop (around a 6 minute walk) is the Folklore & Performing Art Centre which costs 100 yen to enter (also includes free entry with the Rurinin Pass) and is also the entry point for the Kaneko Residence.

For people who cannot visit Akita during the Kanto Matsuri, this small museum shows the size of the poles. Note that it does not live up to the real thing, but this museum is still good value.

One of my favorite parts of this museum was trying out the Taiko Drums. I never noticed how easy they are to use and stay in rhythm.

The Kaneko House used to be a clothes shop until 1975 but was thankfully handed over to the local prefecture due to it's beauty. One thing I have not seen anywhere else in Japan (apart from Kakunodate) is the storehouses which look closer to huge vaults.

My last stop in the main tourist area was the Akarenga, or Folk Museum. This costs 200 yen to enter or is included with the Rurinin Pass. Note that the museum is much larger than it looks as it also includes a large sub building to the side which includes artwork (including lacquerware, paintings and the like).

Located around 2 kilometers from Akita Station in the opposite direction of most other attractions is Joshitei Garden, which costs 200 yen to enter. As expected, the Rurinin Pass also gets you entry.

This pretty garden was only reopened in 2017 and was a former villa for the Sakate Clan during 1688-1704. The garden was known as the best garden in the Tohoku Region at the time and was designated as a spot of National Scenic Beauty in 2007.

One of the odd things about this museum is they actually guide you inside the building itself (but they do struggle with English - not their fault and I don't expect them to speak English) and show you the unique features of the building itself. The garden took 3 years to rebuild and used historical artefacts to recreate the garden to it's original splendour. Give it another decade and it will look absolutely stunning. Also note that the green rock is said to look like a turtle - which is actually does from some angles!

Located around 1 kilometer from Joshitei Garden is the Akita Mineralogy Museum which is a part of Akita University. It costs 100 yen to enter and includes more rocks than most people will know what to do with!

As a garden variety geologist, I can say that I don't often see such a large and complete rock set as what is seen here. There is also lots of oddities for people who are not as interested in geology as I am.

Ever wanted to know what happens to polystyrene when it's put under depth - now you know!

Akita City ended up having a bit more to see than I expected. One location I wanted to visit was Koizumigata Park & the Nara Residence which is around 12 minutes by local train from here. However, spending 3 hours going to visit a garden a residence in the rain at the expense of missing the rest of Akita City was a bit hard to swallow. As such, I'll leave the details below for others which may be interested in visiting these two locations. For tomorrow, I'll be visiting Sakata.

Further Information:

Akita Tourism Website: https://www.akita-yulala.jp/en/
Joshitei Garden: https://www.akita-yulala.jp/en/see/joshitei
Koizumi Park: http://www.koizumigatapark.jp (Japanese Only)
Akita Museum & Nara Residence: https://www.akihaku.jp/english-page.htm

previous post
list all posts
next post

List of Posts:
2020/04/04 - Best of Japan - More Temples
2020/03/29 - Best of Japan - More Residences
2020/03/29 - Best of Japan - More Nature
2020/03/01 - Best of Japan - Historical
2020/02/22 - Best of Japan - More Shrines
2020/02/18 - Best of Japan - More Gardens
2020/02/15 - Best of Japan - Art & Events
2020/02/14 - Best of Japan - History & Museums
2020/02/12 - Best of Japan - Residences
2020/02/06 - Best of Japan - Views
2020/02/05 - Best of Japan - Animals
2020/02/04 - Best of Japan - Shrines
2020/02/02 - Best of Japan - Nature
2020/02/02 - Best of Japan - Festivals
2020/02/02 - Best of Japan - Castles
2020/01/30 - Best of Japan - Gardens
2020/01/27 - Best of Japan - Industrial Heritage
2020/01/27 - Best of Japan - Temples
2020/01/11 - Iizuka - Fukuoka
2020/01/11 - Tosu - Saga + Fukuoka Prefecture
2020/01/10 - Iriki to Kagoshima
2020/01/09 - Satsuma Food - Kagoshima
2020/01/09 - Ibusuki to Iriki - Kagoshima
2020/01/08 - Jigenji to Ibusuki - Kagoshima
2020/01/08 - Chiran - Kagoshima Prefecture
2020/01/07 - Tarumizu to Jigenji - Kagoshima
2020/01/06 - Kagoshima to Tarumizu
2020/01/05 - Sengan-an Area - Kagoshima City
2020/01/05 - Shiroyama Area - Kagoshima City
2020/01/04 - Kagoshima City - Day 1
2020/01/03 - Yakushima Drive - Kagoshima
2020/01/02 - Yakusugi Land - Yakushima
2020/01/01 - Shiratani Unsui - Yakushima
2019/12/30 - Cold & Soggy Kyoto
2019/12/29 - Kasuga Taisha to Station - Nara Prefecture
2019/12/29 - Todai-ji Area - Nara Prefecture
2019/12/28 - Kodaiji Area - Kyoto Prefecture
2019/12/28 - Takao - Kyoto Prefecture
2019/12/27 - Amanohashidate - Kyoto Prefecture
2019/12/27 - Yoshiminedera & Ine - Kyoto Prefecture
2019/12/26 - Imperial Kyoto
2019/12/25 - Southern Shiga Prefecture
2019/12/25 - Iga Ueno - Mie Prefecture
2019/12/24 - Omi Hachiman - Shiga Prefecture
2019/12/24 - Higashi Omi - Shiga Prefecture
2019/12/23 - Nagahama - Shiga Prefecture
2019/12/23 - Chikubu Island - Shiga Prefecture
2019/12/22 - Otsu to Nagahama - Shiga Prefecture
2019/12/21 - Arima Onsen - Hyogo Prefecture
2019/12/21 - Kobe Day 2 - Hyogo Prefecture
2019/12/20 - Kobe Day 1 : Hyogo Prefecture
2019/01/11 - Obscure Kyushu : Kashima & Dazaifu
2019/01/10 - Obscure Kyushu : Arita
2019/01/10 - Obscure Kyushu : Takeo
2019/01/09 - Obscure Kyushu : Kurokawa to Ureshino
2019/01/08 - Obscure Kyushu : Aso to Kurokawa
2019/01/07 - Obscure Kyushu : Yamaga to Aso
2019/01/06 - Obscure Kyushu : Yamaga
2019/01/06 - Obscure Kyushu : Kumamoto Castle Sites
2019/01/05 - Obscure Kyushu : Outer Kumamoto City
2019/01/04 - Obscure Kyushu : Minamata
2019/01/04 - Obscure Kyushu : Izumi
2019/01/03 - Obscure Kyushu: Kirishima
2019/01/02 - Obscure Kyushu : Hitoyoshi
2019/01/02 - Obscure Kyushu : Yatsushiro
2019/01/01 - Obscure Kyushu : Amakusa
2018/12/31 - Obscure Kyushu - Munakata to Amasuka
2018/12/30 - Obscure Kyushu - Munakata
2018/07/18 - Hidden Honshu: Fukuyama
2018/07/17 - Hidden Honshu: Tomonoura
2018/07/17 - Hidden Honshu: Iwakuni
2018/07/16 - Hidden Honshu: Tsuwano
2018/07/15 - Hidden Honshu: Hagi's Residences
2018/07/15 - Hidden Honshu: Hagi's Shrine District & Temples
2018/07/15 - Hidden Honshu: Hagi's Castle Town
2018/07/14 - Hidden Honshu: Iwami Ginzan
2018/07/14 - Hidden Honshu: Izumo
2018/07/13 - Hidden Honshu: Yonago
2018/07/13 - Hidden Honshu: Matsue's Gardens
2018/07/12 - Hidden Honshu: Mikuni
2018/07/11 - Hidden Honshu: Awara Onsen
2018/07/10 - Hidden Honshu: Kanazawa's Museums
2018/07/09 - Hidden Honshu: Kanazawa's Samurai District
2018/07/09 - Hidden Honshu: Kanazawa's Castle District
2018/07/08 - Hidden Honshu: Sado's Shukunegi
2018/07/08 - Hidden Honshu: Southern Sado
2018/07/07 - Hidden Honshu: Northern Sado
2018/07/06 - Hidden Honshu: Getting to Sado
2018/07/05 - Hidden Honshu: Sakata
2018/07/04 - Hidden Honshu: Akita
2018/07/03 - Hidden Honshu: Kakunodate
2018/07/02 - Hidden Honshu: Nyuto to Tamagawa Onsen
2018/07/01 - Hidden Honshu: Morioka to Nyuto Onsen
2018/06/30 - Hidden Honshu: Matsumae
2018/02/23 - Southern Odyssey - Taketomi
2018/02/23 - Southern Odyssey - Ishigaki City
2018/02/22 - Southern Odyssey - Ishigaki Island
2018/02/21 - Southern Odyssey - Iriomote
2018/02/20 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa to Iriomote
2018/02/19 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa WW2 Sites
2018/02/19 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa Day 5 Southern Attractions
2018/02/18 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa Day 4 Naha
2018/02/17 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa Day 3
2018/02/16 - Southern Odyssey - Ocean Expo Park
2018/02/16 - Southern Odyssey - Ie Island
2018/02/15 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa Hanami Report
2018/02/15 - Southern Odyssey - Okinawa Day 1
2018/02/14 - Southern Odyssey - Amami to Okinawa
2018/02/13 - Southern Odyssey - Amami Day 3
2018/02/12 - Southern Odyssey - Amami Day 2
2018/02/11 - Southern Odyssey - Amami Day 1
2017/07/04 - Shikotsu Lake to Noboribetsu - Hokkaido
2017/07/03 - Otaru to Shikotsu - Hokkaido
2017/07/02 - Otaru - Hokkaido
2017/07/02 - Yoichi - Hokkaido
2017/07/01 - Biei to Sapporo - Hokkaido
2017/06/30 - Sounkyo Onsen to Biei - Hokkaido
2017/06/29 - Shibetsu to Sounkyu Onsen - Hokkaido
2017/06/28 - Hokkaido: Wakkanai to Shibetsu
2017/06/27 - Rebun Island - Lake Kushu & Kafuka
2017/06/26 - Rebun Island - Momoiwa Course
2017/06/25 - Rishiri Island - Hokkaido
2017/06/23 - Imaicho - Nara Prefecture
2017/06/22 - Asuka & Sakurai - Nara Prefecture
2017/06/22 - Nara Yamoto 4 Temple Pilgrimage
2017/06/21 - Yoshino - Nara Prefecture
2017/06/20 - Sakai - Osaka Prefecture
2017/06/19 - Osaka - Namba Area
2017/06/19 - Western Osaka
2017/06/18 - Kansai & Hokkaido Trip Intro & Central Osaka
2017/02/06 - Closed Kurume - Fukuoka
2017/02/05 - Miyazaki to Kobayashi
2017/02/04 - Obi Castle Town - Miyazaki
2017/02/04 - Nichinan Coast - Miyazaki
2017/02/03 - Gardens & Museums of Miyazaki City
2017/02/02 - Shrines of Takachiko - Miyazaki
2017/02/01 - Usuki City - Oita
2017/01/31 - Hita & Surrounds - Oita
2017/01/31 - Yufuin Onsen - Oita
2017/01/30 - Hells of Beppu
2017/01/30 - Oita City - Oita
2017/01/29 - Kitsuki Castle Town - Oita
2017/01/28 - Hiji Castle Town - Oita
2017/01/28 - Templing in Kunisaki Hanto
2017/01/27 - Nakatsu to Yamaga Onsen
2017/01/27 - Eastern Kyushu Trip Info & Nakatsu
2016/08/02 - Ohori Park - Fukuoka
2016/08/01 - Fukuoka's Gion Temple Cluster
2016/07/31 - Unzen Onsen - Nagasaki Prefecture
2016/07/31 - Shimabara - Nagasaki Prefecture
2016/07/30 - Nagasaki City - Northern City Attractions
2016/07/29 - Nagasaki City - Southern Attractions
2016/07/29 - Hashima - Nagasaki Prefecture
2016/07/28 - Huis Ten Bosch Day 2 (Day)
2016/07/27 - Huis Ten Bosch Day 1 (Night)
2016/07/26 - Hirado Part 2 - Nagasaki
2016/07/26 - Hirado Part 1 - Nagasaki
2016/07/25 - Gardens of Takeo - Saga Prefecture
2016/07/24 - Yutoku Inari Shrine
2016/07/24 - Ureshino - Saga
2016/07/23 - Yoshinogari Park - Saga
2016/07/23 - Saga City - Saga Prefecture
2016/07/22 - Yobuko - Saga Prefecture
2016/07/21 - Karatsu City - Saga
2016/07/20 - Mojiko - Fukuoka
2016/07/20 - Kokura - Fukuoka
2016/07/19 - Dazaifu - Fukuoka
2016/07/18 - Nokonoshima Island - Fukuoka
2016/07/17 - NW Kyushu Trip Info & Yanagawa
2016/03/02 - Shikoku Highlights
2016/02/21 - Hadaka Matsuri: Saidaji Temple Okayama
2016/02/20 - Okayama Museum Cluster - Okayama Prefecture
2016/02/19 - Marugame & Kotohira - Kagawa Prefecture
2016/02/18 - Matsuyama - Ehime Prefecture
2016/02/17 - Uchihiko - Ehime
2016/02/17 - Ozu - Ehime Prefecture
2016/02/16 - Seiyo
2016/02/16 - Uwajima - Ehime Prefecture
2016/02/15 - Kochi to Otsuki
2016/02/14 - Kochi - Kochi - Kochi
2016/02/13 - Toyo to Yasu via Aki
2016/02/12 - Naruto to Toya
2016/02/11 - Takamatsu to Naruto
2016/02/11 - Artsy Naoshima: Honmura Art Project
2016/02/11 - Artsy Naoshima: Tsutsuji-so to Miyanoura Port
2016/02/10 - Takamatsu - Kagawa Prefecture
2016/02/10 - Shikoku Trip Info & Artsy Teshima
2015/07/19 - Accommodation in Japan - Last Post
2015/07/19 - Food in Japan
2015/07/15 - Hongu Taisha - Wakayama
2015/07/14 - Shingu & Ogi Matsuri - Wakayama
2015/07/13 - Nachi Taisha & Kii-Katsuura - Wakayama
2015/07/12 - Kii-Tanabe & Kumano Kodo - Wakayama
2015/07/10 - Wacky Wakayama City - Wakayama
2015/07/08 - Tottori City - Tottori Prefecture
2015/07/06 - Izushi - Hyogo
2015/07/05 - Kinosaki Onsen - Hyogo
2015/07/04 - Yamanaka Onsen - Ishikawa
2015/07/03 - Wajima to Wakura - Ishikawa
2015/07/02 - Eastern Noto Peninsula Drive - Ishikawa
2015/07/01 - Kanazawa to Wajima - Ishikawa
2015/06/30 - Itoigawa Salt Road - Niigata
2015/06/29 - Coastal Itoigawa - Niigata
2015/06/28 - Kurobe Dam Railway - Toyama
2015/06/27 - Iiyama City & Madarao Kogen - Nagano
2015/06/26 - Rural Iiyama & Nozawa Onsen - Nagano
2015/06/24 - Manza Onsen - Gunma Prefecture
2015/06/23 - Kusatsu Onsen - Gunma
2015/06/21 - Dewa Sanzan - Yamagata
2015/06/20 - Tsuruoka to Dewa Sanzan - Yamagata
2015/06/19 - Tsuruoka Town - Yamagata
2015/06/18 - Haruna Jinja - Gunma
2015/06/17 - Japan Trip Intro, JR Pass & Yokohama
2014/10/25 - Koyo In Japan - A Collection of Photos
2014/06/22 - Narita & Sawara - My Last Post!
2014/06/14 - Yahiko - Niigata
2014/06/07 - Ajiro Onsen
2014/05/17 - Gifu City
2014/05/17 - Cormorant Fishing - Gifu City
2014/05/11 - Shorin-zan Daruma-ji Temple
2014/05/10 - Gunma Flower Park
2014/04/27 - Obuse - Cherry Blossom Report
2014/04/26 - Togakushi & Nagano
2014/04/13 - Toyokawa & Toyohashi
2014/04/12 - Futagawa - Cherry Blossom Report
2014/02/09 - Ono - Fukui Prefecture
2014/02/08 - Eiheiji & Fukui City
2014/01/19 - Nokogiri-Yama - Chiba
2014/01/03 - Izumo Taisha & Adachi Museum of Art
2014/01/02 - Matsue - Shimane Prefecture
2014/01/01 - Hagi - Yamaguchi Prefecture
2013/12/31 - Yamaguchi
2013/12/30 - Akiyoshido Cave - Yamaguchi Prefecture
2013/12/29 - Miyajima - Hiroshima Prefecture
2013/12/28 - Hiroshima
2013/12/27 - Onomichi - Hiroshima Prefecture
2013/12/26 - Kurashiki
2013/12/25 - Bitsu-Takahashi: Okayama Prefecture
2013/12/24 - Kibi Plain - Okayama Prefecture
2013/12/23 - Inujima Art Park - Okayama Prefecture
2013/12/22 - Okayama
2013/12/22 - Himeji Castle & Kokoen Gardens
2013/12/21 - Shoshazan Engyogi Temple Walk - Himeji
2013/12/16 - Tsumago to Magome - Spring & Winter
2013/12/08 - Ito - Through The Seasons
2013/11/26 - Kyoto Autumn Report - Central Kyoto to Higashiyama
2013/11/26 - Kyoto Autumn Report - Arashiyama Part 2
2013/11/25 - Kyoto Autumn Report - Arashiyama Part 1
2013/11/24 - Kyoto Autumn Report - Tofukuji & Night Illuminations
2013/11/17 - Showa Kinen Koen
2013/11/10 - Kofu City - Autumn Report
2013/11/09 - Shosenkyo Gorge - Autumn Report
2013/10/26 - Hirosaki - Apples & Temples
2013/10/25 - Hirosaki Castle Park & Surrounds - Autumn
2013/10/24 - Oirase Stream - Autumn Report
2013/10/23 - Lake Towada & Yasumiya - Autumn Report
2013/10/22 - Rural Tono - Autumn Report
2013/10/21 - Tono - Shrine Cluster
2013/10/20 - Central Tono - Iwate
2013/10/19 - Urabandai - Autumn Report
2013/10/02 - Kamikochi - Autumn Report
2013/09/29 - Mito - Ibaraki Prefecture
2013/09/28 - Rural Fukuroda & Ibaraki Flower Park
2013/09/14 - Atami - Shizuoka Prefecture
2013/08/16 - Noboribetsu - Summer & Autumn
2013/08/12 - Mt Asahidake - Daisetsuzan National Park
2013/08/11 - Asahiyama Zoo - Asahikawa
2013/08/10 - Sapporo - Summer & Autumn
2013/08/08 - Lake Toya - Hokkaido
2013/08/07 - Aomori Nebuta Matsuri
2013/08/06 - Osorezan - Shimokita Peninsula
2013/08/04 - Akita Kanto Matsuri
2013/08/03 - Yumoto Onsen to Chuzenji Lake Walk
2013/07/11 - Kyoto - Daigo-ji Temple
2013/07/10 - Kyoto - Mt Hieizan
2013/07/09 - Kyoto - Ohara
2013/07/07 - Kyoto - Koryuji Area
2013/07/06 - Uji - Summer
2013/07/05 - Hikone
2013/07/04 - Kyoto Station & Surroundings Attractions
2013/06/01 - Tokyo Parks & Gardens - Part 2
2013/05/26 - Tokyo Parks & Gardens - Part 1
2013/05/19 - Ouchijuku (Fukushima)
2013/05/18 - Aizu Wakamatsu (Fukushima Prefecture)
2013/05/13 - Geibi-kei Gorge & Ichinoseki
2013/05/11 - A Rainy Hiraizumi
2013/05/07 - Matsusaka Walk
2013/05/06 - Nara - Horyuji Temple & Koriyama Area
2013/05/05 - South West Nara Temple Trail (Golden Week)
2013/05/04 - Ise Naiku & Geku Shrines (Golden Week)
2013/04/29 - Western & South Eastern Kamakura Bike Ride
2013/04/28 - Yamadera Mountain Temple - Spring
2013/04/27 - Yamagata Cherry Blossom Report
2013/04/27 - Yonezawa Cherry Blossom Report
2013/04/20 - Nikko's Main Temples & Shrines
2013/04/20 - Nikko - Gardens & History Walk
2013/04/14 - Meiji Mura Park - Inuyama
2013/04/13 - Inuyama Town & Castle
2013/04/05 - Koyasan - Okunoin Temple & Temple Stay
2013/04/04 - Koyasan Bike Ride: From Daimon to Karukayado
2013/04/03 - Nara Park Cherry Blossom Report
2013/04/02 - Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report - Kiyomuzi & Nanzen-ji
2013/04/02 - Kyoto Cherry Blossom Report - Philosophers Trail
2013/04/01 - Kyoto Report - Temples, Shrines & Geisha
2013/03/30 - Furukawa - Takayama's Impressive Little Brother
2013/03/27 - Hakone Day Tour Loop
2013/03/26 - Cherry Blossom Report - Odawara Castle
2013/03/23 - Cherry Blossom Report - Yokohama @ Honmoku
2013/03/16 - Kamakura - North Western Bike Ride
2013/03/11 - Shimoda & Irozaki Coast
2013/03/09 - Minami-Izu Cherry Blossom Festival
2013/03/09 - Kawazu Cherry Blossom Matsuri & Kawazu Falls
2013/03/08 - Kamakura - Hase Area Walk
2013/03/03 - Kawaguchiko - Fuji Five Lakes
2013/02/24 - Kawasaki - On & Off The Beaten Track
2013/02/17 - Yamagata - An Unexpected Day Trip
2013/02/16 - Half of Yamadera & Zao Snow Monsters
2013/02/15 - Sendai - Winter
2013/02/14 - Matsushima - Winter
2013/02/09 - Yamanouchi Snow Monkeys & Nagano Zenkoji Temple
2013/02/06 - Shizuoka - Temples & Plum Blossoms