Semboku Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

The Samurai Residence Street in Akita exudes an antique charm in Kakunodate with weeping cherry trees.

The quaint Samurai Residence Street, known as the 'Little Kyoto of Michinoku', has been developing as a castle town since 400 years ago and still retains the Edo-period small town atmosphere to this day. This area, brimming with an old-world charm, is divided into Uchimachi and Sotomachi. Sotomachi is a shopping street where you can buy local specialties and souvenirs, while Uchimachi is a well-preserved samurai residential area. During the cherry blossom season, the normally tranquil Samurai Residence Street attracts thousands of tourists daily. The reason is the over 400 weeping cherry trees that line the streets, which, when in full bloom, resemble waterfalls cascading down. The scenery, combined with the black fences characteristic of samurai homes, seems to transport visitors back to the Edo period. It is said that the first three weeping cherry tree saplings on Samurai Residence Street were part of the dowry brought from Kyoto in 1656 by the wife of the then-lord Satake Yoshiaki. Today, nearly half of the cherry trees in the area are over 300 years old, with 162 of them designated as national natural monuments. The old cherry trees and ancient houses make the entire streetscape seem as if it has been frozen in time, back in the Edo period, which is no wonder it consistently ranks in the top ten cherry blossom viewing spots year after year. Samurai Residence Street (Bukeyashiki-dori) Address: From Omotemachi to Higashikatsuraku-cho, Kakunodate, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture

🌺 Flower tree at Kakunodate 🇯🇵

#cherryblossom2024 🤗🏵Amidst the magic of our vacation, I embarked on an exhilarating expedition to the vibrant city of Japan. With the arrival of spring, the surroundings underwent a remarkable transformation, turning into a paradise. As we wandered through the renowned Kakunodate, we were immersed in the beauty of its luxurious landscapes. The breathtaking vistas that unfolded before our eyes at every corner left an indelible mark, creating memories that will be cherished forever. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Kakunodate, a samurai village that has preserved its traditional architecture and way of life for centuries. Wander through the well-preserved streets lined with historic samurai residences, and visit the Kakunodate Samurai House Museum to learn more about the lives of these noble warriors. Alternatively, take a leisurely stroll along the Hinokinai riverbank, where you can witness the stunning sight of thousands of sakura trees in full bloom. The gentle flow of the river, combined with the delicate pink petals of the cherry blossoms, creates a scene straight out of a postcard. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture the beauty of this National Place of Scenic Beauty. Whether you choose to explore the samurai village of Kakunodate or bask in the beauty of the Hinokinai riverbank, you are sure to be captivated by the natural and cultural wonders that await you in this enchanting region of Japan. Take your time to savor the tranquility and beauty of these unique destinations, and create memories that will last a lifetime. The extravagant and captivating sanctuary has made an everlasting impression in the innermost recesses of my mind. The sheer delight of revisiting and relishing every single moment in this unparalleled haven is truly unmatched.🏵🤗✨️🌸#mytravelhacks #historicallandmarks #localguides #familytrip #trip

Kakunodate Weeping Sakura

#cherryblossom2024 Weeping cherries are not sad During the spring festival, on the embankment of the Hinokinai River, you can admire the blooming light pink flowers of sidare sakura, a weeping cherry. Recommended Take a walk along the river in the evening under beautifully illuminated trees Buy snacks and souvenirs in tents on the shore To chat with the locals, who also came out to admire the sakura How to get Kakunodate can be reached by train and bus from Akita and the surrounding areas. It is a 15-minute walk from Kakunodate Station to the Hinokinai River. It is interesting It is said that cherries were planted here around 1656 Sidare sakura grows up to 15 meters high and 20 meters wide An ancient tunnel of flowers More than 400 cherries with hanging branches form a tunnel about two kilometers long. It is an ideal place for a walk along the riverbank. If you walk five minutes from the embankment deep into the city, you will get to the samurai quarter. Old traditional houses surrounded by cherry blossoms are the quintessence of Japanese aesthetics. When to arrive The festival runs from April 20 to May 5. More than 1.2 million tourists visit it every year.

Kakunodate | The hometown of Japanese samurai is also a famous place for cherry blossom and maple viewing.

Kakunodate, located in Akita Prefecture in the northeast of Japan, is known as "Mutsu's Little Kyoto". This is the hometown of samurai with a long history in Japan, and the samurai mansion with black wall panels in the Edo period is still maintained. Although after more than 380 years The baptism of time, but the street architecture here really hasn't changed much. 🌈Recommendation reason: Today, many place names of Kyoto can still be seen in this small town. Kakunodate, surrounded by mountains on three sides, gradually developed into a village inhabited by samurai due to its excellent terrain for building a castle town during the Edo period ruled by the Tokugawa shogunate. The status of the samurai in the Edo period was very high, and most of the samurai living in Kakunodate were middle and upper-level samurai. The houses are naturally not humble, and they are all elegant. ✨Kakunodate is a beautiful place with pink cherry blossoms in spring, green bamboo in summer, red leaves in autumn, and white snow in winter. Especially when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom every year, it is the most beautiful time here. ✨More than 400 weeping cherry trees were planted along the Samurai Mansion Avenue. Presumably coming here in spring, the landscape is more spectacular than autumn! ✨The black board walls and the maple leaves that are about to climb out of the wall make this hometown of samurai in late autumn seem to have returned to the Edo period. ♥️How to shop: ✨Kakunokan is not big, you can finish shopping in half a day. Get out of Kakunodate Station and go straight along the avenue, then follow the signs for ten minutes to the most famous samurai house. ✨Famous attractions include Ishiguro House, Aoyagi House, Nishinomiya House, etc. 🚇Transportation: How to get there: Take the Akita Shinkansen directly from Tokyo and get off at Kakunodate Station, about a three-hour drive.

Japanese-style hot spring culture experience - [Nippon Hot Springs, Japan] When you come to Japan, you must choose a hot spring hotel that has at least one night in your trip to enjoy the unique Japanese hot spring culture. Specially recommended to go to Nippon Hot Springs in the vicinity of Lake Tajima. There are more than ten kinds of "mystery soups" milky white weak acid hot springs, and a total of 7 hot springs in hot springs. [] is a hot spring hotel located in the mountains, one of the 7 hot springs there. There are several open-air baths and the tradition of mixed baths. No matter the seasons, you can enjoy the comfort of nature while enjoying the nature. We live in an old hot spring hotel [Dabu Hot Spring], nestled in a dense forest, quiet and comfortable. In the evening, go to the morning of the soup to eat the original breakfast made of local ingredients, and enjoy the life like a paradise.

Immersed in the hot spring in the snow, Akita Hot Spring Inn in Northeast Japan

Enjoy the snow scene, soak in the hot spring, and enjoy the banquet cuisine! In Akita, Northeast Japan, the mysterious Nipple Hot Spring Village, when covered with snow in winter, it's extremely comfortable to soak in the hot spring in the snow. - 🌟Nipple Hot Spring Village, one of the top secret hot springs, has a history of over 300 years. There are 7 hot spring inns distributed in the Nipple Mountain Forest, which can be reached within a 5-minute walk. You can take the shuttle bus in the hot spring village or walk along the natural trail. · 1️⃣Crane Soup The oldest hot spring in the area, the thatched roof 'Honjin' at that time, has also been changed into the accommodation for today's travelers, with a strong traditional Japanese atmosphere. It is said to be named 'Crane Soup' because a crane bathed there. ♨️Hot spring: 9 different hot springs such as indoor and outdoor atmosphere, separate or mixed bathing for men and women, black soup and white soup. 📍Address: 50 Tazawako Tazawa Sendai Tazawa National Forest, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture · 2️⃣Miao Soup The inn is built with a large amount of wood and stone, and the whole inn is filled with a strong wood scent, which is a secret soup that is very popular with female customers. It is very quiet and elegant. The dining place in the inn is also very elegant, where you can enjoy local Akita cuisine. ♨️Hot spring: There are two private hot springs of different quality, Gold Soup & Silver Soup, which can be used for free during the stay, and there is also a day return hot spring prepared for non-guest treasures. 🍣Meals: Arrange Akita local cuisine 📍Address: 2-1 Koma-ga-take, Seiho-uchi, Tazawako, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture

Japan's most difficult hotel Japan's first secret soup a mysterious B&B that needs to call the phone at 6 o'clock in the morning half a year, sitting in Japan's first secret soup, once you enter this mountain phone signal, there is no, no network Enjoy the most innocent hot springs in a non-electric environment, as well as a mixed bath for men and women. The local dishes are waiting for you. It is also a place for Korean dramas. This hotel can't make an appointment online. The only way to make an appointment is to make a phone call, but don't be afraid. The boss is very patient and can communicate in English. To what extent is hot? I called in March, the other party answered, the earliest can only be half a year in advance, let me call in April, and quickly searched Yahoo for a wave, the villagers said, don't make a joke, can't book a day later. That means, I want to book the room on October 1st. I only have to call it at 6 o'clock on the day of April 1st, and I can book it within half an hour, otherwise I will finish it. Hezhitang Hot Spring Hotel Recommended Index: Cost: 13110 yen (about 852 yuan) / person, including dinner, breakfast

Akita not only has mountains and water, but also one of the most popular hot spring towns in Japan. From the spring water flowing from the middle of the nipple mountain in the north of the Tazawako Plateau, seven hot springs are formed, scattered scattered in the mountains. Each source has a hot spring hotel, which is Hezhitang, Miao Naitang, Black Hot Spring, and crab. Hot Springs, Sunliu Hot Springs, Daxie Hot Springs and Niantou Hot Springs Resort Village, this is the famous Nipiao Hot Spring Township (although the name is a bit awkward). Although Miao Nai Tang is a traditional Japanese hot spring hotel, the details are blended with the western style and very chic. Miao Naitang won the first place in the 7th Hot Spring Awards held by BIGLOBE on the Japanese hot spring website. This hot spring award was voted by tourists, which shows that Miao Nai Tang has a very good reputation. The rooms are traditional and small, small and exquisite, and very homey. The room is served with Japanese tea and snacks. The most distinctive feature is the unique "nipple hoe" in the nipple hot spring village~~ So don't put it on the chest to take pictures, hahaha~~ and the general ryokan in modern style Unlike the room, the room of Miao Nai Tang gives a sense of simplicity and elegance. The dinner menu is very rich, from pre-dinner, appetizers to main dishes, pots, and post-meal fruits. All the dishes are carefully designed by the chef of Miao Nai Tang. The ingredients are comprehensive and used. The seasonal products of Akita are very fresh. I have to say that Akita is indeed a unique land of fish and rice!

Himawari ~

This is somewhere near Lake Tazawa, Semboku, Akita Prefecture. Sorry, I don’t know the exact location as this was a random stop along the drive around Lake Tazawa. >.< The sunflowers are so pretty! You can see the view of the lake and mountains in the background too! It was my first time seeing real sunflowers! Who would’ve known that there is a random sunflower plantation along the roadside? #akita #japan

The deepest lake of Japan

#localescapes #helloautumn It is the deepest lake in Japan, with a depth of 423.4 meters. The surface of the lake changes from brilliant lapis lazuli to azure to indigo and is worth seeing. Take a cruise on a sightseeing boat, or take a paddle boat, canoe, kayak, SUP to enjoy the waters of the lake. It is also worth cycling, trekking, or driving along the lakeside to see the colors change across the lake. For those who want to stay longer, set up camp and see the changes with the time of day. Located just south of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, Lake Tazawa (田沢湖, Tazawako) is a scenic caldera lake that has not been overly developed and retains a natural and rustic atmosphere. The lake is often visited in conjunction with nearby sites like Nyuto Onsen or Mount Akita-Komagatake, which also offer rustic scenes that are typical of the Tohoku Region.

When you are in Akita, be sure to go to [Tianze Lake] for a slow ride and enjoy the good times. It is also the deepest lake in Japan. The dark blue lake exudes a breathtaking beauty, and the water quality is quite clear. You can see the cheerful fish when you walk into the shore. Rental Bike Tips: No deposit is required, just fill out the form and you can rent a car. Ordinary bicycles cost 600 yen for one hour and 1,500 yen for one hour for electric bicycles. It is open from 8 am to 5 pm, and the average bicycle is rented for 1,600 yuan a day. It takes about two hours to ride around the lake. Walk around the lake, there are some must-see scenery~ 1[Hushen Gold "Dragon Son"" The water here is calm and clear, there are many fish In the shallow waters, you can watch at close range. 2[Reminiscent of the mudflat campus] A Japanese-style old building, originally an old school, has been abandoned. It has now been reopened and opened to the public. There are a lot of old objects in the school. It is a very good photo location, and it is said that it is also the location of many film and television dramas. 3[Ou Shishi Shrine] On the north side of Tazawa Lake, there is a bird house facing the lakeside, which is opposite to the deep blue lake and the big floating clouds in the sky. nice. No wonder the shrine, also known as the patron saint of the United States, is too much film. 4[Lakeside restaurant ORAE] A small break at the lake to have a meal, you can come here. It is characterized by its own brewed beer. Walk into the restaurant and you will see a large beer brewing barrel. You can order some specialties and seasonal vegetables from Tazawa Lake, and enjoy a glass of sweet wine. Look out over the lake and slowly feel the beautiful summer of Tazawa Lake.

The Tazawa Lake in Akita Prefecture is the deepest lake in Japan, with a water depth of more than 400 meters. The symbol here is a bronze-painted gold-painted statue of Chen Zi, from the legend of Chen Zi Ji. It seems to be a cloudy day, but I think it should be like this. There is also a small driftwood shrine on the lakeside. You can take a boat trip around the lake, or take a bike for two or three hours around the lake. At the Tazawa Lake, I ate the rice bowl Udon noodles and the gossip pork shabu-shabu in Akita Prefecture. Put the vegetables in the pan, then the pork can be eaten for a few seconds. Udon noodles are soft and smooth, like ~~

Tatsuko Hime sama ~

This is the Statue of Tatsuko located at the West Bank of Lake Tazawa in Semboku, Akita prefecture. Lengend has it that Princess Tatsuko prayed for eternal youth and beauty, her wish was granted when she drank the waters of a magical forest spring and turned into a dragon as the guardian spirit of the lake~ The view is stunning and the water is clear. You can even see people doing paddle boarding. Driving is more convenient for travelling around in Akita ~

Statue of Tatsuko

#cherryblossom2024 Good statue for having background photo along with Majestic lake water and snow mountain on backside. Definitely worth visiting for even though area is not so much developed for tourists. If coming by car, you can park it in nearby shopping area for as minimum as 200 JPY. But if you purchase some items from shop no parking fees.Statue is not really special without the story of her (jumped into the lake to get eternal beauty) but the lake and the mountain beihnd are so beautiful, and it is not frozen even in winter.

Akita Winter Guide, an unparalleled winter wonder trip!

Akita Winter Guide☃️ 1-2. **Gozashi Shrine** This shrine is located on the shore of Lake Tazawa. It's especially beautiful when the torii is covered with snow❄️ 3. **Morikoshi Mountain** You can rent snowshoes and ski poles for free and get up close and personal with snow monsters! 4-5. **Namahage Shibatou Festival** Speaking of Akita, we have to mention 'Namahage（なまはげ）'! This festival is held every February at the Shinzan Shrine in Oga City. It looks like this year's reservations have already started. 6. **Crane's Soup Hot Spring** This is one of Japan's famous hot springs, located in the beautiful mountains of Akita Prefecture. This hot spring is famous for its clear lake spring water and spectacular natural scenery.♨️ 7. **Myonoyu** It is one of the seven hot springs of Nipple Hot Spring, about a 15-minute drive from the previously mentioned Crane's Soup Hot Spring. Although there is a mixed bathing pool, this time we mainly enjoyed the experience of a private hot spring. 8. **Akita Inland Line** It has seven cars, the colors are red, orange, yellow, yellow-green, light blue, dark blue, purple and a lucky color. 9-10. **Wa no I Kakunodate** This is a hotel converted from a historic warehouse. We stayed in the Bushigura (Bushigura) room, where there are various samurai tools that can be touched and felt.

Immersed in the hot spring in the snow, Akita Hot Spring Inn in Northeast Japan

Enjoy the snow scene, soak in the hot spring, and enjoy the banquet cuisine! In Akita, Northeast Japan, the mysterious Nipple Hot Spring Village, when covered with snow in winter, it's extremely comfortable to soak in the hot spring in the snow. - 🌟Nipple Hot Spring Village, one of the top secret hot springs, has a history of over 300 years. There are 7 hot spring inns distributed in the Nipple Mountain Forest, which can be reached within a 5-minute walk. You can take the shuttle bus in the hot spring village or walk along the natural trail. · 1️⃣Crane Soup The oldest hot spring in the area, the thatched roof 'Honjin' at that time, has also been changed into the accommodation for today's travelers, with a strong traditional Japanese atmosphere. It is said to be named 'Crane Soup' because a crane bathed there. ♨️Hot spring: 9 different hot springs such as indoor and outdoor atmosphere, separate or mixed bathing for men and women, black soup and white soup. 📍Address: 50 Tazawako Tazawa Sendai Tazawa National Forest, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture · 2️⃣Miao Soup The inn is built with a large amount of wood and stone, and the whole inn is filled with a strong wood scent, which is a secret soup that is very popular with female customers. It is very quiet and elegant. The dining place in the inn is also very elegant, where you can enjoy local Akita cuisine. ♨️Hot spring: There are two private hot springs of different quality, Gold Soup & Silver Soup, which can be used for free during the stay, and there is also a day return hot spring prepared for non-guest treasures. 🍣Meals: Arrange Akita local cuisine 📍Address: 2-1 Koma-ga-take, Seiho-uchi, Tazawako, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture