If you like to experience Japan’s historic townscapes, scenery that blends with nature, and traditional culture, why not consider a trip to Kakunodate (角館) in Semboku City (仙北市) in Akita Prefecture?
In this article, we will introduce Kakunodate’s sightseeing spots, events, and how to get around with ease!
1) Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival
In spring, cherry blossoms bloom along the banks of the Hinokinai River (桧木内川) and the Samurai Residences area, making Kakunodate one of the three most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in the Tohoku Region (東北地方). The riverbanks are lined with Somei-yoshino cherry trees that stretch about 2km, creating a spectacular sight from a distance, but if you get closer, you can walk through a tunnel of cherry blossoms and fully enjoy their beauty.
You can see weeping cherry trees (シダレザクラ shidare-zakura) in the Samurai Residences area too. The sight of small white and pale pink flowers blooming on the long, supple branches transforms the samurai residences’ streetscape into an even more charming sight. In the evening, the illuminated cherry trees create a fantastical sight that is starkly different from the daytime, captivating all who see it.
2) Samurai Residences Area
The samurai residences of Kakunodate (角館) were built in 1620 and flourished as a castle town during the Edo Period. Historical buildings stand in a compact area of about a 2km radius, and even today they retain their appearance from the end of the Edo Period. Some of the buildings can be visited inside, and some are still used as residences today. There are kimono rental shops and rickshaws in the area, and using these will make you even more immersed in the charming samurai residences of the town.
While the samurai residence areas are the most popular during the cherry blossom season in spring, you can enjoy different scenery in other seasons as well: deep greenish hues in summer, fiery red leaves in autumn, and snow-covered cherry blossom trees in winter.
Summer (夏)
After the cherry blossoms have fallen, green leaves begin to sprout on the tree branches. As summer approaches, the leaves grow larger and turn deep green. The deep greenery, the black walls of the samurai residence buildings, and the shade from the trees create a calm atmosphere for strolling around the areas.
Autumn (秋)
When autumn comes, the green leaves start to turn red and yellow, adding different colours to the samurai residence streets. On sunny days, you can see the samurai residences illuminated by the sunlight, and on rainy days, you can see a different look from the wet leaves that shine on sunny days.
Winter (冬)
In winter, you can see the black samurai residence buildings, the pristine white snow, and the grey sky with snowy clouds, as though all colours have been taken away from the scenery. Scenery photos that show you the streets in colour against a black and white background can preserve certain memories, and it feels as though your current self has travelled to an olden time.
3) Kakunodate Festival (Yama-Buttsuke)
The Kakunodate Festival (角館祭り) is held for three days (7–9 September) every year. It began about 400 years ago, and is held to pray for prosperity for the surrounding lands, business, and good health for families.
During the festival, the town of Kakunodate is divided into blocks and pulls around several floats (やま yama). The festival’s highlights include warrior and kabuki dolls that are decorated on the floats, the performance of Oyama-bayashi (おやまばやし) and the hand gestures of the dancers called Akita Obako (秋田おばこ). Another major highlight of this festival is the Yama-buttsuke (やまぶっつけ) when floats confront each other. It is not easy for them to pass each other, and people from each block will discuss how to move forward. If this fails, Yamabutsuke will occur when they resort to using force to get through the streets.
4) Kakunodate’s Hiburi-Kamakura
This fantastical festival takes place on 14 February every year, where gorgeous rings of fire dance in the snow. Participants will light on fire a charcoal bag that is attached to the end of a metre-long rope, swing it around themselves, and pray for the health and safety of their families. This traditional event has been held in the region for a long time, and tourists are more than welcome to experience it.
5) wanoi KAKUNODATE
This hotel was renovated from a historical storehouse in the Samurai Residence areas of Kakunodate. Three guest rooms have been renovated from storehouses, and the interiors of each room are themed according to their respective history, allowing you to enjoy the feeling of having travelled back in time to the way people lived back then.
・Nishinomiya Family Bushigura (西宮家 武士蔵)
The Nishinomiya Family has a deep respect for the fact that their ancestors were famous samurai in that era, and the hotel is designed to give you a sense of the life and culture of the samurai. There are also samurai tools that you can touch.
・Nishinomiya Family Gakko-gura (西宮家 ガッコ蔵)
The building cherishes its history as a storehouse used to store gakko (がっこ pickles), and tools used for preparing gakko have now been preserved as spatial design items. The bathtub is also designed after a pickle barrel, and in spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms from the window while soaking in the bathtub.
・Tanmonogura (反物蔵)
Tanmono is a type of fabric used for making kimonos. Tan is a measurement unit, and one tan is the amount of fabric required for one kimono.
This storehouse was originally a clothing store, and the interior decor is decorated with cloth and tools to highlight its history.
6) YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE
YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE is a shared transportation service that operates on reservations from customers. It operates within Kakunodate and some of the surrounding areas, and has designated areas where you can get on and off freely, as well as seven spots located outside the designated areas.
Reservations can be made via smartphone or website, making it a convenient service for those who do not have a car to tour around Kakunodate. For more details on operating hours, fares, and valid areas for the service, please have a look at the link here.
Where you can go with YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE
・Ando Brewery (安藤醸造)
This store produces miso and soy sauce with a history dating back to 1853. Ando Brewery’s products are characterised by being additive-free and naturally brewed, and since this method is difficult for mass production, they are particular about making their products delicious.
・Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Bark Work Museum (樺細工伝承館)
Kabazaiku (樺細工) is a craft made using the bark of a cherry blossom tree, and is characterised by its deep, sophisticated colouring. A wide variety of products are made from it, including tea utensils, accessory cases, and card cases. At the museum, you can see exhibits on the town’s crafts and cultural history, as well as observe the intricate techniques of the artisans.
・Dakigaeri Valley (抱返り渓谷)
Dakigaeri Valley is famous for its fresh greenery and autumn foliage, and a promenade has been built along the river. You can enjoy the natural scenery, including the virgin forests on both banks and the Mikaeri Falls (回顧の滝) deep inside.
Another notable feature of Dakigaeri Valley is the beautiful colours of the stream. The colours have been described as emerald green or cobalt blue, and the contrast with the deep greenery of the surrounding trees and the autumn leaves is truly spectacular.
JR 東日本鐵路周遊券（東北地區）
If you plan to visit Kakunodate, check out the JR 東日本鐵路周遊券（東北地區）, an affordable pass offering unlimited rail travel on JR East lines (including bullet trains) in the valid area for 5 consecutive days at only ¥30,000. Not only can you use it for a return trip between Narita Airport and JR Kakunodate Station (角館駅), but you can also use it to travel to other valid areas in the region.
You can also make seat reservations for bullet trains, some limited express trains and Joyful Trains online for free, up to 1 month in advance, on the JR-EAST Train Reservation. The pass can be used for automatic ticket gates, and foreign passport holders living in Japan are also eligible to use this pass.
Header image credit: ©Akita Prefecture
