Winter in Kakunodate

Charm of winter, spirit of samurai

Justin Velgus Feb 26, 2015 - 1 min read

Gazing down main street, hypnotized by the winter charm

These snow lanterns decorate the streets during winter

Escaping a sudden snow storm inside a local shop

The hue of a local ceramic craft matches the season

An entrance to one of the bukeyashiki samurai houses

A restaurant with traditional architecture

A heart warming moment in the chilly late afternoon

Lattice work on the outside walls is characteristic of the town's architecture

Another view of the wide streets of the samurai district

Snow buries the front entrance to this store

The entrance to the tourist center is always kept clear of snow by diligent staff

Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture is famous for its samurai history. Walking the wide streets and stepping inside some of the bukeyashiki samurai houses during the cherry blossom season or colorful autumn recreates an image right out of the Edo period.

Winter also offers its own unique charm. Snow covered trees, main street covered in a light white blanket, and icicles hanging timelessly from the eaves of roofs are memories only those which brave the cold can enjoy.

Winter in Kakunodate can be best viewed from mid January to mid March.

Justin Velgus @justin.velgus

Justin Velgus (ジャスティンベルガス) is the Miyagi Prefecture expert for Japan Travel and a long-term contributor since 2012 with a focus on the Tohoku region. Justin has written extensively for JT, and other publications such as VisitMiyagi and Sake Today, amassing over 350 published articles...