Culture Discover Winter Magic at Akita’s Tazawako Ski Area Joanna Ligon You’ve heard of Niseko and Hakuba, but have you skied above Japan’s deepest lake? Tazawako Ski Area may not be on every trave...
Culture Yashima Hassaku Festival 2026 Kim Bergström Held at Yashima Shinmeisha Shrine, the Yashima Hassaku Festival is dedicated to Kurainatama (a deity associated with rice cul...
Culture Nyuto Onsen Village and Its Seven Springs in Akita’s Mountains Joanna Ligon Hidden in the snowy mountains of Akita Prefecture, Nyuto Onsen Village feels like something out of a fairytale. This quiet mo...
Culture Yokote Yakisoba Festival 2025 Kim Bergström The annual Yokote Yakisoba Festival takes place in late September at the Akita Furusato Village Festival Square. Several well...
Culture Yokote Okuribon Festival 2026 Kim Bergström For over 300 years, the people of Yokote in Akita Prefecture have gathered each August to celebrate the Okuribon Festival, a ...
Activities Winter Adventure in Akita, Japan Veronica Carnevale Together, the snow sports, sightseeing, and cozy lodging options make Akita a destination winter lovers will not want to miss...
Culture Yokote Chrysanthemum Festival 2025 Kim Bergström For more than half a century, Yokote in Akita Prefecture has been home to one of the region's most striking seasonal traditio...
Culture Sand Craft in Mitane 2025 Kim Bergström When people think of artistic mediums, they might picture paint, canvas, or clay, and sand is not usually the first thing tha...
Culture Ski Among Snow Monsters at Ani Ski Resort Joanna Ligon Ani Ski Resort sits deep in the snow-heavy interior of Akita Prefecture, offering steady powder, wide runs, and a quiet sense...
5 Alternatives to Kyoto's Hotspots in Akita Kim Bergström Kyoto is one of Japan's most celebrated destinations, but in recent years, the city has struggled with overtourism. Akita Pre...
