Akita
Discover Akita
Akita (秋田) is the capital of Akita prefecture in the northern Tohoku region of Japan's Honshu island. Akita is the largest city in the prefecture, and as such is the hub for transportation, sports, and shopping. Its longitude is about the middle of the prefecture, and so is reachable from both the north and south.
What to Experience in Akita
Taste of Akita...
The most well-known Akita dish is kiritanpo. Kiritanpo is essentially a tube made of rice, generally formed around a disposable chopstick. It is often roasted, sometimes after being smothered in miso paste. It is also eaten in kiritanpo nabe, a stew of sliced kiritanpo, vegetables, and chicken or fish, most commonly eaten during the winter. Of course, there are many non-local styles of food available in Akita City, including a wide variety of ramen and Indian restaurants. As one of Japan's most famous rice-growing regions, Akita has some of the best local sake in all of Japan. A great place to find many different bottles for sale (and usually free samples) is in the Prefectural Goods Shop (あきた県産品プラザ, akita-renritsu puraza) in the basement of the Atorion Concert Hall. There are bears in Akita. You won't find one trundling along Chuo Odori outside Akita Station, but visitors who are in Akita to enjoy its semi-rural outskirts such as Akita Onsen or the Our Lady of Akita Convent should familiarise themselves with bear safety. You will see signs scattered around warning of bear danger but if you cannot read Japanese they won't be much good to you. It's always best to assume that bears may be in the area, including in the colder months. The Asian black bear is a retiring kind of beast. It's unlikely to bother you if you don't bother it and for that reason it's best to avoid startling a bear, so make noise as you walk and keep a look out.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Akita.
The most well-known Akita dish is kiritanpo. Kiritanpo is essentially a tube made of rice, generally formed around a disposable chopstick. It is often roasted, sometimes after being smothered in miso paste. It is also eaten in kiritanpo nabe, a stew of sliced kiritanpo, vegetables, and chicken or fish, most commonly eaten during the winter. Of course, there are many non-local styles of food available in Akita City, including a wide variety of ramen and Indian restaurants. As one of Japan's most famous rice-growing regions, Akita has some of the best local sake in all of Japan. A great place to find many different bottles for sale (and usually free samples) is in the Prefectural Goods Shop (あきた県産品プラザ, akita-renritsu puraza) in the basement of the Atorion Concert Hall. There are bears in Akita.
Climate
In Akita, late June to late July is the rainy season. The spring and summer before and after that tend to have fairly moderate amounts of rain, and are good for outdoor activities. In November, it is common for some cold weather thunder storms to occur—this is said to mark the end of fall and the beginning of hatahata (a local fish) season. In the winter, Akita sees some snow, though certainly inland areas get more. Akitachi Plus is the city's official multilingual guide site. Akita Airport (AXT ) has domestic flights from major Japanese cities including Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Sapporo, as well as a solitary international link to Taipei. Buses connect the airport with Akita Station (秋田駅). A ride costs ¥980 and takes 40 minutes. Odate-Noshiro Airport (ONJ ) in Odate is within the city limits of Kita-Akita and is thus occasionally dubbed "Akita North Airport".
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsAkita Airport (AXT ) has domestic flights from major Japanese cities including Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Sapporo, as well as a solitary international link to Taipei. Buses connect the airport with Akita Station (秋田駅). A ride costs ¥980 and takes 40 minutes. Odate-Noshiro Airport (ONJ ) in Odate is within the city limits of Kita-Akita and is thus occasionally dubbed "Akita North Airport". It only has services to Tokyo and there is no public transport direct to Akita, so it's not particularly useful for Akita city, but may be a viable alternative if you're heading that way. Akita can be reached by Shinkansen (bullet train) along the Akita Shinkansen Line (秋田新幹線). Komachi (こまち) trains are available from either Tokyo or Ueno stations in Tokyo and make stops at Omiya, Sendai and Morioka before slowing down to travel to Shizukuishi, Tazawako, Kakunodate, Omagari (where it changes direction), and finally Akita over conventional rail lines....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
You can get around by bus, taxi, car, or bike. Many bus routes start in front of Akita Station. In the winter, there can be snow and ice, so drivers should decrease their speed. On the 2nd level of the JR Akita train station is a Tourist Information office. From there you can organize free bicycles. The most well-known Akita dish is kiritanpo. Kiritanpo is essentially a tube made of rice, generally formed around a disposable chopstick. It is often roasted, sometimes after being smothered in miso paste. It is also eaten in kiritanpo nabe, a stew of sliced kiritanpo, vegetables, and chicken or fish, most commonly eaten during the winter. Of course, there are many non-local styles of food available in Akita City, including a wide variety of ramen and Indian restaurants. As one of Japan's most famous rice-growing regions, Akita has some of the best local sake in all of Japan.
Where to Stay
There are bears in Akita. You won't find one trundling along Chuo Odori outside Akita Station, but visitors who are in Akita to enjoy its semi-rural outskirts such as Akita Onsen or the Our Lady of Akita Convent should familiarise themselves with bear safety. You will see signs scattered around warning of bear danger but if you cannot read Japanese they won't be much good to you. It's always best to assume that bears may be in the area, including in the colder months. The Asian black bear is a retiring kind of beast. It's unlikely to bother you if you don't bother it and for that reason it's best to avoid startling a bear, so make noise as you walk and keep a look out. Having said that, it could easily maul you to death so caution is advised. See Dangerous animals.
Money & Budget
The most well-known Akita dish is kiritanpo. Kiritanpo is essentially a tube made of rice, generally formed around a disposable chopstick. It is often roasted, sometimes after being smothered in miso paste. It is also eaten in kiritanpo nabe, a stew of sliced kiritanpo, vegetables, and chicken or fish, most commonly eaten during the winter. Of course, there are many non-local styles of food available in Akita City, including a wide variety of ramen and Indian restaurants. As one of Japan's most famous rice-growing regions, Akita has some of the best local sake in all of Japan. A great place to find many different bottles for sale (and usually free samples) is in the Prefectural Goods Shop (あきた県産品プラザ, akita-renritsu puraza) in the basement of the Atorion Concert Hall.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
There are bears in Akita. You won't find one trundling along Chuo Odori outside Akita Station, but visitors who are in Akita to enjoy its semi-rural outskirts such as Akita Onsen or the Our Lady of Akita Convent should familiarise themselves with bear safety. You will see signs scattered around warning of bear danger but if you cannot read Japanese they won't be much good to you. It's always best to assume that bears may be in the area, including in the colder months. The Asian black bear is a retiring kind of beast. It's unlikely to bother you if you don't bother it and for that reason it's best to avoid startling a bear, so make noise as you walk and keep a look out. Having said that, it could easily maul you to death so caution is advised. See Dangerous animals.
Glimpses of Akita
My dog loves, loves being outdoors. He always so inquisitive, even though the backyard never changes and I thought this face captured his “what’s going on look” perfectly.
Akitainu Gerda
green lake surrounded by mountains under blue sky during daytime
Akita-Inu
Akita puppy
a dog with its tongue hanging out on a leash
a group of trees
a brown and white dog wearing a harness on a leash
A ceiling with a light shining down on it
a ski lodge in the middle of a snowy day
My dog loves, loves being outdoors. He always so inquisitive, even though the backyard never changes and I thought this face captured his “what’s going on look” perfectly.
Akitainu Gerda
green lake surrounded by mountains under blue sky during daytime