月曜日 08:00 - 17:00 火曜日 08:00 - 17:00 水曜日 08:00 - 17:00 木曜日 08:00 - 17:00 金曜日 08:00 - 17:00 土曜日 08:00 - 17:00 日曜日 08:00 - 17:00

Japan Akita guide

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🌸Akita prefecture
🌸Experience the real Japan
🌸a rural area
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23/08/2026

Akata Daibutsu Festival in Yurihonjo, Akita 🇯🇵

This traditional festival is held at Hasedera Temple, home to the impressive Akata Daibutsu, a 9-meter-tall statue of the Eleven-Faced Kannon.

One of the most fascinating parts of the festival is its connection between Buddhism and Shinto. A sacred small Buddha statue normally enshrined inside the Great Buddha is carried to Akata Shinmeisha Shrine the day before the festival, then returned to Hasedera Temple in a lively procession with a mikoshi and traditional lion dance.

It is a beautiful example of Japan’s old tradition of blending Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, known as shinbutsu-shūgō.

If you visit Akita in late August, this local festival offers a rare chance to experience a side of Japanese culture that many international travelers never see.

📍Akata, Yurihonjo City, Akita, Japan

HiddenJapan TraditionalJapan Tohoku AkataDaibutsu HasederaTemple

17/12/2025

元気なお母さんにあきれる子供たち

30/05/2025

Exploring the Charms of Akita with an American Couple
on April 30, I took a couple from America on a tour of Yurihonjo City, Akita prefecture.
They enjoyed the tour a lot.

Beforehand, they had wondered which tour to choose, going to Kakunodate with other cruise passengers or joining my tour to this unknown town. Eventually, they selected my tour and they told me after that they didn’t regret their decision.

The places we visited were Chokokuji Temple, Chokai Toy Museum, and Tenjusake Brewery. I was excited about this itinerary because it was my first time guiding foreign tourists in Yurihonjo City. Many places in Yurihonjo City are not well-known.

The first place we visited was Chokoguji Temple. It has one of the three biggest Chokoguji Kannon Buddhist statues. It stands about 11 meters tall, and it is very rare to see such a big wooden statue. It is surprising that few people visit this place. The American couple was very surprised by the statue covered in gold leaf. They were amazed to find such a wonderful thing in such a rural area. I greatly appreciated their kind words.

As we looked around, I pointed out that this year’s rice planting season had started late. So they couldn’t see the rice field in its usual condition at the beginning of May. I explained that as the harvest approaches in September, this area would be covered in gold. I asked them to try imagining it. They told me it was a wonderful place

After visiting the temple, we visited a small store called “Everybody’s Shop”. It is located next to the parking area. There were many mountain vegetables. The woman was very excited. She had never seen such mountain vegetables. She took many pictures. I live in a rural area and see these things every day. I was surprised that the mountain vegetables were very strange to her. I thought it was a true cultural exchange. I could feel that deeply. The next place we visited was the Museum.

＃akita

22/04/2025

Boukai no Oka (Hill Overlooking the Sea)

Boukai no Oka, which translates to “Hill Overlooking the Sea,” is a scenic natural park located on a hill in Nishime Town, offering stunning views of the Sea of Japan and the surrounding countryside. It is a peaceful destination popular among locals and visitors alike for walking, picnicking, and enjoying seasonal beauty.
＃akita

05/04/2025

Kakunodate, a historic samurai town in Akita, is known as the ‘Little Kyoto of the North.’ Walking through its streets feels like stepping back in time. Especially beautiful during cherry blossom season!

17/02/2025

Goenmari is a traditional handball craft passed down in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture. It is a beautifully intricate craft made by weaving colorful silk threads into elegant patterns. Originally, it was created as a plaything for daughters of feudal lords and noblewomen.

The origins of Gotenmari date back to the Edo period. In Honjo Domain, which was located in present-day Yurihonjo City, the families of feudal lords and samurai women handcrafted decorative balls, which eventually developed into Gotenmari. During that time, these handcrafted balls were used for New Year’s games and were also given as gifts to wish for children’s growth and happiness.

The surface of Gotenmari is adorned with delicate silk threads, forming beautiful geometric patterns and floral designs.

Each Gotenmari is carefully handcrafted, requiring expert skill in thread placement and pattern arrangement.

The round shape symbolizes “harmony” and “happiness,” making Gotenmari a popular charm or gift.

To preserve the craft of Gotenmari, local artisans and organizations in Yurihonjo City continue to create these decorative balls. They are displayed and sold as traditional crafts, and workshops are sometimes held for tourists to experience making them.

In recent years, Gotenmari has been adapted into modern forms such as home décor and accessories, expanding its appeal beyond its traditional use.

Gotenmari is a beautiful traditional craft that embodies the history and culture of Yurihonjo City. If you ever visit, be sure to see these exquisite handwoven creations!

＃akita

17/02/2025

Eisenji Temple, located in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture, is known as the family temple of the Rokugo clan, the former lords of Honjo Domain. It was founded in 1639 (Kan’ei 16) by Rokugo Masakatsu and flourished as the central temple of the Soto Zen sect within the domain.

One of its most remarkable features is the temple gate, completed in 1865 (Keio 1). Made entirely of zelkova wood, it boasts an impressive structure with a tiled hip-and-gable roof and is one of the largest gates of its kind in the prefecture. This gate was designated as an Important Cultural Property of Akita Prefecture in 1968 (Showa 43).

Additionally, Eisenji Temple offers communal graves, perpetual memorial graves, and individual graves for its parishioners. A pet cemetery is also available for free. For more details, please contact the temple directly.

＃akita

住所

Yurihonjo-shi, Akita
015-8501

営業時間

月曜日	08:00 - 17:00
火曜日	08:00 - 17:00
水曜日	08:00 - 17:00
木曜日	08:00 - 17:00
金曜日	08:00 - 17:00
土曜日	08:00 - 17:00
日曜日	08:00 - 17:00