Akita: Private Shore Excursion with Samurai District Visit

Discover the diverse character of Akita on a private shore excursion combining beautiful landscapes, samurai heritage, local cuisine, and traditional culture. Enjoy views of Lake Tazawa before exploring Kakunodate, one of Japan’s best-preserved samurai districts, with visits to historic residences such as the Ishiguro and Aoyagi houses. Savor Akita specialties including Hinai chicken and Inaniwa udon, and stop at Ando Jozo to discover locally made fermented products. Back in Akita City, explore local festival culture at the Neburi Nagashi Kan and take a relaxing walk through Senshu Park. This private tour offers a well-rounded introduction to Akita beyond the port. If your ship’s port time is less than 8 hours, we will adjust the itinerary accordingly to ensure you return to the port on time.

1. 1

   Akita Port Cruise Ship Terminal

   5 min

   Your guide will meet you at Akita Port to begin your full-day journey through Akita’s scenic and cultural highlights.

2. 2

   Kyowa Michi-no-Eki

   20 min

   Take a short break at this charming roadside station surrounded by fields and mountains, and enjoy local snacks or seasonal produce. This is for 8 hour option

3. 3

   Katamaeyama Forest Park

   10 min

   Admire panoramic views of Akita’s rural landscape from this peaceful hilltop observatory surrounded by lush forest. This is for 8 hour option

4. 4

   Tazawa Lake

   45 min

   One of the lake's most famous landmarks is the golden Statue of Tatsuko, which commemorates the local legend of a young woman who wished for eternal beauty and was transformed into a dragon. The statue has become a symbol of Lake Tazawa and is a popular photo spot. Visitors can enjoy scenic lakeside drives, walking paths, viewpoints, cafés, and seasonal landscapes, including vibrant autumn foliage and snow-covered mountains in winter. On clear days, the lake's striking blue color and peaceful atmosphere make it one of the most picturesque destinations in the Tohoku region. This is for 8 hour option.

5. 5

   Statue of Tatsuko

   10 min

   Visit Japan’s deepest lake and see the golden statue of Tatsuko, a legendary maiden said to have turned into a dragon.

6. 6

   Stop 6

   2 hours

   Kakunodate's Buke Yashiki Street is a beautiful townscape that retains the atmosphere of the Edo period. Lined with samurai residences surrounded by blackboard fences, some of which can be toured inside. Walking along the cobblestone streets, you can enjoy the quiet and dignified scenery that lets you feel the breath of history.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   30 min

   The Ishiguro House is the oldest samurai residence in Kakunodate, and the current main house was built in the mid-Edo period. The descendants still live in the house, and a part of it is open to the public. The simple and sturdy architectural style and valuable furnishings offer a glimpse into the lifestyle of a high-ranking samurai. One of the highlights of the house is that the entrance hall is divided for use by different statuses, giving visitors a sense of the strict discipline of the samurai society of the time. This is for 8 hour tour.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   30 min

   Kakunodate Historical Village, Aoyanagi House is a samurai residence with a history of about 400 years, and has a main house, an armory, and six museums in its vast grounds. The house exhibits swords, armor, Akita Dutch paintings, and other valuable items, giving visitors a sense of the life of the samurai in the Edo period. In particular, the sliding door painting “Tiger” by the painter Kyusatsu Tsuji is very powerful and worth seeing. At the “Haikara-kan” on the premises, visitors can taste Nanban-cha (coffee) brewed with Shinmei-sui, and enjoy an elegant time together with history. This is for 8 hour tour.

9. 9

   Ando Jozo Brewery Honten

   30 min

   Ando Jyozo is a long-established brewery established in 1853, and its miso and soy sauce made using traditional methods are very appealing. The aroma of soy sauce and miso made in wooden vats wafts through the air in the store, and visitors can enjoy tasting and sampling the products. The popular “nama shoyu” (soy sauce), in particular, is additive-free and unheated, so you can enjoy the original flavor of soy sauce. The atmospheric storefront and a tour of the brewery, lined with miso barrels, are also highlights of the tour, allowing visitors to get a close look at Kakunodate's food culture and craftsmanship. Inside the brick storehouse, which is the symbol of the main storehouse, there is a storehouse tatami room, which played an important role for weddings and funerals. The brick storehouse is the oldest in the Tohoku region and is registered as a tangible cultural property of the city.

10. 10

    Stop 10

    30 min

    The Neburi Nagashi Museum(Akita city folk arts center) is a museum that introduces the traditional culture and folk arts of Akita City. Inside the museum, visitors can see up close the actual Kanto lanterns used in the Akita Kanto Festival, one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region, and there is also a corner where visitors can actually experience the festival. There are also exhibits showing traditional Akita crafts and the way people used to live in Akita, and visitors can experience Akita culture through Namahage costumes and folk tools. This is a valuable spot where visitors can feel the history and the power of the festival.

11. 11

    Senshu Park

    2 hours

    Senshu Park is a historic park developed on the ruins of Kubota Castle, the residence of the Satake clan of the Kubota domain. The beautiful moat and stonewalls in the park are reminiscent of the old days. The restored Osumi Tower and front gate are located in the park, and visitors can enjoy a walk while feeling the history of the area. The seasonal scenery is also attractive, and the Japanese garden with its lush greenery and ponds is a particularly relaxing place to visit.

12. 12

    Akita Port Cruise Ship Terminal

    30 min

    After a day filled with nature, history, and culture, return comfortably to Akita Port.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• The itinerary might be changed due to weather condition or other reasons.
• We can accommodate dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. If you have dietary requirements. Please indicate it to the special requirements at the time of booking.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.