[Akita] Enjoy nature! 4 recommended driving courses!

Tour the Oga Peninsula where you can fully enjoy the Sea of ​​Japan

Akita Prefecture is rectangular in shape, extending from north to south. The peninsula that juts out to the west is Oga Peninsula, the birthplace of Namahage.

The coastal driving route ``Oga Shiokaze Kaido'' is a winding road that weaves through cliffs with the magnificent Sea of ​​Japan in the background. It's a bit thrilling, but it's also a very popular driving course for bikers.

Along the way, you can feel the magnificence of nature at the Great Pier, an arch-shaped rock carved by waves, and the Peacock Cave, a natural coastal cave, and play with marine life at the Oga Aquarium GAO. Good too.
At Nyuudozaki at the tip of the Oga Peninsula, you can relax after a long drive by lying on the fresh green grass while looking up at the lighthouse with its distinctive black and white stripes. It is also a popular spot where you can watch the magnificent sunset over the Sea of ​​Japan.

Photo by yy – RIMG0174(2008) / Size-adapted.

Chokai Blue Line colors the four seasons with the Sea of ​​Japan in the background

Mount Chokai, which straddles Akita and Yamagata prefectures, has an altitude of 2236m.
The Yamagata Prefecture side is a gentle winding course that passes through the forest. On the Akita Prefecture side, the course climbs up to 1100m on a steep, winding slope. The panoramic view of the entire Sea of ​​Japan from near the top of the mountain is spectacular, and on the way down you can feel as if your car is diving into the Sea of ​​Japan. Although it is closed in winter and cannot be passed, it is an attractive driving course that changes its appearance with the seasons, with snow wall corridors in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and red and yellow autumn leaves in autumn.

Hachimantai Aspite Line where you can feel the majesty of nature

A mountain pass that crosses the Ou Mountains and Hachimantai, which separates Akita and Iwate prefectures. Although it is called a mountain pass road, it is a tourist road and the road is wide, so you can drive safely. "Aspite" is the name of a type of volcano and means a shield volcano. Aspite Line is the only place in Tohoku where you can drive at an altitude of 1500m.

If you're lucky, you might be able to see a magnificent sea of ​​clouds at the highest point, Mikaeri Pass.
If you want to visit, we recommend late April in the spring. The highlight is definitely the snow wall corridor. Due to its high latitude and altitude, you can see walls of snow even higher than Mt. Chokai.

The temperature at the top of the mountain is around 20 degrees Celsius even in midsummer, so it's a good place to get away from the heat.
In autumn, the autumn leaves are truly spectacular. Enjoy the changing appearance of the mountains as the seasons and altitude change. Since it is a volcanic area, there are many long-established hot springs. It's also great to enjoy nature while soaking in the open-air bath.

Nanohana Road in Ogata Village is full of bright colors

Akita Prefecture was once home to Hachirogata, the second largest lake in Japan after Lake Biwa.
After 20 years of reclaiming land, Ogata Village was born in 1964. Since it is reclaimed land, there are no mountains, and the landscape is flat and well-maintained, with the horizon visible. The roads are almost straight, giving you the illusion of being in Hokkaido or the Netherlands.

Photo by taxdn – Nanohana Road /Size-adapted.

If you visit from late April to early May, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, the road will be lined with cherry blossom and rape blossom trees.
The four-color contrast of the blue of the sky, the green of the plants, the pink of the cherry blossoms, and the yellow of the rape blossoms is so beautiful that you will find yourself stopping your car on the side of the road and admiring the wonderful scenery. If you're staying overnight, we recommend "Sunrural Ogata" located in the same village. Located 25 meters above the ground, this luxurious hot spring offers a panoramic view of Ogata Village, the surrounding mountains, and the sunset over the Sea of ​​Japan.

There are still many things to see in Akita.
In Akita Prefecture, where the population is rapidly depopulating, public transportation is not very convenient and people have to rely on cars, but I would like to share with you that there are ways to enjoy Akita's car-based society.

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