This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
We depart Kakunodate Station just after 2 p.m. and head to Akita on the Akita Shinkansen Komachi
According to the timetable, it takes about an hour to get to Akita Station from Kakunodate Station
It's 3pm and we've arrived at Akita Station
We arrived at Akita Station, our destination for the first day
I booked a hotel in the city, but I had some time before check-in so I decided to take a walk around the city
The general destinations within the city are the Neburi Nagashikan and the nearby Former Kaneko Residence
It's about 1.2km from Akita Station, but both close at 4:30pm so we hurried over there
Arrival! Folk Performing Arts Museum (Neburi Nagashi Museum)
Akita City's Kanto Festival is famous and is one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region, but I had never been to one before, so I was really looking forward to coming here
The Neburi Nagashi Museum is a folk performing arts museum that takes its nickname from the Tanabata event "Neburi Nagashi," which is said to be the origin of the Kanto festival
This "Neburi Nagashi" is said to have originated from "Nemuri Nagashi", which is used to ward off evil spirits and sleepiness in the middle of summer
Nemuri Nagashi itself has been practiced since before the Edo period, and it is said that the prototype for the current event was created during the Horeki era. It is also said that it took on its current form as a series of events to welcome Obon on July 15th of the lunar calendar, along with the Tanabata event, which is held on July 7th of the lunar calendar to pray for good harvests, good health, and improvement in arts and crafts
In Akita City, the word "nemuri nagashi" has been corrupted and is called "neburi nagashi."
At the Neburi Nagashi Museum, there are exhibits of Kanto lanterns and floats used in the Tsuchizaki Shinmeisha Festival, and there is also an experience area where you can actually try your hand at Kanto lanterns
The Kanto lanterns at the Kanto Festival are said to resemble the golden lights of rice ears in the north
The lanterns used in the Kanto festival are decorated with vibrant town and company crests
The only place you can see all of this at once is at Neburi Nagashikan
Town crests often depict auspicious objects, and Akita Kanto is unique in that you can identify the town by the picture
Folk Performing Arts Museum (Neburi Nagashi Museum)
Address: 1-3-30 Omachi, Akita City
Phone number: 018-866-7091
Admission fee: 100 yen for adults (80 yen for groups of 20 or more), free for high school students and younger
Opening hours: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Closed: December 29th to January 3rd
GOOGLE MAP
Head to the former Kaneko family residence, right next to the Neburi Nagashikan
The Former Kaneko Family Residence is a building designated as a tangible cultural property of Akita City and is attached to the Neburi Nagashi Museum
The Kaneko family ran their business in this building until 1982, and the owner donated it to Akita City in 1996
The Kaneko family residence opened as a pawn shop and second-hand clothing store in the late Edo period, and established a wholesale kimono and heavy goods business in the early Meiji period
The main house and rice storehouse were destroyed in the Tawaraya fire around 1887, but the interior buildings survived and were rebuilt, and the building retains a strong resemblance to the architectural style of Akita town houses from the late Edo period
It's hard to see in the photo, but there is a fire-prevention "rainwater jar" on the roof, and the impressive storehouse, built during the Edo period, is connected to the main house by a roof, so you can go back and forth without going outside
Internal organs that survived the Tawaraya fire
The Former Kaneko Family Residence can be used for hobby classes or small gatherings by inquiring with the Akita Folk Arts and Traditions Museum
Of course, eating and drinking are not permitted, but it would be nice to gather a group of people in a charming building and immerse yourself in your hobbies or favorite activities
Former Kaneko family residence
Address: 1-3-31 Omachi, Akita City
Phone number: 018-866-7091
How to use: Enter from the adjacent Folk Performing Arts Museum
Admission fee: A combined ticket with the adjacent Neburi Nagashikan costs 100 yen for adults, and free for high school students and younger
Opening hours: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Closed: December 29th to January 3rd
GOOGLE MAP
Akita Akura Beer Brewery Shop, 2 minutes walk from Neburi Nagashikan and the Former Kaneko Family Residence
I thought I'd go to the Akita Akura Beer Brewery Shop and wash away the fatigue of my trip with a beer, but unfortunately it was closed
It's my fault for not doing proper research beforehand
"I'll definitely get revenge the next time I come to Akita!"
I left the store with this promise in mind. If you're in the area, be sure to stop by
This beer has won awards at beer contests and judging ceremonies for 16 consecutive years since 2006
It was just before 6pm, so we decided to go check into the hotel
This time we chose a location that is conveniently located 1.2km from Akita Station
After a short break, we decided to take a stroll around the area around the station and then head out into the city at night in search of the Akita local cuisine and local sake that we had reserved
There is still something I want to see. Yes, the Akita Station West Exit Bus Terminal
This is one of the places I personally wanted to see
"Akita Station West Exit Bus Terminal"
This is a bus terminal designed by designer Katsushi Nagumo in 2013
It won the GOOD DESIGN AWARD in 2014, and to quote:
The Akita Station West Exit Bus Terminal is a wooden bus terminal that makes generous use of Akita cedar. Counted among Japan's three most beautiful forests and boasting the largest accumulation of Akita cedar in the country, the terminal utilizes Akita cedar to create a welcoming space befitting the gateway to Akita City, the prefectural capital, and promotes the potential of wood to the nation, while also contributing to improving the scenery in front of Akita Station
Although it was only online, when I first saw it I was struck by it and wanted to see it someday
It's partly because it's an unfamiliar place, but it might be interesting to go somewhere from here just looking at the place names; it gets me excited just thinking about it
Akita Station West Exit Bus Terminal
Dinner is of course Akita's local cuisine and local sake
Of course, I had already chosen a place I was interested in for dinner when I was planning my trip
but!!!!
Is this a disaster?
I had made a reservation at a restaurant, and when I walked up to the restaurant, the lights were off, which was a bit disappointing, but there was a sign in front of the restaurant
"Due to the owner's poor health, the store will be temporarily closed."
That's what they say
"Yeah, it can't be helped. Given the current situation, please don't push yourself too hard and take it easy and get some rest."
I said this to myself and left the restaurant. But from here on out, things got tough... With the nationwide travel subsidy and JR free passes, there were a lot of tourists like me, and every restaurant where I could eat local cuisine was fully booked!
After wandering around for about an hour, I ended up in Kawabata and decided to drop in without an appointment from the edge of Suzuran Street
I went to the 4th or 5th place with my smartphone in hand, making a phone call and looking for a place where I could eat local cuisine
Finally we met!
"Akita Kiritanpo Shop"
I negotiated with them without much hope, and they said they only accept reservations, but a seat had become available so I could go in right away. It was really helpful
You can drink the finest sake recommended by the master brewers from all the breweries in Akita Prefecture
It's amazing. (Please excuse the beer in the photo, even though I'm promoting local sake. I was thirsty.)
The menu is truly local cuisine! I don't know much about it
We ordered "Kiritanpo hotpot", "Akita wild vegetable Mizunotama", "Iburi-gakko", "Shotsuru deep-fried", "Ego" and many more!
As an excuse, I was so tired from traveling and the food was so delicious that I forgot to take any photos
Kiritanpo nabe is truly a local dish, and is in a league of its own compared to the Kiritanpo nabe I usually eat
What surprised me was that it contained "chicken kumquats." I will never forget the rich, flavorful broth that seemed to consume every last bit of the chicken. And the main ingredient, kiritanpo, was soft! This was also a surprising difference
When I make kiritanpo hotpot at home, I usually buy vacuum-packed kiritanpo, but they tend to be a little hard both inside and out
In comparison, authentic Kiritanpo has a hard surface like high-quality burnt rice, yet the inside is soft and delicious, like freshly harvested rice!
And here is the local gourmet dish "Ego"
It has been featured on NEFT once before, but this is the first time I've actually tried it
It has a rough texture similar to konjac, and the aroma of seaweed will whet your appetite, making it an addictive dish
To be honest, I was a bit taken aback by the combination of wasabi and lemon, but once I added the lemon, it made perfect sense
We were very satisfied with the delicious local cuisine and drinks, and after leaving Akita Kiritanpo-ya, we stopped at just one more place before heading back to the hotel
I wanted to stay until the morning, but since I had to get up early the next day, I decided to keep it to a moderate level
At the last bar we visited, we tried Akita Cedar GIN, a craft gin from Akita Prefecture. It's a refreshing craft gin made with five botanicals (juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, orange peel, and lemon peel), but it was the first time I'd ever tasted a gin with such a strong aroma
The slogan is "A refreshing scent that's like taking a walk in the forest," and it's no lie; the scent and taste are truly wonderful
This gin is incredibly popular now and is sure to continue to grow in popularity, and it seems you can buy it online, so I highly recommend it
Summary of today's transportation costs for the first day (compared to regular fares)
This is a summary of the first day
We departed from Sendai Station and headed to Akita City via Morioka and Kakunodate. The journey continues tomorrow and the day after, but here is a summary of today's trip!
JR East 150th Anniversary Free Pass Ticket: 22,150 yen
I'm a member of the Neft editorial team. I love alcohol, music, and traveling, so I indulge in some drinks after work on weekdays, and on weekends, if I have free time, I travel to nearby areas. I work hard every day with the goal of eventually traveling overseas to find connections to Tohoku through NEFT reporting.
![Chusonji Temple information board](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IMG_3829-1200x675-1-150x150.jpg.webp "[JR East Japan Pass Trip: Day 2, Part 2] Intensive exploration of Hiraizumi! World Heritage sites "Chusonji Temple" and "Golden Hall"")
