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
Akita Prefecture, which stretches from north to south facing the Sea of Japan, has many beaches, and some beaches have already opened for swimming as early as July 6th. In 2023, all 15 beaches in the prefecture are scheduled to open for swimming
Here we will introduce five of these 15 beaches, along with information on sightseeing and gourmet spots in the surrounding area
Kamayahama Beach (Mitane Town)
Located in Mitane Town near Lake Hachirogata in northern Akita Prefecture, this beautiful beach was selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Swimming Beaches in 2006
Behind the pristine sandy beach, which is free of the typical offshore breakwaters made of tetrapods and other structures found at beaches facing the open ocean, stands a row of wind turbines
It is also known as "Sunset Beach Kamayahama" because of the beautiful sunsets that can be seen over the Sea of Japan
The beach has toilets, a kitchen, and camping facilities. There are also hot springs and supermarkets nearby
There is a large free parking lot, and you can drive your car onto the sand. Sand craft events are also held here, making this beach especially popular with young people
From the official website of the Mitane Town Sand Craft Executive Committee
It is held every year on the last Saturday and Sunday of July, and this year's "Sand Craft in Mitane 2023" will be held on both Saturday, July 29th and Sunday, July 30th at Kamayahama Beach, with a large number of sand crafts (sand sculptures) on display
Each year a different theme is decided, and magnificent sand sculptures of various sizes are lined up everywhere. This year, for the first time in four years, the 10th Sand Sculpture Koshien will be held, in which high school students from within and outside the prefecture will compete to see who can create the best sand sculpture.
Sand Craft in Mitaneye <Information>
Organized by: Mitane Town Sand Craft Executive Committee
It boasts top-class water quality, consistently rated AA in Akita Prefecture, and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Swimming Beaches
The sandy beach stretches for 1 km, but a 300m stretch that is well-patrolled can be used for swimming. The shallow waters make it a popular beach for a wide range of people, from young people to families
There is free parking and flush toilets, and showers (for a fee) are available at the 7-8 beach huts lined up
From the coast you can see the Oga Sanzan mountains as well as the Shirakami Mountains, a World Heritage Site, and the area is known for its spectacular sunsets, some of the best in Japan
Miyazawa Beach <Information>
Beach name: Miyazawa Beach
Location: Oishi Obasawa, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
Phone number: 0185-24-4700 (Oga City Tourism Association)
When you drive around Akita Prefecture in the summer, you will see old ladies selling ice cream with large parasols sitting on the side of the road here and there. These are the famous "Babahera Ice Cream .
From the official Shindo Reika website
The grandma skillfully arranges the colorful sorbet ice cream in a cone using a spatula to resemble a rose, and this has now become a staple of summer in Akita
This ice cream is made Shindo Reika , which has its headquarters in Oga city.
Babahera Ice Cream <Information>
Manufacturing company name: Shindo Reika Co., Ltd
Address: 12-1 Shimoyanagane, Kakumazaki, Oga City, Akita Prefecture
From Akita City Tourism and Event Information Site Akitachi+ (Plus)
Of the 15 swimming beaches, this is the only one located within Akita City, and the coastline, about 1km long and lined with blooming rose bushes, is characterized by its shallow waters and gentle waves
The water is very clear and six beach huts are set up during the season, making it a popular swimming spot that families can enjoy safely
Although the waves are calm, marine sports such as surfing and bodyboarding are popular
Katsurahama Beach ＜Information＞
Beach name: Katsurahama Beach
Location: Hamada Sakaigawa, Akita City, Akita Prefecture
The best souvenir from Akita is definitely the famous Akita confectionery, Kinman
Simply put, Kinman is a castella bun made of honey and egg-flavored castella dough filled with egg-flavored white bean paste
It has a history of about 70 years, and is a beloved snack in the local Akita area for its unchanging taste. However, the fresh type has a shelf life of only three days, making it a valuable souvenir that can only be purchased at a limited number of stores, such as the company's own store in Akita City
However, recently, vacuum-packed types with a shelf life of 10 days and individually wrapped types with a shelf life of 14 days have appeared, making them suitable for distribution at work as souvenirs for people far away or as gifts for business trips
From the official website of the Yurihonjo City Tourism Association
From the sandy beach adjacent to Honjo Marina, you can get a close-up view of the majestic Mount Chokai, and the 700m-long beach has the longest swimming area in Akita Prefecture, attracting many beachgoers from inside and outside the prefecture
It was selected as one of the "88 Best Bathing Beaches in Japan" in 2001, and marine sports are popular here, with many yachts always floating on the waves around the beach
The beach has a large free parking lot, showers and toilets, and there is also an auto camping site and hot spring spa nearby, making it very comfortable
Honjo Marina Beach <Information>
Beach name: Honjo Marina Beach
Location: Ishiwaki Tajiri, Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture
Phone number: 080-9073-7776
Swimming hours: 9:00-17:00
Swimming period: July 22nd (Sat) to August 13th (Sun), 2023
"Honjo Ham Fries" is the soul food of Yurihonjo residents
From the official website of Honjo Ham Fry Ham People's Association
Honjo Ham Fries, a Yurihonjo B-grade gourmet dish known only to those in the know, is fried pressed ham (chopped ham) made from 100% pork
The definition was established by the Honjo Ham Fry Ham Citizens' Association, which states that the ham must be produced within Yurihonjo City or made from pork produced within the city, and that lard is preferable for frying
local Honjo-made soy sauce , and they are loved as a side dish with rice or as a snack for children.
Honjo Fried Ham <Information>
Name of organization: Honjo Ham Fry Ham People's Association
From the Nikaho City Tourism Association official Facebook page
This beautiful semicircular beach is well known as a sunset beach, with the beautiful sunsets that sink into the Sea of Japan, and has been selected as one of the "100 Best Sunsets in Japan."
The event begins 20 to 30 minutes before sunset, and the sight of the sun turning a bright red as it sinks below the horizon is an incredibly spectacular sight
The coast here is shallow and there are small rocks here and there where you can play on the rocks, and the water is so clear that it has been selected as one of the "100 Best Swimming Beaches in Japan."
As it is adjacent to an auto camping site, you can enjoy camping and swimming at the same time, and you can wash off the sea water and sweat at the nearby hot spring resort facility, Pine Spa Shinyama
Summer is the season for wild rock oysters from Kisakata!
From the official Akita Prefecture tourism website
Around Kisakata, fishing for wild rock oysters, which are in season in summer, opens from June (July 1st in Kisakata), and you can enjoy this "milk of the sea" until mid-August, when the swimming beaches are open
This season, the fish are larger and are said to be sweeter than usual, and can be enjoyed at the restaurant and direct sales store at Nemuno-Oka Roadside Station in Kisakata, located on the north side of the beach
Nemuno-oka <Information>
Facility name: Roadside Station Kisakata "Nemunooka"
Address: 73-1 Oshiogoshi, Kisakata-cho, Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture
All of Akita Prefecture's beaches facing the Sea of Japan are known for their beautiful sunsets, and you can enjoy beautiful sunsets at any of them
As for gourmet food, the prefecture is known for seafood from the Sea of Japan, inland mountain produce, rice, and the local sake made from it, but be sure to also try the B-grade gourmet food introduced here
I'm a former Edokko man who loves Morioka and the six Tohoku prefectures, and I also love history, food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. I'll be introducing you to the interesting, delicious, and great things about Tohoku!
![matagi](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/matagi-150x150.jpg.webp "The popular "Matagi" tradition of wild game began in Kitaakita City! [Akita Prefecture]")
