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
From April to June 2025, a TV anime called "Zatsu Tabi -That's Journey-" was broadcast. The story follows Chika Suzugamori, a female college student who wants to become a manga artist, as she broadens her horizons through a spontaneous (haphazard) journey.
Although the anime has already finished airing, the original manga is still ongoing. This time, we will introduce the journey through Akita Prefecture depicted in the 31st chapter (episode 31) of the manga, "And So the Two Continue Onward."
*This contains spoilers for the manga, so please be careful if you haven't read it yet.
Click here for an article about the first journey of the TV anime, "The First 1225 Steps" (Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture).
Click here for the article about the first half of the 9th trip, "Finishing off with a visit to the hot springs and the first sunrise" (Aomori Prefecture)
Chika (who has already graduated from university and makes a living as a manga artist) decided to visit a hot spring in the Tohoku region based on the results of a social media survey, which has become a regular occurrence. She takes her manga editor, Aya Umeyashiki, to Gosannen Station in Misato Town, Senboku District, Akita Prefecture. Chika says "Ato Sannen" (meaning " three years left") , but it's actually pronounced " Gosannen " (meaning "three years left").
And then, San-nen-eki. (I understood it was "Go-san-nen" from the announcement, but the way it was written was funny so I got off.) pic.twitter.com/DAAOIQIQhW
Those familiar with Japanese history will immediately understand the origin of the unusual name "Gosannen Station." The station's name derives from the fact that the surrounding area was the site of the "Gosannen War"(later three years' conflict), which took place in Mutsu and Dewa (the Tohoku region) from 1083 to 1087.
Here's how to get to Gosannen Station. If you take the Akita Shinkansen " Komachi " bound for Akita from Tokyo Station , you'll arrive at "Omagari Station" in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture in about 3 hours and 15 minutes.
Akita Shinkansen "Komachi"
The article about purchasing tickets necessary to ride the Shinkansen provides a brief explanation, so please refer to it. Please note that the "Komachi" train has all reserved seats and no unreserved seats
Also, if you want to recreate the journey from the manga, you only need to buy a "limited express ticket" to Omagari Station to board the Shinkansen, but you will need to buy a "basic train ticket" to Gosannen Station or your final destination, Yuzawa Station (if you buy a basic train ticket from Tokyo Station or elsewhere to Yuzawa Station, you can get off at Gosannen Station).
After getting off the Komachi train at Ōmagari Station, transfer to a local train on the Ōu Main Line. It's two stops to Gosannen Station, and the journey takes 11 to 12 minutes. However, trains are infrequent, with only about one train per hour outside of the morning rush hour. While the timetable is designed to make transfers from the Komachi relatively easy, there may be times when you have to wait a long time for a train at Ōmagari Station.
Now, looking at page 66 of volume 10 of the manga, the time on Chika's smartphone when she gets off at Gosannen Station shows 11:30. Since I don't have the timetable from that time (late March 2023), my analysis will be based on the timetable as of November 2025. If you take the Komachi No. 3 that departs Tokyo Station at 7:32, you will arrive at Omagari Station at 10:50. Then, if you take the Ou Main Line train bound for Innai that departs Omagari Station 24 minutes later at 11:14, you will arrive at Gosannen Station at 11:25. It seems likely that the two of them traveled according to this schedule.
Two people walking in the rain
The two disembarked at Gosannen Station and walked south through the rain. Incidentally, walking south from the station, you quickly enter Yokote City from Misato Town.
Along the way, the two come across a shrine that appears to have high defensive capabilities. It's called Sugahara Shrine, and it's a relatively new shrine, having been founded in June 1830. The shrine 's high defensive capabilities seem to be limited to the snowy season, so it's likely a measure against snow.
The two crossed the Yokote River, but after walking for about 30 minutes from Gosannen Station, their shoes were already soaked from the rain, so they gave up on walking to the next station, Yokote Station, and turned back to Gosannen Station. Even though it's the next station, the distancefrom Gosannen Station to Yokote Stationis 6.4 km. It's a distance I would never want to walk (at the end of the trip, Chika is teased by Aya for "walking too much").
Information <Sugawara Shrine>
Name: Sugawara Shrine
Address: 7 Nakayachi, Kanazawa Yasumoto, Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, 013-0813
The two returned to Gosannen Station and boarded a train again. Since they must have walked for about an hour after arriving at Gosannen Station at 11:25, the train they boarded was probably the 13:02 departure bound for Yuzawa. Exactly 30 minutes later, at 13:32, they arrived at Yuzawa Station, located in the center of Yuzawa City.
Yuzawa Station
As the two walked around the station, they stopped at a shop called " Takaichi Seikaten " located about 100 meters from the east exit of the station and tried " Holland-yaki ," a soul food originating in Yuzawa. It looks like a large pancake or a sweet pancake, but its distinctive feature is the exquisite taste created by the saltiness of the ham and mayonnaise filling combined with the sweetness of the dough.
I had some Dutch-style pancakes. The saltiness of the ham and mayonnaise combined with the slight sweetness of the dough was delicious. pic.twitter.com/mXXo5spnxv
It should be noted that there is no direct connection between "Dutch-yaki" and the country of Holland. The name "Dutch-yaki" comes from the fact that the ham is arranged in a windmill-like pattern while being cooked, which is reminiscent of Dutch windmills.
Dutch ware
Information <Takaichi Fruit and Vegetable Store>
Name: Takaichi Fruit and Vegetable Store
Address: 1-1-28 Omotemachi, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture, 012-0827
Chika and her friends arrived at Yuzawa Station by taking the Akita Shinkansen and the Ou Main Line, but we will also introduce other ways to access Yuzawa City. (This information is current as of November 2025.It may have changed since then.)
If you're traveling by train from the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture, you'll first need to take the Ou Main Line or the Gono Line to Akita Station. From Akita Station, there are direct trains to Yuzawa Station, so you can take one of those. The journey from Akita Station to Yuzawa Station takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
If you are coming from Yamagata Prefecture or Niigata Prefecture along the Sea of Japan coast, take a train on the Uetsu Main Line to Akita Station, then board a train on the Ou Main Line.
From Sendai City, you can take the " Green Liner " express bus. The journey between Sendai Station and Yuzawa Station takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes. (Previously, there was also the "Yuzawa-Akita Line" express bus connecting Akita City and Yuzawa City, but it has been suspended since April 2024 due to a shortage of drivers.)
While there are no overnight buses to or from Yuzawa City, there are direct overnight buses to Yokote Station in the neighboring city of Yokote, from major transportation hubs in the Kanto region such as Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Bus Terminal, Omiya Station, and Yokohama Station (YCAT). From Yokote Station, you can take a train on the Ou Main Line bound for Yuzawa, arriving at Yuzawa Station in about 20 minutes. This is a viable option for those who want to travel while they sleep.
If you're traveling to Yuzawa City from a distant location such as the Kansai region, you'll likely first land at Akita Airport in Akita City. Direct flights to Akita Airport are available from Sapporo (Okadama and New Chitose), Tokyo (Haneda), Nagoya (Chubu Centrair), and Osaka (Itami) . (As a side note, international flights to and from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport also operate on Thursdays and Sundays.)
It takes about 40 minutes by limousine bus from Akita Airport to Akita Station, butAkita Station is in the opposite direction from Yuzawa City, so the travel timeis wasted.
The closest station to Akita Airport is Wada Station on the Ou Main Line, and one option is to take a taxi to Wada Station.
Alternatively, you can travel to Yokote Station using the "Akita Airport - Yokote Welcome Shuttle," a reservation-only (up to 4 days in advance) shared ride service available only to passengers on flights to or from Akita Airport (travel time: 70 minutes). The Welcome Shuttle only runs twice a day, but the fare to Yokote Station is a very reasonable 300 yen per person , so it's highly recommended (a regular taxi ride to Yokote Station would cost over 20,000 yen).
Take the shared taxi "Komachi Shuttle" to Doroyu Onsen Okuyama Ryokan
After enjoying Dutch-style pottery, the two boarded the " Komachi Shuttle ," a shared taxi, to head to the Okuyama Ryokan in Doroyu Onsen ( the ryokan does not provide shuttle service ). There are two departures from Yuzawa Station, one at 2:50 PM and another at 3:35 PM. Judging from the sequence of events so far, they likely took the 2:50 PM departure. They arrived at Doroyu Onsen 45 minutes later, at 3:35 PM.
Reservations are required to use the Komachi Shuttle. Online reservations must be made at least three days in advance, and telephone reservations must be made by 4:00 PM the day before.
In addition to the Komachi Shuttle, there is also a shared taxi service operated by Senshu Taxi, which takes a little over an hour, but requires a reservation with Senshu Taxi
Mud Hot Springs is quite far from Yuzawa Station, and there isn't a highway interchange nearby either. It's located in a place that feels quite remote and secluded.
Doroyu Hot Springs
It is said that Doroyu Onsen (Mud Hot Spring) was first opened about 1,200 years ago. As the name suggests, the hot spring water is cloudy and muddy in color, which is why it is called Doroyu (Mud Hot Spring).
The place I stayed at this time was Okuyama Ryokan, a hot spring inn in Doroyu Onsen, Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture. Legend says that a tengu (mythical creature) made the water cloudy white, and it's not transparent. The muddy, smooth texture of the water made for a wonderfully relaxing experience. It's a great hot spring that makes you want to soak in it again and again. Highly recommended! (I took photos of the hot spring after receiving permission.) pic.twitter.com/N9p5OqEokE
The Okuyama Ryokan, where Chika and her friends stayed, was founded during the Meiji era. It has three types of hot springs, each named "Tengu no Yu," "Kawa no Yu," and "Shin Yu" (however, it seems that "Kawa no Yu" is only used for the women's-only open-air bath)
Smoke from Doroyu Onsen
There are several hot springs around the area, and in some areas, hydrogen sulfide is emitted as volcanic gas. In the past, there have been accidents in which tourists have lost their lives due to hydrogen sulfide . This is especially dangerous during the snowy season, as hydrogen sulfide gas can accumulate under the snow. Inns are issuing warnings to guests to absolutely not go onto the accumulated snow
Kawarage Hell
Although it doesn't appear in the manga, Kawarage Jigoku , one of Japan's three most sacred sites, is located about a 30-minute walk from Okuyama Ryokan. The mountainside, formed by rocks that spew sulfur and steam, and devoid of any trees, truly lives up to its name as "hell."
The remaining two of the three major sacred sites are Tateyama in Toyama Prefecture and Osorezan in Aomori Prefecture. I've mentioned Osorezan in the article about the ninth episode of the anime, so please check it out.
If you walk along the trail for another 20 minutes from Kawarage Jigoku, you will reach Kawarage Oyu Falls . This spot features hot spring water at approximately 50 degrees Celsius cascading down as a waterfall, with the pool at the base of the falls serving as a natural open-air bath.
Kawarage Oyu Falls
Swimsuits are required for bathing. The best time to enjoy the baths is from early July to mid-September. Bathing is possible during other seasons as well, but in winter, the roads become impassable due to snow, making it impossible to get there. The closure period is usually from early November to early May of the following year.
The next morning, the two returned to Yuzawa Station on the Komachi Shuttle (currently departing Doroyu Onsen at 11:00 and arriving at Yuzawa Station at 11:45), and then explored the town of Yuzawa. First, they headed north along National Route 13, which runs east of Yuzawa Station.
We'll be trying " Soy Sauce Castella " at a shop called " Katano, " located further northeast from Shimoyuzawa Station, which is the station just north of Yuzawa Station . This castella is made with local soy sauce, and is characterized by its slightly brownish color and salty taste due to the soy sauce. According to the two of us, "the cream puff roll also looks good." Incidentally, even though it's the next station over, the distance from Yuzawa Station to Shimoyuzawa Station is 4.1km.
Next, the two visit a shrine. It is likely the Iwasaki Hachiman Shrine, which can be reached by walking another 500 meters northeast from "Katano". Their journey ends in front of a large straw doll of a guardian deity called " Kashima -sama" enshrined at the shrine
For more information about Kashima, please see the article below.
statistics compiled by Akita Prefecture, the main reasons tourists visit Akita are the Kanto Festival in Akita City, Lake Tazawa and the Kakunodate Samurai Residences in Semboku City, the Oga Peninsula known for its Namahage, and Akita Furusato Village in Yokote City. It must be said that the number of people visiting Yuzawa City and Doroyu Onsen is small compared to other tourist destinations in the prefecture. This is probably due to the difference in name recognition compared to the major tourist destinations, and as explained in the first half of the article, the fact that it is a place that is somewhat difficult to get to from far away. This trip, which involved spending a night at a hot spring inn in a secluded area of Yuzawa City, can be said to be a truly "casual" trip.
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