Take a tour with your guide through the quaint street lined with Japanese old houses!
Masuda Town has prospered as a merchant town since the Edo period.
Because this town has been the transportation hub, a variety of agricultural products gathered here. Merchants amassed wealth in their fields and created mansion towns.
Inside these mansions, "Kura'' or a storehouse was built by wealthy merchants to store documents and household furniture.
This storehouse is still inhabited and rare even in Japan.
Feel the elegance in the detailed decorations such as white plaster, polished black plaster and lacquered interior.
The townscape is home to many historic buildings of this area.
Masuda town was designated as a National Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 2013.

Find the storehouses of each mansion with its unique structure and decoration.
In this guided tour, you will be able to visit two to three mansions with storehouse while receiving an explanation.

Walking Tour of Wealthy Merchant's Storehouses in Akita

Premiere Tour of Akita.
In this tour, you can see how samurai lived in samurai residences.
At one Samurai house, the head of the family will tell us about the residence, where it is still used for living. You can witness samurai swords, armor, kimonos, etc. You can take a nice photo wearing a samurai helmet.

There are cute shops in the street of Samurai residences, such as a miso and soy sauce shop, a local craft shop, a Japanese sake shop, and a traditional snack shop.

Lake Tazawa is a mysterious Lake and the deepest one in Japan.
The golden statue of Tatsuko is a must-see spot in Akita.
Please take memorial photos at the shore of Lake Tazawa.

We enjoy lunch at Kakunodate town or near Lake Tazawa.

Full Day Tour to Akita, Samurai Town and Lake Tazawa with Guide

Kakunodate is a former castle town which flourished during the Edo period. Known as the "Little Kyoto of Tohoku", the town is home to a district 800-meters in radius consisting of samurai residences and traditional architecture popular with both domestic and international tourists. The samurai residences lining the town's most famous street are nationally protected Traditional Buildings.

But no one really cared about the merchant district that also has history and culture that is also passed down for generations. In this tour, with an experienced local guide, we will take you to both the merchant district and the samurai district. It will show you the contrast between the 2 distinct lifestyles of people and how the tradition has been passed down to current days.

We picked up the best of the best in town, so we are confident that you will acknowledge the beauty of traditional style of living which people admired from the samurai era.



Half Day Kakunodate Tour of Crafts Culture and Cuisine

Explore the fascinating samurai district of Kakunodate, one of northern Japan's best-preserved historical sites. This walking tour delves into the rich tapestry of the Edo period, revealing how social hierarchies shaped everyday life for the samurai class. With insights from your expert guide, learn about key historical figures and the transformation from conflict to stable governance. Experience guided visits to multiple samurai residences, where the architecture and lifestyle reflect the intricate social order of the time.

- In-depth exploration of Kakunodate's samurai history
- Guided visits inside various samurai residences
- Two participation options: direct join or from Kakunodate Station
- Tours available on days when residences are open, excluding Tuesdays

Akita: Kakunodate Samurai District & Residence Tour

Walking tour in the center of Akita city.
Akita city is a capital city of Akita prefecture which is located on the sea of Japan side in northern Japan.
This prefecture is famous for its rice production, Japanese sake brew and lots of local attractions.
In this tour, you can visit beautiful spots such as an old bank building, local market, castle park and folklore museum.
You may enjoy Maiko show and tea service available only on Saturdays(reservation is needed)
Let's enjoy pleasant walk with tour guide.

Half Day Private Guided Walking Tour in Akita City Center 

Join Hachiko, Akita's legendary loyal dog, on a self-guided adventure through Akita City's historic heart! Explore samurai castles, art museums, merchant homes, and meet real Akita Inu. Savor local cuisine and discover centuries of loyalty, artistry, and fun, all at your own pace. Perfect for families, dog-lovers, and history buffs! Solve puzzles, explore the city, and find hidden gems at your own pace. Try a new type of experience with your smartphone, the perfect mix between a walking tour, sightseeing, and a scavenger hunt.

Amazing Akita Adventures GPS App Walking Tour Mobile Game

Namahage is designated an intangible cultural asset by UNESCO.
On this tour, you can enjoy various local spots in the Oga peninsula facing the Sea of Japan. The highlight is, of course, the Namahage show played in the Oga Shinzan folklore museum. You can't miss it when you visit Akita. You can also visit Mt.Kanpuzan observatory and Nyuodo-zaki. Those are nice photo spots of Oga. Finally, we stop at Michinoeki-Oga(roadside station Oga) to enjoy a pleasant shopping time.

 Private Half Day Akita Namahage Tour with Licensed Guide

Premiere Half-Day Tour of Akita.
In this tour, you can see how samurais(warriors) lived in samurai residences.
At one Samurai house, the head of the family or a staff member will tell us about the residence, where it is still used for living. You can witness samurai swords, armor, kimonos, etc. You can take a nice photo wearing a samurai helmet.

There are cute shops in the street of Samurai residences, such as a miso and soy sauce shop, a local craft shop, a Japanese sake shop, and a traditional snack shop.
At Japanese Sake shop, you can try tasting of a couple of Japanese sake for free.

If you have time, you can visit Kabazaiku museum where a craft man is demonstrating to make local handy craft beautiful "Kabazaiku."
In addition, you can choose cute kabazaiku products from lots of varieties in the shop.

On the way back to the Akita city, we can drop in a roadside station for a restroom break and shopping.
I promise you can enjoy this half day tour totally.

Half Day Tour to Akita, Samurai Town with Lisenced Guide

Experience Japan's top fireworks competition — the Omagari Fireworks Festival — from your reserved seat! This special event happens once a year and features the best fireworks artists from across Japan. They compete for the top prize, the Prime Minister's Award.

This tour offers two options:
a reserved seat-only plan, or a plan that includes round-trip bus transportation from Sendai Station.

Enjoy amazing fireworks set to music, lighting up the summer night sky. This is more than just a show — it's a contest of beauty and skill. Join us for a night full of lights, sounds, and unforgettable memories!

The festival takes place every year on the last Saturday of August and attracts more than 700,000 visitors. It features two parts:
- Daytime fireworks, known for colorful smoke effects and artistic shapes.
- Nighttime fireworks, showcasing traditional shell fireworks, synchronized music displays, and breathtaking starmine performances.

Omagari Fireworks Festival Reserved Seats, Bus Option from Sendai

Get off the beaten path and immerse yourself in Akita's unique culture and landscapes. Visit the well-preserved samurai district of Kakunodate, a town known as "Little Kyoto of Tohoku." Stroll around Lake Tazawa, Japan's deepest lake, and admire the striking red torii of Gozanoishi Shrine. Learn about Akita's spiritual side at Senshu Park and the Kubota Castle ruins. Your guide will offer insights into local folklore, traditional crafts, and Akita's famed hospitality. This tour is perfect for those looking to experience Japan's lesser-known but deeply rewarding regions.

Cultural Tours in Akita Prefecture