Exploring Akita

Akita is known best for its beautiful natural scenery such as the Sea of Japan, extensive mountain ranges，volcanic natural hot springs, and the serene lakes of Towada and Tazawako．It is a popular destination for big-city dwellers to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

Though there are a few main cities and towns within the prefecture, Akita is mainly an agricultural area with many farm villages, primarily rice farming. In general people of Akita are known to be kind-hearted people who love their sake and frequent pachinko parlors.

Akita is most famous around the world for introducing the Akita dog breed. Other purely Akitan cultural icons include the Namahage ogre that lives in the Oga mountains and comes down once a year searching for bad children to scare.

Almost everyone in Japan has heard of Akita bijin and kiritanpo nabe. The women of Akita are called “Akita bijin” and said to be the most beautiful in Japan. They’re famous for having fair white skin and other desirable traditional features. Also, kiritanpo nabe soup is the most famous of local Akita cuisine, there are many kiritanpo parties in fall-winter throughout the region.

Exploration resources

Beyond this Wiki, there are many resources you can use to learn about, explore, and discover Akita Prefecture. Many of these have information about other places in Tohoku as well. This is by no means a comprehensive list, and it's always worth a Google search.

Discover Akita on Facebook

This Facebook page posts up to date information about festivals and special events throughout the prefecture. They also run akitafan.com, where you can find additional information about places to visit, such as the Oga Aquarium and the Oyu Jomon site.

• Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/discover.akita/
  
• Akita-Fun.com https://akita-fun.jp/
  

Visit Akita

An English language tourism website, you can find information about places to eat, shop, visit, and stay in the prefecture. There is also information about nature around Akita, and recommendations on what to do depending on the season.

• Visit Akita Website https://visitakita.com/en/
  

Visit Shirakami

While focusing primarily on tourism in and nature around the Shirakami region in northern Akita, their information goes far beyond just the mountains to include pear and junsai harvesting, farm stays, festival information, and more.

• Visit Shirakami Website https://visitshirakami.com/activity_guide/
  

Go North Japan

A YouTube channel focusing on nature excursions in the Tohoku region, Go North Japan also has videos addressing different aspects of living in Japan, such as festivals and making friends. There are also interviews with a Buddhist monk, should that interest you!

• Go North Japan https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6dFlJNNJMljNg2-56piUw
  

Blogs

Here are a few blogs with annectodal information and recommendations about experiences in Akita, ranging from hikes to cuisine to cultural experiences.

• Goats on the Road https://www.goatsontheroad.com/akita-tohoku-japan-travel/
• Real Japan Experience https://realjapanexperience.com/en/?s=akita&post=blog
• Adventures in Akita https://besadventures.home.blog/

See also

• Life in Akita
• Festivals
• Japanese newspapers
• Onsen
• Hanami
• Waterfalls