Here are the best places to go in autumn 2024! Kakunodate and Tazawako area, Akita Prefecture: Autumn Foliage Special [Buke Yashiki Dori, Hukagari Canyon, Tazawako Lake].

  • Akita
  • Sightseeing
Kakunodate Buke Yashiki Dori (Akita Prefecture Tourism Federation)
The northern Tohoku region is one of the first places in Honshu where one can feel the arrival of autumn. The best time to view the autumn leaves in Akita Prefecture is usually from mid-October to early November, although it varies depending on elevation and location. The most notable spots are the Kakunodate and Tazawako areas centering on Senboku City in Akita Prefecture, where you can enjoy the natural and historical scenery. Accessible from Tokyo by the Akita Shinkansen bullet train in about 3 hours with no transfers, the Kakunodate and Tazawako area has a lot to see and do, and we will introduce spots where you can enjoy the autumn leaves.

15-minute walk from Kakunodate Station on the Akita Shinkansen Line Kakunodate Buke Yashiki Street

Kakunodate Buke Yashiki Street
The first spot we will introduce is Kakunodate's Buke Yashiki Street. The best time to view the autumn leaves is usually from late October to early November. The samurai residences in Kakunodate were built in the early Edo period by Ashina Yoshikatsu, who ruled the Kakunodate area. The samurai residences and many other historic buildings still exist today, and the main street of the samurai residences has been designated as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The front street of the samurai residences has been designated as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Important Traditional Buildings.
The reddish scenery of the historical townscape, which stretches for about 700 meters, evokes the atmosphere of the good old days. Along the road, there are many spots where visitors can enjoy sightseeing, such as samurai residences that retain the atmosphere of the old days, restaurants where you can enjoy various gourmet foods such as Inaniwa udon, and the Kakunodate Kabazaiku Tradition Museum where you can see a demonstration of Kabazaiku, a widely known traditional Kakunodate handicraft. Why not take a stroll through the historic townscape, recalling the lives of people in the Edo period?

Exquisite sweets to enjoy with autumn leaves

In addition to the wonderful scenery, you should also check out the delicious food. Kakunodate is known for its many delicious sweets shops throughout the area. Why not enjoy the autumn leaves with a variety of sweets such as western sweets, pudding, taiyaki, etc. in your hand?
*Please refer to the article about Kakunodate's sweets tour using the on-demand transportation service "Yobunoru Kakunodate" written by the editor of and trip!

A sweet trip to Kakunodate in winter using the convenient Yobunoru Kakunodate shared-ride transportation service.

15 minutes by car from JR Kakunodate Station.

Hodoretari Valley - Autumn Foliage Beginning
Hodogari Valley - Autumn Foliage at its Best
The next recommended spot is Hogarari Canyon, located about 15 minutes by car from JR Kakunodate Station. The best time to view the autumn leaves is usually from late October to early November. The name is said to come from the fact that the valley was so steep that passersby had to hug each other to pass each other. It is a 10-km-long valley leading to Lake Tazawa and the middle stream of Tamagawa River flowing through Kakunodate. During the season of autumn leaves, the mountains on either side of the valley change color, creating a spectacular scene. On a clear day, the autumn leaves are reflected in the water of the river flowing below, making the scenery even more beautiful and picturesque. The area is a popular tourist spot due to its unique scenery and easy access from Kakunodate, and it is especially visited by more people than usual during the autumn foliage season.

A girls' trip to Kakunodate in winter using "Yobunoru Kakunodate," a convenient shared-ride transportation service.

You can also use the on-demand transportation system "Yobunoru Kakunodate" to visit the samurai residences and Hagari Canyon!

Approximately 12 minutes by bus from Tazawako Station on the Akita Shinkansen Line Tazawako

View from Katamae Mountain Forest Park
The next recommended spot is around Lake Tazawa, a 12-minute bus ride from Tazawa-ko Station on the Akita Shinkansen Line. The best time to see the cherry blossoms is usually from late October to early November. Lake Tazawa is about 20 km in circumference and boasts the deepest water depth of 423.4 m, making it one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Japan. The autumn leaves from the shore of the lake offer a beautiful view, but a particularly recommended spot is the view from the observatory in Katamae Mountain Forest Park. The view of Lake Tazawa and the autumn colored trees from the high observatory is breathtaking. Why not take a short trip to visit this spectacular view?

Why don't you go to Akita Prefecture to see the autumn leaves?

You can enjoy the bright red autumn leaves.
The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
All images are for reference only.

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