Kakunodate Samurai House and Lake Tazawa
Joined 2024
Inland Akita provides you with beautiful nature and rich historical culture. Unfolded from a Lookout is a breathtaking view of Lake Tazawa and high mountains seen beyond it. At Kakunodate Castle Town, you will feel its 400-year history strolling along the Samurai House street lined with beautiful and lush tall trees. If we drop in at a Samurai House, we will be impressed with the armory and the other Samurai tools used hundreds of years ago!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Akita Port, Akita Airport, or your hotel in Akita
Lake Tazawa Lookout
Breathtaking view of Lake Tazawa colored cobalt blue to emerald green and high mountains (1,637 meters or 4,700 feet tall Mt. Komagatake etc.) seen beyond it, its peak being capped with snow in winter to early spring season!
Golden Statue of "Tatsuko"
The statue represents a famous lady named ”Tatsuko”, having become a water dragon in the folklore, symbol of eternal beauty!
Lunch at restaurant along the Lake
Charming glass-walled restaurant with plenty of sunlight, serving typical Western foods.
Kakunodate Samurai House Street
You will enjoy strolling along lush green street lined with Samurai Houses and tall trees, formulating rich historical townscape.
Leaving Kakunodate
Road Station or "Michino-Eki"
Drop in to enjoy seeing local food products, locally brewed Japanese sake, and other souvenirs.
Ending Point
Back to Akita Port, Akita Airport, or your hotel
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
-Guiding fee
-Private car (Subaru Impreza XV)
-gasoline, toll, parking
-Lunch and drinks
-Entrance fee to Samurai House(s), approx. 500 yen per a house per person
Tour Important Information
This tour is the party up to three persons.
If you are the party over four persons, please consult me as we need to arrange for different logistics.
This tour involves a certain amount of walking, so please make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Kenichi K.
I would be very glad to guide overseas tourists based on my various working experiences over 30 years in a general trading house, including overseas clients' guide in Japanese local cities, being aware of their interests and viewpoints learned through my engagement with various clients during my overseas assignments (10 years in total) and business trips to some 40 countries.
During the past 10 years living in Akita City (northern Japan), I could greatly expand my outdoor activities such as trekking (not only green season but also winter snowshoe hiking), skiing, and experiencing various local traditional festivals, fireworks festival, hot spring lodges stay with local cuisines/Sake etc. I would very much like to share such joy with our valued overseas tourists!
Reviews
Darin R.
“The Best Guide You Could Ask For”
Kenichi is the best guide we could've asked for. He's kind, knowledgeable, considerate, etc., etc. I could go on and on. He delivered beyond expectation. I highly recommend booking him for any excursion. You won't be disappointed.
Kenichi K.
Dear Darin and Danielle, It is always my utmost pleasure to see our valued visitors enjoy excursion, happy at the guided venues. And great honor to receive your high appreciation! I am very happy to have been with your excellent party. Thank you very much and please keep enjoying your exciting journey towards Kanazawa, western Japan to Seoul. Good days and best regards, Kenichi
Cynthia P.
“Wonderful day with Kenichi in Akita”
I want to express my gratitude to Kenichi for providing such a wonderful trip for my client and his son. The purpose of their trip to Japan was to explore and experience all things related to Godzilla. Kenichi was able to expand on that, so not only did they experience Godzilla Rock in Akita, they also got to experience the Namahage Folklore Museum and Oga Aquarium. Kenichi was knowledgable and entertaining. They thoroughly enjoyed their day with Kenichi.
Kenichi K.
Dear Cynthia, Thank you for kind feedback from your excellent client. It’s a great fun to see the very energetic (lovely) son and father enjoyed various places of Akita besides Godzilla Rock and to have various talks. Kindly convey best regards to their excellent family and look forward to working with you not in distant future! Best regards, Kenichi
Kathleen H.
“Akita Day Tour with Kenichi – An Unforgettable Experience”
We had a truly meaningful and memorable day exploring Akita with Mr. Kenichi as our guide. He greeted us warmly at Akita Airport when we arrived from Tokyo, and after a quick introduction, we were off on our journey. Our first stop was Soegawa, just outside Akita City, where we visited the Shrine and Gardens of Our Lady of Akita. The grounds were peaceful and beautiful, with cherry trees in bloom and Mount Chōkai rising in the distance, still capped in snow. From there, we traveled to Kakunodate, sometimes called "Little Kyoto," known for its well-preserved samurai homes and rows of blooming cherry blossoms. We walked along the Hinokinai River beneath the sakura and were lucky to catch the Cherry Blossom Festival while we were there. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch in town. On our way to Lake Tazawa, we stopped to admire a field of mizubashō (Asian skunk cabbage) flowers—soft white blossoms that seemed to blanket the landscape. At Lake Tazawa, we visited local shrines and took in the natural beauty of the area, ending at the golden statue of Tatsuko, one of the region’s most iconic sights. By 5 PM, Mr. Kenichi had us back at the airport with time to spare. He was a thoughtful and knowledgeable guide who paced the day perfectly, and we’re so grateful for the experience. The memories—and the photos—are ones we’ll treasure. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Mr. Kenichi and would gladly tour with him again.
Kenichi K.
Dear Kathleen and Jeff, Many thanks for your beautiful review of our Tour. It was my great pleasure to be with you for a full day in Akita extended from your original plan to stay just 2-3 hours. In particular, Seitai Hoshikai church garden visited at the exactly very best timing did offer us just an amazing scenery of cherry blossoms and other flowers blooming in a quiet peaceful environment. I would not visit there without being with you and I really appreciate this wonderful trip. Wish to see you not in distant future. Thanks again and best regards, Kenichi
$474/ per group
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