Top Things to do in Akita
10 Things to Do in Akita That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Akita, Japan including Senshu Park, Akita Museum Of Art, Akita Kanto Festival, Akita city Minzoku Geinou Densho-kan, Omoriyama Zoo, Michi no Eki Akita Port, Akita Akarenga Kyodokan, Kubota Castle, Port Tower Selion, Akita Station Building Topico.
Restaurants in Akita
1. Senshu Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 273 reviews
Reviewed By HotEarth - Melbourne, Australia
This park lies no more than 15 minutes walk from Akita Station. There is a big long pond filled with flowering lilies when we visited. Further in at the base of the castle is another smaller fully landscaped beautiful pond. A short passage of wisterias extend into the pond. There are some benches placed around this pond for those who would like to sit to take in the beauty of this feature.
Up on the hill are remains of the castle and its gates with a rebuilt main gate and turret. It was quite an interesting hunt for the remains by just using the walking map from the Tourist Info Center at the train station, especially when no markers at the site are in English!
Its a gem!
2. Akita Museum Of Art
Overall Ratings
4 based on 169 reviews
Temporarily closed until April 6 for renovation.
Reviewed By Scruffy A - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The museum, built by Japanese architect Tadao Ando, is truly stunning. It is a very modern building (opened in 2013).The only set back is that the museum is entirely dedicated to one artist that not many will know - Tsuguharu Foujita, a Japanese-French painter who did hang out with the likes of Picasso, Leger and Man Ray in Paris in the 1920s. His huge paintings of Akita winter scenes are nice, but, overall, the museum feels empty. The museum café is a good place to sit down for a tea and enjoy the arcitecture and a nice view.
3. Akita Kanto Festival
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
The Kanto, or "Pole Lantern", Festival is held from August 3-6. Performers take to the street en masse to show their skill in balancing bamboo "kanto" poles. Each pole, which can be up to 40 feet tall and 90 pounds in weight, has paper lanterns tied to its top-- all with a real, lit candle inside! Entertainers are expert in wielding these, and when the Night Parade takes over the festival's main street, over 250 kanto poles light the area, and a 90-minute show gets underway. Energy is high as drums, flutes, and a crowd chanting "dokkoisho!" accompany the performers as they heft aloft the kanto. Afterwards, guests are welcome to give it a try themselves.
Reviewed By Tachta E - Akita-shi, Akita, Japan
I've been in the city for almost 3 years, and i have to say that though it's a nice place to stay in, the city doesnt have much tourist attractions to be visited. But I recommend this museum and always take my friends who visit akita to there. Why?
Because it shows you a unique festival that you can only see in akita : kanto festival. It's held every year around the first week of august. A lot of locals will crowd the streets with a huge pole which is attached by numbers of paper lantern, and the most interesting thing is they try to balance that poles by putting them on head, shoulder, even hip.
Actually i suggest you to watch the festival itself, but if you dont have time to come here around that time, just visit this museum! It will give you plenty explanations about the festival. a guy will performance how he balances a huge pole lantern and it is impressive. Even you can try and learn how to hold it.
so if you have a chance to have a trip to akita city, dont forget to drop by this museum!
4. Akita city Minzoku Geinou Densho-kan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By HotEarth - Melbourne, Australia
I was indeed surprised by the displays inside this place. There were quite some Kantos of different sizes for visitors to try out with! Additionally there are some exhibits about some overseas Kanto Performances during some cultural exchange events.
This is definitely a good place to visit if you missed the Kanto Festival, which usuall runs in early August.
5. Omoriyama Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By doug50today - Akita, Japan
good day out for kids, but you really need a car to get here. notsure if there's a bus from the city but maybe Y4-5,000 by taxi from the station. some kids i know said it's better than Tokyo zoo hahaha
6. Michi no Eki Akita Port
Overall Ratings
4 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By AndraYo - Tokyo, Japan
We went by car and had a very hard time finding it. Even went in the wrong building. But everyone was helpful and pointed us in the right direction. The view was amazing! Nothing else like it in this area.
Very clean and plentiful Marer's Market. We bought black bean miso, IBURI GAKKO (smoked pickles), HASUKAPU sorbets and other local delicacies.
7. Akita Akarenga Kyodokan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By bglhvn - So. California
It was a savings to pay the admission here that also included the Performing Arts Heritage Hall and neighboring historic house a few blocks down the street. This red brick building was interesting for it's architecture and history, but mostly for the upstairs exhibits of silverwork/metalwork, wood block prints, and a couple of manga artists. There were lots of original works at all the exhibits and we were particularly amazed by the wood block prints.
8. Kubota Castle
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By Jennifer L - Sydney, Australia
We visited the ruins of Kubota Castle in May 2015. The weather was fine and a moderate 24 to 25 degrees C.
The approach to the castle grounds is up a reasonably steep hill followed by many, many, wide stone and gravel steps. I was travelling with a friend with mobility problems and he found the climb achievable but slow.
Once at the top, there is a replica of the original castle gates that lead to a very attractive park. The best feature of the park is a reconstruction of one of the original watch towers. The tower is 4 floors high with a catwalk around the 4th floor that provides sweeping views over the park and city. The 2nd floor houses a model of the old city. There is a lift as well as stairs.
Entry into the tower was 100yen a person so it was a very affordable attraction.
9. Port Tower Selion
Overall Ratings
4 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By PJLtravel
This is a good tourist spot in Akita to get some great views of the city and the Port. The building itself has a kids play area below and refreshment stands, and shows an excellent perspective through the binoculars offered. We will definitely bring visitors here.
10. Akita Station Building Topico
Overall Ratings
4 based on 38 reviews
TAGS
