Top Things to do in Semboku
10 Things to Do in Semboku That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Semboku, Japan including Samurai District, Dakigaeri Valley, Tazawa Lake, Michi-no-Eki Shizukuishi Anekko, Kakunodate, Ishiguro Samurai House, Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum, Hinokinaigawa Kasen Ryokuchi, Mt. Akita Komagatake, Ando Jozo Brewery Honten.
Restaurants in Semboku
1. Samurai District
Overall Ratings
4 based on 433 reviews
This historic neighborhood consists of wide, tree-lined streets with mansions built during the Edo Period, only six of which remain and are open to the public. The area is particularly beautiful in late April, when the cherry trees are in full bloom.
Reviewed By YTCHENG - Hong Kong, China
We have again visited Kakunodate by late April and lucky enough to see the beautiful weeping cherry trees along the street with traditional samurai houses. There were many visitors strolling along the street taking photos or viewing individual houses. The atmosphere was really calm and pleasant despite of the many people there. As this place was only about an hour's traveling distance by train from Akita, so it is highly recommended to tourists to come and share the joy during spring time.
2. Dakigaeri Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By bakatori - Singapore
When you travel alone, if you are lost, you are lost.
It is exciting to travel the unbeaten path. You never know what to expect.
However, Unbeaten also mean you have no information at all.
Dakikaeri Gorge is one of those unbeaten path. The only information I got from Internet is in Japanese. No detailed map, no outstanding landmark, just one map with a route that says just about anything.
On top of that, Jindai Station is just a platform with a small cubicle for waiting. It is unmanned, and no toilet at all. So I couldn't get any information from the station just like I couldn't get any relieve from my full bladder.
As I was walking blindly, without any direction in mind, I was contemplating should I retrace my step back to the station and take the next train out of here.
I did not, and I was lucky, I found a police post by the road.
I walked right into the police post to ask for assistance.
Next thing I knew, I was redirected to the correct path.
Now I have a route, I have a direction. I am glad I persevered.
Along the quiet road leading to this wonderful place, I encountered practically no one, less than 5 moving vehicles.
Dakigaeri Gorge is definitely a out of the way, away from the beatened path, God-knows-where place one must visit for Autumn Foliage.
I left Jindai Station at 6:45am, reached Dakigaeri Gorge at about 9:30am.
There was a signage displaying schedule for the free shuttle bus that plied between Towadako and Dakigaeri gorge at the makeshift car park during the autumn foliage.
Food stalls were set up in the vincinity, after all it was Autumn Matsuri.
The red suspension bridge, the blue stream, the rapids, the arrays of autumn bloom, the tunnels. And at the end of all these, a beautiful waterfall.
Was this place worthy of embrace and return? For other seasons, I have no comment, not yet. Autumn? Yes, a thousands of embraces, a thousands of returns.
3. Tazawa Lake
Overall Ratings
4 based on 354 reviews
Reviewed By Chuang004 - Los Angeles, California
Lake Tazawa 田澤湖was one of the stops during our 2016 Autumn leaf-viewing Trip. We took a lot of pictures at this golden lady statue (姬觀音像), peaceful water, vibrant autumn maple leaves on the trees and distant Mountains.
4. Michi-no-Eki Shizukuishi Anekko
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By ビア - Japan
温泉、食事、新鮮なお野菜、海産物、地元のお菓子にお漬け物の販売…と、色々楽しめる施設です。
平日でしたが、年配の方中心に賑わっていました。
5. Kakunodate
Overall Ratings
4 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By YTCHENG - Hong Kong, China
It was really enjoyable to stroll along Hinokinai riverside with cherry trees in full bloom and lots of people sitting and have their meals or doing various other activities underneath the cherry tree pathway. Highly recommended to others to visit this place.
6. Ishiguro Samurai House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By Andrew1234 - Aomori, Japan
Overall rating: 3.75 stars
The Ishiguro House is a necessary stop for folks who have traveled to Kakunodate to view the samurai district. The attraction offers a brief guided tour of three or four rooms. The guide speaks little English, but carries a notebook containing English-language explanations for you to read as she draws your attention to various details. The architecture and layout of the house are typical of old-fashioned upper-class Japanese residences. The house was a worthwhile and interesting sight.
7. Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 128 reviews
The Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum is an impressive complex of buildings that depict the Samurai way of life from the 17th through 20th centuries. A wide variety of objects are on display including samurai swords, utensils, clothing, toys, hanging scrolls, pictures and documents.
Reviewed By JudyGraham - Main Beach, Australia
The tourist office recommended that we visit Aoyagi, as it's the oldest house in the district and it's an authentic Samurai house, descendants of the family still live there. While the house is small, we are taken through with a guide who has an English translation book explaining the purpose of each room
8. Hinokinaigawa Kasen Ryokuchi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By YTCHENG - Hong Kong, China
At the time of visit to this place, the sakura trees along Hinokinai Riverside were in the bloom. Lots of visitors come here and enjoyed the fun around, playing, eating and dancing along the riverside. The site was pretty and the environment here was enjoyable. Recommend visitors to come here when the sakura were in the season.
9. Mt. Akita Komagatake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By Simplyko - Perth, Australia
Went the first week of June. We tried to drive up to the parking lot at the 8th station. The drive was very steep and curvy. Roads were also very narrow and it was difficult to get up. Due to our tiny car's lack of engine power (600cc?), we gave up 2.4km before the parking lot and parked at the side of the road that had a wider flat bit of grass and hiked the rest of the way. It was summer and should have been suitable to hike. However, some parts were snowed in and the route was covered which made it too dangerous to walk. We had to give up the both routes we tried because of snow. The view midway was beautiful, though. Would have liked to hiked the whole trail. An elderly couple before us also had to turn back even though they were more equipped than we were. Would return again.
10. Ando Jozo Brewery Honten
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By Andrew1234 - Aomori, Japan
Andojyozo is a delightful gem located in the merchant's district of Kakunodate, about a 10-minute walk from the samurai area. The shop is located in a handsome old building (maybe a former temple?). It sells all kinds of interesting made-on-premises miso, shoyu, and spices. There are plenty of samples, enabling people (like me, for example) who can't read Japanese to let their taste buds guide them. I spent almost an hour at Ando and really enjoyed it! Unique and highly recommended!
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