Top Things to do in Akita
7 Free Things to do in Akita That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Akita, Japan including Seitai Hoshikai, Our Lady of Akita, Akita Kanto Festival, Michi-no-Eki Akita Port, Senshu Park, Akita City Tourist Information Center, Akita Public Market.
Restaurants in Akita
1. Seitai Hoshikai
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Appomattox1865
I went to Akita last May 2019. Took a shinkansen from my hotel in Morioka and arrived at Akita station after a pleasant 2 hour trip. Then a 30 minute bus ride to Yudanaka.Finally another 30 minutes on foot up a secluded mountain road to the Convent of Our Lady of Akita. The nuns don't speak much English but it didn't matter. I was finally able to see the miraculous wooden statue of our Virgin. It was a supreme moment .
2. Our Lady of Akita
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By D2229BCtheresas - Singapore, Singapore
For those who wants to take bus to Our Lady of Akita: Just remember to board the bus at the rear door & after that, take the ticket from the machine inside the bus. Before alighting check your fare by matching the number issued on your ticket to the fare information digital board (located above the driver seat). When alighting, deposit ticket along with the fare in the fare box located at the front of the bus. ¥1000 note is accepted for any change if required. Buses leave aprox every 20-30 min from Akita West Entrance Bus Stop 12. #352 Nibetsu Line (Destination: Forest Study Center) #361 Akita Hot Spring Line (Destination: Yomogida Kamicho 蓬田上丁) #353 Nibetsu Line (Destination: Forest Study Center) Bus Route (Journey time aprox 20 min) Akita Station West Entrance Bus stop 12 - SenshuKubotaMachi - MeitokuES - TegataYamazaki - Sumiyoshicho - TegataKyukaMachi - HigashiJHS - TanakIriguchi - Karamiden - Ogiden - AsahiES - ShinToda - AsahikawaDanchi - KojoenIriguhi - KojoenNiChome - OnsenIriguchi - KeidaiKawara - Soekawa - SoekawaKamicho - Yuzawa 湯沢 (alight after freeway flyover) 19 stops One way fare ¥380. It is a 20 min walk uphill from Yuzawa Bus Stop. Just look for the church signboard & follow it. Seitai Hoshikai/Our Lady of Akita Open Hours: Apri-Nov 0900-1130 & 1300-1630 Dec-Mar 1000-1130 & 1300-1630. Wed Afternoon mass in Japanese Main Chapel: Statue of Jesus, Left hall: Wood Statue of St Mary in Tears, Right hall: Statue of St. Joseph. Garden of Mary, Outdoor Station of the Cross is a beautiful place for reflection. Unfortunately too cold to spend outdoor due to heavy snowfall when we visited. Not your typical Catholic church building. Structure is very Japanese and serene. Return take the bus opposite the road that you had earlier alighted. Lookout for a Small hut (bus shelter) with a Pole that has a blue, yellow, red round plate at the top & rectangle bus schedule plates. #361 Akita Hot Spring Line. (Destination: Akita Station) (20 stops & the fare is ¥380). #353 Nibetsu Line (Destination: Akita Station) (20 stops & the fare is ¥380). #210 Soekawa Line (Destination: Akita Station) (27 stop & the fare is ¥460).
3. Akita Kanto Festival
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 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.
4. Michi-no-Eki Akita Port
5. Senshu Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 387 reviews
Reviewed By N6532NValanb
Senshu Park is seldom crowded. It is most beautiful when the cherry blossoms are out in late April, autumn, or in winter after a fresh snowfall.
6. Akita City Tourist Information Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By fishings - Ningbo, China
The people there were friendly, warm, kind, and easy to talk with. They were willing to go extra miles to help tourists. When I entered there, they suggested me some tourist destination not only in the Akita city but also in Akita Prefecture. They were very knowledgeable and helpful. I mentioned that I enjoy fishing very much. They immediately tried to see where I may go fishing in Akita and helped me to get on a boat fishing departing from Oga Peninsula following day. It turned out to be a great trip to Oga and I got some decent size of fish and a great memory. I made a trip to Odate, they helped me to find accommodation and gave me information about where to eat in the town. They gave me map of Odate, hand me a print out of restaurant. They even called the restaurants for me to make sure if they were open on the date and time when I visited. I would like to express my grateful appreciation to Ms. Chihiro Honda, Ms. Sakura Abe, and other supporting team members. Their warmness, professional service, and great smiles really helps tourist like me felt welcomed in Akita. This team really is great assets to Akita. They present the warm, and kind people in Akita Prefecture. This information center is right outside the exit of Akita JR station. If you are new to this area, it is a great place to get warm welcome and information in Akita.
