Akita City (秋田) is the capital city of Akita Prefecture, located in the northern part of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It is situated on the coast of the Sea of Japan and has a population of around 300,000 people.
The city has a rich cultural history and is known for its traditional festivals, such as the Akita Kanto Festival, which is held in August and features performers balancing long bamboo poles with paper lanterns. Another famous festival is the Namahage Sedo Matsuri, held in February, where performers dressed as demons visit homes to scare away evil spirits.
Akita City is also famous for its cuisine, which includes dishes such as kiritanpo, a type of grilled rice stick, and Inaniwa udon, a type of thin noodle. The city is also home to the Akita Prefectural Museum, which features exhibits on the local history and culture of the region.
Getting there
By Shinkansen (Bullet Train):
- The most popular and convenient way to reach Akita City from Tokyo is by the JR Akita Shinkansen.
- The journey takes about 4 hours from Tokyo Station to Akita Station.
- The one-way fare is around 17,800–18,000 yen, and the trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass (seat reservation required).
By Air:
- Akita Airport is served by regular flights from Tokyo (Haneda), Sapporo, Nagoya, and Osaka.
- Flights from Tokyo take about 70 minutes, with fares ranging from 14,000 to 28,000 yen depending on discounts.
- From the airport, buses and taxis are available to Akita Station and other destinations in the city.
By Highway Bus:
- Overnight and long-distance highway buses connect Tokyo and Akita City.
- The bus journey takes around 8 hours, with one-way fares typically between 7,000 and 9,500 yen.
Attractions in Akita
