Play in the snow and spend the night in a traditional home. Take a trip to a hot spring and partake of the local foods between sips of sake. Choose from a wide variety of ways to make your trip unforgettable.
The Hoshitoge Rice Terraces of Tokamachi were selected by Tsunagu Japan as the top choice in its list of “30 reasons to go to Japan before you die.”
Lake Towada is surrounded by exceptionally beautiful foliage in spring and autumn. To see this beautiful unspoiled scenery, take the Akita Nairiku Line through the mountains on a journey into the past.
Near Ishinomaki are remote islands including Kinkasan, one of the three sacred sites of nothern Japan, where the roaming deer are considered messengers of the gods. Another is Tashirojima, colloquially called ‘cat island’ because of the many cats living there.
The dynamic scenery created by river erosion, such as the scenic and natural monument Genbikei Gorge, offers a wealth of attractions for the traveller.
In winter, there is an ‘Ice Fall Tour’ where the frozen waterfalls are lit up, and various ‘water activities’ are available on Lake Towada.
Lake Towada broke down, and the Oirase Gorge was created. There are 14 waterfalls in the mountain stream that continues for 14km, and about 300 kinds of moss inhabit the area.
Visit the world’s only Banei racecourse. The historical race developed during Hokkaido’s pioneering days and features large draft horses racing while hauling heavy sleds.
Tokachi wine has well-balanced acidity and is produced from local grapes, and Tokachi Beef is raised on the land and formed by the frigid winters.
Cooked rice from the fertile Odate Basin is pounded and formed into tubes. The tubes are placed on an Akita cedar skewer and cooked next to a charcoal fire. One traditional way to eat kiritampo is to brush it with a miso paste made with soybeans and rice. Hotpot made with kiritampo is also very popular. The meat of high-quality Hinai Jidori chickens and locally grown vegetables are added to a broth made with Hinai Jidori chicken bones for a hot, hearty meal.
