2025 Semboku Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

Akita, located about 450 km north of Tokyo on the Sea of ​​Japan It is the sixth largest prefecture in Japan, with forests all over the territory and rich natural resources. The unique and excellent terroir has produced high-quality agricultural products, with rice production ranking first in the Tohoku region and sold well throughout Japan. In addition to the abundant agricultural products that make the locals proud, when talking about Akita, many people may also think of the cute-looking "Akita Dog". As the name suggests, the Akita Inu comes from Akita. It is a mountain hunting dog called "Akita Mataki" (pronounced: matagi) (winter hunter), which was bred with local dogs in the Akita area during the 16th century. It was originally provided as a reward for the purpose of boosting the morale of the samurai. Because they were originally distributed in the Odate area in northern Akita, they are called "Odate Dogs". I was lucky enough to meet a super cute Akita dog on the last morning of my trip to Akita. #GlobalTravel

Hi, here is a travel guide for Tazawako, Semboku, Akita Prefecture: • Transportation: • Self-driving: Tazawako is located in Semboku, Akita Prefecture. Driving is the most flexible way to get to Tazawako, and you can easily drive around the lake to enjoy the scenery. • JR train: You can take the Akita Shinkansen or JR Tazawako Line to "JR Tazawako Station". It takes only 17 minutes from JR Kakunodate Station, 1 hour from Akita Station, and 40 minutes from Morioka Station. • Lake bus: • After arriving at JR Tazawako Station, you can buy a "Lake Bus Pass" for JPY 1,190 per person. The lake bus is the best way to visit Tazawako, and it will stop at the two major attractions, "Tatsuko Statue" and "Gozanoishi Shrine", for visitors to take photos. • Recommended attractions: • Tatsuko Statue: A symbol of the legend of Tazawako, it is a masterpiece by sculptor Professor Bonten Yasutake. The golden and graceful Tatsuko Statue stands on the lakeside. • Gozanoishi Shrine: Dedicated to the legendary Tatsuko, it also has the "Seven-colored Tree" that grows seven kinds of trees from one tree, and the lakeside torii. • Lake cruise: • From April 26 to November 5 every year, you can take a cruise to enjoy Tazawako. Address: 148 Haruyama, Tazawako, Semboku, Akita Prefecture. Business hours: 9:00–16:00. Take a bus from JR Tazawako Station for about 15 minutes, get off at "Tazawako Rest House", and walk for 1 minute. • Hot spring experience: • Tsurunoyu Bekkan Yamanoyado: Located at 1-1 Tazawako Tazawa Sendatsuzawa Yunotai, it is a curved house built with Tazawa's miscellaneous wood, offering indoor and open-air hot springs, all of which are private hot springs, suitable for guests. The hot spring is a sulfur-sodium-calcium-chloride-bicarbonate spring, suitable for treating various skin diseases and promoting health. • Food experience: • You can taste local Akita cuisine, such as water and land dishes, farmhouse pickles, and hot white rice, paired with local sake. • Recommended accommodation: • Katakuri no Hana: Located on the shore of Tazawako, it offers traditional Japanese service. The hot spring is a chloride spring, colorless and odorless, with health benefits for muscle and joint pain, chronic skin diseases, fatigue recovery, and health promotion. I hope these suggestions can help you plan a lake trip!

#2024Travel Review Lake Tazawa, a well-known natural attraction in Akita Prefecture, Japan, is not as big as Lake Towada, but it is the deepest lake in Japan with a water depth of 423.4 meters. The lake surface changes with the light and shadow, sometimes green and sometimes blue. It is quite beautiful and very suitable for therapy. The more short it becomes. Driving from Morioka to Tazawa Lake, the journey is not far and the scenery along the way is beautiful. There is less development around Tazawa Lake and it is more natural. People often ride bicycles around the lake, or float on the water with a stand-up paddle. Either way is a good choice to experience Tazawa Lake. In addition to being a power spot of nature, Lake Tazawa also has a driftwood shrine that prays for love and a statue of Tatsuko in the lake. There is also a poignant love story behind it, which adds a bit of fantasy to Lake Tazawa. #日本 Northeast Free Travel #Northeast Maple Viewing #Tazawa Lake

When mentioning famous attractions in Akita Prefecture, Japan, one must think of Kakunodate's Samurai Street, lined with historic samurai residences and roads full of autumn leaves. If you want to visit one of these houses, the most famous is the Aoyagi House, which covers 3,000 tsubo. The Aoyagi House, a samurai residence with a 400-year history in Mutsu, features a large garden of 3,000 tsubo after entering through the medicine gate. The tour route includes the Kiryuu Family Main House, the Weapon House, Shinmei Water, the Dissection New Book Memorial Hall, the Tea House, the Akita Folk Museum, the Night Cherry Blossom Hermitage, and the Samurai Tool Museum. In addition to viewing the early samurai lifestyle, you can also experience activities such as samurai swords, antique markets, and wearing samurai armor, which is quite interesting. The garden, covering 3,000 tsubo, is planted with many towering cedar and maple trees, turning golden and red in autumn, making it very beautiful. Kakunodate's entire Bukeyashiki Street attracts many tourists. With its old thatched houses and maple street scenes, it has a Kyoto-like atmosphere, hence it is known as the 'Little Kyoto of Mutsu,' making it a great place for photos. The Aoyagi House also has a tea shop and a dining hall, so you can rest in the tea house if you get tired. Overall, it is a very leisurely trip.

Nestled in the Tohoku region of Akita Prefecture, Nyuto Onsen is a hidden gem known for its legendary hot springs. Among them, the 'Tsurunoyu' Onsen is the most famous, with its milky white waters. Booking a stay here can be challenging, so it's advisable to make reservations 4-6 months in advance. Nyuto Onsen boasts 10 different hot spring sources, each with unique colors such as brown, blue, white, and clear. 'Tsurunoyu' is particularly enchanting in winter when thick snow blankets the area, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere. With a history of over 300 years, 'Tsurunoyu' features traditional thatched-roof buildings. In addition to separate outdoor baths for men and women, there is also a mixed-gender outdoor bath. There are nine types of hot springs available, as shown in the last image. The milky white waters leave your skin feeling smooth and rejuvenated. This unique hot spring experience is truly memorable. Hotel Name: Tsurunoyu Bekkan Yama no Yado (10 rooms). Transportation: Take the Shinkansen to JR Tazawako Station, transfer to the 'Nyuto Line' bus for 40 minutes, get off at 'Arupa Kumakosa,' and take the hotel shuttle for 10 minutes to reach your destination. Address: 1-1 Tazawa Senzatazawa Yunodai, Tazawako, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture. #JapanTravel #HotSprings #Akita

Embark on a unique adventure at Tsurunoyu and Kaniyu Onsen, two hidden gems in the Nyuto Onsen area. To reach these secluded hot springs, purchase the Nyuto Onsen Tour Pass, available at local inns, and take the tour bus that conveniently drops you off at these locations. During our visit, we chose Tsurunoyu and Kaniyu Onsen for their enchanting mixed-gender baths surrounded by a snowy forest landscape. Upon arrival, we found the place empty, allowing us to capture some beautiful photos. However, as more visitors arrived, photography became impossible. Remember to bring a large towel for changing, as the dressing area is only shielded by a curtain. Embrace the experience with confidence, and remember, if you don't feel awkward, neither will others. We even encountered a fellow bather from Tsurunoyu again at Kaniyu Onsen, highlighting the friendly atmosphere. Overall, this was an extraordinary and highly recommended experience. #HotSpring #JapaneseOnsen #TravelTips

RUto Onsen is a renowned hot spring village in Japan, celebrated for its seven unique hot springs, each offering distinct benefits and experiences. Visitors can enjoy the serene mountain landscape, lush forests, and waterfalls while soaking in the hot springs, making it a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. This article provides a comprehensive guide to experiencing the charm of RUto Onsen, including recommended activities, nearby attractions, and local cuisine. - ♨️ The Seven Hot Springs 1. Tsurunoyu Onsen: The oldest, with a thatched roof, offering a historical ambiance. 2. Kuroyu Onsen: Known for its abundant water supply. 3. Yama no Yakuto: Retains the nostalgic feel of old therapeutic baths. 4. Myou no Yu Onsen: Features an open-air bath with waterfall views. 5. Ganiba Onsen: Ideal for a forest bathing experience. 6. Ookama Onsen: A former schoolhouse, exuding a retro atmosphere. 7. Kyukamura Nyuto Onsen: Offers the most modern facilities. - ♨️ Top 3 Recommended Onsens in Nyuto Onsen Village ▪️ Tsurunoyu Onsen: A representative secret hot spring of Akita, popular for its secluded mountain setting. ▪️ Kuroyu Onsen: The most remote in Nyuto Onsen Village, discovered around 1674, with over 350 years of history. ▪️ Kyukamura Nyuto Onsen: The most modern accommodation in the village, recently renovated for convenience. - 📆 Best Seasons to Visit Nyuto Onsen The best times to visit are autumn and winter. ▪️ Autumn: From mid to late October, the hot spring village is adorned with autumn leaves, offering a quintessentially Japanese scenic view. ▪️ Winter: Experience the luxury of soaking in warm hot springs while surrounded by a snowy landscape, including the unique "snow-viewing bath" experience. - 🎫 Onsen Tour Pass For those planning to visit multiple hot springs, the "Onsen Tour Pass" is recommended. For just 1,800 yen, guests can enjoy day trips to seven inns, a great value. The pass is exclusive to guests of the seven inns and includes shuttle bus service around Nyuto Onsen Village. - 🍝 Popular Local Cuisine 1. Sengan Toge Chaya Tazawako Main Store: Famous for its "sweet oden." 2. Shokujidokoro Iori: Popular dishes include salt-grilled rockfish and yam pot. 3. Soba Goro Tazawako Station Front: A small soba noodle shop with only 20 seats. - 📸 Recommended Nearby Attractions Tazawako, Dakigaeri Gorge, Kansagu (Ukiki Shrine) #NyutoOnsen #NyutoOnsenVillage #JapanHiddenTravel #JapanOnsenTravel #JapanOnsenInns

#郊遊 #100 Kinds of Traveling Ways I traveled to Senboku and Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture during my free trip to Tohoku, Japan. I found that the locals brought their families to #郊遊 點 #抱返川谷 on weekends. The valley trails along the mountains and rivers have phytoncides and forest bathing, as well as suspension bridges and waterfalls, and shrines to visit. It is very suitable for a walk. From early October to early November, it is the autumn leaf season in the Kakufu Valley. During the event, there are shuttle bus services from Kakunodate Station and Tazawako Station, as well as valley walks, performances, vendors, etc. This time it happened to be the end of the autumn leaf season, and we could still feel a large number of local people coming to the Baofan Valley for an outing. The Baofan Valley gave me the feeling that it was a bit like the Shakadang Sermon in Taroko. The deep blue stream cuts through the steep cliffs on both sides to form strange rocks, which is a very special natural landscape. It passes by the Miko Stone, Baofan Shrine, the God's Rock Bridge, the Tunnel Cave, the Vow Bridge, and the Looking Back Tong. The entire journey is 1.5 kilometers and the round trip takes about 1 hour, which is quite approachable. #JapanTohokuFreeTravel #Kakunodate #BaofanKeiku #Outing #100TravelWays

#GINKGO #100 Ways to Travel In addition to red leaves in autumn in Northeast Japan, yellow leaves are also indispensable #gingko. During this free trip to Northeast Japan, I visited several scenic spots where ginkgos are in full bloom. I share them as follows: #Kakunodate is known as Oku's Little Kyoto, especially the street in the samurai house. The maple leaves and ginkgo trees bloom at the same time, dyeing the entire thatched house of the samurai house in a golden red. It is really beautiful! #Morioka Castle Ruins Morioka Castle, located close to the river and located high up, is full of cherry blossoms, maples, and ginkgo trees. With the remains of the city wall as the background, the golden ginkgo trees stand tall and straight, giving it a unique sense of history. # aomori Ginkgo is a street tree in Aomori. Ginkgo trees are planted on both sides of the main road extending to the harbor next to A-Factory, but the intervals are a bit wide. Each blooming ginkgo has a lonely beauty. #中野山 Although it is a well-known maple viewing spot, there are still huge ginkgo trees along the maple viewing platform. Especially at the maple viewing platform, there are whole yellow leaves, overwhelmingly dyeing the entire mountain forest yellow, which is quite healing. #OiraseStream The most popular natural attraction in Northeast Japan, the gurgling stream, the red and yellow colors of autumn, and the sunlight shining through the gaps between the maple leaves and ginkgo trees, are as beautiful as a painting. There are many kinds of trees in Oirase Stream, including red leaves, ginkgo, cedar and other color-changing deciduous trees. Once the seasons change, it is even more beautiful and it is extremely pleasant to walk along it. #日本 Northeast Free Travel #gingko #红叶 #100 ways to travel

#helloautumn The valley behind the ryokan is volcanically active and can be viewed from a very attractive network of walking trails. A two kilometer long circular route takes you past all the major sights, including many bubbling mud ponds, hissing sulfur vents and hot water streams, as well as Oyunuma Pond, a large body of hot water and mud with numerous miniature mud volcanoes.

#helloautumn Kakunodate is known as the Samurai District for good reason. Scattered throughout the town are remnants of the Satake clan’s great empire. Although the Satake clan was on the losing side of the Battle of Sekigahara, the new Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu showed fellow samurai some respect. After drastically reducing the land the Satake clan controlled, he allowed the clan, like others he had dominated, to join his new government if they behaved themselves. Today, the descendants of the wealthiest samurai families preserve and proudly display their houses that survived the war-torn country.

After about 10 minutes, we arrived at the second attraction, Gozano Stone. The driver will also tell you the boarding time when you get off the bus. This stop only has 10 minutes, so fast! This station is mainly about the Gozaishi Shrine. After getting off the bus, walk forward and you will see the torii gate. But this road is really beautiful. I couldn’t help but stop and take a photo. And of course you have to take a picture of the most important Gozaishi Shrine here, the torii gate. The red torii gate, the blue sky and the wild scenery. The whole scene is so touching that it’s unreal. This unique tree is right next to the torii gate There is only one tree trunk but there are actually 7 kinds of plants growing on it. It’s super cool. I believe you can see something special even more in spring and summer.

There are several ways to get to Tazawako by public transportation, and we chose the most convenient Shinkansen. Take the red Akita Shinkansen and you can directly transfer to the Tazawako Lake Tour Bus at the station. The platform at Tazawako Station is even more sunny. It doesn't look like a Shinkansen platform at all. The whole expanse of white snow is really beautiful! It actually takes about 10 minutes to get there from Kakunodate Station. I suggest you come back from a far distance. You can even see the sunset if you plan to go to Tazawako in the afternoon. There are also many tourist information available here. If you need tourist information, you can get a lot of information here!

Many people who travel to Akita will come to the Samurai Residence. Usually, many people will arrange a half-day tour. I highly recommend that you come here early in the morning and have lunch here. I highly recommend that you eat at Sakura-no-Sato. Here you can eat Akita's super delicious Hinai-no-chicken, udon, and rice sticks. The service is also super good and has a Japanese style. It is definitely recommended for lunch in Kakunodate, Akita. You must come and try it.

There are many cherry blossom viewing spots in Tohoku, Japan, but because of the high latitude, the snow scenery in these places is also very beautiful. This time we took the Shinkansen from Morioka to see the super white snow scenery and rural style along the way. The first stop we took the Shinkansen to Kakunodate, the most important attraction here is the samurai residence. After the epidemic, no one took photos at all. I was so happy to play in the snow and enjoy the snow scenery of the samurai residence in Kakunodate in winter. Let's take you to play here. Kakunodate is not only cherry blossoms, the snow scenery is also super beautiful! And I also saw the cute Akita dog

This trip to Northeast Japan went to Kakukan It was to take the Akita inland mini train to Arenhe and go up to Mount Moriji to see the ice trees The Akita inland minitrain departs from Kakakukan There is only one car train All the trains had pictures of Akitas on board Even the seats have Akita Inu motifs Very cute The scenery at every stop after the drive is breathtaking It was dizzying to see Even if you are not going to Mount Moriji, it is well worth a seat #Japan #Kakukan #Moriyoshiyama #Akita Inland Line

Five-day tour of Northeast Japan | Don't waste a single minute of your JR PASS① ||| It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to go to Northeast Japan with friends. The first thing to do is to buy the JR PASS Tohoku 5-day ticket (except for foreign tourists, foreign residents in Japan can buy it with just their passport). For each trip on the Shinkansen, you can use this coupon to exchange for a designated seat at the machine or window. Unlimited exchanges (should be). We exchanged for a train in advance but missed it, so we directly exchanged for the next train at the machine without any problem. This step is worth noting: please please keep this JR PASS safe, because once it is lost, there is no way to retrieve it except to buy a new one. (My friend lost it on the second day and had to buy a new one, which was very sad.) Next, let me share our five-day-four-night itinerary: ❄️DAY1: Tokyo → Sendai → Morioka First, I went to the Northeast to check out the statue of Lu Xun, and next to the statue was the Lu Xun Museum, where they had his report card from back then, haha! After leaving the university, I searched for a highly rated restaurant nearby and had a lunch of beef tongue prepared in two ways, grilled and stewed, for just over 1,000 yen, which was very satisfying. Then I took a bus to the area near the Da Guan Yin temple, where you can actually go inside and see over 100 small Buddha statues. After that, I had a sweet soybean dessert near Sendai Station and ordered a soybean milkshake to take on the Shinkansen. In the evening, I chose to stay in Morioka, where the hotels near the station were very cheap and they even gave me a 2,000 yen voucher. I went to a restaurant that served Morioka cold noodles and ordered a set meal of cold noodles and grilled meat, which just happened to use up the voucher. ❄️DAY2 Morioka → Hachinohe → Aomoriya Actually, I wanted to go to the Tenshotei Art Museum that day, but I overslept and didn't have time, so I could only leave regrets. I went straight to the Hachinohe Shokudo Center seafood market when I arrived in Hachinohe. There is a special bus for 100 yen at the bus stop, which takes about ten minutes. Then you can buy seafood in the market and rent a grill to cook and eat by yourself. The rental fee for the grill is 400 yen per person, and it comes with basic soy sauce and salt. Eat on time and take the bus back to Hachinohe Station (remember to plan the time to stay in the market, as the bus runs once an hour). I booked the Aomoriya hotel, which has its own courtyard. It's beautiful when it snows, and there is a sleep demon lamp. You can take a half-hour walk around and come back to the starting point, where there is a footbath to soak in. Back at the hotel, you can continue to soak in the hot spring and drink apple juice. I made an appointment in advance for the Sleep Demon Festival performance, which costs 1500 yen per person. ❄️DAY3 Aomoriya → Aomori → Akita Take a bus from Aomori Station to Aomori Prefectural Museum of Art. Although we only had a brief visit due to time constraints, I really enjoyed the atmosphere and many cute details of this museum. When we returned to the station to take the Gonō Line, we found out that the starting section was suspended due to heavy snow. A bit confused, we asked the station staff who told us to take another bus to a certain station and then catch the Gonō Line from there. We had reserved a private compartment on the Gonō Line in advance, and although the weather was bad that day, there was a unique beauty to it. We slowly enjoyed the sea view all the way to Akita. We had planned to eat the famous Akita dish "Kiritanpo Nabe", but because I was lazy and didn't make a reservation, we couldn't eat at the designated restaurant.

This is somewhere near Lake Tazawa, Semboku, Akita Prefecture. Sorry, I don’t know the exact location as this was a random stop along the drive around Lake Tazawa. >.< The sunflowers are so pretty! You can see the view of the lake and mountains in the background too! It was my first time seeing real sunflowers! Who would’ve known that there is a random sunflower plantation along the roadside? #akita #japan

This is the Statue of Tatsuko located at the West Bank of Lake Tazawa in Semboku, Akita prefecture. Lengend has it that Princess Tatsuko prayed for eternal youth and beauty, her wish was granted when she drank the waters of a magical forest spring and turned into a dragon as the guardian spirit of the lake~ The view is stunning and the water is clear. You can even see people doing paddle boarding. Driving is more convenient for travelling around in Akita ~

There are many lakes in the Tohoku region, but one that we highly recommend is Lake Tazawa in Akita Prefecture! The water is extremely clear, and it's not very popular, so it almost feels like we had it all to ourselves! It's also quiet, so you can hear the sound of the waves, and the surrounding nature will purify your mind. The Tazawako Station building is new, and even the rotary is very beautiful! #summerweekendtrip #keihangroupcampaign #cheaptrip #laketazawa #coupletrip #greatview

April 29, 2019 Location: Kakunodate Samurai Residence Flowering condition: Weeping cherry trees, fully bloomed Crowd: Very large Temperature: Sunny and nice weather, 4 degrees to 21 degrees The weather is good and the temperature is pleasant today. But there are too many people Today's itinerary: Kakunodate Samurai Residence + Ancient Castle Park + Hinokinai River Bank: 07:58~08:45 (Bus No. 95, 2 stations, 2320 yen), luggage locker 400 yen, 15 minutes walk from Kakunodate Station Akita Senshu Park: Originally booked 12:18~13:02 (9th, 2nd station, 2500 yen), but I went to Kakunodate to play until 2:30, so I had to change to 15:25. This is where the JR pass comes in handy. It is a 10-minute walk from Akita Station. Accommodation Toyoko Inn Akita Shinkansen-guchi Today's photo path: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xw1jm1fLPPLszpQe6 # Sakura Frontline

Japanese-style hot spring culture experience - [Nippon Hot Springs, Japan] When you come to Japan, you must choose a hot spring hotel that has at least one night in your trip to enjoy the unique Japanese hot spring culture. Specially recommended to go to Nippon Hot Springs in the vicinity of Lake Tajima. There are more than ten kinds of "mystery soups" milky white weak acid hot springs, and a total of 7 hot springs in hot springs. [] is a hot spring hotel located in the mountains, one of the 7 hot springs there. There are several open-air baths and the tradition of mixed baths. No matter the seasons, you can enjoy the comfort of nature while enjoying the nature. We live in an old hot spring hotel [Dabu Hot Spring], nestled in a dense forest, quiet and comfortable. In the evening, go to the morning of the soup to eat the original breakfast made of local ingredients, and enjoy the life like a paradise.

Visit Lake Tazawa in Akita Prefecture in Japan during autumm!! - Take Akita Shinkansen or Ou Line to Tazawako Station - Take the Tazawako Circle bus route

🛏️Hotel Introduction: ANA Crowne Plaza Akita is a luxury hotel located in the center of Akita City, combining modern design with traditional Japanese aesthetics. The hotel offers a variety of room types, from superior rooms with stunning city views to spacious and comfortable suites. Each room is equipped with high-quality bedding and modern facilities to ensure a comfortable stay. The hotel has several restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines, including authentic Japanese and international dishes. In addition, there are leisure facilities such as a gym and hot spring baths to help you relax during your trip. 🚗Transportation Guide: From Akita Airport to the hotel, you can take the airport bus, which takes about 30 minutes and is very convenient. If you choose to take a taxi, the journey is also about 30 minutes, and the cost is relatively high, but more flexible. If you are departing from Akita Station, you can take the subway or bus directly to the hotel, which is very convenient. 🏕️Nearby Attractions: - Akita Prefectural Museum of Art: Located just a 15-minute walk from the hotel, the museum houses a collection of Japanese and international art, with a unique architectural style that blends perfectly with the surrounding natural landscape, making it a must-see for art lovers. - Kakunodate Samurai District: About 30 minutes by bus, this area preserves the samurai residential streets of the Edo period, with its ancient charm, allowing you to feel the historical charm of Japan. 💰Average Cost: For accommodation, the price per night varies depending on the room type, with an average of 8,000 - 15,000 yen per person. For dining, if you dine at the hotel restaurant, the average cost per meal is about 2,000 - 5,000 yen per person; if you choose a nearby restaurant, the price will be relatively more affordable, with an average cost of 1,000 - 3,000 yen per person. 💗Other Tips: - The hotel's hot spring baths are a highlight, so it is recommended to check the opening hours in advance and avoid peak hours to enjoy the hot spring experience. - When visiting nearby attractions, you can get local transportation maps and discount coupons for attractions at the hotel front desk, which can save you a lot of money. - Most of the hotel staff can communicate in English, so there is no communication barrier. If you want to experience the local culture better, it will be helpful to learn some simple Japanese daily expressions.

🍯Yama no Hachimitsuya 📍Tazawako, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture Nestled in the scenic area of Tazawako, Yama no Hachimitsuya is a specialty store offering natural honey products and organic cosmetics. Inside the shop, you’ll find a variety of honey, jams, and health foods, all available for tasting so you can discover your favorite flavors. The store also features a pizza workshop, where you can enjoy authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizza made with fresh local ingredients and honey. A unique and popular way to enjoy their pizza is by drizzling honey over the crust (cornicione), enhancing its rich flavors. Another highlight is the honey soft-serve ice cream, a must-try treat loved by visitors. The store also has a mini beekeeping area, where you can observe honeybees up close, and a photo spot featuring a wall with bee wings, perfect for capturing memorable pictures. For those who can’t visit in person, Yama no Hachimitsuya operates an online shop, offering direct delivery of premium honey products, royal jelly, propolis, and natural cosmetics. If you’re in Akita, don’t miss the chance to experience the natural sweetness of Yama no Hachimitsuya! #celebrateit

📍 Gozanoishi Shrine 御座石神社 (Gozanoishi Jinja) Nestled along the shores of Lake Tazawa in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, Gozanoishi Shrine is a revered power spot known for its connection to beauty and femininity. ⛩️The striking vermilion torii gate, reflecting on the tranquil waters of the lake, creates a breathtaking scene that captivates visitors. ⛩️Within the shrine grounds, the statue of Princess Tatsuko, the legendary goddess of Lake Tazawa, is enshrined. Many women visit this sacred site to pray for beauty and good fortune. ⛩️With its serene atmosphere and stunning lakeside scenery, Gozanoishi Shrine offers a place for both spiritual rejuvenation and visual delight. ⛩️Take a deep breath of the fresh Lake Tazawa air and experience a truly special moment at this enchanting shrine. #celebrateit

📍 Lake Tazawa, Semboku City, Akita, Japan The Tatsuko Statue is a stunning golden bronze statue standing on the shores of Lake Tazawa in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture. It depicts Princess Tatsuko, a legendary maiden who, according to local folklore, wished for eternal youth and beauty and was transformed into the guardian dragon of the lake. Created by renowned sculptor Yasutake Funakoshi, the 2-meter-tall statue was erected on May 12, 1968. Its golden hue contrasts beautifully with the deep cobalt blue waters of Lake Tazawa, making it a striking landmark and a must-visit photo spot. According to the legend, Tatsuko drank from a mystical spring in her quest for everlasting beauty and was ultimately transformed into a dragon, forever bound to the lake’s depths. This touching tale is the inspiration behind the statue. How to Get There 🚉 From JR Tazawako Station: Approx. 15 minutes by bus 🚉 From JR Kakunodate Station: Approx. 40 minutes by bus Take a moment to admire the breathtaking lake scenery and discover the mystical beauty of the Tatsuko Statue. #celebrateit

📍 TAZAWAKO WINTER BASE Right next to Tazawako Lake Resort TAZAWAKO WINTER BASE offers a unique winter experience in the beautiful Tazawako area of Akita Prefecture with the “Snow Forest Exploration Trekking Tour, Snow Gear Rental & S’mores Making Experience Pack.” Tour Highlights ⛄ Snow Forest Exploration Trekking Tour – Put on snowshoes and explore the breathtaking winter forest with a guide. Walk on soft, untouched snow and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature unique to the winter season. ⛄ Snow Gear Rental – No need to bring your own gear! Snowshoes and other necessary equipment are available for rent, making it easy for anyone to join. ⛄ S’mores Making Experience – In the latter half of the tour, gather around a warm bonfire and make “s’mores,” a classic American treat of roasted marshmallows sandwiched between chocolate and crackers. Enjoy the cozy warmth of the fire and the sweetness of s’mores in the crisp winter air. Advance reservations are required. For details and booking information, please visit the official TAZAWAKO WINTER BASE website. Why not enjoy a special outdoor adventure this winter in the breathtaking surroundings of Lake Tazawa? #celebrateit