Four days in Akita: move hotels or keep one base?
For city walks too, stay one Akita night then move to Kakunodate for separate house and lake days. For one base, stay three Kakunodate nights with separate houses, lake and crafts. The final-day craft museum visit can be omitted to fit your train.
Choose a 4 days, 3 nights itinerary
Four days: city, houses and lake on separate days
Stay one Akita night and two Kakunodate nights to combine castle-site walking, samurai houses and lake views. Separate house visits and the lake day. Costs include house admission and lake bus only; JR hotel-transfer and lake-trip travel are separate.
Four days: city, houses and lake on separate days →4 days, 3 nightsFour days based in Kakunodate: lake and crafts
Stay three nights in Kakunodate to visit houses, lake and craft exhibits without changing accommodation. Visit the craft museum on the final day before returning to the station. For a morning departure, skip it and go directly from your accommodation to the station.
Four days based in Kakunodate: lake and crafts →Four days: city, houses and lake on separate days
Stay one Akita night and two Kakunodate nights to combine castle-site walking, samurai houses and lake views. Separate house visits and the lake day. Costs include house admission and lake bus only; JR hotel-transfer and lake-trip travel are separate.
Day 1 · Senshu Park
Spend one Akita city night before moving to Kakunodate. Walk Senshu Park on arrival day and eat somewhere convenient for returning to your Akita accommodation.
- Akita Station and accommodation → Walk to Senshu Park
Walk towards Senshu Park from Akita Station. Allow roughly five minutes to the pocket park or 15 to Ninomaru; choose between the moat area and uphill walk.
- Senshu Park → Moat and Ninomaru walk
Walk around the moat in the afternoon, continuing to Ninomaru if comfortable with slopes. Osumiyagura interior access needs separate operating checks and is excluded from the basic cost. Return towards the station for dinner and rest at your booked accommodation.
If arriving late, take a short walk around the moat before dinner.
Day 2 · Move to Kakunodate and visit Aoyagi House
Move from Akita to Kakunodate for Aoyagi House and the samurai-house district today.
- Akita Station → Board an Akita Shinkansen towards Morioka
Take an Akita Shinkansen from Akita to Kakunodate, reserving a seat on a service stopping there. This section is covered by the JR East Pass; ordinary tickets are another option. Check travel falls within consecutive pass validity. Lake buses, Selion buses and accommodation are separate.
Official JR timetableOfficial JR passJR East Pass passport/usage conditions and seat reservations
- Your train arriving at Kakunodate → Get off and leave the ticket gates
Get off at Kakunodate and leave the ticket gates.
- Outside Kakunodate Station’s ticket gates → Aoyagi House entrance
Walk towards the samurai-house district to Aoyagi’s signs and entrance at 角館町表町下丁3. Use the official walking route to plan your approach. Station estimates differ: roughly 15 minutes from the association and 20 from city hall; navigation, rests and viewing add time.
Official walking routeTourism association facility guideCity hall
- Aoyagi House entrance → House exhibits and interior displays
Visit Aoyagi’s exhibits and garden, allowing roughly 90 minutes. April–November closing is 17:00; winter hours may be shorter. Leave Kawarada for the final day.
- After visiting Aoyagi House → District walk and meal
Walk and rest in the samurai-house district afterwards, then eat at an open business. Meals are separate from house admission.
- After walking and eating → Go to your chosen Kakunodate accommodation
Return to your Kakunodate accommodation after walking and eating. Compare Hotel B4T beside the station if convenient next-day station access matters.
You change accommodation today. If reaching Kakunodate late, shorten the house visit and prioritize check-in and dinner.
Day 3 · Lake Tazawa circuit
Circle Lake Tazawa with short walks at the Tatsuko Statue and Gozanoishi Shrine. Return to the station on the same bus after its walking stops, then to your Kakunodate accommodation. Large suitcases cannot be carried on the lake bus; leave them where you are staying another night.
- Kakunodate Station → Tazawako Station and station-front bus stop
Take a Morioka-bound Akita Shinkansen from Kakunodate to Tazawako. Transfer outside the station to a Lake Tazawa circular bus with walking stops. Choose both train journeys after checking the bus’s station arrival time.
- Lakeside walking stops → Reboard the same bus
See the Tatsuko Statue and lake at Katajiri, then visit the shrine at Gozanoishi Shrine stop. Walking stops last 20 and 10 minutes respectively. Fit the walk to each sight and back within those times and reboard your original circular bus.
Operator circular-route timetableOfficial Tatsuko Statue accessOfficial city access
- Tazawako Station → Return to Kakunodate Station and your accommodation
On returning to the Tazawako station-front stop, enter the station and take an Akita-bound Shinkansen to Kakunodate. The operator notes that not every circular bus connects with the Shinkansen; reserve a train with enough time after bus arrival. Eat lunch after returning to the station rather than during short walking stops. Rest at your accommodation and have dinner; no hot spring or sightseeing boat is added today.
Official JR timetableOperator circular-route timetableService status
If letting the bus leave to stay longer, recheck the next service’s fare and your return train.
Day 4 · Kawarada House and departure from Kakunodate Station
Visit Kawarada on your final morning, then leave Kakunodate. A morning departure leaves little viewing time; adjust the earlier visiting order accordingly.
- Your booked Kakunodate accommodation → Kawarada House entrance
Walk from your booked accommodation to Kawarada at 角館町東勝楽丁9. The city’s roughly 15-minute estimate starts at Kakunodate Station, not your accommodation.
- Kawarada → House and garden visit
Kawarada opens April–November 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:30, with individual adult admission ¥500. Allow roughly 60 minutes for a morning house and garden visit. It closes 28 December–4 January; check that it opens on your date first.
- Kakunodate Station → Your booked departure
Go to Kakunodate Station after viewing. Check a dated JR train stopping at your destination and your reserved seat before boarding. Look up onward connections to Akita Station or the airport separately.
Check Kawarada’s year-end closures and leave time to walk back to the station after viewing.
Included: One adult: Aoyagi and Kawarada individual admission ¥500 each and one Lake Tazawa circular bus from Tazawako Station at ¥1,160. Return on the same bus after walking stops.
Separate costs: Akita–Kakunodate JR travel, Kakunodate–Tazawako JR return travel, travel before/after the trip, three nights’ accommodation, meals, luggage storage, sightseeing boats and extra facilities excluded. For longer lakeside stays and later buses, check ticket conditions and additional fares separately.
For one adult. Check both included items and separate costs.
Tourism association facility guideOfficial Kawarada informationFare tableOperator circular-route timetable
Four days based in Kakunodate: lake and crafts
Stay three nights in Kakunodate to visit houses, lake and craft exhibits without changing accommodation. Visit the craft museum on the final day before returning to the station. For a morning departure, skip it and go directly from your accommodation to the station.
Day 1 · Aoyagi House
Visit Aoyagi’s garden and exhibits of swords and weapons first. Choose an arrival leaving afternoon viewing time. Train fares vary by date and booking product.
- Kakunodate Station → Aoyagi House entrance
Walk to Aoyagi House at 角館町表町下丁3. The tourism association lists roughly 15 minutes from the station and the city roughly 20; plan your walking route with extra time.
- Aoyagi House → Visit and return to your hotel
Visit Aoyagi after an afternoon arrival only if you can finish before its 17:00 closing. April–November hours are 09:00–17:00; individual adult admission ¥500. Return to your station-area hotel and check in at your booked time. If arriving late, omit today’s house visit and move it to the next day.
For a late arrival, shorten the visit or move it to the next day. Winter closing may be earlier; check facility guidance.
Day 2 · Kawarada House
Visit Kawarada’s house and garden, then eat and rest in town. If you missed Aoyagi yesterday, check whether you can visit both within their opening hours.
- Accommodation beside Kakunodate Station → Walk to Kawarada House
Walk from your booked accommodation to Kawarada at 角館町東勝楽丁9 in the samurai-house district. Do not apply the city’s roughly 15-minute station walk to your hotel starting point.
- Kawarada House → Visit and return to the same accommodation
Kawarada opens April–November 09:00–17:00, last reception 16:30, with individual adult admission ¥500. Visit the house and garden in the morning, eat lunch and return to the same accommodation. Closed 28 December–4 January. If you missed Aoyagi yesterday, visit in the afternoon. Admission to each house once totals ¥1,000.
Official Kawarada informationTourism association facility guide
Kawarada’s April–November last entry is 16:30. Check winter hours and year-end closures.
Day 3 · Lake Tazawa circuit
Visit Lake Tazawa during your Kakunodate stay. On public holidays, avoid weekday-only services. Large suitcases cannot be carried on the lake bus; leave them where you are staying another night.
- Kakunodate Station → Tazawako Station and station-front bus stop
Take a Morioka-bound Akita Shinkansen from Kakunodate to Tazawako. Transfer outside the station to a Lake Tazawa circular bus with walking stops. Choose both train journeys after checking the bus’s station arrival time.
- Lakeside walking stops → Reboard the same bus
See the Tatsuko Statue and lake at Katajiri, then visit the shrine at Gozanoishi Shrine stop. Walking stops last 20 and 10 minutes respectively. Fit the walk to each sight and back within those times and reboard your original circular bus.
Operator circular-route timetableOfficial Tatsuko Statue accessOfficial city access
- Tazawako Station → Return to Kakunodate Station and your accommodation
On returning to the Tazawako station-front stop, enter the station and take an Akita-bound Shinkansen to Kakunodate. The operator notes that not every circular bus connects with the Shinkansen; reserve a train with enough time after bus arrival. Eat lunch after returning to the station rather than during short walking stops. Rest at your accommodation and have dinner; no hot spring or sightseeing boat is added today.
Official JR timetableOperator circular-route timetableService status
If letting the bus leave to stay longer, recheck the next service’s fare and your return train.
Day 4 · Craft museum and departure from Kakunodate Station
For a final-day craft museum visit, allow time after its 09:00 opening to view exhibits, return via your accommodation and reach the station. Skip it for an early departure.
- Around Kakunodate Station → Walk to the craft museum
Go to Kakunodate Kabazaiku Denshokan at 角館町表町下丁10番地1. Semboku lists roughly 15 minutes’ walk from JR Kakunodate Station. Visit exhibits of mountain-cherry bark crafts and local culture.
Semboku craft museum prices, hours and walking accessTourism association craft museum English name
- Craft museum → Exhibits and return
April–November hours: 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:30; individual adult admission ¥500. Closed 28 December–4 January. Allow roughly 90 minutes. Check whether a production demonstration runs on your date if interested. Afterwards, retrace your walk via your accommodation to Kakunodate Station.
- Kakunodate Station → Your booked departure
Choose a train stopping at Kakunodate in the official JR timetable and check its destination/reserved seat. Go to your booked train’s platform at the station. Onward airport or Akita connections are separate.
Leave time to return to the station after departure-day viewing. Shorten or skip the visit for an early departure.
Included: One adult: Aoyagi, Kawarada and craft museum individual admission ¥500 each, plus one Lake Tazawa circular bus from Tazawako at ¥1,160. Visit each facility once and return on the same bus after walking stops.
Separate costs: Kakunodate–Tazawako JR return travel, travel before/after the trip, three nights’ accommodation, meals, luggage storage, sightseeing boats and extra facilities excluded. For a longer lakeside stay on a later bus, check ticket conditions and extra fares. Subtract ¥500 admission if skipping the final-day craft museum.
For one adult. Check both included items and separate costs.
Tourism association facility guideOfficial Kawarada informationFare tableOperator circular-route timetableSemboku craft museum prices, hours and walking access
Frequently asked questions
Does skipping the departure-day craft museum change the cost?
The three-night Kakunodate route’s ¥2,660 covers two houses at ¥500 each, museum ¥500 and lake bus ¥1,160. Omitting the museum reduces this to ¥2,160; JR, accommodation and meals remain separate. For a morning departure, omit the museum and go via your accommodation to the station.
Semboku craft museum prices, hours and walking accessTourism association facility guideOfficial Kawarada informationFare table
Can I use the JR East Pass from Kakunodate to Lake Tazawa?
Yes, on the Kakunodate–Tazawako Akita Shinkansen section. Reserve return seats for lake day and check it falls within consecutive pass validity. Ugo Kotsu buses from station to lake, admission, meals and accommodation are separate. Ordinary tickets are another option; compare other JR travel before choosing a pass.
Official JR passJR East Pass passport/usage conditions and seat reservations
Sources and check dates
- Akita city park guide ·
- Tourism association facility guide ·
- City hall ·
- Official Tatsuko Statue access ·
- Fare table ·
- Current facility guide ·
- Official city access ·
- Operator circular-route timetable ·
- Service status ·
- Official JR timetable ·
- Official walking route ·
- Official Kawarada information ·
- Official JR pass ·
- Semboku craft museum prices, hours and walking access ·
- Tourism association craft museum English name ·
- JR East Pass passport/usage conditions and seat reservations ·
- Ugo Kotsu transport conditions, articles 16 and 21 ·