Akita is a wonderful city. It is in the Tohoku Region of Japan, the northernmost part of the main island of Honshu. It is on the western side of Japan, and like Kanazawa, it gets fewer cruise ships than the more famous cities on the eastern shore. As a result, people were delighted to see us, and we were greeted nicely with a drum performance as we arrived. Nevertheless, there were plenty of “Things to do in Akita Japan.”
What is Akita Japan Known For?
Akita Japan is known for its snow, its beautiful women and the Akita Dog. Also, rice products from its rice fields and the Namahage powerful deities that live on the mountain (trolls). We visited the Namahage Museum where we saw a movie of the terrified children being scared by these deities/trolls who chase away bad luck and evil spirits.
Weather in Akita City
“Weather in Akita Japan” experiences distinct seasons with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Here’s a breakdown of the year-round “Weather in Akita Japan” temperatures:
Weather in Akita City by Season:
- Summer (June–September): Warm and muggy, with highs averaging 73–83°F and lows around 61–70°F.
- Winter (December–March): Cold and snowy, with highs typically 27–45°F and lows dropping to 22–33°F.
- Spring (April–May): Mild temperatures, with highs ranging from 56–66°F and lows around 43–53°F.
- Autumn (October–November): Cool and comfortable, with highs between 41–64°F and lows around 32–50°F.
Akita’s best time to visit for warm-weather activities is early June to late September. Winters can be harsh, with heavy snowfall, making it a great destination for winter sports.
Things to Do in Akita Japan
Akita, Japan, is a hidden gem with a mix of historical sites, natural beauty, and cultural experiences. Here are some top things to do in Akita Japan:
Historical & Cultural Attractions
- Senshu Park – A scenic park with remnants of Kubota Castle.
- Turret of Kubota Castle – A reconstructed turret offering panoramic views.
- Our Lady of Akita – A famous religious site with deep historical significance.
- Akarenga-kan Museum – A museum showcasing Akita’s rich history.
- Kaneko House – A well-preserved historical residence.
Nature & Outdoor Activities
- Lake Tazawa – Japan’s deepest lake, perfect for sightseeing and water activities.
- Nyuto Onsen – A hot spring retreat surrounded by nature.
- Oga Peninsula – Known for its rugged coastline and Namahage folklore.
Local Food & Festivals
- Kiritanpo Hot Pot – A must-try Akita specialty made from mashed rice.
- Inaniwa Udon – One of Japan’s top udon varieties.
- Akita Kanto Festival – A summer festival featuring lantern balancing performances.
- Omagari Fireworks Festival – A spectacular fireworks competition held annually.
Things to Do In Akita Japan and The Oga Peninsula
Akita and the Oga Peninsula offer a mix of cultural richness, natural beauty, and unique experiences that make them worth visiting. The Oga Peninsula is a rugged coastal region in Akita Prefecture, Japan, extending into the Sea of Japan. It is famous for its dramatic landscapes, rich folklore, and cultural heritage. One of its most well-known traditions is the Namahage Festival, where villagers dress as fearsome ogres to ward off evil spirits and encourage good fortune. The peninsula is also home to Godzilla Rock, a natural rock formation resembling the iconic monster, and the Namahage Museum, which showcases the history of this unique tradition. Learning about the traditions of the Oga Peninsula and visiting the observatory were a fun way to spend our day in Akita.
Here are a few highlights why you should put Akita on your list of places to visit in Japan:
Thigs to Do in Akita City
Akita City is where our ship docked, but we were more interested in going to the Oga Peninsula, so we didn’t get a chance to see much of the city. Nevertheless, here are the things to do in Akita City:
- Kanto Festival: If you visit in early August, you can witness the mesmerizing Kanto Festival, where performers skillfully balance giant poles adorned with lanterns.
- Senshu Park: This park is a lovely spot for relaxation, especially during cherry blossom season. It also features the ruins of Kubota Castle, offering a touch of history.
- Akita Museum of Art: Designed by Tadao Ando, this museum houses fascinating exhibitions, including works by Akita-native artist Fujita Tsuguharu.
- Our Lady of Akita – A famous religious site with deep historical significance.
Our Lady of Akita is One of Must-See Things to Do in Akita City
Our Lady of Akita refers to a series of Marian apparitions reported by Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa in Akita, Japan, between 1973 and 1979. The apparitions included messages emphasizing prayer, penance, and warnings about future events.
Key Events & Significance:
- Sister Agnes, originally from a Buddhist family, experienced mysterious rays of light from the tabernacle and later developed a stigmata-like wound.
- A wooden statue of the Virgin Mary at the convent reportedly wept on 101 occasions, an event that was even broadcast on Japanese national television.
- The messages received by Sister Agnes included calls for prayer and warnings about challenges within the Catholic Church.
- The local bishop, John Shojiro Ito, recognized the supernatural nature of the events and authorized veneration of Our Lady of Akita in 1984.
The Seitai Hoshikai Convent in Akita, where the apparitions occurred, remains a pilgrimage site. The shrine is open seasonally, with closures during winter months due to heavy snowfall
Things to Do in Akita Japan: Oga Peninsula
Having visited multiple castles and castle ruins, we were looking for different “Things to Do in Akita Japan.” So we headed up to the Oga Peninsula which is about an hour north of the city. Here are the fun “Things to do in Akita Japan” on the Oga Peninsula:
⦁ Namahage Tradition: The Oga area is famous for its Namahage folklore, where locals dressed as ogre-like figures visit homes on New Year’s Eve to encourage good behavior. The Namahage Museum and the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum bring this fascinating tradition to life.
⦁ Natural Scenery: The peninsula is surrounded by rugged coastlines, with places like the dramatic Godzilla Rock and the scenic Nyudozaki Cape offering breathtaking views.
⦁ Hot Springs: Enjoy a rejuvenating soak in an onsen, such as the popular Goshado Onsen, with views of the sea.
Namahage Tradition
As you drive north from the city, you cannot help but seeing these large statues of the Namahage as you arrive in the Oga region.
The Namahage, despite their evil appearance, are not demons, but ogre-like figures who are meant to scare away the demons. They come down from the mountains, and visit the houses each year on New Year’s Eve, to see if everyone has been good and not lazy. They tend to scare the children with the goal of teaching them to be good, work hard, and listen to their parents.
We recalled a similar story in Iceland where the trolls would threaten the children to be good as well. Perhaps we could use a similar tradition in the USA and in the rest of the Western world to get our children to study hard and not be lazy.
Things to Do in Akita Japan: The Namahage Museum
The Namahage Museum is one of the best things to do in Akita Japan. It is a great place to visit to experience all of the mysteries and the history of the Namahage tradition. The museum contains a short documentary film about the Namahage. It is particularly chilling to see all the children that the Namahage are trying to scare. While their intention is good, these kids are almost scared to death.
The Namahage will call on any house that hasn’t had a death or negative family event the past year. The owner of the house needs to convince them that everyone in the family has been good this past year. The goal of the visit is to get the Namahage to wish him good luck for the next year.
Namahage have different appearances depending on which area of the Oga region they are from. The Namahage in the above picture is different from most of the Namahage who usually have horns.
However, the Namahage can take on many different appearances.
These are truly scary ogre-like figures. We were scared just watching the film, but when we sent pictures of the Namahage to our step-grandson, all he wanted was a mask of the Namahage.
Our tour guide had one of those masks, and she really enjoyed playing the part of a Namahage. Unfortunately. we didn’t get a mask while we were still in Akita, so maybe we can find one on Amazon.
The Akita Countryside
Aside from the Namahage tradition, two things really stood out to us about the Akita Countryside. The first were the rice patties. Akita is well known for growing great rice and making great sake with the rice. There were rice patties everywhere:
The second thing that really stood out about the Akita countryside was the serous attempt to have a sustainable energy source in the form of wind energy. There were wind mills everywhere.
Conclusion:
In short, this is a place that is doing its best to address Japan’s need for alternative energy sources, and we commend them on the job they are doing. It is also a fun place to visit. For more information about other places to visit in Japan, please see our Post Tips for travel to Japan.
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