A Journey Beginning with a Breathtaking Sight

Photo courtesy of JR East

The journey begins aboard the Resort Shirakami, a sightseeing train with reserved seating that connects Akita and Aomori. The ride from Akita Station to Juniko Station takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes, offering a popular scenic route where you can enjoy the sparkling blue Sea of Japan and the natural beauty of the Shirakami Mountains from your window. Especially between Iwadate Station and Omagoshi Station along the coast, the train slows down, bringing the Sea of Japan right up to the large windows and unfolding a picture-perfect view of the shimmering water.

For lunch, enjoy a classic ekiben (station bento) featuring Akita’s famous Hinai Jidori chicken, served right on the train. The simple, gentle flavors paired with the stunning scenery made this moment of the journey even more special.

There’s also a 15-minute stop at Noshiro Station, where you can experience something unique to Noshiro, a city known for basketball. A basketball hoop is set up on the platform, and passengers can try their hand at a free throw challenge. “I used to play basketball, so I was frustrated I missed my shot!” Shiho laughs, recalling this fun little memory from the trip.

After getting off the train at Juniko Station, take a bus to Juniko in the Shirakami Sanchi. Aoike (Blue Pond), the symbol of Juniko, is a mysterious pond where sunlight shines through, making the water so clear that you can see deep into it, and the deep blue color shimmers beautifully.

"Even though it is supposed to be 10 meters deep, the water is so clear that you cannot feel the depth at all. I could even see the fish swimming," says Shiho. Depending on the angle of the sunlight, the blue color changes vividly, sometimes appearing emerald blue, and I was so moved by its beauty that I wanted to keep gazing at it forever.

Beech forests spread out around the area, and if you go further, you will reach Wakitsubo Pond. Unlike the deep blue of Aoike, the water here is a slightly greenish emerald green that quietly bubbles up, and you can encounter "another blue" quietly nestled in the forest. It is also a good idea to finish your visit with some ice cream.

*Advance application is required for photography from elevated locations. General photography is prohibited.

Head to Noshiro in the evening. The summer tradition "Noshiro Tanabata Tenku no Fuyajo" is a powerful festival that brings together the energy of Noshiro’s youth. "I have always wanted to visit," says Shiho.

The sight of castle-shaped lanterns over 20 meters tall moving through the night streets is truly impressive, and their presence can be felt even from afar. As you get closer, you can see the intricate details of the warrior paintings and castle decorations, and the lanterns change expression as they are illuminated, making them beautiful both from a distance and up close.

What is surprising is that these giant lanterns are moved by local young people, students, and children. Shiho says, "I was amazed that they are moved by hand, and when I think about the history of the festival being revived out of a desire to energize the community, I strongly felt the energy of Noshiro’s youth creating the future." Every time the shouts and drumbeats echo, the excitement spreads through the city, and the power of Noshiro’s youth seems to light up the night sky.

At the end, there is a "fureai time" when spectators can freely take photos in front of the lanterns or dance together. This is a rare experience not often seen at other festivals.

In addition, the venue will be lined with food stalls offering classic summer festival favorites such as yakisoba (fried noodles) and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers). Among them, you can even find Akita’s famous Babahera Ice Cream. The powerful presence of the lantern floats, the excitement of the crowds, and the lively atmosphere of the food stalls all blend together, filling the night in Noshiro with an energy truly worthy of its name, “Tenku no Fuyajo (The skycastle that never sleeps) .”

Your base for this trip is Hotel Metropolitan Akita, conveniently located adjacent to JR Akita Station.

The modern guest rooms, decorated in a calm and relaxing style, provide a comfortable space where you can unwind after your travels. The hotel’s restaurants offer a wide variety of dining options, including kaiseki meals featuring local ingredients and seasonal Japanese, Western, and Chinese menus. There are also accommodation plans that include tasting sets of local sake, making your stay even more enjoyable. With both excellent access and comfort, you can look forward to a high-quality hotel experience.

On the second day, take a short trip from Akita City out to the Oga Peninsula.

Kankane Cave, quietly nestled along the coastline, is a massive cave formed by the erosion of rough waves. It features two large openings facing the open sea, as well as a distinctive hole in the ceiling. The interior is more spacious than you might expect, with the sound of the waves echoing throughout. As sunlight streams in through the hole in the ceiling and slowly moves, the atmosphere inside the cave changes dramatically. Shiho, the scenic spot producer, commented, “The scale of the cave was beyond my imagination, and the combination of the sound of the waves and the changing light was truly impressive,” clearly captivated by this natural spectacle.

The timing of the sunlight depends on the position of the sun. Around noon on clear days, the inside of the cave is at its brightest, and the central rock is beautifully illuminated. During this shoot, we waited about an hour, and around 1:00 p.m., the light shone in, creating a mystical atmosphere throughout the cave. Since the timing for the sunlight is limited, it’s best to allow plenty of time and be patient to increase your chances of witnessing this special scene.

Located in the center of the Oga Peninsula, Mount Kanpuzan is a rare grassland mountain with its summit area covered in lush turf. Although its elevation is only 355 meters, there is nothing to obstruct the view, allowing you to enjoy a 360-degree panoramic vista of the Oga Peninsula’s distinctive silhouette jutting out into the sea. This was Shiho’s second visit. Last time, she was not blessed with good weather and could not fully enjoy the scenery, but on this day, the sky was clear and a pleasant breeze was blowing, making for perfect conditions. The summit, with its vibrant green grasslands, was filled with a sense of openness, offering a truly awe-inspiring experience of nature’s grandeur.

At the restaurant inside the observation deck at the summit, the “Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba,” made with Oga Peninsula’s traditional fish sauce, shottsuru, is especially popular. The umami of seafood comes through strongly, yet the flavor is mild and easy to enjoy, making it a favorite among both locals and visitors from outside the prefecture. This local specialty, unique to Oga, will make your time on Mount Kanpuzan even more memorable.

The “Akita Kanto Festival,” which lights up Akita’s summer nights, is one of the three great festivals of the Tohoku region. The sight of the kanto—long bamboo poles adorned with countless lanterns—being skillfully balanced and shifted from hand to shoulder, forehead, and waist by the performers is truly breathtaking. The rhythmic chants of “Dokkoisho, dokkoisho” echo through the venue, blending with the applause of the audience, creating a unique atmosphere where performers and spectators become one—this is the special charm of the festival.

This was Shiho’s first time experiencing the Kanto Festival. She said she was overwhelmed by the power of the kanto rising right before her eyes. “Seeing children desperately supporting kanto poles far taller than themselves was truly moving, and watching the skilled performers balance the kanto on their foreheads or waists made me feel the weight of tradition passed down through generations,” she shared. Sometimes, when the wind blows, the kanto poles even sway toward the audience seating, making for an especially thrilling moment that let her feel the excitement of the festival up close.

At the food stalls, you can easily enjoy Akita’s flavors such as kiritanpo (grilled rice sticks) and tama konnyaku (ball-shaped konjac) . It’s a delight to be able to sample a little bit of Akita’s specialties all at once in the festive summer atmosphere. On the way home, there was even a surprise performance of the “Tsugi-tashi Kanto,” where the bamboo poles are extended to raise the kanto even higher. Seeing the kanto stretch up as tall as a building right before her eyes was a truly lucky and unexpected experience.

Located on a hill overlooking Lake Tazawa, ""Miharasu Tazawako"" is a new spot featuring a spectacular terrace with panoramic views of the lake and sky. The viewing swing is so thrilling that even adults can fully enjoy it. The sensation of being launched into the air as if diving into Lake Tazawa, along with the breathtaking scenery below, left a strong impression.

The café with beautiful views offers photogenic drinks such as the refreshing blue "Tazawako Blue" and the cute pink "Heart no Mori Pink." For lunch, I had the "Miharasu Terrace Burger," which featured juicy, hearty Akita beef. The crunchy texture and smoky aroma of iburigakko (smoked pickled daikon) added a unique Akita touch to the dish. Enjoying lunch while gazing at Lake Tazawa was a truly satisfying experience for both body and soul.

If you want to continue your journey, you can enjoy a tour of Akita’s hot springs such as Nyuto Onsen Village or Tsurunoyu Onsen, or extend your trip to other summer festivals in Tohoku, such as the Aomori Nebuta Festival.