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[11 Recommended Places to Stay in Akita by Area] Great Bases for Visiting Mystical Lakes and the Home of the Namahage
Primeval forests in the Shirakami Mountains, mystical lakes, and mountains that reveal a different face with each season.
Located on the Sea of Japan side of the Tohoku region, Akita Prefecture is a place where grand nature and deep-rooted history and culture remain vividly alive.
From traditional events such as the Oga no Namahage and the Akita Kanto Festival that lights up summer nights, to local flavors like Hinai jidori chicken and kiritanpo, Akita offers a remarkable variety of unique experiences, with new discoveries every time you visit.
If you're making the trip, you'll want to experience as much of Akita's charm as possible.
That makes choosing the right area to use as your base especially important.
This article carefully introduces the features of Akita's main sightseeing areas and recommends selected places to stay.
4 Ideal Areas to Use as a Base for Sightseeing in Akita
Stretching long from north to south and covering a vast area, Akita Prefecture offers scenery and culture that vary greatly by region.
If this is your first visit to Akita, it's best to choose your base from the following four areas, where many of the main sightseeing spots are concentrated.
- Odate, Ani, and Moriyoshi Area
- Recommended for travelers who want to experience the great nature of Mt. Moriyoshi and Matagi culture.
- Shirakami, Noshiro, and Oga Area
- Recommended for travelers who want to experience the Shirakami Mountains, a World Natural Heritage site, and the Namahage culture of the Oga Peninsula.
- Omagari, Kakunodate, and Lake Tazawa Area
- Recommended for travelers who want to fully enjoy samurai residence streets and the mystical scenery of Lake Tazawa.
- Yurihonjo and Chokai Area
- Recommended for travelers who want to fully enjoy the majestic form of Mt. Chokai and activities in the mountains and by the sea.
Experience the Seasons of Mt. Moriyoshi and Matagi Culture! 2 Recommended Places to Stay in the Odate, Ani, and Moriyoshi Area
The Odate, Ani, and Moriyoshi Area in northern Akita Prefecture includes Odate City, Kitaakita City, and Kamikoani Village.
It is a region of untouched primeval forest where Matagi culture, passed down for generations, still thrives today.
Mt. Moriyoshi, famous as one of Japan's 100 celebrated flower mountains, shows off the grandeur of the four seasons with alpine plants from spring to summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snow monsters in winter.
Odate City is beloved as the hometown of the Akita dog and is also known as a production area for Hinai jidori, one of Japan's three great native chicken breeds.
Hot springs are also scattered through the remote mountain valleys, where you can enjoy a relaxing soak surrounded by quiet nature.
Here are two places to stay where you can spend special time in an area shaped by the lives of people who live in harmony with nature.
1. Uto Onsen Matagi no Yu
Uto Onsen Matagi no Yu is located in Ani Uto, Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture.
It is a hot spring inn with natural free-flowing spring water, embraced by the nature at the southern foot of Mt. Moriyoshi.
It stands in the Ani area, which is also said to be the birthplace of Matagi culture. It has long been loved not only by local residents but also by tourists as a well-known hot spring.
The source temperature is 56.6°C, and the spring quality is sodium, calcium chloride spring water, known for excellent heat retention that makes it hard to feel chilled after bathing.
2. Hotel Fusch
Hotel Fusch is a small resort hotel in Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture, near Ani Ski Resort.
It is located at the foot of Mt. Moriyoshi, known as one of Japan's 100 celebrated flower mountains.
The scenery changes with the seasons, from alpine plants in spring and summer to autumn leaves in fall and snow monsters in winter, and that is part of its appeal.
In this quiet setting blessed by the bounty of nature, you can enjoy a stay that feels distinctly different from city life.
Travel Through Primeval Beech Forests and the Home of the Namahage! 3 Recommended Places to Stay in the Shirakami, Noshiro, and Oga Area
Facing the Sea of Japan, the Shirakami, Noshiro, and Oga Area includes places such as Fujisato Town, Noshiro City, and Oga City.
From the primeval beech forests of the Shirakami Mountains, a World Natural Heritage site, to the Oga Peninsula where rough waves crash ashore, this area brings together Akita's wild and untamed appeal.
The visiting deity ritual Oga no Namahage, registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage tradition, is one of Akita's most representative folk cultures, passed down on the Oga Peninsula since ancient times.
At Namahage Museum and Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum, visitors can learn about its history and customs.
Kaze no Matsubara, which stretches along the coast of Noshiro City, is known as one of Japan's leading pine groves and offers a glimpse of how people have lived alongside nature.
Here are three places to stay in this area where the Sea of Japan, forests, and rare traditional culture come together.
1. Oga Resort Hotel Kiraraka
The Oga Peninsula juts out into the Sea of Japan in northwestern Akita Prefecture and is surrounded by the sea on three sides.
Oga Resort Hotel Kiraraka, located along the Oga Shiokaze Kaido road, is popular for its sweeping views of the Sea of Japan and Oga Quasi-National Park, which can be enjoyed from the large public bath, restaurant, and guest rooms.
The hot spring, fed by Kinkazaki Onsen that wells up along the nearby coast, includes a large public bath and an open-air bath with an airy feel.
2. Motoyu Yuzankaku
A hot spring ryokan in Oga Onsenkyo, one of Akita's leading hot spring areas.
It has its own abundant private spring source that produces 200 liters of water per minute, and guests can enjoy natural free-flowing hot spring water in a large bath where the water pours from the mouth of a Namahage figure, as well as in a charming open-air bath.
The rich mineral deposits and the smooth feel of the water on the skin are unique to spring water drawn directly from the source.
3. Seiko Grand Hotel
The Oga Peninsula in Akita Prefecture is known as the home of the Namahage, one of Japan's representative folk traditions.
At Seiko Grand Hotel in Oga Onsenkyo in the northern part of the peninsula, guests can enjoy an abundant free-flowing hot spring source whose saline content closely resembles that of seawater and is popular as bihada no yu, or a hot spring said to help keep skin beautifully moisturized.
Immerse Yourself in the Elegance of a Castle Town and the Mystery of a Lake! 4 Recommended Places to Stay in the Omagari, Kakunodate, and Lake Tazawa Area
The Omagari, Kakunodate, and Lake Tazawa Area is a region where you can enjoy the traces of an old castle town, a mystical lake, and famous hot springs all together.
Kakunodate in Semboku City is a historic castle town often called the Little Kyoto of Michinoku.
Black wooden fences and samurai residences line the streets, while weeping cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall color the town with a deeply atmospheric charm.
At Lake Tazawa, known as Japan's deepest lake, simply standing by the shore lets you feel the silence spreading across its cobalt-blue surface and its grand scale.
Hidden hot springs, including Nyuto Onsenkyo, are scattered around the lake, and many travelers come here to enjoy hopping from one bath to another.
The National Fireworks Competition in Omagari, Daisen City, where top pyrotechnicians compete, is another iconic attraction of this area.
Here are four especially recommended places to stay in this area of varied appeal.
1. Tsurunoyu Onsen
One of the most popular hot spring inns in Nyuto Onsenkyo, one of Akita's most famous hidden hot spring areas.
It stands deep in the mountains, far from town, with an appearance like a hidden village for samurai.
That is no surprise, as this was once a therapeutic retreat for the lord of the Akita domain, and the thatched longhouse now used as guest rooms was once used as lodging for guards when the second lord, Satake Yoshitaka, came here for hot spring therapy.
2. Wanoi Kakunodate
A hotel on Kakunodate Bukeyashiki Street, known as the Little Kyoto of Michinoku, created by renovating storehouses with more than 100 years of history. There are three room types, and each is rented as a whole building.
Nishinomiyake Bushigura offers an interior where you can feel the lifestyle of samurai, with samurai tools on display that you can actually pick up and examine.
3. Natsuse Onsen Miyakowasure
A hot spring inn standing in Dakigaeri Gorge, known for some of Akita Prefecture's finest gorge scenery.
It is located at the hidden hot spring Natsuse Onsen, cherished since the Edo period as a medicinal bath, and one of its charms is the silence created by being surrounded by nothing but nature, with no houses or other inns nearby.
All 10 guest rooms come with open-air baths, allowing guests to fully enjoy natural free-flowing hot spring water in complete privacy and at a relaxed pace.
4. Tazawako Lake Resort Natural Hot Spring
A lodging facility in the Tazawako Plateau at the foot of Mt. Akita-Komagatake.
It is conveniently located near Lake Tazawa, the Kakunodate samurai residences, and Dakigaeri Gorge, making it a useful base for sightseeing around Lake Tazawa.
There are two hot spring baths: Katakuri no Yu, featuring a tsuboniwa-style design, and Kokumasa no Yu, a Japanese-style bath with a gazebo and rock arrangements, and both are equipped with open-air and indoor baths.
Enjoy the Charms of Mountains and Sea at the Same Time! 2 Recommended Places to Stay in the Yurihonjo and Chokai Area
The symbol of the Yurihonjo and Chokai Area in southwestern Akita Prefecture is majestic Mt. Chokai.
Its graceful form, rising to 2,236 meters and known as the Dewa Fuji, stands in striking contrast to the Sea of Japan below, creating one of Akita's finest views.
The area is also home to many sake breweries thanks to the underground water from Mt. Chokai, and the flavors nurtured by this pure water are part of the pleasure of traveling here.
This area also stands out for offering both marine activities such as swimming and SUP and mountain activities such as trekking on Mt. Chokai.
It suits both active travelers and those who want to slow down and relax while taking in the scenery.
Here are two places where you can enjoy sweeping panoramas of the great outdoors.
1. 99glam
A dome-style glamping facility in Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, opened in 2023.
It is set in a natural location in the Dewa Chokai area, with Mt. Chokai to the south and the Sea of Japan to the west.
One of its appeals is that you can enjoy hotel-like comfort together with the sense of openness unique to the outdoors.
There are three types of guest rooms: Standard, Premium, and Dog Type, where guests can stay with their dogs.
2. Foresta Chokai
Foresta Chokai is a hot spring resort hotel standing at the foot of Mt. Chokai in Yurihonjo City, Akita Prefecture.
Surrounded by beech forests and highland nature, it offers scenery that changes beautifully with the seasons.
The nearby Chokai Plateau is also known as one of Japan's leading stargazing spots, making a stay surrounded by grand nature and a sky full of stars especially appealing.
All guest rooms face south and offer sweeping views of Mt. Chokai and the highlands from the windows.
FAQ about Accommodations in Akita
Q
If you're traveling in Akita, which area is best for staying?
A
The Omagari, Kakunodate, and Lake Tazawa Area is recommended, as it offers many ways to enjoy Akita, including historical walks, hot springs, abundant nature, and fireworks.
Q
If you're taking a family trip with children in Akita, which area should you stay in?
A
The Shirakami, Noshiro, and Oga Area is recommended, with its variety of nature experiences and cultural facilities.
Summary
As introduced here, each area of Akita has its own distinct appeal.
The north offers mountain worship and Matagi culture, the northwest is home to World Natural Heritage forests and a rugged coastline, the inland area preserves samurai residences and famous hot springs, and the southwest features spectacular views of the Sea of Japan and one of the region's great peaks.
Choose your base to match the kind of trip you want, and you'll be able to experience Akita's deeper charms even more fully.
You may also want to check out this article, which brings together Akita's highlights, including sightseeing spots and local food.