After spending the morning in Akita City’s Senshu Park, I was off to Kakunodate in the afternoon.
If you just go to the Senshu Park in Akita and do nothing else, then you can easily also visit Kakunodate and enjoy everything there is to see! No need to hurry! ^__^
In front of Kakunodate Station there were some cute Totoro figures. There were also coin lockers available which was great!
Exploring Kakunodate
Kakunodate is mostly famous for cherry blossoms and old samurai houses.
The street that led from the station to the houses was decorated. Colorful!
There were also a few smaller shrines and temples on the way. I was impressed by this huge statue.
I loved this tiny pink house. If I remember correctly it was some kind of shop.
I have to admit that I mainly went because of the cherry blossoms and NOT because of the samurai houses.
I’ve seen so many old samurai residences already … and while they can be interesting, it’s not something I’m hunting for (unlike castles).
Furthermore Kakunodate is known as one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in the Tohoku region!
Hanami Dango! Of course I couldn’t resist and bought a few for myself to eat later while doing hanami (flower viewing).
On my way to the samurai houses I ran into a few spider webs that caught nothing but cherry blossom petals. I wonder if spiders like eating them? Just kidding …
Along the main tourist road, Bukeyashiki Dori, the samurai houses are lined up on the left and on the right.
Kakunodate flourished as a castle town and the seat of power in Akita during the feudal period. In the present day, Bukeyashiki (warrior mansions) with their deep groves of trees and dignified facades retain the face of the feudal period and are designated as a Historically Significant Traditional Buildings Preservation Area.
On top of that Kakunodate is most famous for the sight you see in the photo above with the weeping cherry blossom trees (Shidarezakura, 枝垂桜).
Unfoturnately the petals had already fallen down and green leaves were growing instead by the time I visited!
The two biggest and most impressive warrior mansions are: “Aoyagi House” and “Ishiguro House“.
Inside the Ishiguro House.
In front of the “Aoyagi House“. I recommend visiting!
Some awesome old medals and a beautiful folding divider wall.
I loved those. Too bad you weren’t allowed to open them. I’m curious what was inside!
The museum had everything from old times up to modern times! There were also clocks, cameras and gramophone records.
I left the samurai residence and was back on the street again.
There are many smaller cafés and restaurants where people can rest and enjoy the atmosphere!
Besides the samurai houses and restaurants there are also various souvenir shops.
When I suddenly spotted a cat related shop, I couldn’t resist any longer! ^__^;
A woman wearing traditional clothes is posing for the tourists.
You could also enjoy Kakunodate using a rickshaw! ^-^
There’s also a merchant district besides the former samurai district, but I wasn’t very interested and wanted to enjoy the cherry blossoms some more.
Kakunodate is actually a former castle town, but the castle doesn’t exist anymore.
Yet I wanted to go to the spot where the castle once stood.
And so I walked towards the cherry blossom paradise.
While the weeping sakura trees have already turned green, the standard cherry blossom trees were in full bloom!
Tons of trees line up along the Hinokinai River.
The landscape with the pink cherry blossoms, the blue river and all the green was just breathtaking!
And as if this wasn’t enough already the mountains in the background had snow on top.
On my way to the castle ruins. Not many tourists there. I only met like 4 or 5 people.
I guess it’s not a main attraction. I also couldn’t find any details in my pamphlets.
The view from up there was absolutely awesome!!!
All the tourists who didn’t come up definitely missed something!
As it was quiet up there (no people) and I had such a great view I decided that it was time to eat the Hanami Dango I bought earlier.
Up at the top where the castle once was. It’s a bit of a hike up, but totally worth it!!
It doesn’t take too long. I’d say about 20 minutes one-way.
I went back to the river and decided to stay there until it would get dark.
For me that was the most beautiful spot in Kakunodate anyways!
There were a lot of people having hanami picnics or just enjoying the romantic atmosphere.
The black poster says: “I made nama morokoshi.”
The origin of morokoshi dates back to the Edo period. It is a refined and aromatic confectionery made from azuki beans and a popular souvenir to bring back from Kakunodate!
I got to see a lot in just one day without rushing, so I’m sure you can do the same if you like to.
The next day I had a rather busy day. I visited Hachinohe in the morning and then moved on to the Shimokita Peninsula to go to one of the most sacred places in Japan: Mt. Osore.
I was supposed to go there next spring but then completely changed my itinerary. I like the general landscape and the samurai houses do seem quite interesting.
Going to Akita is pretty far North though. I was also interested in lake Tazawa. Maybe some day…
I wish I could have visited Lake Tazawa as well. There was just not enough time.
At least I have a reason to go back now! *g*
I lived there for a year! Such a beautiful place and so many friendly, wonderful people.
Hi Jeff!
Wow, it must have been nice to live there!
I bet Tohoku in autumn was absolutely awesome!
This is definitely one place I have high up on my next Japan hit list. The cherry blossoms look magnificent and I really want to check out the historic samurai district.
I’m sure you’ll love it there! ^_^
You didn’t stay for the evening light up? I can spot it in one of the posters. Sakura at night are a sight to behold!
I did stay until dusk. I got to see the illumination. It was nice, but I got to see sakura that were lit up at night elsewhere, so it was ok! ^^
Yeah, interesting, I’d just watched a film on Japanese history and the Samurai and the Cherry Blossoms are symbolic. Like the Cherry Blossom represents a Samurai Warrior, symbolically, and when the petals fall, represent Samurai Warriors who died in battle, symbolically of course.
Maybe you could tell me different or a more accurate reasoning for the significance of Cherry Blossoms.
Cannot wait to go planet hopping, on the same planet mind, you do understand :-))
Jason,
that’s pretty much the major symbolic character of cherry blossoms. They symbolize death.
They’re extremely beautiful and we should enjoy them as long as we can before they vanish forever.
Despite all that, they have a very positive image, of course.
Plus, catching a petal that’s just falling down is said to bring you good luck, so try it if you get a chance to. ;)
Here’s much more on the topic!
Hi there! I’m planning a cherry blossom trip to Japan and came across your amazing page. I’m still hesitating shall I do Hakone or Kakunodate. From your pictures it seems like it’s not over crowded in Kakunodate. Have you been to both and which one would you recommend? Thanks!
How come, you’re comparing Hakone with Kakunodate?
They’re very different destinations, so I’d say it all depends on what you’re truly interested in.
Hakone has an amazing shrine and if you like volcanic landscapes and onsen, that’s where you should go. Also, it can be easily done as a day trip from Tokyo.
I’m not sure if you’ll get too see that many cherry blossoms there, though.
Kakunodate is famous for the weeping cherry blossom trees and the samurai residences. So, if that’s what you’re interested in, you should go for it.
However, Kakunodate is up northeast of Tokyo and quite far. This is usually not meant as a day trip from Tokyo.
Both are great, but if you’re not in Tohoku during your trip, I’d say save Kakunodate for next time and go to Hakone instead. ;)
I’ve decided to travel Tohoku. My plan is to land at Tokyo and drive all the way up north to Aomori. My only hope, lesser crowd than Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo during cherry blossom season.
That sounds awesome. I’m sure you’ll love it. :D
It will be crowded there at certain spots as well, but not as bad as Kyoto / Tokyo. ;)
Thank you very much!