Kakunodate Samurai District and Lake Tazawa

This is a classic Semboku route linking the samurai residences of Kakunodate, known as the little Kyoto of the north, with Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan. Enjoy historic streets and grand lake scenery in a single day.

Course Route

9:00 Start at Kakunodate Samurai Street Walk the Omotemachi and Higashikatsurakucho lanes lined with black wooden fences and weeping cherry trees. Take your time at residences such as the Ishiguro House and Aoyagi House, which still hold the atmosphere of the Edo period. The samurai street is about a 15 to 20 minute walk from Kakunodate Station.

11:00 Lunch in Kakunodate Try local Inaniwa udon or Hinai chicken, and browse the shops selling cherry-bark craft. Eateries and souvenir shops line the area around the samurai street.

12:30 Head to Lake Tazawa Travel to the lakeside by car or bus. Ugo Kotsu local buses also run from Tazawako Station. On arrival, aim for the golden statue of Tatsuko by the shore.

14:00 Drive around Lake Tazawa Gaze at the deep blue water while visiting spots like Gozanoishi Shrine, and enjoy quiet time by the lakeside. Rental cycles and pedal boats are also available at the shore.

Highlights

The samurai street of Kakunodate is a nationally designated preservation district. Lake Tazawa is the deepest lake in Japan, reaching a maximum depth of 423.4 meters, and its blue shifts moment by moment with the angle of light. At Gozanoishi Shrine on the northern shore lies a spring where Tatsuko is said to have drunk.

Access and Tips

Kakunodate Station on the Akita Shinkansen is the gateway. A car is handy for reaching Lake Tazawa, though Ugo Kotsu local buses run from Tazawako Station as well. Cherry blossom and autumn seasons are especially beautiful.

Practical Travel Notes

• Time needed: Around 2 to 3 hours for the Kakunodate samurai district and 2 to 3 hours by Lake Tazawa. It is a full day of content overall.
• Getting around: Kakunodate Station and Tazawako Station, both served by the Akita Shinkansen, are the two hubs, linked by the JR Tazawako Line. Bus service around the lake is limited, so a rental car or rental cycle makes touring more comfortable. Lake Tazawa sightseeing boats typically operate from around April to November.
• About admission: Strolling the streets of Kakunodate is free, but residences that open their interiors, such as the Aoyagi House, are paid facilities. Fees and opening hours differ by residence, so check the local information on site.
• Avoiding crowds: Cherry blossom season, typically late April to early May, and autumn color, typically late October to early November, are very busy. The samurai street is easiest to walk in the quieter early morning.
• Budget sense: In addition to transport, allow for admission at the open residences and for activities at Lake Tazawa.

A Quick Tip

The samurai residences are best in the quiet early morning. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light layer for the breeze off the lake.

Practical Information for Your Visit

About this course (time required and how to get around)

• A one-day round trip. Allow about 2-3 hours for strolling the samurai district of Kakunodate and about 2-3 hours by the shore of Lake Tazawa.
• Kakunodate Station and Tazawako Station, both served by the Akita Shinkansen, are the two main bases. The two stations are linked by the JR Tazawako Line.
• Bus services around Lake Tazawa are limited, so a rental car or rental bicycle makes touring much more comfortable.

Opening hours and closing days of each facility

• Aoyagi House: 9:00-17:00 from April to November, 9:00-16:00 from December to March. Open all year round.
• Ishiguro House: 9:00-17:00 from April to November, 9:00-16:00 from December to March. Closing days are irregular (it may close temporarily).
• Kawarada House: 9:00-17:00 from April to November, 9:00-16:30 from December to March. Closed over the New Year period.
• Iwahashi House and Odano House (open free of charge): April 3-November 30, 9:00-16:30. Open every day during that period.
• Matsumoto House (open free of charge): April 10-November 10, 9:00-16:00. Closing days are irregular.
• Lake Tazawa sightseeing boat: Usually operates from around mid-April to early November.

Price guide

• Aoyagi House: 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for junior and senior high school students, 200 yen for elementary school students.
• Ishiguro House: 500 yen for adults (senior high school age and above), 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students. Discounts are available for groups (15 or more) and for holders of a disability certificate.
• Kawarada House: 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students.
• Iwahashi House, Odano House and Matsumoto House: free of charge.
• Lake Tazawa sightseeing boat: 1,000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children, departing from and returning to Shirahama.
• Strolling along the samurai residence street itself is free of charge.

Access

• About a 15-20 minute walk from Kakunodate Station to the samurai residence street.
• For Lake Tazawa, Ugo Kotsu route buses are available from Tazawako Station. A car is convenient for reaching the Statue of Tatsuko and Gozanoishi Shrine on the lakeshore.
• The Lake Tazawa sightseeing boat departs from and returns to Shirahama, calling at Gozanoishi on the way.

Parking

• There are tourist parking lots around the samurai residence street in Kakunodate. During the cherry blossom season there is congestion and traffic control, so arrive early.
• There are also parking lots on the shore of Lake Tazawa (Shirahama, around the Statue of Tatsuko, and Gozanoishi Shrine).

What needs to be reserved

• No reservation is needed to visit the samurai houses.
• No reservation is needed for individuals on the Lake Tazawa sightseeing boat, but we recommend checking the operating status in advance.
• Book rental cars and rental bicycles early in the busy season.

Points to note and safety information

• The Lake Tazawa sightseeing boat has suspended calls at the Katajiri pier for the time being in order to carry out thorough safety inspections and maintenance of the pier and its surroundings. Please bear this in mind when planning your itinerary.
• The cherry blossom season (usually from late April to early May) and the autumn foliage season (usually from late October to early November) are extremely busy. The samurai residence street is easiest to walk in the quiet morning hours, which we recommend.
• Some of the samurai houses are still lived in today. Please keep to the designated viewing areas and visit quietly.
• Lake Tazawa is the deepest lake in Japan, with a maximum depth of 423.4 m. Windy days are common on the lakeshore, so bringing an extra layer is reassuring. In winter, watch out for icy road surfaces.

* The information given here is subject to change. Please check the official websites for the latest information before setting out.

(Sources: Semboku City official website "Samurai Houses" / Samurai House "Ishiguro-ke" official website / Lake Tazawa Rest House official website "Sightseeing Boat" / as of July 2026)