JP · Akita Prefecture · 39.72°N 140.10°E

akita

Lantern-balancing festivals, a castle park and warming rice-stick hotpot.

Best time
Late April–May and October suit park walks. Early August brings the Kanto festival and the crowds; winter brings snow, wind and slippery pavements.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Tokyo (about 7 hours). Fly on to Akita (about an hour) or take the Akita Shinkansen (about 4 hours). Japan is an hour ahead of KL.
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JP · Akita Prefectureakita39.72°N 140.10°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Lantern-balancing festivals, a castle park and warming rice-stick hotpot.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingAkitaJP, Akita Prefecture
KLakita
≈ 5,609 km from KL, as the crow flies
竿灯妙技会で本人撮影

Photo: STB-1 · CC BY-SA 3.0

1 / 5

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A quiet regional city on the Sea of Japan coast, with a leafy castle park, good art and one of Tohoku's big summer festivals. It's an easy stop on a rail trip through northern Japan.

Makan

  1. Kiritanpo nabeGrilled rice sticks simmered in chicken broth with burdock and mushrooms.Map ↗
  2. Inaniwa udonThin, smooth wheat noodles, served chilled or hot.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Senshu ParkThe old castle grounds, with moats, cherry trees and a rebuilt corner tower.Map ↗
  2. Akita Museum of ArtHome to Foujita's huge mural of Akita life, in a building by Tadao Ando.Map ↗
  3. Neburinagashi-kanA hall of Kanto festival poles, some about 12 metres tall and hung with dozens of lanterns. You can try lifting one.Map ↗
  4. Kanto MatsuriFrom 3 to 6 August, performers balance the lantern poles on their palms, foreheads and shoulders.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Rooms book out months ahead for Kanto in early August.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.