*The place with the story are marked with
Access
30 min from Akita city.
Akita station – JR Uetsu Honsen 23min – Iwaki Minato station – 5min walking.
Michi-no-Eki Iwaki
- 道の駅岩城
Michi-no-Eki Iwaki
A roadside station by the sea, it is a great spot for looking over the grand Sea of Japan, with hot springs and open-air baths. We recommend the local food “Honjo Ham Fry Burger”! The rental cottages are also popular, and it is a perfect stop on a road trip.
Access
15min from Michi-no-Eki Iwaki
Akita station – Iwaki Minato station – JR Uetsu Honsen 5min – Ugo Kameda station – 34min walking.
Amasagi Village
- 天鷺村
Amasagi Village
A spot where you can experience history and culture. You can see as far away as the Japan Sea from the top of the 22-meter tall Amasagi Castle. The Japanese garden has a different scenery for all four seasons, and you can see traditional Japanese houses. Wherever you are in the garden, you can take a beautiful photograph that is very Japanese. We recommend “Amasagi Prime Wine,” made by the local winery, as a souvenir.
Access
20min from Amasagi Village
Akita station – Ugo Kameda station – JR Uetsu Honsen 6min – Ugo Iwaya station – 5min walking
Akada’s Great Buddha
- 赤田の大仏
Akada’s Great Buddha
At 9 meters tall, this giant statue of Kannon is one of the three biggest statues of Hase Kannon in Japan, and it is made of wood with gold leaf. The moment you open the door, you’re sure to swallow your breath! You are free to visit, but please remove your shoes at the steps before you come in.
Access
20min from Akada’s Great Buddha
Akita station – Ugo Iwaya station – JR Uetsu Honsen 6min – Ugo Honjo station – 20min walking
Ishiwaki St.
- 石脇通
Ishiwaki St.
Ishiwaki St. is famous for its tasty water, and there are still several shops that make use of the spring water. We will feature four of them.
A Saiya Sake Brewery
- 齋彌酒造
Saiya Sake Brewery
This brewery has won several awards for the chief brewer’s commitment to quality and traditional techniques. If you make a reservation, you can have a tour of the brewery and enjoy sake tasting. November in particular is the beginning of the brewing season, and you may be lucky enough to see them brewing the sake.
2min walk from Saiya Sake Brewery
B Honjo Udon noodle factory and shop
- 本荘うどん
Honjo Udon noodle factory and shop
This udon has no additives, made with only natural spring water, salt, and flour. It is a small family-run udon factory, but they have strong commitment to their recipe. Because the taste of the noodles depends on how they are dried, they air-dry their noodles with accurate judgments based on the weather. You cannot eat the udon noodles here, but please do buy some as a souvenir. If you’re lucky, they might show you the room where they dry the udon noodles.
2min walk from Honjo Udon noodle factory and shop
C Yoshinoya Ichijiku(Fig) Main Store
- 吉野屋菓子舗
Yoshinoya Ichijiku(Fig) Main Store
Yurihonjo is famous for its Ichijiku(Fig), and Yoshinoya is a well-established Fig sweets store. The compotes go very well with tea. We also recommend their jams and baked sweets.
1min walk from Yoshinoya Ichijiku(Fig) Main Store.
D Maruichi Soy Sauce and Miso Brewery
- マルイチしょうゆ・みそ醸造元
Maruichi Soy Sauce and Miso Brewery
Founded in 1870 (Meiji year 3), this soy sauce and miso brewery has an almost 150 year history. The storefront is an old and refined building. The courtyard has a lake with spring water running into it, and you can tell how they can make such delicious soy sauce and miso. We recommend the “dashi soy sauce” for udon and soba noodles, and Maruichi’s special fish ponzu sauce. They come in small sizes which are perfect for souvenirs.
Access
6min from Ishiwaki St. area
20min walk from Ishiwaki St. area – Ugohonjo station – Yurikogen Railway 39min – Yashima station
Yurikogen Railway
- 由利高原鉄道 矢島駅
Yurikogen Railway – Yashima station
A local railway connecting the Sea of Japan to Mt. Chokai. You can enjoy the view of the grand Mt. Chokai and the beautiful seasonal views of nature from the train. They have special trains running throughout the year, so be sure to check what kinds of trains are running now. We particularly recommend the “Magokoro Train,” a day-trip train with the attendant “Obako” as your guide. You cannot use your JR Pass here, but you can purchase a day pass on weekends for 1,100 yen.
Access
Foresta Chokai, Hanatate Ranch Cottage, Chokaiso
20min from Yashima station.
Hotel Masaka
25min from Yashima station.
Chokai Plateau & Sarukura Hot Springs
- フォレスタ鳥海・鳥海荘・ホテルまさか
Foresta Chokai, Chokaiso, Hotel Masaka
Chokai Plateau and Sarukura Hot Springs are at the foot of Mt. Chokai. On a clear day, you can see the reflection of Mt. Chokai in the lake from a cottage on Chokai Plateau. You can also relax in the natural hot springs at each hotel in Sarukura Hot Springs to refresh yourself from your trip. These hotels have views of Mt. Chokai from the rooms and hot springs. Enjoy a stay that fits your style!
Hanatate Ranch Cottage
Access
38min from Chokai Plateau & Sarukura Hot Springs, 40min from Yashima station.
Hottai Waterfall
- 法体の滝
Hottai Waterfall
A gorgeous three-level waterfall made of the abundant meltwater of Mt. Chokai and spring water, and one of the top 100 waterfalls in Japan. The waterfall increases in volume and intensity the day after rainfall and during the spring thaw. You can take the pathway up partway to see the waterfall from the side. We also recommend the food from the shop by the parking lot, which has great oden in autumn.
Access
1h20min from Hottai waterfall, 25min from Yurihonjo city center.
Yashima station – Yurikogen railway 39min – Ugo Honjo station – JR Uetsu Honsen 12min – Nikaho station – 6min walking.
Kitchen Fish Restaurant
- キッチンさかなやさん
Kitchen Fish Restaurant
A restaurant managed from fishers. You can choose freshly-caught fish, and choose whether to have them grilled or boiled. If you want to have sashimi, order the sashimi assortment recommended by the manager. The seasonal fish are served as Japanese-style meals with rice and miso soup. You can also see them making sashimi up-close.
