Akita Travel Guide by a Local
Masanori Kato
Welcome to the English edition of Akita no Mikata. I’m Kato, and I live in Akita Prefecture in northern Japan. On the Japanese side of this site I write about local festivals, events and everyday life in Akita. Here I’m translating the guides that are most useful to visitors from overseas, with practical details on tickets, access and what to wear in the snow.
Travel Guides
- Namahage Sedo Festival 2027 in Oga, Japan: Dates, Tickets and Access
A local’s guide to the Namahage Sedo Festival in Oga, Akita, Japan (12–14 Feb 2027): advance registration, shuttle buses from Oga Station, the program, what to wear in the snow, and where to eat. - Skiing in Akita, Japan 2026-27: All 12 Ski Resorts and How to Choose
A local’s guide to all 12 ski areas in Akita, Japan for 2026-27: season dates, the best resorts for visitors (Tazawako, snow monsters at Moriyoshi, Hachimantai until May), access, rentals and hot springs. - Winter Illuminations in Akita, Japan: Hikari no Fantasy Guide
A local’s guide to Akita Hikari no Fantasy, the free winter illumination in Akita, Japan, from Akita Station to Area Nakaichi: usual dates (late Nov to Feb), where to see the lights, access, parking and tips for a snowy night. - Bears in Akita, Japan: Is It Safe to Visit? A Local’s Safety Guide
Is it safe to visit Akita, Japan with bears around? A local’s guide to the current bear alerts, how to use Akita’s Kumadas sighting map without reading Japanese, when and where to be careful, and what to do if you meet a bear. - Akita Kanto Festival in Japan: Dates, Best Spots, Seats and Tips
A local’s guide to the Akita Kanto Festival in northern Japan, held August 3–6 every year: night performance times, the five balancing techniques, paid seats vs. free viewing, how to get there from Tokyo, hotels and what to bring. - Omagari Fireworks Festival, Japan: Tickets, Times and Access
A local’s guide to the Omagari Fireworks, Japan’s National Fireworks Competition in Akita: dates and times, the unique daytime fireworks, how tickets work for overseas visitors (no free viewing inside the venue), trains from Tokyo and where to stay.
Coming Soon
- Kakunodate Festival
- Hanawa Bayashi
- Autumn leaves in Akita
About Akita
Akita is on the Sea of Japan side of the Tohoku region, about four hours from Tokyo on the Akita Shinkansen. It is home to the UNESCO-listed Namahage of Oga, the Kanto lantern festival, the samurai town of Kakunodate, mountain hot springs and long, snowy winters.