Akita sits in the northern part of Japan’s Tōhoku region and offers travelers experiences rooted in long-held traditions, lively festivals, and scenic valleys. Its capital city blends seasonal appeal with cultural offerings, from Senshu Park, once the site of Kubota Castle, where cherry blossoms and lotuses draw locals and visitors alike, to the Akita Museum of Art, a striking building designed by famed architect Tadao Ando that displays works including pieces by Tsuguharu Foujita. The city also hosts the Akita Kanto Festival each August, during which performers balance tall bamboo poles with glowing lanterns high above their heads in an impressive parade of skill and light.

Festivals and seasonal events give insight into Akita’s cultural roots. In winter, the Yokote Snow Festival transforms streets into a glowing scene of Kamakura, snow huts built each February, with lit interiors and altars for water deities that invite visitors inside for warm drinks and rice cakes. In summer, the Akita Kanto Festival draws crowds to see hundreds of glowing lanterns sway above spectators as music and dance weave through the evening. Both events link modern enjoyment with age-old practices that have been passed down through centuries.