Kakunodate is a quaint town in central Akita Prefecture also known as the Little Kyoto of the Tohoku region. Founded in the 17th century, the town became a bastion for the samurai who shared the town with some of the best merchants of the day. The samurai are gone but their legacy and traditions remain almost intact, making Kakunodate one of the best spots in Japan to get a feel for the bygone era.
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For centuries Kakunodate was divided into two districts, the samurai district and the merchant district. Today, the main attraction is by far the former rather than the latter and a visit to this part of Akita is centred around the samurai theme and on the northern part of town. Along the picturesque street are Ishiguro Samurai Residence and the Aoyagi Manor, two of the best kept samurai homes. This side of town is also home to popular soba noodle shops, omiyage stores, and the Denshokan Museum which exhibits traditional arts and crafts pieces from the heyday of Kakunodate. Kakunodate has been known throughout history for its “kabazaiku” (cherry-bark art) and the Denshokan is the place to see it. The samurai district is best seen on foot or on a slow rickshaw ride.
The southern part of town, the merchant district offers less historical attractions but it is still worth the visit as some architectural masterpieces still remain in this area. Ando Brewery, one of the iconic merchants of the Kakunodate, sits inside a beautiful red brick warehouse building and offers not only delicious miso paste and soy sauce, but also a chance to see historic memorabilia. This district is also home to shrines and local restaurants which tend to be less crowded and open later than those in the samurai district.
Kakunodate is also known for its impressive seasonal festivities. In the spring, the town’s cherry blossoms adorn the historic district for the hanami festivals. The summer and winter offer the Sasara-mai lion dance and the Hiburi Kamakura beginning-of-the-year fire celebration. While in the fall, locals gather on the streets to celebrate Kakunodate Matsuri, the town’s own UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage contribution which sees 18 tall floats or “Hikiyama” parade around town that fight with each other for the right of way.- Kakunodate Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum
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