Trip to Semboku, Japan: how to get there, how many days and when to go

Semboku – Akita

How to get there

Aeroporto de Akita (AXT) Akita · 45 km
Estação de Kakunodate 1 km

Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.

Kakunodate Station is on the Komachi Shinkansen line, about 3 hours from Tokyo and 50 minutes from Akita. Tazawako Station, on the same line, serves the lake and Nyuto Onsen. Akita Airport is about 45 km away, with buses.

How many days

One day for Kakunodate. With two days, include Lake Tazawa and one night at Nyuto Onsen. Three days allow hiking on Mount Komagatake in summer.

When to go

Late April and early May have the cherry blossoms. From June to September the weather is mild, with good days for the lake. October brings autumn foliage. From December to March snowfall is heavy, and it’s the most sought-after time for the Nyuto baths.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No, not for Kakunodate, which is explored on foot, nor for the lake and Nyuto, which are served by buses from Tazawako Station. A car makes it easier to circle the lake and to move between Nyuto’s seven inns, but roads need caution in winter.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Semboku

Morning
Samurai district
Walk from the station to Uchimachi and stroll along the samurai houses’ street, entering the Aoyagi House and the Ishiguro House.
Afternoon
Hinokinai River bank
Go down to the Hinokinai River and walk along the tree-lined embankment. Visit the cherry-bark crafts museum, the kabazaiku.
Late afternoon
Merchants’ quarter
Return through the merchants’ area, to the south, with thick-walled warehouses and shops selling miso and shoyu.

2 days in Semboku

Day 1

Morning
Kakunodate
Start with the open houses in the samurai district and walk along the Hinokinai River embankment.
Afternoon
Lake Tazawa
Take the Shinkansen to Tazawako and a bus to the lake. See the statue of Tatsuko and the red torii of Gozanoishi Shrine.

Day 2

Morning
Nyuto Onsen baths
After a night at an inn in Nyuto, try the baths at a different house in the group, such as Tsurunoyu, with milky water.
Afternoon
Drive around the lake
Go down to the lake and follow the shore by car or bicycle, stopping at the beaches on the west side before taking the train.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Are Kakunodate and Semboku the same city?

Kakunodate is the old castle town; since 2005 it has been part of the municipality of Semboku, which also includes Lake Tazawa and Nyuto Onsen. The station and the samurai district still carry the name Kakunodate.

How many samurai houses can be visited in Kakunodate?

Six houses in the Uchimachi district usually open to visitors. The larger ones, Aoyagi and Ishiguro, charge admission; the smaller ones usually do not. Opening days vary in winter.

What is kabazaiku?

It is Kakunodate’s craft made from cherry bark, polished until it shines, used for tea boxes, cases and trays. There is a museum dedicated to it next to the samurai district.

Can you bathe at Nyuto Onsen without staying overnight?

Yes. Inns usually accept day visitors at set times. Guests can buy a pass to use the baths of the seven houses.

Beyond the guide

Your trip to Semboku.

How to get there

How many days

When to go

Do you need a car?

An order that works

Frequently asked questions

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