Mama-Chari Foodies Tour at Lake Tazawa – AKITA

Leisurely Cycling Tour with Local Food & Lakeside Views

Mama-Chari Foodies is a leisurely cycling experience around the scenic shores of Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan, set against the charming rural backdrop of Akita.

During this two-hour tour, enjoy local flavours such as onigiri (rice balls) and mochi (rice cakes) made from rice grown by nearby farmers, visit a renowned honey shop, and relax with a coffee break overlooking the tranquil lakeside.

About the Experience

Discover the food and scenery of Lake Tazawa by mama-chari, a traditional Japanese everyday bicycle.

Cycle through the countryside, with views of rice paddies, mountains and the lake, stopping at local cafés and shops along the way. Make your own onigiri using regional ingredients, discover locally produced honey, and enjoy the flavours of Akita at a relaxed pace.

Itinerary

Make Onigiri at “cafe+inn That Sounds Good!”

Visit a café and inn known for its rice balls made with locally grown rice. Enjoy onigiri with Akita pickles while taking in views of the rice paddies and mountains. Make your own onigiri using rice and ingredients from the region.

Discover Local Honey at Hachimitsu-ya

Akita is famous for its rice, but the Lake Tazawa region is also known for honey production.
Visit Hachimitsu-ya, a popular local gift shop offering honey from the Lake Tazawa area and around the world, along with a variety of honey-related products.
Approximate stop: 30 minutes

Enjoy Lakeside Views at ORAE

Stop at ORAE, a restaurant and brewery serving dishes made with ingredients from the local area and across Akita.
Enjoy panoramic views of Lake Tazawa through its large windows.
Approximate stop: 30 minutes

Visit Cafe Zawazawa

Discover a café specialising in craft cola and sweets made from rice flour. Inside, you can also find a gallery displaying photographs by young photographers.
Approximate stop: 10 minutes

Basic Information

Location	Lake Tazawa, Akita
Duration	2 hours
Group Size	1–6 guests (FIT / Group)
Meeting Point	Tazawako Rent-a-cycle
Price	From JPY 29,000 per person
Operating Season	After Golden Week until the end of October
Transportation	Optional return transfer to the meeting point

Your Host / Guide

Akita INAKA Travel — Local Guides

Makito Kochihira (Mac) — Akita INAKA Travel

Born in Okinawa and raised in Nepal, Makito moved to Akita for university. After graduating, he worked as a community revitalisation coordinator in Semboku City.

Mikiya Sugawara (Mickey)

Born and raised in Tokyo, Mikiya spent his childhood holidays visiting his grandparents in Akita, where he developed a love for the region’s nature. After working for an electronic components manufacturer in Akita for a year and a half, he decided to become a guide to work more closely with nature. His mother was an English teacher, so he was exposed to English from an early age.