Akita

Where Nature and Tradition Shape Everyday Life

In northern Japan, Akita is a region of mountains, forests, and lakes, where the changing seasons have long shaped the way people live. Heavy winter snowfall and fertile land have supported rice cultivation, sake brewing, and traditional crafts, many of which continue in local communities today.

In Kakunodate, old samurai residences stand alongside workshops where artisans practise the centuries-old craft of cherry-bark work. On the Oga Peninsula, a new generation of brewers is finding its own approach to sake, while around Lake Tazawa, quiet country roads and clear blue waters invite a slower exploration of the landscape. These are places where visitors can spend time with local people and see how the region's traditions continue today.