tripuuu.log
Winter Scenery · Tohoku

Kakunodate Samurai District in Snow

Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto OnsenOld town❄ Best season: Late Jan – Late Feb✦ Illumination
Search by dates and destination
Overview

Overview

Kakunodate’s samurai residence street, which keeps the feel of an Edo-period castle town, is wrapped in snow in winter, from its black fences to the residence gardens’ trees. Every winter, the Yukizakura Kakunodate illumination lights up the Iwahashi samurai residence, offering a scene unique to snowy nights.

Address
Shimocho, Omotemachi, Kakunodate-machi, Semboku, Akita
Closures & winter suspensions
The Iwahashi, Matsumoto, Kawarada and Odano residences, among others, are open only April–November and closed in winter
Time needed
About 1–2 hours to stroll the street and visit the residences
Official website
https://tazawako-kakunodate.com/
Peak Time

When to Go

Best seasonWinter (the Yukizakura Kakunodate illumination usually runs from late January to late February)
December
January
February

Snowfall depends on each year’s weather. Check Semboku City’s announcement for the 2027 illumination dates

Seasons are typical guides. Snow, ice and drift ice depend heavily on each year’s weather.

Highlights

Highlights

The contrast between the black board fences and the white snow is the winter highlight. During the illumination, the snow-covered trees and residence of the Iwahashi family house are lit up, viewed from outside the black fence on the street. The Aoyagi and Ishiguro residences are open in winter too.

📷 Best views
Samurai residence street

A street lined with black board fences and snowy residence gardens

Iwahashi residence (illumination)

View the snowy residence from outside the black fence on the street

Illumination

Illumination & winter lights

Period
Usually late January to late February (January 23 – February 23 in 2026)

The gate of the Iwahashi residence is closed and you cannot go inside. 16:30–22:00 in 2026

Hours

Opening hours

Aoyagi residence (December–March)9:00–16:00
Ishiguro residence (December–March)9:00–16:00

Irregular closures

In winter, hours can change and services can be suspended because of the weather. Check the official website before you go.

Admission

Admission & fares

Aoyagi residenceAdults ¥500, junior high and high school students ¥300, elementary school students ¥200
Ishiguro residenceAdults ¥500, elementary and junior high school students ¥300

Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Visibility is poor at night, so watch out for cars and snowplows as you walk
  • ✓Only a few samurai residences can be visited inside in winter, so check in advance
Access

Getting there

Nearest station / bus stop
  • Kakunodate Station (Akita Shinkansen)About 20–25 min on foot
Driving & winter roads
The municipal Sakuranamiki parking lot is free in winter
Getting back
  • After the evening illumination, the ground is dark and easily icy, so allow plenty of time for the walk back to the station
Open in Google Maps ↗
Weather

Temperature & staying warm

Typical temperatures
January normals for Kakunodate: high 1.5°C, low -4.9°C; February: high 2.7°C, low -4.7°C (Japan Meteorological Agency)
What to wear & bring
This area gets a lot of snow. Wear waterproof snow boots, a heavy coat, gloves and a hat
☁ Tohoku weather by month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Rules

Rules & safety

  • !View the Iwahashi residence illumination from the street (you cannot go inside the gate)
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Kakunodate Samurai District in SnowPR

PRSee more places to stay near Kakunodate Samurai District in Snow on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Events

Events & festivals in Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen

February

Yokote Kamakura Festival

Tohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen

From 2026, held every year on the second Friday and Saturday of February (the Friday and Saturday just before the Bonden events; changed to the second Friday and Saturday on a trial basis through 2029)

2027: Feb 12 (Fri) & Feb 13 (Sat)

August

Akita Kanto Festival

Tohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen

Every year August 3–6 (night kanto on all 4 days; daytime kanto = Myogi Taikai skills competition on the 4th–6th)

See all events →
Attractions

Attractions in Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen

Zoo

Akita Omoriyama Zoo

Tohoku ・ Akita City, Akita

A zoo in Omoriyama Park run by Akita City. As of August 2026, it keeps 524 animals of 88 species. Admission is free for high school students and younger, and with the Anipa amusement park and large play equipment on site, families can spend a whole day here.

Aquarium

Oga Aquarium GAO

Tohoku ・ Oga, Akita

An aquarium on the Sea of Japan coast of the Oga Peninsula. It has a large tank recreating the Oga sea, exhibits of polar bears, seals, penguins, and more, and a museum devoted to hatahata (sandfish), an Akita specialty. From Akita Station, take the JR Oga Line to Oga Station (about 1 hour), then a bus or shared taxi.

☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
See all attractions →
Winter Scenery

Winter Scenery in Tohoku

Hot spring town

Ginzan Onsen

Tohoku ・ Ginzan Onsen & Obanazawa

❄ Best season: Mid Dec – Early Mar

✦ Illumination
Snowy village

Ouchi-juku in Snow

Tohoku ・ Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku

❄ Best season: Early Jan – Late Feb

Frozen waterfall & icicles

Oirase Gorge Ice Falls

Tohoku ・ Lake Towada & Oirase

❄ Best season: Late Jan – Late Feb

✦ Illumination
See all winter scenery spots →

Seasons, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Winter weather often causes suspensions and road closures, so check the official website before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-06

PRKlookKakunodate & Lake Tazawa Private Charter from AkitaA private car from and back to Akita City, visiting the Kakunodate samurai residences, Lake Tazawa and more. The itinerary can be adjusted on requestView