Kakunodate, Samurai District, Lake Tazawa, Nyuto Onsen
The area around Kakunodate, known for its samurai district and weeping cherry trees, Lake Tazawa with its beautiful lakeside scenery, and Nyuto Onsen, a secluded hot spring village in the mountains. Located inland in Akita Prefecture, it has high annual precipitation of 2,159 mm and is a heavy-snow area, with around 100 cm of snow on the ground in February (temperatures are for Kakunodate).
JMA forecast issued Oct 22, 11 AM
Weather and wind are for the wider area; temperature is for the main forecast point. Chance of rain is for the 6-hour period. There is no 3-hourly temperature forecast for this area, so temperatures are not shown.
According to Semboku City records, the weeping cherry trees of the samurai district have reached full bloom in mid to late April in recent years.
| Month | High | Low | Precip. | Max snow depth | What to wear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1.5℃ | −4.9℃ | 171.6mm | 81cm | Full winter gearDown coat, thermal layers, gloves, hat, snow boots |
| Feb | 2.7℃ | −4.7℃ | 140.5mm | 100cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Mar | 6.9℃ | −2.1℃ | 135.7mm | 80cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
| Apr | 14.7℃ | 2.9℃ | 129.1mm | 14cm | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| May | 21.1℃ | 9.2℃ | 148.7mm | — | T-shirt + layerT-shirt, plus light long sleeves for mornings and evenings |
| Jun | 25.2℃ | 14.6℃ | 152.3mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Jul | 28.1℃ | 19.0℃ | 273.6mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Aug | 29.7℃ | 19.8℃ | 254.9mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Sep | 25.5℃ | 15.2℃ | 180.5mm | — | T-shirtT-shirt, with a light layer for evenings and air conditioning |
| Oct | 18.7℃ | 8.1℃ | 171.5mm | — | Long sleeves + jacketLong sleeves with a light jacket or hoodie |
| Nov | 11.1℃ | 2.2℃ | 202.5mm | 6cm | Warm jacketLight down or winter coat, sweater |
| Dec | 4.1℃ | −2.1℃ | 197.8mm | 45cm | Winter coatDown or heavy coat, gloves, waterproof shoes |
Clothing tips are based on the normal high temperature and snow depth. Bring an extra layer for mornings and evenings.
PR8.2Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Cherry blossoms from mid to late April. April mornings are around 3°C, and snow lingers until March.
Highs of 28–30°C. July and August are fairly rainy, and the shores of Lake Tazawa are a little cooler.
The October high is around 19°C, with mornings around 8°C. In November, rainy and snowy days become more frequent.
The January high is 1.5°C, with mornings around -5°C. The snow is deep, so you'll need waterproof shoes and a thick coat.
FebruaryTohoku ・ 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)
AugustTohoku ・ 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)
Avenue & old townTohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen
🌸 Typical peak: Mid Apr – Late Apr
Old townTohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen
❄ Best season: Late Jan – Late Feb
🎆 AugustTohoku ・ Daisen, Akita
🎆 Every year on the last Saturday of August
♨ OnsenTohoku ・ Semboku, Akita
♨ Day use Adults ¥700, children ¥300 (as of October 2026)
Gorge🍁 Typical peak
ZooTohoku ・ 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.
AquariumTohoku ・ 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.
🚄 JR
🚄 JRNationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed
From ¥50,000
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (climate normals 1991-2020). Compiled by tripuuu.log. Temperature and snow figures are normals from the Kakunodate station; actual weather varies from year to year.
