If you are considering Akita as a travel destination, you can include cultural history, seasonal park scenery and views in your plans. Highlights range from the former Kubota Castle and its long association with the Akita Domain to lotus blossoms in summer. There is also a museum with changing exhibitions and practical walking-time estimates from JR Akita Station.

Castle History and the Seasons

Senshu Park occupies the former site of Kubota Castle. For 267 years, from 1602 to 1869, it was the residence of the Satake daimyō of the Akita Domain. After the Battle of Sekigahara, Satake Yoshinobu was transferred from Hitachi to Akita. He had a new castle and castle town built on Mount Shinmei, the site of today’s Senshu Park. The former castle site is now Senshu Park.

The seasons change the park’s scenery: cherry trees blossom in spring, and the leaves change color in autumn. Visitors can take a walk there. In summer, lotus flowers bloom in the Ōtemon Moat and Ko-getsu Pond in the Ninomaru area; both spots offer a chance to admire the blossoms. Spring and autumn bring different seasonal park scenery, while summer puts the lotus blossoms in the spotlight.

The reconstruction of the corner tower of Kubota Castle also reflects the history of the site. According to historical accounts, a two-story structure was built and later supplemented with an observation tower. From there, you can look out over Akita City. Inside, panels explain the history of the Satake clan. The tower thus combines views over the city with a closer look at the clan’s history.

Museum and Festival Culture

Red Brick Hall was the former headquarters of Akita Bank. Construction began in 1909 and was completed in 1912. The building was donated to the City of Akita in 1981. After restoration, it opened in 1985 as the municipal Red Brick Folk Museum. Red Brick Hall is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

The Red Brick Folk Museum comprises three buildings: Red Brick Hall, a new building and a storage facility. The new building hosts changing exhibitions on the history, folklore, art and crafts of the Akita region. If you would like to plan your visit around a particular exhibition, you can check the current program in advance.

The Kantō Festival program includes team and individual competitions with the Ōwaka. It also features performances by musicians, including ensembles of taiko drums and flutes. If the festival will determine your travel dates, check the specific event dates before making plans.

Walking Times, Wildlife Viewing and Guided Tours

It takes about five minutes to walk from JR Akita Station to the Senshu Park Pocket Park and about 15 minutes to the Ninomaru site. These estimates refer to different destinations; walking times may vary depending on the route and pace.

Asove no Mori offers a different kind of wildlife viewing: a wildlife-viewing play structure leads through animal enclosures. A long slide and net hammocks let visitors observe the animals up close. This makes wildlife viewing a distinct activity alongside the historic sites and park landscapes.

Free volunteer-guided tours of Akita Castle Historical Park are offered daily from April 1 through November 30, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Individuals can come to the Historical Park administrative building without booking in advance; groups are asked to make a reservation. As this is seasonal visitor information, it is a good idea to check the latest schedule before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Semboku, Daisen, Yurihonjō, Noshiro, Yuzawa, Oga, Yokote, Kosaka

For the full travel overview: Akita Prefecture.