The cultural themes of Ōdate City range from historic wooden buildings and Magewappa craftsmanship to Akita dogs and Kiritanpo. For your trip, you can choose a focus: architectural history, crafts, traditions or cuisine. The architectural history goes back to 1687, while Magewappa craftsmanship was promoted in the second half of the 17th century.

Architectural history in Ōdate City

In the historic old town of Ōdate City stands Sakura Yagurakan, a rare surviving wooden building from the early Shōwa period. The main buildings of Shō Hachimangū and Wakamiya Hachimangū also offer a concrete architectural comparison: both are single-bay buildings in the Nagare-zukuri style and date from 1687. Their architectural style and date thus provide two shared points of comparison. The two main buildings of Ōdate Hachiman Shrine offer another distinct aspect: they are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

Magewappa: materials and craftsmanship

Ōdate Magewappa is designated a traditional Japanese craft. In the second half of the 17th century, the Satake-nishi family, lords of Ōdate Castle, promoted the craft as a sideline for lower-ranking samurai. The craft uses natural Akita cedar, known for its elasticity and beautiful grain. The thinly peeled wood is softened in hot water, bent and sewn together with mountain cherry bark. The process thus combines pliable cedar wood with a seam made from tree bark. Ryōbian offers a course in making Ōdate Magewappa. Before visiting, check whether it is possible to take part.

Akita dogs and cultural heritage

Akita Inu no Sato is a tourist information and exchange facility run by Ōdate City, located a one-minute walk from Ōdate Station. Visitors can learn about the origins of Akita dogs at the museum. Every day, Akita dogs belonging to members of the Akita Dog Preservation Society take turns welcoming visitors to Akita Inu no Sato. As the dogs change daily, it is advisable to check which dogs will appear on the day of your visit before your trip. The headquarters of the Akita Dog Preservation Society are located in Akita Dog Hall. Ōdate-bayashi is also designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Ōdate City.

Traditions and cuisine

The Ōdate Amekko Market features a procession of Shirahige Ōkami, the White-Bearded God, and a parade of Akita dogs. According to tradition, the procession represents a deity coming down from Mount Tashiro to buy sweets. In this way, a traditional legend and a dog parade feature as distinct parts of the program. Individual elements may change between editions, so check the program for the event you plan to attend before visiting.

Kiritanpo hot pot is part of Ōdate City's culinary history. From the mid-Meiji period onward, restaurants and inns in Ōdate served it as a meal for guests; individual establishments developed their own flavors and ingredients. In the wider Ōdate area, households preserve Kiritanpo as traditional home cooking and serve it on festive occasions. The same dish thus appears in different contexts: the historic hospitality of the city and the household and festive traditions of the wider area.

Getting around Ōdate City

The central area of Ōdate City lies in the city center. Ōdate Station, the city hall, the municipal hospital and other public facilities are concentrated there. This practical point of reference complements the cultural themes and can help with planning.

Discover more destinations: Yuzawa, Daisen, Oga, Fujisato, Yokote, Kosaka, Noshiro, Yamamoto District

For the broader travel overview: Akita Prefecture.