Akita — Fostering Adventure

Akita, Akita Prefecture

May 1, 2019

The next stop on our circumnavigation of Japan’s main island, Honshu, was the city of Akita. It’s name is well known because of the dog breed that bears the same name, and which evolved in this region of Japan.

Designated as a core city in Japan, it covers an area of over 900 square kilometres, and has a population of 306,000 people. The area that encompasses Akita has been inhabited for thousands of years and as such has a rich history. The Akita Castle was built in 733 A.D., and was established in order to bring all of the local tribes under its control.

Akita’s economy consists of agriculture, forestry and mineral extraction, and the region boasts one of the most important oil fields in Japan. Industries include oil refining, metal and woodworking, and the production of textiles.

Akita was the first harbour we entered on the trip that gave us a significant welcome. By this I mean they were there with everything from drummers to demons to geishas and yes, even dogs.

Although there were a number of organized excursions for Akita, we decided to catch the shuttle bus into town and then walk to Kubota Castle and Senshu Park. Being cherry blossom season we hoped we’d be able to see a good display. We were too late for the trees down in Tokyo, but hoped the cooler climate up here in the north would have slowed the blooms. Alas, these trees were just at the end of the blossoms here as well. But there were still some to see. And the gardens in the park were beautiful.

We found out after getting back to the ship that one of the excursions went to a park someway down the coast which was in full bloom with thousands of trees. It was an amazing sight we were told. Unfortunately the volume of trees was dwarfed by the volume of people. Everyone was apparently bumping elbows and being squished together. We were sad we didn’t get to see it, but happy not to be in the crowds.

Most signposts in Japan have real character and beautiful patinas.

The park sign at the entrance to the park grounds.

A large pond just at the edge of the property.

Walking up the entrance road to the entrance gate.

A detailed info plaque inside the grounds.

It took several very long stairways to get up onto the castle and park level.

This is the main gate to enter the castle grounds.

The "small" entry door at the main gate.

One of the two main gate giant doors.

A lovely view of the fountain area of the park.

More of the lovely aged sign posts.

The bronze statue of Yoshitake Satake, the 20th head of the Satake clan, born in 1609.

Hunting for a good cherry blossom photo.

One of the water features flowing through the park.

Some of the last cherry blossoms on these trees.

Another water feature with a small waterfall in the background.

Osumi-yagura Tower, a lookout tower and weapons storage for the Kubota Castle.

Details of the watch tower.

The tower was recently fully restored as a heritage example.

The park has many scenic trails.

A marvellous stone tablet, all in Japanese, unfortunately.

Old school wall construction.

The most unusual drinking fountain we've ever seen.

Cherry blossoms sprouting from the side of a moss covered trunk.

Last of the cherry blossoms.

After exiting the park and walking back to the town, we witnessed one of the many celebrations of Golden Week. From ice cream vendors to large scale food courts, there were many Japanese citizens enjoying the celebrations.

Town centre of Akita, Japan.

Ice cream vendor on a side street.

The U.K. isn't the only one that has bright red mail boxes.

A large courtyard area in downtown Akita where the food celebration is taking place.

Posing with the stone mascot of Akita.

Casting off and leaving our hosts on the dock at Akita, Japan.

Next... Kanazawa