Tazawako/Kakunodate Photo Wedding Guide

*This photo was taken with permission.

Lake Tazawa is a nearly circular lake with a circumference of 20 km, boasting the deepest waters in Japan at 423.4 m, and covering an area of 25.5 km². The lake water is a beautiful, almost mystical lapis lazuli color, befitting the legend of Tatsuko. Each season offers a rich and varied landscape; in spring, the soft light sparkles on the lake’s surface, while in summer, deep green and the blue of the sky envelop the lake. In autumn, the autumn leaves are reflected on the lake’s surface, and in winter, the contrast between the white snow and the lake’s surface is striking. The sunrises and sunsets are also magnificent, and especially on quiet mornings, the lake’s surface becomes like a mirror, brilliantly reflecting the rising sun.

This area, known as “Michinoku’s Little Kyoto,” is a samurai residence that flourished as the castle town of the Satake Kita family during the Edo period. In spring, it is famous for its cherry blossoms, with various types of cherry trees, including weeping cherry trees, blooming in profusion. Throughout the year, it boasts beautiful greenery, enchanting autumn leaves, and magnificent snowscapes in winter. Among the samurai residences are the Ishiguro, Aoyagi, Iwahashi, Kawarada, Odano, and Matsumoto families. The Ishiguro family is the only one whose direct descendants continue to live in the main house. The garden view from the veranda is charming, and photographs taken in the tatami rooms of the samurai residences evoke a sense of traditional Japanese culture.

Nyuto Onsenkyo is a hot spring village consisting of seven baths scattered at the foot of Mt. Nyuto in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Each of the seven baths has its own unique source and water quality, making it a hot spring village where you can enjoy bath hopping. With hot springs bubbling up from deep underground and a magnificent primeval beech forest, Nyuto Onsenkyo is overflowing with the blessings of the earth. Surrounded by the magnificent nature of beech trees, you can feel the four seasons of Nyuto Onsenkyo with your skin against the backdrop of fresh greenery and vividly colored autumn leaves.

The Akita Inland Line is a local railway connecting Takanosu Station in Kitaakita City, Akita Prefecture, to Kakunodate Station in Semboku City. The single track, surrounded by nature, stretches for 94.2 km, and the scenery viewed from the train windows changes with the seasons. Along the line, beautiful nature and nostalgic landscapes that reflect the lives of the local people unfold. Near Matsuba Station, buckwheat flowers bloom in profusion, creating a beautiful backdrop.

“Omoide no Kata Bunko” (Memories of Kata Branch School), which closed in 1974, was later restored and opened to the public in 2004. The building remains largely unchanged from its original state, evoking a sense of nostalgia. The school building and classrooms are preserved as they were, and sitting in the classroom chairs evokes vivid memories of the past. Sunlight streams through the gymnasium windows, transporting you back to your innocent childhood. Even the old-fashioned corridors and staircases make for a nostalgic photograph.

Located at the northern end of the samurai residence street, this Western-style art museum was designed by Hiroshi Oe, famous for his work on the National Noh Theatre and Hosei University. The courtyard still retains trees from the time when it was a samurai residence, and the harmony between the exterior, reminiscent of old Scandinavian architecture, and the samurai residence is one of its highlights. In autumn, the ginkgo leaves in the courtyard turn a vibrant color, making it a recommended spot during the autumn foliage season.

The museum opened in 1978 to promote cherry bark craftsmanship, which was designated a national traditional craft. Inside, cherry bark craftsmanship demonstrations are held, allowing visitors to observe the artisans’ intricate techniques up close. The museum also displays materials related to the town’s crafts, culture, and history. The entire building incorporates the old architectural style of Kakunodate into a modern design. A magnificent gate stands at the entrance, symbolizing the museum’s heritage, and the red brick background further enhances its retro feel.