Food & Dining

Kakunodate
Tazawako
Kakunodate
Tazawako

Founded in 1951, Warabiza Theater Company and Akita Art Village

Akita Art Village

あきた芸術村

Akita Art Village

Akita Art Village, located on an area the size of two Tokyo Domes, includes the Warabiza Theater Company's large theater and five rehearsal studios, as well as the Onsen Yupopo Onsen accommodation and hot spring facility, the Tazawako Beer Factory, the Shinrin Kougeikan, the Jindai Blueberry Farm, and the Folk Performing Arts Resource Center.

The village is planted with Satoyama plants from the Senboku area, allowing you to enjoy nature in all four seasons up close.

The gazebo in the courtyard also houses a "WA ROCK" corner, a nature play area that originated in Western Australia.

Akita Art Village Reservation Center ▶ [Tel] 0187-44-3939

[Reception hours] 8:30-17:30 (Monday-Saturday)

Akita Art Village and Onsen Yupopo

This is an accommodation facility located in the Akita Art Village. You can also use the hot spring for day trips. At the Japanese restaurant Bakkya, you can enjoy Tazawako Beer (local beer) made in a factory on the premises. We also offer great value plans along with village experience plans, such as a package that includes a stay and a musical performance by the Warabiza Theater Company, or a package that includes a performance and lunch.

● Akita Art Village Reservation Center▶[Tel] 0187-44-3939

[Reception hours] 8:30-17:30 (Monday-Saturday)

● Akita Art Village Information▶︎ https://www.warabi.or.jp

Warabiza Theatre Company

A theater company that has been depicting the modern spirit with a variety of expressions based on folk traditions. Four performance groups perform all over the country. Original musicals are performed at the main theater of Akita Art Village , their home base in Semboku City , Akita Prefecture, known as a treasure trove of folk songs.

For performance information, please contact the Akita Art Village Reservation Center▶[Tel] 0187-44-3939

[Reception hours] 8:30-17:30 (Monday-Saturday)

Theater introduction video ▶ ︎Warabiza's 70-year history

● Theatre company information ▶ https://www.warabi.jp/

Experience Japanese drums with Warabiza actors as instructors

Let's make the sound of the drums resonate beautifully and finish a song! The actors of Warabi-za will carefully teach you how to hold the drumsticks, how to stand, how to apply force, and more.

●Reservations▶ Taiko experience

SAMURAI sword fighting - Warabiza actors as instructors

Experience the "tate" (sword fighting) that is performed in historical dramas on stage, and feel like a samurai while wearing a hakama! Once you have mastered the basics, try acting out a dramatic performance with the actors from Warabiza. At the end, you can cosplay and take commemorative photos wearing the armor, swords, and kimonos used on stage!

●Reservations▶ Samurai experience

Experience - Dance (New Soran Bushi) - Warabiza actor as instructor

New Soran Bushi, which is danced at athletic meets all over the country, originated from the Warabiza troupe. Warabiza actors will teach you how to keep the rhythm, your center of gravity, and how to stand and maintain good posture on stage. It's also a great way to exercise your balance.

Dance video: New Soran Bushi
●Reservations▶ Dancing experience

Experience: Making charcoal sacks (for the Kakunodate Hiburi-Kamakura)

Every February, the Little New Year event "Kakunodate's Hiburi-Kamakura" is held, in which people spin lit charcoal bags around their bodies and pray for good health and a bountiful harvest. Let's try making the charcoal bags used in this event.

●Reservations▶ Try making charcoal bales

Akita Art Village Shinrin Kougeikan

Even beginners can enjoy it! The pottery experience allows you to make a one-of-a-kind piece of work, such as a teacup or mug, using 800g of soft clay. The ocarina painting experience allows you to paint your favorite colors and patterns on a mini unglazed ocarina. The woodworking experience allows you to paint your favorite designs on key chains, nameplates, and other items. They're perfect for souvenirs!

For details and to apply for the experience, please click here ▶ Shinrin Kougeikan Workshop

Pottery experience

Ocarina painting experience

Woodworking experience

Experience: Straw crafts (Akita folk art)

Let's make a trivet using the skills of "rope making," which was a winter job for farmers in Akita. From autumn, you can also make "shimenawa" (sacred rope) for the New Year. Material costs are included.

●Reservations▶ Straw craft experience

Warabiza Theatre Company: Backstage work and wood-cut art

The stage staff of the Warabi Theater Company will guide you through the backstage work of creating a stage. This is an essential job for the stage, and is usually hidden from view. You can also create art pieces using the "wood chips" left over from the construction of the stage set. The backstage staff will guide you!

●Reservations▶ Watch the backstage work

"Oraho no Umemonke" Warabiza - Traditional performing arts and Akita fermented food

Warabiza has studied traditional performing arts from all over Japan and performed them on stage. Enjoy the traditional performing arts stage from Senboku, Akita, Tohoku, and other areas of Japan, which are treasure troves of folk songs, along with a Shokado bento lunch themed on fermented foods from Akita Prefecture. (The meal and the performing arts stage are held in separate venues. Please contact us for the dates of the event.)

*The photo is for illustrative purposes only.

●Reservations▶ Traditional performing arts and Akita fermented Shokado bento♪

Tazawako Beer Brewery (10:00-16:00, closed Sundays)

This beer adheres to the German beer purity law, which requires that "nothing other than barley, hops, yeast, and water be used," and is packed with the bounty of Akita's nature. We also offer an experience plan where you can tour the brewing process and sample three types of beer. We also accept direct sales and shipping.

● Make a reservation ▶ Tour the Tazawako Beer Factory and sample three types of local beer!

Blueberry Farm Jindai

Blueberries are grown without chemicals in a windy alley. The harvest season lasts for about one month, and 20 varieties of blueberries ripen in sequence. The picking experience is safe for small children, and you can enjoy the rich taste of fully ripe blueberries.

●Inquiries ▶ Telephone & Fax 0187-44-3929
Mobile: 080-2270-7833

Akita Art Village and Akita Winter Festival (every year from late January to a Saturday in February)

This is an event where you can casually enjoy the "winter charm" of snow country Akita. Enjoy a fantastic performance created by the actors and backstage staff of Warabi-za based on the Little New Year's events and traditional performing arts from all over Akita.

Winter Festival Video ▶ [Akita Winter Festival]

●Inquiries▶ Akita Art Village Reservation Center [Tel] 0187-44-3939

[Reception hours] 8:30-17:30 (Monday-Saturday)

Detailed Information

Street address
〒014-1192 430 Tazawako, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture
Street address(Japanese)
〒014-1192 秋田県仙北市田沢湖卒田字早稲田430
Telephone Number
0187-44-3939
Home Page
https://www.warabi.or.jp/
Getting Around

Free shuttle bus available from Kakunodate station(approximately 7 minutes, reservation required)

Street address 〒014-1192 430 Tazawako, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture
Street address(Japanese) 〒014-1192 秋田県仙北市田沢湖卒田字早稲田430
TEL 0187-44-3939
Home Page https://www.warabi.or.jp/
Getting Around

Free shuttle bus available from Kakunodate station(approximately 7 minutes, reservation required)