From Kakunodate Station, it takes about 15-20 minues to the Dakigaeri Valley by "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE".
Follow in the footsteps of samurai with "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE"
Well known as “Little Kyoto” in Tohoku area, Kakunodate is also a famous venue for cherry blossom in Akita prefecture. Kakunodate is well linked to the capital Tokyo directly by the Akita Shinkansen Komachi. While sightseeing in Kakunodate, "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE" would be an easy way to ride between different spots and places.
This time, let’s start from Kakunodate Station, have a journey of “Dakigaeri Valley”, “Samurai Residences” and “Hinokinaigawa-Tsutsumi Park” by using “YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE One-Day Ticket”.
From Kakunodate Station to Dakigaeri Valley
By visiting the website "TOHOKU MaaS" with your smartphone, you can set your own schedule with designated boarding point and the destination, the booking system of "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE" is available from 08:00 (JST, UTC+09:00) everyday and can make the earliest appointment of 08:30, with pick up spot "01 Kakunodate Station" and drop off spot "30 Dakigaeri Valley”.
There is a sign of "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE" just nearby the entrance of the Kakunodate Station where you can aboard when the boarding time is coming. Please kindly show firstly your booking number, then One-Day Ticket from your smartphone. You may capture the screen of the booking number after booking for a smoother procedure, while internet is required to retrieve your One-Day Ticket via your smartphone.
When "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE" arrives at Dakigaeri Valley Parking No.1, you will see the entrance of the walking trail and the Dakigaeri Shrine beside, while a few minutes’ walk along the trail you will see the Kami-no-iwahashi Suspension Bridge (the Rock Bridge of the Gods), which is an excellent place to enjoy the magnificent view of the valley.
After crossing the bridge, walk along the paved walking trail while aiming for our final spot Mikaeri-no-taki Waterfall, the water flow runs along the valley below the trail could be quite an impacting scene.
About 30 - 40 minutes’ walk from the entrance, the waterfall eventually appears.Your effort made is well rewarded with the fascinating view of the waterfall and you may just keep looking back many many times while leaving.
Of course once you finishing your walk and return back to the Dakigaeri Valley Parking No.1, you can make a return trip to go back Kakunodate Station with "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE", though Dakigaeri Valley could still be a location that the access to the internet is difficult. A well scheduled plan with booking the round trip service is highly recommended.
Samurai Residences
Samurai Residences is well known as the Cherry Blossom in Spring. The houses keep their traditional style inherited since Edo era make them very special, just like a time slip to travel back to the street of samurai.
There is no "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE" spot within the district of Samurai Residences but those spots nearby can be used. Especially the spot "39 Machiya Hotel Kakunodate" could well be the one used for this destination.
Dedicated samurai houses in the street are open for public, with restaurants for tourists to enjoy the meals, and shops selling wide variety of local confections, snacks and souvenirs.
Hinokinaigawa-Tsutsumi Park
Another symbolic place of cherry blossom in Kakunodate is of no doubt the “Hinokinaigawa-Tsutsumi Park”. Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to see the cherry blossom every year during the cherry blossom period that make this place so famous in Tohoku area.
Either takes a few minutes' walk from the Samurai Residence, or easily accesses by "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE", the 2km flower tunnel along the river with full of cherry blossom is the spot you just can’t miss.
Akita Pudding-Tei, nostalgic retro flavours of Samurai Residences
The first confection shop specialized for pudding in Akita prefecture, Akita Pudding-Tei, is located just at the entrance of the Samurai Residence district. As the Kakunodate distinguished sweet which bears a high reputation. While you may also appealed by its cutie mascot character and unique branding stand that looks like the bus-stop post.
A wide variety of puddings are available here. The Chief choice "Nameraka Pudding " would be one of the mush-eat item, you should also try the unique favoured "Soy Sauce Pudding ", a product collaborated with the historical sauce brewer, Ando Jozo Brewery. You wouldn't want to miss out the interesting "Samurai’s House Pudding" as well, which just looks like the partition wall of the Samurai’s House. Get ready with your appetite while visiting here!
The nearest "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE" spot to the shop is "39 Machiya Hotel Kakunodate".
- Akita Pudding-Tei
- Address: 16 Yokomachi, Kakunodate-machi, Semboku-Shi, Akita Prefecture.
- TEL：0187-49-6233
- Business Hours: 10:00 - 17:00／Close at New Year's holidays
- https://akita-pudding.com/
About "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE"
"YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE" is a shared transportation for exploring Kakunodate. A free membership registration of the website "TOHOKU MaaS" is required, so you can make a reservation of "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE" before you take a ride, with the choice of your location and time.
"TOHOKU MaaS" is a website in Japanese only. You may translate the website with your smartphones. You can make your reservation of "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE" from 08:00 to 17:00 everyday. Operating time starts from 08:30 to 17:30.
You can pay either in cash or IC Cards at the rate of 400yens / person for one ride, while you can enjoy a discount rate at 300yens / person for one ride when you buy an E-ticket ("YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE" Single Ticket) via "TOHOKU MaaS". There is also One-day Ticket (E-ticket) of 800 yens available for any one day of unlimited ride on "YOBUNORU KAKUNODATE".
Special thanks to:
Semboku City
Kakunodate Film Commission
Akita Pudding-Tei
* In this column, with the spot number and the name of location such as "01 Kakunodate Station", can be referred back to the spot number in the website "TOHOKU MaaS".
* Images are for reference only.
* Walking trail of Dakigaeri Valley is closed in Winter, from the end of November to the end of next April.
* Walking trail of Dakigaeri Valley is subject to close in bad weather conditions.
* This information is as of August 2023.
