One of mainland Japan’s northernmost prefectures, Akita is beloved for its breathtaking nature, rejuvenating hot springs, and rich cultural heritage.
Arguably, Akita’s most magical time of year is winter, when thick blankets of snow transform it into a glittering destination for snow sports and sightseeing. Akita is located beside the Sea of Japan, which creates the perfect conditions for heavy snowfall—blessing its ski resorts with an abundance of powder snow. Every year, the immaculate slopes and grand winter sceneries capture the attention of outdoorsy adventurists.
Off the slopes, Akita’s renowned Kakunodate Samurai District and Yokote Kamakura area also receive picturesque coatings of snow—creating eye-catching spots that showcase history and culture against seasonal aesthetics. Thanks to its chilly temperatures, winter is also Akita’s prime onsen season. Nyuto Onsen, a rustic collection of hot spring inns, is one of Akita’s premier hot spring destinations and offers many open-air baths with charming views of the winter-clad land.
Together, the snow sports, sightseeing, and cozy lodging options make Akita a destination winter lovers will not want to miss. Below, we will explore some of the prefecture’s top winter spots.
Tazawako Ski Area
Tazawako Ski Area, located in eastern Akita on Mt. Akita-Komagatake, is a popular winter resort for locals. Everyone, from beginners to experts, can enjoy the well-manicured slopes encircled by nature. One of the resort’s most distinguishing features is its elevated views of Lake Tazawa, Japan’s deepest lake. This crater lake, with a depth of 423 meters, never freezes over and dazzles skiers and snowboarders alike with its stunning cobalt waters throughout the ski season. Recently, Tazawako Ski Area received high praises from the yukiyama fan choice award 2025. Based on 870,000 check-out evaluations, the winter resort landed fourth place or higher (out of 10) in categories related to snow quality, course uniqueness, facility amenities, customer service, and food—demonstrating visitors’ high regard for the resort.
Visualize gliding down pristine white slopes. Mt. Akita-Komagatake’s snow-covered scenery unfurls around you as Lake Tazawa shines in the distance—brilliant against the winter-muted landscape. The area’s premium powder snow completes the memorable experience. Since the ski resort tends to be uncrowded compared to Japan’s major ski areas, you can fully immerse yourself in the sport and scenery.
Tazawako Ski Area has 13 courses—four beginner, four intermediate, and five advanced (three of which feature powder snow). The resort also offers backcountry guided tours, so advanced skiers and snowboarders can enjoy a more challenging experience. On the other hand, Snow Land, a playful area with inflatable playgrounds and tubing opportunities, is perfect for families with young children.
If you are interested in simply enjoying a day or two of skiing without packing extra weight, the resort does offer rental gear and has a Goldwin shop that sells winter attire, such as hats, gloves, goggles, and jackets. If you rent gear, you receive 10% off Tazawako Ski School’s one-day lesson plan—suitable for beginners and advanced students.
The resort also has plenty of places to relax, including Ski Center Lera, Kamoshika, and Ginrei. At these facilities, you can unwind with a warm beverage and enjoy hearty dishes like Yokote yakisoba (a local noodle dish) and tomato ramen. At the adjacent facility, Tazawako Sports Center, located outside of the ski resort, you can soak your tired body in a refreshing hot spring bath. Adults with a used lift ticket receive a discount!
With its diverse and quality offerings, Tazawako Ski Area is an off-the-beaten-path destination that everyone can enjoy.
Ani Ski Resort
Situated on Mt. Moriyoshi in Kitaakita, Ani Ski Resort is an up-and-coming destination for winter enthusiasts. The resort’s secluded location, heavy snowfall, and rare sceneries make it an ideal place to escape the crowds and lose oneself in nature. The relatively small resort has a no-frills atmosphere that fully focuses on skiing and snowboarding. Its main attractions are its remarkable juhyo, beginner to advanced courses, and powder snow backcountry opportunities. First, let’s introduce juhyo.
Juhyo, or “snow monsters” in English, are trees with alternating layers of wind-blown ice and snow. This natural phenomenon turns trees into massive, creature-like figures and forests into monster-filled hordes. Mt. Moriyoshi, along with Zao in Yamagata Prefecture and Hakkoda in Aomori Prefecture, is one of the three best places in Japan to witness juhyo. You can typically see juhyo between early January and early March. During juhyo season, Ani Ski Resort rents out boots, snowshoes, Japanese-style snowshoes, and poles, so you are well equipped to walk among the giants. You can admire the hulking beings during the day or witness their illuminated silhouettes at night. Just the presence of juhyo is a testament to how cold Akita’s winters are and how excellent its snow is.
In terms of skiing and snowboarding, Ani Ski Resort has five courses—three beginner and two intermediate—that are easily accessible via a gondola and two chairlifts. For experienced snow sports enthusiasts, the resort’s greatest lure is its tree skiing and backcountry opportunities. Please note that these more advanced options require route-finding skills or a guide.
For more casual skiers and snowboarders, the resort has a small retail shop and offers rental gear, so you don’t need to worry about packing equipment. When you need a break, the cafeteria area offers inexpensive and delicious lunches that are guaranteed to energize you.
With its minimal crowds and high-quality powder snow, Ani Ski Resort is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. In recent years, as more tourists become aware of the adverse effects of overtourism, this less-visited ski resort has become a popular alternative to Zao.
Nyuto Onsen Village
Nyuto Onsen Village is a collection of quaint hot spring inns nestled in the mountains of eastern Akita with more than 350 years of history. In fact, it is relatively close to Tazawako Ski Area. In the past, feudal lords from Akita would soak in the area’s healing waters to recover from travel or battle. Today, the hot spring paradise is a dream vacation for many Japanese people.
The nationally-renowned destination is home to seven ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), each with their own hot spring source. The hot springs have unique properties that are said to relieve a number of ailments and vary in appearance, with milky, gold-colored, and transparent waters. The inns feature both mixed and gender-segregated baths.
The accommodations’ atmospheres also differ, ranging from rustic and traditional to more modern. Tsurunoyu Onsen is Nyuto Onsen’s oldest and most famous inn, with some rooms dating back to the Edo period (1603–1868). The inn is best known for its outdoor mixed bath filled with cloudy, hot spring water. It also offers nourishing culinary experiences, including yamanoimo nabe (mountain yam hot pot). This local dish originated in Tazawako and typically consists of mountain yam dumplings, meat, mushrooms, Japanese parsley, and green onions simmered in a savory broth that varies depending on the chef.
Imagine sitting in an old-fashioned Japanese room—tatami under your legs and an irori (traditional Japanese sunken hearth) in front of you. A bubbling pot of yamanoimo nabe hangs over the fire, filling your guest room with mouthwatering aromas. As you enjoy the hearty soup, you can also admire the snow-covered landscape through the windows and snuggle closer to the fire. This heartwarming fantasy is a reality at Nyuto Onsen Village. It brings magical moments to life.
If you are interested in sampling all of the hot springs, you purchase a Yumeguri-cho (hot spring pass). This pass is only available to overnight guests at Nyuto Onsen Village and includes entrance to all seven hot springs, as well as Yumeguri-go shuttle bus use.
Kakunodate Samurai District
Follow the footsteps of samurai past in Kakunodate Samurai District, about a 40–50 minutes drive from Tazawako Ski Area. Known as the “Little Kyoto of Tohoku,” this historical area flourished as a castle town during the Edo period and today, is home to some of Japan’s best preserved samurai residences. The picturesque area is characterized by its wide streets, large courtyards, traditional ambience, and hundreds of weeping cherry trees.
Each season brings new life to the townscape. During spring—arguably the district’s most popular time of year—pastel cherry blossoms unfurl, decorating the district in pink petals. Summer brings lush verdancy, and autumn creates elegant mosaics of red, yellow, and orange. Winter offers the greatest contrast, showcasing snow against the black-walled samurai residences. The white and black canvas acts as a perfect backdrop for colorful kimono photos and red rickshaw rides.
Six samurai residences are open to the public and offer unique insights into the lives of middle-class and wealthy samurai families. Two of the most prominent homes are the Aoyagi House and Ishiguro House.
The Aoyagi House has been converted into a samurai museum and features galleries, shops, restaurants, and a beautiful garden. Inside, the home displays a range of valuable items from the 17th to 20th centuries, including samurai swords, utensils, clothing, toys, hanging scrolls, and more. Incredibly, all of the artifacts are linked to the Aoyagi House. If you are feeling peckish, the facility has a restaurant that serves Inaniwa udon, an Akita-born noodle known for its thin shape, silky texture, and delicate taste. You can also participate in a number of experiences, such as holding a samurai sword and wearing a samurai helmet.
The Ishiguro House is a private residence, so only part of it is open to the public. You can view the main house and storeroom, as well as peruse a small collection of samurai armor, clothing, and documents.
For a truly memorable experience, consider staying at wanoi KAKUNODATE, a luxury hotel housed in renovated, historical storehouses. This private accommodation only accepts one group per night and introduces samurai heritage and traditional Japanese ways of life. The beautifully preserved buildings capture the atmosphere of the past, while still offering comfortable modern amenities.
Whether you are walking along nature-entwined streets or exploring the interiors of Edo-period homes, Kakunodate Samurai District will surely transport you to another era.
Yokote City: Kamakura Area
Yokote City, located in southeastern Akita, is best known for the Yokote Kamakura Festival, held annually on the second Friday and Saturday of February. During the festival numerous snow huts, called kamakura, are built across the town. Each kamakura enshrines the water deity, who people pray to for sufficient water and good harvests. In the evening, locals (often children) invite passersby into their kamakura to enjoy rice cakes and amazake, a sweet, low-alcohol or non-alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. This tradition is over 400 years old and showcases the community’s deep respect for water—an essential source of life. The cozy radiance of the kamakura, welcoming locals, and warm treats are guaranteed to make you forget about the cold.
Typically, the city is home to about 60 kamakura, each standing roughly two meters tall. Along the city’s streets and riverbanks, you will also find hundreds of mini, candle-illuminated kamakura. The congregation of tiny kamakura, each emitting a soft yellow glow, epitomizes wintertime magic. In some areas of the city, you can even enjoy the majestic presence of Yokote Castle in the background.
Although the festival only lasts two days a year, you can still admire and enter full-sized kamakura year-round at the Kamakurakan Hall. This sightseeing facility has a -10℃ (14℉) room where it preserves a few kamakura throughout the year.
During winter, there’s nothing better than a warm meal to combat the cold. Luckily, Yokote is home to a beloved local specialty called Yokote yakisoba. This warm noodle dish consists of thick, straight noodles stir-fired with cabbage and minced pork and seasoned with a sweet and savory sauce. Yokote yakisoba is always topped with a sunny-side up egg and fukujinzuke (pickled vegetables). This dish is believed to have originated in Yokote around 1950 and once won the grand prize in a B-grade gourmet contest. After a day of adventuring in the snow, a steaming plate of Yokote yakisoba will instantly revitalize you.
In addition to the Yokote Kamakura Festival, Yokote’s museums and local specialties make it an excellent wintertime destination. Two must-visit museums in Yokote are Akita Museum of Modern Art, a facility that primarily exhibits art by Akita-related artists from the late Edo period to present day, and Yokote Masuda Manga Museum, an establishment that displays regularly-changing, original drawings from more than 100 manga artists.
Plan a winter getaway in Akita
Akita’s hidden snow sports spots, centuries-old onsen village, postcard-worthy samurai district, and enduring traditions make it a one-of-a-kind winter destination—offering the perfect balance of excitement, relaxation, and cultural learning. Simply put, winter in Akita is something you have to experience for yourself.
Access to Akita
You can easily reach Akita Prefecture via plane, train, or bus from major Japanese cities. While public transportation is available within Akita Prefecture, car travel is most convenient for visiting its more remote sites.
Plane
ANA and JAL operate domestic flights daily between Akita Airport and airports in Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo (Haneda), and Sapporo. The airport also operates an international flight from Taiwan on Thursdays and Sundays. Flying is an excellent way to reach Akita if you are short on time. The domestic flight duration is between 1h 5m and 1h 40m, depending on your departure point.
Train
The JR Akita Shinkansen runs between Tokyo and Akita. Some major stations along the route are Tokyo, Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture), and Morioka (Iwate Prefecture). In Akita, the train stops at Tazawako, Kakunodate, Omagari, and Akita Station. The travel time between Tokyo and Akita Station is about four hours.
Bus
Bus travel is the cheapest, yet longest mode of transportation. Numerous companies offer overnight and highway buses between major Japanese cities and Akita. Some popular options include Akita Chuo Kotsu, Odakyu Bus, and JR Bus Tohoku. From Tokyo, the bus ride is eight to 10 hours.
