Japan in Motion---Pro-web casting from across Japan.

Kakunodate

Kakunodate is a beautiful little town in Akita prefecture, well known both for its superbly preserved samurai district and cherry trees. Though it’s probably too small to merit a trip for its own sake, it’s an obvious stop for anyone making a tour of Japan’s northern Tohoku region. It’s also well known for kaba-zaiku, a traditional local craft in which low tables, picture frames, tea boxes and other things are covered with a polished veneer of bark from mountain cherry trees. Done well, it can be very beautiful, and is a Tohoku souvenir that shows up in homes all over Japan.

Founded in 1620 by the lord of Akita’s younger brother, Kakunodate was chosen both for its defensibility and natural charms. Just south of his hilltop castle, the samurai who had accompanied him built a wonderful district of fine houses and gardens, the streets lined with graceful weeping cherry trees brought from Kyoto. Today, though the castle is gone, both the samurai houses and the cherry trees are in remarkably good shape, and six of the houses are open to the public, allowing a glimpse into the domestic world of Japan’s feudal era upper classes.

The Aoyagi Samurai Manor includes several buildings, set in an attractive garden, housing an amazing collection of treasures accumulated through the years by the Aoyagi family. The sheer eclecticism of the collection means that almost any visitor will find something of interest here, from samurai armor and woodblock prints to antique toys and cameras. The compound also includes a gift shop and antique store, both worth a look, and a nice little restaurant.
The best of the samurai houses is probably the Ishiguro-ke house, built in the early 19th century. Amazingly well-preserved, this impressive thatched-roof home still shelters the 12th generation head of the Ishiguro family, who has opened part of his house and garden to visitors. If he’s free, he’ll also be happy to speak to you about Kakunodate’s history and the family heirlooms on display. In excellent English, no less. You couldn’t ask for more than that.

>>Access
JR Akita station====(43min. by Akita Shinkansen)====Kakunodate

Akita====(60 min. by car) ====Kakunodate

Akita Airport===(50 min. by car)=====Kakunodate

●Ishiguro Samurai House
>>Open Hours
9:00 -17:00

>>Holidays
No Holidays

>>Fee
Adult: 300 yen, Child: 150 yen

●Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum
>>Open Hours
9:00 - 17:00 (April-Oct.)
9:00 - 16:00 (Nov. - March)

>>Holidays
No holidays

>>Fees
Adult: 500 yen, Junior High/High School: 300 yen, Child: 200 yen

>>Website
Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum (English, Korean)

-Matt Mangham