A One-Day Stroll Through Akita City: The Must-Visit Spots! - A Thorough Akita Journey: Senshu Park, Neburi Nagashi Museum, and the Akarenga Folk Museum -

For those of you who want to tour Akita City in a day but are wondering where to go, Nagnagu, a sake travel designer, will show you the way.

Take a leisurely walk and enjoy a quick drink along the way.

Although Nagnagu Tourist usually focuses on hidden gems and spectacular views,
how about a relaxing day exploring the city for a change?
Well then, let's get started!

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Today's itinerary is:

We will tour the city at a relaxed pace, grabbing a drink along the way. At the end, I'll even introduce some recommended liquor stores.

▼ Lotus Pond Promenade

If you are staying in Akita City during the summer holidays,
I recommend Dormy Inn Akita.
Why? Because in the early morning, a wonderful view spreads out right in front of you.

▼ Senshu Park (Kubota Castle Ruins)

The pond filled with lotus flowers was once the castle moat. This year (2024), a promenade crossing this lotus pond was opened, making it even more impressive. Standing on the promenade, you can encounter a 360-degree view surrounded by lotus flowers while being right in the middle of the city.

During the Obon holidays with a typhoon approaching,
I'll tour the castle ruins before the rain starts and while it's still cool in the early morning.

I like high places (lol).
First, I'm aiming for the top. If you climb the slope and stairs from the lotus pond (Otemon Gate) side, what you see ahead is

This castle was called Kubota Castle, named after the place name at the time.
It is the residence of the Satake clan.

This may be sudden, but

Who is Yoshinobu Satake?

Let me explain!

In a modern company, he would be the type who refuses to join a faction because he feels indebted to the leaders of both, choosing instead to stick to his principles. He is bad at navigating the world and ends up losing out. If this were Hanzawa Naoki, he would have a grand reversal at the end, though...

Inside the castle grounds, there are both lush, shaded walking paths and open gardens, allowing you to stroll while leisurely feeling the seasons.

Moving on!
Following Senshu Park, the next place I visited was,
a 10-minute walk away.

▼ Neburi-Nagashi-Kan

Honestly, the name isn't great. It's hard to understand.

Official Name: Akita City Folk Performing Arts Heritage Center
Nickname: Neburi-Nagashi-Kan

Well, neither of those really makes sense, right?
First, what is 'Neburi-Nagashi'? Let me explain!

When you think of Akita's summer festivals, it's the Kanto Festival, right!
For someone coming from outside the prefecture, the name 'Neburi-Nagashi-Kan' lacks impact. I wish they would call it the Kanto Festival Museum.

However, despite the name,
it is spectacular, and you absolutely must see the live demonstration.

If you watch the demonstration, you will definitely want to come to the real event (the Kanto Festival). I saw this and vowed to come back.

When we were in elementary school, we used to play by balancing a bamboo broom upside down on our palms, didn't we? (Is that old-fashioned?) In that same way, you balance this thing on your palm.

Well, you don't just use your hand; you can balance it on your forehead, shoulder, or waist. Since it's a lantern, there's a candle lit inside. Yikes! (Pun intended...)

There are four sizes of Kanto poles (Oowaka, Chuwaka, Kowaka, and Yowaka).
Kindergarteners use Yowaka, elementary students use Kowaka... and as you step up, the Oowaka reaches 50 kilograms in weight and 12 meters in length (Yikes!)

At the Neburi Nagashi-kan (pictured above), because it's indoors, they perform with the Chuwaka (30 kg, 9 meters). Even so, the performance seen up close was truly spectacular.
Man, I'm starting to want to experience the real thing even more...

So, we slipped out for a bit.

▼ A quick break

Actually, I visited one week after the Kanto Festival ended. It was the height of summer. Even though it's Tohoku, the heat made it exhausting to wander around the city.

So,

Yay!

During summer vacation, famous shops for tourists are packed everywhere.
For those of you who hate waiting in line under the scorching sun!

This shop has eat-in space.
And, and, they also have draft beer and wine by the glass! Isn't that the best?

After cooling down,

▼ Akarenga Folk Museum

Formerly the Akita Bank.

Meiji-era buildings have such elaborate designs in every detail that you never get tired of looking at them. I would have loved to withdraw money at such a lovely counter.

Since I had time before the performance at the Neburi Nagashi-kan, I visited the Kaneko Residence (a former merchant's house) next door to the Neburi Nagashi-kan, and the Akarenga Folk Museum.

As for the performance...
Please go see it live, not just in photos!

Well then, time to head home.

▼ Liquor Stores

Before heading back to the hotel,
I'd like to introduce some recommended liquor stores.

One thing that's difficult when traveling is finding a liquor store that "properly" handles sake. For you fellow drinkers, this is where you should buy.

Goto Saketen

Their catchphrase is "Authentic quality for you."
There was a sign at the entrance saying "We do not carry Aramasa," and I was drawn to their stance of not being swayed by popular brands.

Sugakyu Shoten

Affectionately known as "Sugakyu."
A shop that doesn't have a website and focuses on face-to-face sales. It's a small shop, but it's a place filled with happiness and excitement.

Well then, how was this casual stroll through Akita City?
Tomorrow, we'll be getting back on the train!
Oops, but before that... the evening session.

- Next Episode Preview -
Speaking of Akita, Hinai Jidori chicken

Let's go to a place overflowing with sake and Hinai Jidori chicken!

Look forward to the next one!


( To be continued... )

Check this out too,
What is Nagoya Castle, where Yoshinobu Satake also gathered?