During your Japan travel, I recommend the former Samurai house, “Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum” in Kakunodate, Akita, Japan!
On the 1st floor, I enjoyed my tea time with Sanazura ice cream (a vanilla ice cream with mountain grapes sauce) and a special coffee. The mountain grapes sauce was sweet and sour, so it matched well with the vanilla ice cream! The coffee was made of clear water taken locally. That was a relaxing tea time!
After visiting the Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum, I continued walking around the Samurai District. While wandering there, I remembered some Japanese popular Samurai anime and movie scenes. haha! Then, I found a cute store selling cat items! The signboard and items sold there were all pretty cat goods. Enjoy!
![](https://i1.wp.com/kuma-neko-trip.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1682769834335-scaled-e1682777162638.jpg?fit=1500%2C994&ssl=1)
![](https://i2.wp.com/kuma-neko-trip.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1682769801513-scaled-e1682777179617.jpg?fit=1500%2C994&ssl=1)
There are not only historical Samurai residences but also many interesting shops and restaurants. Please take time in looking around the entire area! (^o^)b
![](https://i0.wp.com/kuma-neko-trip.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1682769952151-scaled-e1682777108300.jpg?fit=1500%2C994&ssl=1)
Outside the Samurai District is called as a town of merchants. I found another cute shop! It sells homemade pudding! The area was full of good smell… Yummy!
![](https://i1.wp.com/kuma-neko-trip.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1682770535875-scaled-e1682776875539.jpg?fit=1500%2C994&ssl=1)
At the shop below, visitors can experience wearing kimono (traditional Japanese clothes)! Since kimono is beautiful, you should try them on and take pictures for your memory and instagram! Have fun!
![](https://i2.wp.com/kuma-neko-trip.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1682770194174-scaled-e1682777047948.jpg?fit=1500%2C993&ssl=1)
![](https://i1.wp.com/kuma-neko-trip.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1682770253164-scaled-e1682777030323.jpg?fit=994%2C1500&ssl=1)
This beautiful place is Kura restaurant, where I had lunch. “Kura” is a traditional warehouse in Japan. People used to store food, things, and so on. You can learn more about “Kura” in our blog here!
I ordered roast pork lunch with miso soup (1300yen / *As of April 2023). It looks beautiful♪
In addition to this restaurant, many restaurants in this area serves Akita’s local dishes as Inaniwa Udon and Hinai-jidori (chicken). Don’t miss them! I hope many of you visit Kakunodate once in a lifetime and experience the Samurai era during your Japan travel!
Book your hotel in Akita HERE!
~~~ Facility Info ~~~
Kakunodate, Semboku City, Akita, Japan
https://tazawako-kakunodate.com/en/
【Parking】Paid parking
*About 10 minutes on foot or about 5 minutes by car・taxi from JR Kakunodate Station
*By Bullet Train: About 3 hours from Tokyo
*By Bullet Train: About 45 minutes from JR Akita Station
*By Train: About 1 hour 20 minutes (Change lines at JR Omagari Station)
*From Akita Expressway (Akita-chuo IC): About 1 hour 10 minutes by car・taxi
*From Akita Airport: About 45 minutes by car・taxi
Written by Naomi in Ugo
*As of April 2023.