There are local attractions in Yokote City, the southern area of Akita, Japan. If you like Japanese castles, then, you should come to Yokote Park.
Yokote Castle is said to be built around 1550 by Onodera Clan, the powerful local ruling family at that time. Yokote Castle was fallen down at the Boshin War in 1868. Then, the current castle-style observation tower has been built in 1965. From the 1stto 3rd floors are museum exhibiting historical materials of Yokote City. And, at the 4th floor, visitors can enjoy panorama landscape!
If you purchase 1DAY Ticket (100 yen, as of November 2020), you can enter not only this observation tower of Yokote Park but also Yokote Kamakura Museum, Yojiro Ishizaka Memorial Hall and Gosannen War Museum in the surrounding area.
(*Go to the official website -> https://www.city.yokote.lg.jp/foreign_language.html )
A lot of cherry blossoms come to bloom in the park in spring, while the greens are beautiful in summer. Red and yellow leaves are beautiful in fall, and people enjoy Kamakura Festival in winter. Seasonal views are one of its attractions. This place is like a walking trail so people enjoy nature walks around the park, too.
Another popular attraction is “Kamakura” in Yokote City. Do you know about this traditional event? Now, let me show you!
Actually, “Kamakura” is a traditional winter event, where lots of visitors enjoy every year. However! You can experience it even in summer if you come to Yokote Kamakura Museum! Let’s try!
On the first floor, there is the Kamakura gallery and souvenir shop. Local specialties as delicious grape juice, sweets, Kamakura goods, Akita dog products are available.
About the main attraction, inside of the Kamakura gallery is kept around -10 degrees Celsius like a freezer for “Kamakura” made of snow. It looks like an igloo and made by local people in a few days. When I entered the freezer, I was impressed by the craftsmanship to make such a dome-shaped art. But it was impossible for me to stay there over five minutes. I was almost frozen! Just kidding! Anyway, it was a unique experience.
Located in the southern area of Akita, Yokote City has a lot of snow in winter. Between February 15th and 16th, the historical event, Kamakura Festival, is held every year. It has about 450 years of history. The God of Water is enshrined in Kamakura to pray for safety of your family, success of business, good harvest, and so on.
Although it’s really cold outside, inside of Kamakura is kept warm by brazier. Also, cute kids in traditional Japanese clothes welcome visitors with warm rice cakes and Amazake (a sweet rice drink). I think this is a unique Akita attraction! Please experience the local friendliness, too!
Yokote City has many attractions as “Kamakura”, Yokote Castle, Yokote Masuda Manga Museum, KURA Street (traditional houses and storages), Yokote Yakisoba (local fried noodles), etc. You may have fun in discovering Yokote City!
~~~ Facility Info ~~~
1. Yokote Park (Yokote Castle)
29-1 Shiroyama-machi, Yokote City, Akita, Japan
https://www.city.yokote.lg.jp/kanko/page000004.html
Open 9:00～16:30 (*It depends on Kamakura Festival, etc.)
*Closed between December 1st and March 31st (*Temporarily open in the middle of February for snow festival)
【Admission Fee】For free (children until middle school age) / 100 yen (1DAY Ticket for 4 facilities: Yokote Kamakura Museum, Observation tower in Yokote park, Yojiro Ishizaka Memorial Hall and Gosannen War Museum)
【Parking】For Free
2. Yokote Kamakura Museum
8-12 Chuo-machi, Yokote City, Akita, Japan
https://www.city.yokote.lg.jp/kanko/page300163.html
Open 9:00～17:00
*Closed during the year-end and New Year holidays
【Admission Fee】100 yen (1DAY Ticket for 4 facilities: Yokote Kamakura Museum, Observation tower in Yokote park, Yojiro Ishizaka Memorial Hall and Gosannen War Museum)
【Parking】For Free
【Access to Yokote City, Akita, Japan】
＊Akita Shinkansen (bullet train)・JR Ou Line：From Tokyo Station ～ Omagari Station ～ Yokote Station (About 3 hours 40 minutes) → About 10 minutes on foot from Yokote Station to Kamakura Museum (*About 5 minutes by car from Kamakura Museum to Yokote Park)
＊Tohoku Expressway「Kitakami IC」～ Akita Expressway「Yokote IC」(About 50 minutes) →About 10 minutes by car from Yokote IC
＊From Akita Airport：By car・taxi (About 1 hour) ／ By car・taxi to JR Wada Station（About 8 minutes）or By limousine bus to JR Akita Station（About 40 minutes）～ JR Ou Line ”Yokote Station”（About 1 hour 20 minutes）→ About 10 minutes on foot from Yokote Station to Kamakura Museum (*About 5 minutes by car from Kamakura Museum to Yokote Park)
Written by Naomi in Ugo
*As of November, 2020.
