Odate 大館

Located in the east of the Shirakami Sanchi UNESCO World Heritage site area , Odate boasts a number of scenic spots and places to relax and enjoy outdoor pursuits.

Odate can be accessed by plane (Odate-Noshiro Airport), train or car.

Odate can be reached by car in about two hours from Akita City , while the town of Kosaka is about a 30-minute drive.

Odate is famous for kiritampo dumplings and kiritampo stew, the traditional dishes of lumberjacks who worked in the local mountains. They mashed the day's leftover rice, wrapped it around a branch and roasted it over a fire, then stewed with meat and vegetables or glazed with a miso paste. You can try these local dishes at numerous restaurants.

Odate is also home to the Akita dog, a popular breed that became the first designated Natural Monument of Japan. Visit the Akita Dog Museum to learn about Akita Inu and spend time with them by attending events where you can meet real Akita dogs.

An area of unspoiled natural beauty to the east

Lake Towada is a dual crater lake at the top of a mountain bordering Akita and Aomori prefectures, which was formed by a giant volcanic eruption. With a depth of 327 meters, the lake is the third-deepest lake in Japan and is so translucent that you can see down to a depth of about 10 meters.

Check out the views from one of the four observation points dotted around the lake, or take a cruise to do your sightseeing from the water. There are also hiking routes around the lake, a campground and a visitor center.