slagg

Hello

This will be my last year in Akita, so I was wondering what I should do/ see before I go? Money isn't really an issue.

Cheers

I would recommend staying at an Onsen in the Nyuto area (near Tazawako) if money isn't an issue. Especially Tsuru no Yu, which has very old style rooms. While in the Tazawako area I would also recommend Arupa Onsen for its view of Lake Tazawako.

I would also recommend going to as many of Akita's waterfalls as you can. There are many beautiful ones that are often overlooked due to their remote locations. Save travel costs, these waterfalls are free and beautiful.

Across from Oiwake Station (on the Akita City side, the side opposite the entrance), there is a really nice park called Koizumigata park that has two beautiful lagoons and a park inside a park with tons of Carp (Koi) and various maple trees. This would definitely be worth the trip during fall, as I can only imagine it is gorgeous. Near the park is also the Akita Prefectural Natural History Museum that looks quite good too.

Edit: I would also visit Yuzawa if you haven't already. Yuzawa has a lot of excellent onsens and the best Miso Ramen in Tohoku: Daigen Ramen (大元), its unlike any miso ramen you've likely had! Pat C. and the other Yuzawa City ALTs would probably agree with me on this I think.

Anyone else have any good suggestions?

Daigen is at the top of my list! You should also check out Oyasukyou. Oyasukyo Daifundō 小安峡大噴湯 is a river onsen that you can walk next to. It's a beautiful hike in the fall. Near Oyasukyou is an onsen waterfall too. Highly recommended. About a 45 min. drive from Yuzawa.

http://www.akitajet.com/wiki/index.php? ... ifundo.jpg

Daigen is a must. The onsen water fall is called kawarage oyudaki and there are directions to it on the Yuzawa page of the wiki. Enjoy

Dan: thanks for the great list. IT deffinitely gives me solid starting point to go on my end-of year adventure (if I actually do leave this year).

I had no idea Akita had beautiful waterfalls. Looking forward to exploring them.

I'm totally down to go to Oiwake and see the maple and koi. who knew Japan had maples!

casual: I looked at your link of Oyasukyu and it looks like a wonderland! wow, i wannaa go. Gotta fit that in there before i leave.

pat: i wanna eat noodles with the Yuzawa folk. what a lovely bunch!