🗓️ Japan Off-the-Beaten-Path 5-Day Tour

Day 1: Tokyo to Tazawa Ko (2 hours 50 minutes by Shinkansen) - Kakunodate (15 minutes) - Akita Station (45 minutes) 🌐 Tazawa Ko: Japan's deepest lake with a maximum depth of 423 meters. Under the sunlight, it shimmers with a glass-like pale blue. You can either cruise on the lake or stroll by the lake to enjoy the tranquility and leisure. ⛵️ After getting off at JR, buy a day bus pass (1210 yen) and you can get on and off as you please throughout the day, returning to the JR station. 🏰 Kakunodate: Known as Little Kyoto, the architecture here consists of former samurai residences, concentrated on both sides of "Buke Yashiki Dori". Just stroll along this street. Most of the residences are open to the public for free. 🏨 Stay: Richmond Hotel Akita Ekimae Close to JR station, with many food options nearby, clean, tidy, spacious, and close to art museums. 🍲 Food: Akita specialty Kiritanpo pot at Akita Ban'ya Tavern, a local fish tavern in Akita's Oga Peninsula. At a fixed time every day, "Namahage" (a local folklore character) appears for a performance. But remember, you must book in advance! It's a very fresh pot, super delicious. Another specialty is Akita's local chicken. Day 2: Akita to Aomori 🎨 Akita Prefectural Museum of Art: Designed by Tadao Ando. On the second floor, there's a café with a huge glass window overlooking the beautiful scenery of Akita Park. 🚞 Gono Line Resort Shirakami: From Aomori-Tōinadai at 11:54 to Hirosaki at 15:49. JR Pass holders can ride for free, but you must reserve your seat at the JR counter before departure. The train travels along the coast, and it's incredibly beautiful. There are several famous spots along the way: Juuko Lake, Furofushi Onsen, and Aokigahara, where you can consider getting off based on the train schedule and your itinerary. However, there are only 3 trains a day on the Gono Line, so be sure to check the times. 🍎 A FACTORY Apple Factory: A major landmark next to Aomori Station in the hometown of apples. This complex is divided into three parts: a restaurant, an Aomori apple cider brewery, and a souvenir shop. 🏨 Stay: Aomori Daiwa Roynet Hotel Close to JR station, with many food options nearby, clean, and most sightseeing spots in the city are within walking distance. 🍣 Food: Sushi Asuka Shinmachi, right next to the hotel, has super delicious sushi. #AomoriTravel #Akita #JapanFreeTravel #JapanOffTheBeatenPath #JRPass #JapanTravelGuide