Michinoku, an old name for northeastern Honshu, means “end of the road”, referring to the historical isolation of this region. The samurai town of Kakunodate became known as the “Little Kyoto of Michinoku” due to its refined charm. Kakunodate was a once a castle town, though these days only ruins of the castle remain. Nevertheless, the atmosphere of its feudal history still permeates, particularly in its famous Samurai Residence district, a street with with a 400-year history is lined with historic samurai homes. Now is one of the best times to visit Kakunodate, at the height of autumn foliage in mid-November, persisting through the end of the month when you can begin to see snow-capped traditional houses.
In autumn the red and yellow of the foliage contrasts with the black fence boards that enclose the gardens: it is easy to imagine you have returned to the olden times of the Shogun. In late November, snow begins to fall, and visitors may be lucky to view the bright autumn leaves sprinkled with white snowflakes. Why not travel back to the days of the samurai in Kakunodate, to enjoy the shifting seasons and explore a charming townscape, virtually unchanged since the Edo period?
Access:
JR Kakunodate Station: 3 hours from JR Tokyo Station by direct Akita Shinkansen
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