Senshū-kōen

Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)


Locals flock to this lush, leafy oasis on sunny days. The grounds were originally home to Akita's castle, built in 1604, which was destroyed with other feudal relics during the Meiji Restoration. A picturesque, waterlily-choked moat still guards the entrance to the park, and a few pieces of the castle foundation remain, along with plenty of grassy patches and strolling paths. A reconstruction of a guard tower in the northwestern corner offers views over the city (¥100).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Northern Honshū (Tōhoku) attractions

1. Akita Museum of Art

0.24 MILES

Akita's most famous artwork, Tsuguharu Foujita's Events of Akita, is reputed to be the world's largest canvas painting, measuring 3.65m by 20.5m and…

2. Neburi Nagashi Kan

0.37 MILES

If you can't make it to town for the Kantō Matsuri pole lantern festival, this small museum is the next best thing. The highlight is a large hall with…

3. Akarenga-kan Museum

0.51 MILES

Once the opulent headquarters of Akita Bank, this brick structure built in 1912 is now a local history museum. On the top floor you'll find beautiful…

4. Bukeyashiki Ishiguro-ke

24.73 MILES

Built in 1809 as the residence of the Ishiguro family, advisers to the Satake clan, this is one of the oldest buildings in the samurai district…

5. Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum

24.74 MILES

The restored Aoyagi family compound is impressive in its own right, but inside each well-maintained structure is a fascinating exhibition of family…

6. Kakunodate Cherry-Bark Craft Center

24.76 MILES

Inside this elegant building you'll find exhibits and demonstrations of kabazaiku, the craft of covering household or decorative items in fine strips of…

7. Andō Brewery

25.11 MILES

Rows of Hinamatsuri dolls welcome visitors to this centuries-old brewery overseen by one of the oldest families in Akita Prefecture. Andō makes soy sauce…

8. Tatsuko

27.19 MILES

Legend has it that long ago, a local maiden, Tatsuko, believing that the spring water would make her beauty last forever, drank so much that she turned…