The Hama-rikyu garden was originally the hunting ground for the Tokugawa Shogunate. It is now owned and managed by the Tokyo metropolitan government and is a public park.

Located in the heart of Tokyo in the Chuo ward, it is a very big garden that is very well maintained. You can see beautiful contrasting scenery from the traditional Japanese garden and the modern city skyscrapers. Even though we went in the middle of winter, we were still able to see beautiful flowers blooming. It is a popular cherry blossom viewing during the springtime.

Omotesando a luxury street filled with beautiful modern architecture and designer stores. If you go into the back streets, there are many cafes, salons and small designer stores.

Omotesando Hills is a high-end shopping mall that is beautifully designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. The mall features almost 100 luxury stores and restaurants.

Located in the Omotesando Hills mall, Yasaiya-Mei (vegetable house) is a great restaurant where even vegetarians can enjoy a healthy meal. All the dishes were very interesting, exploring lots of different flavours. Only organic vegetables from contracted farms were used, so you would know that the ingredients used are very high quality.

Located just outside of Tokyo station amongst the commercial buildings and office workers, the Marounouchi Naka Dori is a paved street lined with food trucks during lunch and dinner hours. Local and international artworks are displayed in the area as well as lots of cafes and museums, which you are able to walk around and explore in.

Tokyo Tower is an iconic tower standing at 333 meters high. The main deck of the tower is at 150 meters with an observatory that allows you to see Tokyo from all angles. You are also able to look directly down while standing on glass floor whilst high up in the tower.

To celebrate Tokyo Tower’s 60th year, there was a special light up event once an hour just at the base of Tokyo Tower when we visited.

We had an exquisite dinner at Ginza Rabu Hanare in Ginza. The restaurant offers totally private rooms where you can dine with a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.

We got the set menu, which was 4500yen per person. It was an amazing 7-course dinner. Being able to taste the different Japanese delicacies in a course was definitely worth it!
*Prices are for travelers at the time of use.

Hotel Villa Fontaine Tokyo -Shiodome is conveniently located in front of Shiodome station by the Oedo subway line, or about a 5-minute walk from Shimbashi JR station. You can easily get to the hotel by bus or train from Narita or Haneda airport. There are English-speaking staff that are very helpful and are always available if you need any help. The rooms in this hotel are decently sized with a large bed top make your stay comfortable.

We were flying to Akita via Haneda airport. The check in process for JAL was fast and efficient. We were able to check in by just inputting our ticket number onto the machines and it would print out your boarding pass. There are multiple languages available which is great for overseas travellers. Everything was done in a quick but organized manner. The flight to Akita was short, but the service was top notch with them offering us a selection of drinks before we landed. The seats were also very comfortable with lots of leg room.

The Tazawako Ski area overlooks Lake Tazawako. It is the largest ski resort in Akita. It can be easily accessed by a shuttle bus from Akita airport, or there are night busses leaving from Tokyo. We were able to rent out snow gear as we were going for a skiing adventure!

We took the ski lift to the top where we were able to see a beautiful view of Lake Tazawako. Since it was our first time skiing we had a lot of trouble starting out, however our ski instructor was incredibly patient and always made sure we were safe. We eventually improved (a bit!) towards the end, it was a lot of fun and something I definitely recommend to everyone.

Situated near Mount Nyuto, Nyutou Onsen is one of the most famous onsen spots in Japan. The hot springs in Nyutou Onsen are only available to guests staying in the ryokan (Japanese style inn), however guests not staying at the ryokans are able to use the onsens before 3pm for a fee. There are multiple hot springs in the area, however the Tsurunoyu Onsen is one of the most famous. Tsurunoyu Onsen is the oldest ryokan in Nyuto Onsen with rooms dating back to the Edo period. Tsurunoyu Onsen is a mixed gender hot spring, with milky water. Even though it is a mixed hotspring, the milky water allows you to soak in the hotspring without any worries, it is defeinteily an expereince that you must try!

Hotel Mori no Kaze Tazawako is located near Lake Tazawako. The rooms were equipped with 2 beds and all the amentities you would need to make your stay comfortable. There was also a buffet style dinner that consisted with a lot of Japanese dishes as well as dishes famous in the Akita prefecture.

"Yama No Hachimitsuya" Bee-Skep is a souvenier store located near Lake Tazawako that specializes in honey. The unique architecture of the place attracts people to come. The store has honey imported from all around the world in different forms! Jams, syrups, vinegars and even ice-cream! It is a must visit for some unique souvenirs to bring back home.

Suzukisyuzo (Hideyoshi Sake Brewery) was founded in 1689 and quickly became a favorite to the local people of Akita. To celebrate newly brewed sake, a two day festival is held. Around 1000 people apply to be apart of the festival, however only about 100 are invited. The festival consisted of sake tasting, local food and musical performances!

Kiritanpo is a local dish from the Akita prefecture. We went to the Kawai Farm Inn Furusato where we were taught by a local family how to make local dishes. You instantly feel at home once you enter, the owners are extremely friendly and even teach you a bit of Akita-ben. For the Japanese experience to feel warm and welcoming atmosphere, it can’t get more authentic than this!

Kakunodate, also known as the “Little Kyoto of Touhoku”. The street is lined with "Bukeyashiki" (old samurai houses) that are well preserved since the Edo period. You are able to enter the houses for a small fee, and the owners are more than happy to give you a tour.

We were greeted with smiles and were told that the people living in the houses now are descendants of the samurai. There are many traditional displays such as hina dolls, we were shown some that have been around for many years! The beautiful architecture is well preserved and you can even sit next to a charcoal fireplace to enjoy the atmosphere.

On February 10th of every year, around the Lunar New Year, a Paper Balloon Festival takes places in Kamihinokinai. It is about a 40-minute train ride from Kakunodate. Paper balloons, sometimes over 12 meters tall are set off to fly into the sky. You are able to write your wishes on a paper balloon and it will be launched into the air in hopes of carrying everyone’s wishes. Besides the paper balloons, the festival also consisted of lots of local food and drinks you’ll be able to enjoy.

The festival has been around ever since the Edo period, originally locals would pray for rice harvests and health, however nowadays individuals would put their own prayers on the balloons in hopes for the gods to grant them their wishes.

Tsuki no Shiori is local restaurant where you’ll be able to enjoy dishes from the Akita prefecture. We had a set menu that covered a wide range of local delicacies such as nabe and Inaniwa Udon. Most of the time udon is quite thick, however Inaniwa Udon is thinner and smoother. It is all handmade and is a dish that you must try if you visit Akita!

Located conveniently in the center of Kakunodate, Machiya Hotel Kakunodate is a great place to stay if you want to get through most of the sightseeing places in Akita. The room was equipped with 2 beds as well as a separate bathroom and shower. The hotel is brand new and only just opened up in 2017.

There is so much to do and see in Japan, but finding a balance and being able to experience both traditional and modern Japan is a must. Even though the trip was short, we were able to cover so many different places and made memories I’ll be able to cherish. Akita prefecture is definitely a hidden gem and I would highly recommend everyone to visit, you will not be disappointed!