Akita Furusato Mura, Akita | Japan is Nippon

A complex in Yokote showcasing Akita's food, crafts and art. Entry is free, and covered walkways link the buildings, so it works on rainy or snowy days.

White dome-shaped planetarium building Spacia on a lawn at Akita Furusato Mura — Photo: 掬茶, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Entrance building with a red arched roof at Akita Furusato Mura — Photo: 掬茶, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A "village" of the best of Akita

Akita Furusato Mura ("Akita Hometown Village") is a sightseeing and leisure complex in Yokote, in southern Akita Prefecture, that opened in April 1994. Designed to showcase Akita's culture, food and crafts in one place, it brings together restaurants, souvenir shops, hands-on craft workshops, an art museum and more on a site about the size of four Tokyo Domes.

Entry to the village is free. All the buildings are linked by covered walkways, so it is easy to get around even in bad weather. Outside there are lawns and a plaza with sculptures.

Planetarium, Wonder Castle and art museum

Hoshizora Tankenkan Spacia is a planetarium with a dome 23 m across. The castle-like Wonder Castle has trick art that plays with optical illusions and large climbing and play structures, which makes it fun for families with children.

The village is also home to the Akita Museum of Modern Art. Its collection covers modern and later works, starting with Akita Ranga, Western-style paintings made by the lords and retainers of the Akita domain from the mid to late Edo period.

At the craft workshop you can try making something of your own. Check the official website for what activities are on offer and the fees for the paid attractions.

Akita flavours and getting there

The restaurants serve Akita specialities such as Inaniwa udon (thin, silky, hand-stretched udon noodles) and Yokote yakisoba, a local fried-noodle dish from Yokote. The shop stocks about 10,000 items, so you can pick up souvenirs such as pickles and local Akita sake.

It is about 15 minutes by bus from JR Yokote Station. By car, it is right by the Yokote Interchange on the Akita Expressway. It also makes a handy stop on a trip around southern Akita, along with the samurai houses of Kakunodate and the old storehouse streets of Masuda.

Tips

Entry to the village is free, but the planetarium (Hoshizora Tankenkan Spacia), Wonder Castle and some other attractions need separate tickets. Check prices on the official website.
The buildings are linked by walkways, so it is a good option on a rainy or snowy day.
If you want to buy all your souvenirs in one go, the shop full of Akita specialities is very convenient.