Samurai Village Kakunodate (角館) – A Small Town in Akita

Review of Samurai Village Kakunodate A town as quiet as the sound of a heartbeat If there’s a place that makes you feel like you’ve traveled back to the Edo period without the need for artificial sets, Kakunodate is the answer. This samurai village is located in Akita Prefecture, in northern Japan. Each street still features old samurai houses that are elegant, simple, and perfectly reflect the lifestyle of the warrior class of the past. Dark wood, earthen walls, stone fences, pine bushes, and gravel paths—everything feels still yet solid. Some houses are open for visitors, such as the Aoyagi-ke and Ishiguro-ke residences. These homes display ancient artifacts, weapons, armor, and small Japanese gardens. Walking inside feels like stepping into the story of someone long gone, yet their breath still lingers in the house. 🌸 If you visit during spring, the streets are adorned with Shidare cherry blossoms (weeping cherry trees) that bow down as if whispering secrets to visitors. The sight of petals gently drifting in front of wooden houses is truly enchanting.