Akita Private Custom Tour with Local Guide

Duration

6 hr

From pickup or the meeting point and back

Your call needs

11+ hours

Incl. getting ashore and the hour before all-aboard

Price

From US$194 per person

Free cancellation 24h ahead · as of 26 Sep 2026

Group

Private · up to 15

Meeting point on booking

Why it is on this site

It touches three of the site's Akita picks: Kakunodate (5), Lake Tazawa (6) and Senshu Park (8), with the Kubota Castle turret view.
An English-speaking guide explains local folklore, crafts and the Satake clan who ruled from the castle.
It holds a 5.0 rating across 11 reviews, with a full refund up to 24 hours ahead.

Best for

Travelers on a long Akita call who will pay for a car separately and want one guide for the whole day.

Think twice if

The price is for the guide only: transport, entry fees, lunch and the guide's expenses are all extra. The listing puts five one-hour stops in six hours across places far apart, and gives no meeting point, so ask how the day actually runs and what the car costs.

What the operator lists

The day, stop by stop

Samurai District · 1 hrBegin your journey at the Kakunodate Samurai Residence Street, famously known as the Little Kyoto of Tohoku. Stroll through this beautifully preserved district featuring historic black wooden walls and majestic weeping cherry trees.
Tazawa Lake · 1 hrContinue your adventure to Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan. Admire the stunning sapphire-blue water and take a photo with the iconic golden statue of Tatsuko. The legendary beauty of the lake changes with the seasons, offering a serene and mystical atmosphere.
Gozanoishi Shrine · 1 hrA short drive along the shore leads you to Gozanoishi Shrine, located on the northern edge of the lake. The striking red Torii gate standing right by the crystal-clear water is one of the most spiritual and photogenic spots in Akita, offering a perfect moment for reflection.
Senshu Park · 1 hrTransition back to the city to explore Senshu Park, a lush Japanese-style park developed on the site of the former Kubota Castle. Walk through tranquil gardens and along scenic ponds. It is a designated Place of Scenic Beauty, offering a peaceful oasis in the heart of Akita City.
Kubota Castle · 1 hrStep deeper into history at the Kubota Castle Ruins to learn about the Satake clan who ruled this region for over 260 years. Walk through the reconstructed Front Gate and climb the Osumiyagura Turret for a panoramic view of the city and the distant mountains.

Included

English-speaking guide

Not included

Private transportation
Personal expenses
Entrance fees (for yourself)
Lunch (for yourself)
Guide's necessary expenses during the tour

Guide languages: English. Cancellation: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Run by Travel Japan Together Tokyo.

Where it takes you

What you will see

Our own guides to the stops — so you know what you are booking before you book it.

~6h with transfer

Kakunodate samurai town

Whole streets of samurai manors under weeping cherries, an hour inland — crafts, kimono rental and cellar museums.

Our guide to it →Full day, guided

Lake Tazawa loop

Japan’s deepest lake — sapphire blue with a golden maiden statue at the waterline.

Our guide to it →

~3.5h

Senshu Park

The castle-site park above downtown — lotus moats, a small keep, and in late April the cherry tunnel Akita waits all winter for.

Our guide to it →

Book it

Check dates and book

Booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). There is rarely a tour desk at the pier, so book before you sail.

Akita Private Custom Tour with Local Guide5.0★ · 11 reviews · Private · up to 15From US$194 per personCheck dates →

We may earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. It never decides what we recommend — the “think twice” note above is there on purpose.

Quick answers

Before you book

Is the Akita Private Custom Tour with Local Guide worth it from the Akita cruise port?

A six-hour private guided day that lists Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa, Gozanoishi Shrine and Akita city's castle park. Best for: Travelers on a long Akita call who will pay for a car separately and want one guide for the whole day.

How long a port call do I need for this tour?

About 11 hours. The tour runs 6 hr; add half an hour to get off the ship and keep the hour before all-aboard free. No meeting point or car is included; with the drives between Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa and Akita, plan on 8 to 9 hours away from the ship.

Can I cancel if my ship skips the port?

The operator's policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What should I know before booking?

The price is for the guide only: transport, entry fees, lunch and the guide's expenses are all extra. The listing puts five one-hour stops in six hours across places far apart, and gives no meeting point, so ask how the day actually runs and what the car costs.

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