Semboku (仙北) is a city in Akita prefecture.

Districts

• Kakunodate
• Nyuto Onsen
• Lake Tazawa
• Tamagawa

Understand

Tourist Information Site

The city's official site has a good sightseeing section in English.

Get in

The Akita Shinkansen Komachi (こまち) from Tokyo, Sendai and Morioka makes a regular stop at JR Tazawako Station and JR Kakunodate Station. Komachi provides hourly service from Tokyo and the journey takes roughly 4 hr from Tokyo, 2½ hr from Sendai and 1hr from Morioka. All Komachi trains are reserved. If the trained is fully-booked, you can purchase standing seats. Japan Rail Pass is accepted.

See

• 1 Kakunodate. Remains of an old samurai town. In spring, many cherry blossoms bloom. 
• 2 Lake Tazawa Excursion Ship, 148, Haruyama, Tazawa, Tazawako 田沢湖田沢字春山148 (bus from JR Tazawako station 15 min, bus stop "Tazawako resthouse mae" to walk 1 min), ☏ +81 187 43-0274, fax: +81 187 43-3460. 4 - 8 services per day. Period 26 Apr - 5 Nov.. Around trip ¥1170. 
• 3 Dakigaeri Valley (抱き返り渓谷). Valley with sheer Tama River along. Autumn leaves is great. Promenade is placed. 

Do

Tsurunoyu Onsen in Nyūtō Hot Springs

• 1 Nyuto Onsen (乳頭温泉郷). A lot of old hot springs. These are famous resorts for Japanese. 
• 2 Tamagawa Hot Springs (玉川温泉). This onsen has the highest flow rate in Japan at 150 liters/second. 
• 3 Paper Balloon Festival (紙風船上げ Kamifuusen Age), 西木町紙風船広場 (walk 7 min from Kamihinoki station, along National route 105), ☏ +81 187 43-3352. Feb 10, starts at 15:00. In this festival dating back more than a century, large decorated paper balloons are lit and float off in the evening sky. The evening can get cold, so warm clothing is recommended. 
• 4 Cycling around the Lake Tazawa (Lake Tazawa Renta Cycle, in Kyōei Palace) (田沢湖周回サイクリング (田沢湖レンタサイクル, 共栄パレス内)), 148, Haruyama, Tazawa, Tazawako 田沢湖田沢字春山148 (bus from JR Tazawako station 15 min, bus stop "Tazawako resthouse mae" to walk 1 min), ☏ +81 187 43-1671. Loop around lakeside the Lake Tazawa. Up down no much flat road. Approximately 20 km around, takes 2 - 3 hr. An hour ¥400, thereafter every 15 min ¥150. 

Drink

• 1 Tazawako Beer (田沢湖ビール), Waseda, Sotsuda, Tazawako, 田沢湖卒田字早稲田, ☏ +81 187 44-3988, fax: +81 187 44-3983, beer@warabi.or.jp. W-M 11:00-21:00, Tu closed. It is a local beer. The brewery has a restaurant offering French and Italian cuisine. ¥498 1 bottle of beer. 

Sleep

See also: Kakunodate, Nyuto Onsen

Camp

• 1 Tazawako Sports Center Campsite (田沢湖スポーツセンターキャンプ場), Shimotakano, Obonai, Tazawako 田沢湖生保内字下高野, ☏ +81 187 46-2001, fax: +81 187 46-2003. The place-to-be ski area in the winter. There are many hot springs near. mid-Jun - Aug: ¥310. 

Splurge

• 2 Natsuse Onsen Miyakowasure (夏瀬温泉 都わすれ), 84 Natsuse, Sotsuda, Tazawako, 田沢湖卒田字夏瀬84 (30 min from Tazawako or Kakunodate station by car), ☏ +81 187 44-2220, fax: +81 187 44-2219, natsuse@taenoyu.com. An onsen inn in the mountains. All guest rooms have a hot spring bath. Stay ¥25,000+. Only bathing ¥500. 

Go next

• Shizukuishi
• Kazuno
• Kitaakita
• Akita
• Daisen
• Yokote
• Yuzawa
• Hachimantai
• Shizukuishi

Routes through Semboku

Akita ← Omagari ←

W  E

→ Tazawa-ko → Shizukuishi → Morioka