Nikaho (にかほ市, before 2003 仁賀保市; nikaho-shi) is a city in south western Akita prefecture.

Understand

Mototaki Falls

The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

Get in

Nikaho is directly south of Yurihonjo, and from there it's accessible by train, bus, or car.

See

• 1 The Children's Ferrite and Science Museum (フェライト子ども科学館), 平沢字宝田４−１ (on the south side of Highway 7 in central Kisakata; the large glass spire-like structure is clearly visible from the road), ☏ +81 184-32-3150, fax: +81 184-32-3153. Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. This is a small science museum. There are many hands-on exhibits involving magnets, sound, and various other topics. A few exhibits have information in English. Outside, there is a large trampoline and jungle gym. Adults ¥500, children ¥300. 
• 2 Shirase South Pole Expedition Memorial Hall (白瀬南極探検隊記念館), 黒川字岩潟１５−３. A memorial for Nobu Shirase, a man from Konoura, who led the first Japanese expedition to the South Pole. 
• 3 Naso no Shirataki (奈曽の白滝), 象潟町小滝大ヒド (from Highway 7 in Kisakata, take Highway 58 east for 5 km, then go south on Highway 131 for 1 km), ☏ +81 184-43-3200. This is a 26-m waterfall. Not far from the waterfall is the Kinpo Shrine. Free. 
• 4 Mototaki Fukuryusui Underflow (元滝伏流水) (about 2 km south from Kisakata Hospital). This is a 30-m-wide low waterfall. The wide low waterfall creates a mist, which contrasts with the green moss. 

Do

• 1 Hamanasu Onsen (はまなす), 日本 秋田県にかほ市金浦中谷地２０−１ (Just SE of Highway 7 between Konoura and Kisakata. Near Nikaho High School.), ☏ +81 184-38-2246. 07:00-21:00. An onsen, rotemburo, and sauna. ¥300-500. 
• 2 Shishigahana Wetlands (獅子ヶ鼻湿原) (take Highway 58 SE from Kisakata about 13 km from the Highway 7 junction; it's behind Nakajimadai Forest Recreation Campground). This wetlands area is a great spot for hiking in the woods. Some of the trees here are centuries old and famous for their age. The hiking trails are mostly tree-covered, and some of the streams naturally have a slightly bluish color. The most popular route is a well-signed 5km loop. Free. 

• 3 Tsuchida Farm (土田牧場), 馬場字冬師山４−６ (On the Nikaho Plateau), ☏ +81 184 36-2348. Mar-Dec. This farm has a restaurant that serves lamb, among other things. It also has soft-serve ice cream, as well as cheese and sausage. In a separate building, there is a small petting zoo. Outdoor benches provide nice views of the plateau and surrounding mountains. Ice cream ¥300, petting zoo free. 

Eat

• 1 Nodoka (農土香), Innai, Hishikata 201-2 (south of the Nikaho Branch Office, just east of Nikaho Junior High School), ☏ +81 184-36-2509. The owner makes excellent food, including fresh udon, soba, rice bread, and rice bread pizza. 
• 2 Sasanoi (寿し割烹うなぎ笹乃井), 平沢字新町１１−３ (exit Nikaho Station and turn right; the restaurant is just past the JA Akita Shinsei building), ☏ +81 184-35-2331. This is a sushi restaurant with good sushi and friendly owners. Lunch and specials for ¥1000-1500; dinner for up to ¥5,000. 

Drink

• 1 The Jolly Roger Bar (ジョリー・ロジャー), 象潟町字家ノ後２３−３９ (From Kisakata Station, go west half a block. The bar is on the north side of the road.), ☏ +81 184-43-5227. This bar has a mild pirate theme, and is said to have very friendly staff and customers. 

Sleep

• 1 Ichie (いちゑ), 三森字大苗代190 (On the north side of Highway 7 between Nikaho and Konoura.), ☏ +81 184-37-2000. An upscale ryokan with onsen. Large rooms can be reserved for enkais. ¥12,000 for one night and two meals; specials available. 
• 2 Nakajimadai Forest Recreation Campground (中島台レクリエーションの森キャンプ場), 馬場冬師山 (take Highway 58 SE from Kisakata, turning as necessary to stay on Highway 58; this campground is about 13 km from the Highway 7 junction), ☏ +81 184-38-4305. This campground is at the foot of Mt. Chokai, next to the Shishigahana Wetlands, a great hiking spot. 
• 3 Sun-Nemunoki (サン・ねむの木), Kisakata, Sainokami 31 (300 m S/SW of the Kisakata Michi no Eki), ☏ +81 184-43-4960. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. This is a hotel and onsen overlooking the Sea of Japan. Rooms are Japanese style, with futon mattresses on a tatami floor. Room with 2 meals ¥7000. 

Go next

• Take a quick trip to Yurihonjo, just to the north.
• Climb Mt. Chokai, a popular hiking destination.
• See the Buddhist temple complex Dewa Sanzan, two hours to the south in Tsuruoka
• Akita
• Katagami
• Gojome
• Yuza
• Sakata
• Shonai

Routes through Nikaho

Akita ← Yurihonjo ←

N  S

→ Tsuruoka → Niigata