Silversea Luxury Cruises À Akita

Akita Castle Ruins

A 15 min coach drive from the pier takes you to the Akita Castle ruins. Akita was once a castle town of the Satake clan, but today is a vibrant, prosperous city that seamlessly honors its past but embraces its young energetic spirit. At the Castle ruins visit the archaeological excavations with the remains of the foundations of the barracks as well as other official buildings for the Government of Dewa province. These excavations indicate that the site had approximate dimensions of 94 m east-west and 77 m north-south. See other artifacts such as ceramic roof tiles, wooden tally boards and documents on varnished paper. A number of the structures of Akita Castle have been reconstructed..

Geisha House, Traditional Entertainment & Tea Cerimony

No visit to Japan is complete without a visit to a Geisha House and a traditional tea ceremony! From Atika Castle, re-board the coach for a 30 min scenic drive to a local Geisha house. Geisha's are Japanese women who entertain through performing the ancient traditions of art, dance and singing and are distinctively characterized through their wearing of kimono and oshiroi make-up. These mysterious beauties will perform their time-honored traditional dances along with the Japanese tradition steeped in history, the tea ceremony. It is a ceremonial way of preparing and drinking green tea in a traditional tearoom with a tatami floor. After witnessing the art of a tea ceremony, enjoy some time to take souvenir photographs before heading back to the pier.

Tscuhizaki Museum

Spend the day exploring the capital and largest city of the Akita Prefecture. The scenic area is famous for being flanked by the longest mountain range in Japan and its numerous rice paddies. Enjoy the views as you take a scenic 15 min coach transfer from the port to the Tsuchizaki Museum. The museum exhibits an actual float used in Akita's Traditional Float Festival held each July. The history of the festival spans more than 300 years. Every year approximately 20 floats partake in the procession dedicated to the shrine. The two day festival is also designated as a Japanese National Intangible Heritage. Explore the museum with videos and touch panels providing information about the history that connects Tsuchizaki's past and future. Learn about so-called northern-bound ships. The major attraction of the museum is the jaw-dropping display of a real festival float. In addition to seeing the float up close, Your guide will share the importance as well as the history of the Float Festival. A portion of a bombed warehouse is on display at the Air Raid Exhibition Hall. Here videos and explanatory panels and artifacts of the air raid onTsuchizaki during World War II can be viewd. Within the museum there is also a fascinating section that is housed in a former Oil Factory which preserves items related to an air attack during the Pacific War.

This is followed by a powerful Taiko Drum show performance. Drums are used at the local festivals and is referred to by locals as Minato Bayashi. This performance is used to attract the people of the neighbouring towns and to set the mood for the festivals being held.

Lacquer Craft Venue & Artisan Kunio Saito

Re-board the coach for a 30 min drive to meet the local artisan, Kunio Saito who has been honoured with the Japan Yellow Ribbon Medal in 2010 attributed for his artisanship. Under the guidance of this craft master, learn how to make your very own pair of chopsticks. In Japan chopsticks are called "hashi" and are used for both cooking and eating. Japanese parents take time in teaching the skill of using chopsticks to their children seriously, as it is considered one of the most important manners in society. Enjoy this unique and rare experience as well as the chance of taking home your own chopsticks as a souvenir.

Mt. Kanpu Observatory

Taking a 50 min scenic drive along the coastline with fantastic views of crags and boulders takes you to Mt. Kanpu Observatory, situated on a unique volcano covered with green fields, 355 metres about sea level. The observatory makes a full rotation every 13 minutes offering great views of all of the mountains and the coastal area. The iconic observatory offers an unimpeded 360° panoramic view stretching as far as the paddy fields on the reclaimed land of Lake Hachirogata in the east, Nyudozaki Lighthouse and the Sea of Japan in the west, snow-capped Mount Chokai in the south and the World Heritage Site of Shirakami Sanchi in the north.Inside the observatory is an exhibit where you can learn about the history of the Oga Peninsula and its natural environment.

Namahage Museum

Re-board the coach for a 30 min drive to the Namahage Museum. Focusing on the Oga area, the Namahage Museum highlights the Namahage Festival, a New Year's Eve ritual that involves young men donning devil masks and traditional straw garments to raid local houses in search of children and young women. The devils take them as captives, and are then offered sake, food and assured that the children and women are good people. Uncover the importance of this dramatic festival for the local people and their culture through the exhibits on display. Enjoy the displays of Namahage masks as well as a show which demonstrates the Festival events.

Traditional Lunch

The last attraction for the day is a 40 min drive to a local local restaurant where you will get to experience "Ishiyaki Okenabe". The regional cuisine is a miso-based soup with a lot of vegetables and the unique way it is cooked in a stone-simmered hot pot.. The chef puts all the freshly harvested ingredients in a wooden tub with red-hot stones to boil. Enjoy this cultural treat of stone-simmered seafood soup, grilled fish, pickled vegetables and white rice. This dish is said to have been a fisherman's treat. After lunch, a 90 minute scenic drive takes you back to the pier.

(Please acknowledge the 'Important Note' section reported down below)

Shenshu Park

Start the day with a 30 min drive to Shenshu Park. Built in 1603 on castle grounds, Senshu Park impress with its serene landscape and historical value. The wooden gate and old guard post remain from the old citadel as a reminder of ancient times. Stroll around the lake and admire the lotuses blooming on its surface. Famous for its valley of 800 cherry trees, the park hosts and annual spring festival when in bloom. Other enchanting spectacles offered by the gardens include blooming azalea shrubs framing Kogetsu Pond from mid to late May, lotus flowers floating on the water of Otemon moat in July, and later scarlet autumn leaves that turns into a picturesque scene covered in snowy winter scenes. Most of the retro-looking wooden structures around are reconstructed buildings, with the exception of the remaining original - the "Omonogashiragobansho". It is believed to have been completed in around 1758 and served as accommodation for a headman in charge of security and fire extinguishing in the area.

Onsen Experience - Japanese Style Hot Springs

After exploring the tranquil scenery of Shenshu Park, re-board the coach for a 15 min transfer to the Japanese Onsen (hot spring). The custom of bathing in hot springs have been part of the Japanese culture for centuries. This is more than cleaning yourself, in Akita the water quality features salt springs and leaving your skin smooth as silk and also provides warm comfort for weary muscles. Not only relaxing, but these natural waters that spring from Mother Earth are also said to provide numerous health and beauty-related benefits. Enjoy this relaxing moment and experiencing a part of a Japanese century old culture before being transferred back to the pier.

Important Note:

Japanese hot springs are enjoyed naked. Swimming suits are not allowed. It's permitted to bring a small towel into the bathing area, with which you can enhance your privacy while outside of the water. Once entered the bath, the towel must be kept out of the water. Shampoo, conditioner, body soap, face towel, and bath towel will be provided at the hot springs location. The hot springs are separated for female-only and male-only but are not privately reserved for Silversea Guests. We suggest guests not to bring valuables or wear accessories as the colour may be changed due to the hot springs water. The relaxing room after the hot springs experience might be Japanese style i.e. sitting on Tatami Mats (on the floor). The use of the bath is forbidden after the consumption of alcoholic beverages. It's also forbidden for women who are pregnant or during their menstruation period. Tattoos are also prohibited. Photography and video cameras are not permitted inside the hot springs.

Kakunodate Old Town

Join this full day tour starts with a 90 minute drive to explore one of Japan's most well preserved historical areas, the Kakunodate Samurai District. Here around 80 Samurai families once lived. There are 6 houses that are open to the public. Get a glimpse of their lives through the architecture of the buildings and items scattered around the homes. Stroll along the winding historic streets with dozens of weeping cherry trees that line the road exploring the magnificent samurai houses, barely touched by time. The elegant cherry trees in the merchant district were planted in the 17^th Century, brought back from Kyoto by local samurai families. With their melancholy beauty, these cherry blossom trees granted the families even greater status amongst the locals. Stroll under the blooms in the streets of the samurai quarter for an authentic cherry blossom viewing experience.

View the Aoyagi Manor, a 400 year old local Samurai home which once belonged to the prominent Aoyagi Family. The house was restored in 1860 The Aoyagi Samurai manor provides an opportunity to understand Japan's feudal period through its dynamic displays.. Items on display include the precious hanging scrolls, paintings and ancient documents. In addition to the displays, there are various experiences you can try including using Samurai swords, spears, Kabuto helmet & Kago lifting (ancient Edo-period carriage); which allows you to also 'feel' part of the history.

Local Japanese Restaurant

Re-board the coach for a 15 min drive to a local restaurant where you will enjoy a typical Japanese lunch of tempura tofo, savory egg custard, rice cake, Udon noodles and pickled vegetables.

Miso Brewery Tour with Tasting

After lunch re-embark the coach for a 15 min drive to the Miso Brewery. Experience and learn about the traditional techniques still being used today, the brewing process, health benefits and a chance to sample this local dish.

Sake Brewery Tour with Tasting

Re-embark the coach for a short 15 min drive to a Sake Brewery. Sake is Japan's national drink. Learn about the history as well as the manufacturing process of this age old drink. Here you can enjoy sampling various types of Sake. After the tasting, relax and enjoy the 180 minute journey back to the port.

Akita Folk Art Museum, Akita's Traditional Festival, Kaneko Family House

Transfer to the Akita Folk Art Museum for approximately 30-minute drive. Admire items related to Akita's Traditional Festival. The main exhibitions are festival poles for Akita's Kanto Festival, or Pole Lantern Festival. The highlight of the festival is an impressive display of skill in which performers balance Kanto (long bamboo poles) with arrays of paper lanterns attached to the end. The museum staff will demonstrate how to balance to help figure out how the skill-full performers attract & entertain the audience at the busy and lively festival. Along with the museum, explore the former Kaneko family house nearby. The family started in the business of Pawn Shop and Old Clothes during the Edo Era, then Kimono Shop in the Meiji Period. It is now a Cultural Property owned by the City of Akita.

Sake Brewery & Tasting

Next, it is time to visit one of the many Sake Breweries that uses the renowned Akita Rice. Akita is famous for its natural water and there is a story in old days that people came here to get it for tea ceremonies. The factory uses the traditional way and contemporary establishment that help production work efficiently. An old storehouse is preserved and gives you a glimpse of its history. In this 1953-built house, you will feel how they made good sake in freezing cold winter.

Stroll at Local Market

The last destination today is the local market, a place where not only families but also chefs gather to seek their ingredients including - fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, fruits & everyday necessities. Browse the many stalls and get a glimpse into daily Japanese life.