Currently, some hiking trails are closed. The accessible trail takes about 15 minutes on foot to reach Kobusugi. Since this area is deep in the mountains, please come prepared with appropriate gear for trekking and to handle encounters with wildlife. About a 5-minute drive from the Obayashi hamlet, amidst a vast forest, stand natural Akita cedar trees over 250 years old. Amidst a grove of some 700 giant trees stands the “Kobu Cedar,” a tree with a particularly peculiar shape that seems to gaze up at the sky and down at the earth. This giant tree was selected in Heisei 12 for the Forestry Agency’s “Top 100 Giants of the Forest” list. It is carefully preserved as a symbol of the village and as a mysterious space woven by nature.

Located on the first floor of Takahashi Ryokan—a long-established inn with a history spanning more than 180 years since its founding in the Edo period—the restaurant “Ikoi” is popular for its fragrant 100% buckwheat soba, which is hand-rolled on-site.In particular, the “Zaru Soba and Tuna Nigiri Sushi” set—which features hearty, substantial tuna nigiri—is the restaurant’s signature dish, ordered by about 80 percent of customers. Utilizing sourcing channels unique to this ryokan—which has long operated as a traditional Japanese-style inn—the restaurant procures its tuna twice a week, primarily using “Kuroshio Honmaguro” from Kochi Prefecture. Rich in fat and full of flavor, its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness is sure to bring a smile to your face.Depending on availability, they also sell sashimi for takeout, and many customers from both within and outside the prefecture come to purchase it. A popular souvenir item, “Miyamai-nari,” consists of glutinous rice mixed with walnuts, wrapped in inari pouches, and finished with a sweet-and-salty seasoning.We also recommend “Goma-mochi,” a famous snack said to have originated in Kami-Koani Village. Takahashi Ryokan’s Goma-mochi uses a 5:5 ratio of glutinous rice to sesame seeds, giving it a stronger sesame flavor than typical Goma-mochi. Be sure to try the original Goma-mochi for yourself.

Yamafuji Onsen (Kamikoani Village Community Center) is the only hot spring facility in the village. The colorless, clear water is gentle on the skin and keeps you warm for a long time, earning a reputation for warming you right down to your core.With just one indoor bath each for men and women, it is a cozy, homey hot spring beloved by many villagers. It also attracts visitors from far away seeking treatment for skin conditions and joint pain. Located in the Gotanzawa district, about 6 km from the village center—where the town hall and the Kamikoani Roadside Station are situated—it boasts a secluded setting reminiscent of a hidden hot spring deep in the mountains. Since there is no cell phone reception in the immediate vicinity of the facility, visitors can relax and unwind away from the hustle and bustle of daily life (*Wi-Fi available).The surrounding area features open spaces with gazebos for day camping and barbecues, as well as a beautiful mountain stream, making it a great spot for forest bathing and summer retreats. On the way to the facility, you can also admire the spectacular Gotanzawa Great Waterfall. In addition to the bathing facilities, there is a large Japanese-style room that can accommodate about 30 people, which is also used for local events and meetings. You can use it as a rest area after bathing for 200 yen (*free for village residents). Why not spend a relaxing moment surrounded by lush nature and the soothing sound of a babbling stream?

Located in Kami-Koani Village, Okuakita Hyakuwarai is a farmstay run by Takaaki and Taiki Suzuki—father and son—who operate “Tajuro Farm,” which cultivates Kami-Koani’s specialty crop, edible ground cherries.It is the village’s only lodging facility (as of October 2024) and is widely used for a variety of purposes, including long-term stays for workation, agricultural experience tours, and accommodations for travelers. The farm primarily grows edible ground cherries, as well as sweet potatoes and zucchini, and guests can participate in agricultural experiences upon request.In particular, the edible ground cherries—which Mr. Suzuki has dedicated many years to cultivating without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or herbicides—are a rare fruit even on a national scale. The golden-colored, sweet-and-sour fruit is a true delicacy that you simply must try at least once. With Akita City and Odate City about an hour away by car, and Odate-Noshiro Airport about 30 minutes away, transportation access to nearby areas is excellent. During your stay, Mr. Suzuki may even show you around local attractions. Why not spend some relaxing time in Kamikoani Village, surrounded by nature?   [Comment from Mr. Suzuki] “Why not refresh your mind and body in Kamikoani Village, rich in natural beauty? Enjoy unique experiences such as ‘half-farming, half-X’ agricultural activities, sightseeing in nearby remote towns and villages, and fun activities at food trucks, farm-stay direct sales stands, and roadside stations—including shaved ice,roasted sweet potatoes, and vegetables; firewood splitting and wood-burning stove experiences; mochi pounding using the ancestral zelkova “Uskine” mallet; kiritanpo making; sauna (planned); barrel baths; Goemon-style baths; cold water baths… There’s plenty of fun to be had with all these activities!”

Nestled in a quiet village surrounded by nature is Gateau Mignon, a pastry shop and café-restaurant. Here, you can enjoy exquisite lunches and desserts created by Kimiko Ito, a dessert concierge who trained at a French patisserie in Daikanyama, Tokyo. The lunch menu features an omakase course centered around chewy pizza and pasta. This hearty lunch comes with an authentic dessert plate and a drink, ensuring you’ll leave completely satisfied.Depending on the season, you may also be able to enjoy dishes and desserts made with local specialties from Kamikoani Village, such as edible ground cherries and perilla. Both the dishes and the desserts are all carefully handmade by Kimiko herself. Set in a standalone house surrounded by nature, this hidden gem of a spot is the perfect place to relax and unwind with friends or family without a care in the world. You can also purchase Kimiko’s sweets and bread at the Kamikoani Roadside Station. Her chiffon cake is especially popular! Be sure to stop by.  

An arts festival held annually from summer through fall, taking place throughout the village of Kami-Koani. Featuring a variety of exhibitions and events centered on three pillars—contemporary art, music, and traditional performing arts—the festival showcases the charm of the satoyama landscape.Artworks created by contemporary artists based both within and outside the prefecture, as well as graduates of Akita Prefectural University of Art, who drew inspiration from Kamikoani Village, are displayed at venues throughout the village. Workshops and music events are also held. Launched in 2012 under the name “KAMIKOANI Project Akita” as an offshoot of the “Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale” held in Niigata Prefecture, the festival saw local residents take the lead in forming a new organizing committee in 2016, renaming it to its current title, “Kamikoani Project.”Since then, the festival has been held annually while expanding the number of venues, and the number of repeat visitors from outside the prefecture is growing. With many participatory events such as workshops, this is an art festival unique to the satoyama landscape where you can engage with the local community through art. Once you participate, you’re sure to discover the hidden charms of Kamikoani. Please feel free to stop by.   2025 Event Information (Click or Tap) Kickoff Music Festival Flyer (Click or Tap) Closing Event: “Traditional Performing Arts Performance and Symposium” (Click or Tap) September 21 (Sun) Kickoff Music Festival Venue: Koanity 72-2 Mukogawara, Kamikoani Village, Kitaakita District, Akita Prefecture Admission: 1,000 yen (Free for high school students and younger) Reservations: Not required October 5 (Sun) – 26(Sun) *Closed Wednesdays* Exhibition Venue: Former Kamikoani Nursery School 210 Mukogawara, Ozawada, Kamikoani Village, Kitaakita District, Akita Prefecture Approximately three artists will conduct artist-in-residence programs and hold exhibitions. A weekend café is also planned. November 9 (Sun): Traditional Performing Arts Performance and Symposium Venue: Health Promotion Training Center 118 Mukogawara, Ozawada, Kamikoani Village, Kitaakita District, Akita Prefecture In addition to a joint performance featuring Kamikoani Village’s “Ozawada Koma Odori” and Kitakita City’s “Fukuda Shishimai” and “Neko Bangaku,” a symposium themed “Connecting and Being Connected Festival” will be held.  

The “Kamikoani Village Ito-okashi Market” is a market event packed with the region’s charm. One of the unique joys of this market is being able to shop while interacting directly with local producers.   At the Ito-okashi Market, you’ll find stalls selling local specialties, sweets, handmade goods, and crafts. There are also unique attractions, such as visits from “Koapyon,” Kamikoani Village’s mascot character, and a corner featuring nostalgic vinyl records. True to its name, “Ito-okashi” (meaning “very charming”), this is a space where you can discover the small beauties and joys found in everyday life. Please take your time and relax while experiencing the warmth of the local community.

Discovered in 1919 (Taisho 8) by Yuzaburo Kinoshita in Kami-Koani Village, this perennial orchid was named “Koani-chidori” by botanist Dr. Tomitaro Makino. The name derives from its discovery in the Koani River basin; it has been designated as the official flower of Kami-Koani Village and is cherished as a symbol of the region. It is a small plant, growing to a height of about 10 to 20 cm, and from early summer through summer (around June to July), it produces several delicate white or pale pink flowers. Although the flowers are only a few millimeters in size, a closer look reveals their delicate shape and beautiful patterns, making them resemble tiny butterflies fluttering through the forest. It grows primarily on moist rocky areas and alpine grasslands, and can only be found in limited environments. Because it is sensitive to heat, its distribution is concentrated mainly in northern Japan; however, its population is extremely small, and it is a precious plant designated as “Endangered (Category II)” on the Ministry of the Environment’s Red List. You may encounter this Koanichidori in the rich natural environment, but to preserve its beauty for future generations, it is important to avoid picking the flowers or trampling the area, and to admire them quietly. When visiting Deep Akita in early summer, please take a moment to notice these tiny lives blooming quietly in the forest.An encounter with the Koanichidori will be a special experience with nature that can only be enjoyed here. Additionally, at the Kamikoani Roadside Station, you can purchase Koanichidori that have been carefully cultivated by hand. They are available for sale from around late May—before the flowers bloom—through mid-June.

"Perilla oil" is rich in the omega-3 fatty acid "alpha-linolenic acid." It helps improve blood flow. Since the human body cannot produce omega-3 fatty acids, they must be obtained from food (i.e., essential fatty acids). While they are abundant in bluefish such as mackerel and sardines, they are nutrients that modern people tend to lack. That is why “perilla oil,” which is rich in omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid), is gaining attention. Since alpha-linolenic acid breaks down when heated, please enjoy it by drizzling it over food or mixing it in. We also recommend mixing it with soy sauce and using it as a salad dressing. This perilla oil is pressed from perilla grown in Kamikoani Village. It is a fresh, cold-pressed, additive-free perilla oil. It is sold alongside a wide variety of local specialties at the roadside station.

"Kohaze" is a local specialty from Kami-Koani. In other prefectures, it’s called "Natsuhaze," and overseas, it’s also known as the "Japanese blueberry." It’s said to be good for the eyes and help relieve fatigue, and its antioxidant effects—including anti-aging benefits—are said to be two to three times greater than those of blueberries. They’re tart when eaten raw, but when made into ice cream or jam, they offer just the right balance of sweet and tart flavors. Kohaze ice cream is very creamy and has a rich berry flavor. It’s delicious even in the dead of winter, so it’s absolutely irresistible in the summer. It’s sold alongside a wide variety of other local specialties at roadside stations.

When you hear “hoozuki,” you probably think of the ornamental variety with red berries that taste bitter when eaten, but the “edible hoozuki” grown in Kami-Koani Village has sweet-and-sour orange berries that taste like a cross between a tomato and a plum. It’s very fruity, and because people say you’ll never forget its taste once you’ve tried it, it’s known as “Koi Dorobou” (Love Thief). It’s rich in vitamins and is beloved as a source of energy and for its beauty benefits.

Some of them have a history dating back more than 400 years. You’ll find a wide variety of products on display, including fresh fruit, seafood, wild mountain vegetables, and mochi. There are delicious sweets, too! You can experience the culture and way of life in Kitaakita.

This summer festival is a beloved summer tradition among the villagers of Kami-Koani Village. Traditional events such as the “Ozawada Horse Dance” and the “Kamikōani Ondo” get the festival spirit going, and as the sun sets, the famous “Man-tō Fire Lanterns” and “Fireworks Display” are held to honor ancestors and pray for the healthy growth of children. There’s plenty to enjoy, including stage performances and taiko drumming!

The Matobi Fire Festival is a traditional event held on the middle day of the Spring Equinox. It is said to have originated from the practice of burning straw in front of graves to honor the spirits of ancestors; the light serves as a guide, and the festival is imbued with the wish that people will return home safely. At Roadside Station Kamikoani, lively events are held where you can enjoy food stalls and various activities. Behind the Roadside Station, a collaboration between the Man-tō-ka in the Ozawada settlement and fireworks lights up the winter night sky. [Matobi Festival Viewing Bus] The “Lantern Festival Viewing Bus,” operated by the NPO Koani Food, Agriculture, and Tourism Support Team, provides easy-to-understand commentary on the history and charm of the lantern festival! You can view the lantern displays in 12 settlements throughout Kami-Koani Village. Capacity: 40 people (reservations prioritized; first-come, first-served) 【Lantern Lighting Experience】 Capacity: 10 people (Reservations required) Deadline: Reservations for the Viewing Bus and Experience: Kamikoani Village Industry Division TEL: 0186-77-2223 (Reception hours: Weekdays 8:30 AM–5:15 PM) [Summary of Lanterns in the Village (Google Maps)] We have published a Google Maps “My Map” summarizing the locations and lighting times of the lanterns throughout the village. ⇩ Click below for details ⇩ https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/edit?mid=1o2UGlpjcmS7bBmIUBkxJlN-eeVI51OQ&usp=sharing [2026 Event Flyer] Man-tōka 2026 Flyer (PDF: Click or Tap)