Most people are familiar with the ornamental red variety of Chinese lantern, but Kamikonai grows a special edible orange variety. The sweet and sour flavor has been described as a cross between a tomato and a plum. It is affectionately called the “love thief” variety for its ability to make instant fans out of those who try it. Rich in vitamin C, the “love thief” Chinese lanterns are also a nutritional spread for breads and cakes.

Kosaka was a prosperous mining town around the turn of 20th century, but the smoke from the factories had a devastated the surrounding plant life. In 1909, the townspeople decided to reforest the surrounding landscape by planting imported acacia trees. Now, every June the town bursts with the color and fragrance from over 3 million blooming acacia trees, the largest grove in Japan. ​Local honey bees flock to gather the pollen from the flowers which create exceptionally thick, sweet, and pure honey.

The doburoku, or traditional raw sake, crafted and sold at Utto Hot Springs is made from fresh, local Akita rice and crystal clear Mt. Moriyoshi water. Guests can order unpasteurized “raw” (still fermenting) doburoku that at the hot springs restaurant and pasteurized, bottled doburoku at the gift store. The bottle doburoku has a smooth, velvety finish.

When it comes to sweets in Kitaakita, butter mochi reigns supreme. Thirteen sweet shops in the city offer their own twist on the sweet made from kneaded rice, butter, sugar, and eggs. The flavor, texture, aroma, and color varies from store to store as each prepares the sweet by hand using slightly different techniques and ingredients. However, all exhibit a light cream color and smooth, buttery flavor. popular.

Magewappa is said to have began with lumberjacks bending pieces of cedar into useful shapes while working in the forest. Nowadays, a magewappa piece begins selecting a strong and flexible strip of Akita cedar with a beautiful grain. Then the strip is bathed in hot water and bent into the desired shape. Lastly, cherry tree bark is then woven through the overlapping cear to secure shape and finish the process. ​Sleek, simple, and natural, magewappa handicrafts have garnered fans from around the globe.

The award-winning Torimeshi lunch set has its origins during the hard times of post-war Japan. With food scarce, the local people made due with the rations that were available. A resourceful chef was able to combine ingredients at hand into a delicious boxed lunch. The result was an instant hit and has been a local staple ever since. Tender chicken, soy sauce, and burdock make up the flavor profile of the dish. It is popular with those looking for a lunch on the go, especially those passing through Odate Station. To ensure that the take-out lunches taste great even when cold, they are made to suit the day’s temperature and humidity levels for maximum taste. In 2017 Hanazen renovated their store and now customers can watch through a second floor glass window as workers make the lunches in the kitchen below.

Kiritampo traces its roots to the lumberjacks who worked in the mountains around Odate. The day’s leftover rice would be mashed, kneaded, and then stewed with meat and vegetables or glazed with a miso paste. The dish is nationally renowned as a specialty of Akita Prefecture, but truly authentic kiritampo-nabe stew can only be found in Odate. Although a staple of homecooking, visitors to Akita can try the kiritampo for themselves at any of several restaurants in the area that specialize in the dish.

The Hachijo silk tradition began on Hachijo Island off the coast of Japan. From there it spread to the rest of Japan and eventually Akita. Here, the Japanese rose which grows along the coast is used to make dyes which give Akita Hachijo its highly valued and distinctive color. In 2003 the last remaining Hachijo studio in Akita closed. However, former employees took over the looms in 2007 and opened the Kotomu Studio in Kitaakita City, now the sole producer of Hachijo products in the prefecture. ​In addition to bolts of silk, the studio sells neckties, wallets, pencases and more.

Nanataki is conveniently located halfway between Lake Towada and Kosaka Town on the Jukai Line road which begins in Odate. The seven tiered waterfall has a drop of 60m (197ft) and features a shrine and waterwheel located at the base. It is also named as one of the “100 Famous Waterfalls of Japan”. Across the street are the Magozaemon Restaurant, Heartland Market farm stand, EcoSaka Rape Seed Oil store, and Towada Pork outlet.