I took advantage of the gorgeous weather this past weekend and went to Kakunodate and Kuroyu Onsen. While most of the other hardwood trees had lost their leaves, it was perfect timing for the Japanese Maple. I strolled “Samurai Street” beneath the vibrant red and yellow Maples, contemplating life as the samurai did during the … Continue reading The Last Day of Fall Colors

Changing my plans last minute to go to Hottai Waterfall turned out to be a great idea. While it ended up being a cloudy day, the timing of the fall colors was perfect. A short walk up a set of stairs takes you to an excellent vantage point that looks over the waterfall. The red, … Continue reading Hottai Waterfall

My grandparents always told me, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!” While I don’t eat one every day, I enjoy a delicious apple, and now it is harvesting season. This past weekend, I went to the Iwamisannai area and enjoyed picking Fuji apples and cooking lunch with apples as the main ingredient. We … Continue reading Apple Picking

This week, I ventured to Ookama Onsen (hot springs) in Nyuto by bicycle (that’s right! by bike!). There is nothing quite like the wind and sun upon my face with nothing but the mountains ahead and the city behind me. It was a grueling uphill battle from Tazawako to Nyuto but well worth the reward … Continue reading Ookama Onsen

There is nothing quite like a beautiful sunset. Iijima Sunset Park is just outside of Tsuchizaki and is a great place to sit and watch the sunset over the Japan Sea. The trail that follows the sea towards Detohama is also an excellent viewing area to watch the sunset or go for a walk or … Continue reading Iijima Sunset Park

It has been quite a while since I visited Yuzawa, but I was quickly reminded of the extreme beauty throughout the area. While still too early for fall colors, the blue sky and perfect temperature made for a beautiful day to enjoy the tranquility of the Yuzawa countryside. Pristine forest, small lakes, and an abundance … Continue reading Yuzawa and a Samurai’s Home

Some of you already know, but I really enjoy cooking! For me, a typical weekend is biking, swimming, or hiking, followed by a dip in the hot springs and then cooking a nice dinner at home. Recently, I have tried cooking new and exciting recipes. My most recent and delicious recipe was a red-wine pasta. … Continue reading What’s for Dinner?

While hot springs are still my favorite source of relaxation, my friend is slowly convincing me of the beauty in the “totonoe” lifestyle. It is a three-step process consisting of entering the sauna, then cooling off in cold water, then relaxing for a moment before repeating the process three or four times. This sauna experience … Continue reading The Sauna Experience

Hydrangeas, lavender, and a secret hot spring were just a few of the highlights during my 400 kilometers of biking around Akita. My first trip took me to Unsho-ji Temple in Oga to see the vibrant blue hydrangeas covering the temple grounds. While I have been here before, this year I went by bicycle! Also … Continue reading From Oga to Misato

Believe it or not, but I went to Tazawako by bicycle! My friend and I hit the road Monday morning and finally arrived at Komagatake Hot Springs around 4 pm. We stopped along the way in Kakunodate for some delicious soba and katsudon. The lunch set gave us the boost we needed to finish the … Continue reading Biking to Tazawako