Yurihonjō – Chōkai, Nature and Culture

Yurihonjō offers a variety of nature experiences, from the famous mountain 鳥海山 to rare plants in wetlands and cultural discoveries centered on wood, craftsmanship and regional cuisine. When planning your trip, it’s worth first considering which of these experiences interest you most. You can then choose a holiday rental to suit the themes you want to explore in Yurihonjō.

Mountain Scenery and Remarkable Plant Life

鳥海山 is one of Japan’s 100 famous mountains. It is known for its beech forests, alpine plants and rare wetlands with their flora and fauna. Around 250,000 hikers and tourists visit each year.

桑ノ木台湿原 is also notable for its diverse plant life. ミズバショウ, ワタスゲ and many other northern plants grow there. Rare species include those listed in the Red Lists of Japan’s Ministry of the Environment or Akita Prefecture. Visitors interested in marshland and plants will find a different natural setting here from the beech forests and alpine habitats of 鳥海山.

Historic Sites and Woodcraft

The historic site 鳥海山 includes two components within Yurihonjō: 森子大物忌神社境内と滝沢口登拝道 and 木境大物忌神社境内と道者道. At 森子大物忌神社, about 300 steep stone steps lead from the first torii gate up to the shrine. If you’re interested in visiting, you can take this specific path into account when planning your day.

Another facet of the area’s culture can be found at 鳥海山 木のおもちゃ館. Founded in July 2018, the museum preserves the former 旧鮎川小学校 in its original form; the building is registered as a national tangible cultural property. Its collection includes toys and large play equipment made from locally produced wood. The museum focuses on wood-based education and intergenerational exchange. Here, the emphasis is not only on wood as a material, but also on its role in learning and discovering things together.

During the ぜんまい織り体験, the fluff of the royal fern is woven into fabric made with silk and wool yarn. Coasters are one example of an item you can make. Reservations for this craft experience are required at least one week in advance. If you enjoy making things yourself, you can include this activity in your plans.

Exploring Outdoors: Waterfall, Valley and Marsh

法体園地キャンプ場 combines camping with views of the waterfall, cooking facilities and toilets; you can also play in the river. The campground is open from early May to late October and is free of charge.

Above 法体の滝 lies 玉田渓谷, a trekking course with numerous points of interest, including natural potholes. This makes it appealing to travelers who want to discover unusual landforms along the way. Nearby, 竜ケ原湿原 is located close to 祓川ヒュッテ. A boardwalk leads through the wetland to a pond fed by a cold spring. Numerous alpine plants, including rare species, can be seen in the area.

A Rail Connection and Regional Cuisine

The 由利高原鉄道 鳥海山ろく線 connects 羽後本荘駅 and 矢島駅. The line is 23.0 km long and has 12 stations. It was formerly operated as the 国鉄矢島線.

発酵小路 田屋 is home to the direct sales shop of the sake brewery 齋彌酒造店, known for 雪の茅舎. The traditional house has been converted into a café and shop. Products include 雪の茅舎 and amazake, as well as 奈良漬 made with sake lees. Ice cream and cakes made with sake lees are also available. If you’re interested in how local ingredients are used, you can discover a sweet or savory side of sake culture here.

Another culinary experience is making きりたんぽ at ハーブワールドAKITA. Coarsely crushed Akita rice is shaped into きりたんぽ, put on a skewer made of Akita cedar and browned. It is then made into きりたんぽ鍋 with wild plants, vegetables and chicken. Taking part in the preparation is different from simply sampling the dish: the focus is on its individual steps and ingredients.

Want to discover more destinations? Yamamoto District, Fujisato, Kosaka, Yuzawa, Yokote, Noshiro, Akita and Ōdate.

For the broader travel overview: Akita Prefecture.