Kosaka Between Railways, Waterfalls and Culture

Kosaka offers several reasons to explore the town and its surroundings: at Kosaka Railway Rail Park, you can experience the former railway in a special way; the Jukai Line is a scenic road that runs through the town; and Nanataki impresses with a seven-tiered waterfall. There is also historic Kourakukan and wine made from locally grown mountain grapes. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider whether you would rather focus on railway and road experiences, nature, culture or wine.

Railway and Scenic Road

Kosaka Railway Rail Park uses the tracks and facilities of the former Kosaka Railway. Experiences there include rides on railbikes. The railway is therefore more than just part of the town’s history: you can also explore its former facilities as part of this offering. Railway enthusiasts will find a specific reason to visit here, distinct from Kosaka’s nature and cultural attractions.

The Jukai Line offers a different perspective. The 42.5-kilometer scenic road is open to traffic year-round and runs from Ōdate through central Kosaka and Nanataki to Hakka Pass. This makes Kosaka part of a journey through the region. The route is useful for planning: it connects the places mentioned above and ends at Hakka Pass. Its precise length gives you an idea of the scale of the drive, without making any claim about how long it will take.

Waterfall and Mountain Landscape

Nanataki is a waterfall about 60 meters high, cascading down seven tiers. Its shape sets it apart from a single, straight drop: the water flows over seven tiers. A walking path and a bridge lead to the foot of the waterfall, so you can approach it for a closer look. If you are choosing nature experiences for your trip, Nanataki is a specific stop with a clearly described destination at the foot of the falls.

Shirojisan (白地山) is also part of the natural landscape that defines Kosaka. At 1,034 meters, it is the town’s highest mountain and is counted among the 100 famous mountains of the Tōhoku region. This designation gives the mountain a regional connection, while its elevation describes its place within Kosaka. You can think of Nanataki and Shirojisan as different nature experiences: the waterfall, with a path leading to its foot, and the mountain, notable for its height and regional renown.

History and Guided Tours

Kourakukan was completed in 1910 and designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2002. These dates make the building’s history a distinct focus alongside railway and nature experiences. There are specific conditions for visiting: visits are guided and are not possible while performances are in progress. Tour times are also set. If you want to include Kourakukan in your trip, take these requirements into account when planning rather than assuming you can visit at any time.

Yamabudō Wine

Kosaka Nanataki Winery focuses on wine made from locally grown mountain grapes, known as Yamabudō, creating a distinctive Japanese wine. The winery also houses Cellar Door Nanataki. Wine tastings are offered there, and the shop stocks a large portion of the products made at the winery. This adds a culinary discovery to Kosaka’s nature and cultural experiences. If you are interested in local products, you can make the winery and its offerings a focus of your stay.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

These highlights can help you plan your trip around your own interests. The offerings vary considerably: some are related to railways and roads, while others focus on nature, history or local products. This lets you decide which aspects of Kosaka are most appealing for your trip.

More places to explore: Yokote, Kazuno, Uwamuki, Ōdate, Yuzawa, Fujisato, Yamamoto District, Daisen.

For an overview of the wider region: Akita Prefecture.