Uwamuki and Surroundings: Wine, Waterfall, Cherry Blossoms

Uwamuki has strong ties to wine, complemented by nearby nature and cultural attractions. Kosaka Nanataki Winery is in Uwamuki, while Nanataki Waterfall, cherry trees along the Jukai Line, and several sites connected with Tokito are in the surrounding area. The Jukai Line extends beyond this local perspective, crossing a larger landscape. When choosing a holiday rental, you can weigh up enjoying local wine, visiting nearby attractions, and taking a regional drive as different priorities.

Local Wine

Kosaka Nanataki Winery opened in 2017 next to the Kosaka Nanataki Roadside Station. It makes distinctive Japanese wine from locally rooted grapes. Many of the grapes used for this wine are grown in the Tokito area on the Uwamuki Plateau. In autumn, table grapes are sold directly from the fields and at Heartland Market. The “Cellar Door Nanataki” shop is next to the winery, offers tastings, and carries most of the products made there.

Winery tours can be booked by submitting the form. Tour hours are from 10:00 to 15:30; the latest booking time is 15:00. The winery is closed on Tuesdays and during winter, from the second half of November through the end of March. Before your trip, check the current availability of tastings and products, as well as the booking details for tours. This lets you plan a tasting at the shop and a booked tour as two separate options.

Scenic Road and Seasonal Nature

The 42.5-kilometre Jukai Line runs through the wider region. This scenic road leads from Ōdate via central Kosaka and Nanataki to Hakka Pass at Lake Towada, offering seasonal landscapes. For a specific trip, however, it is advisable to check current road conditions.

Around Uwamuki, about 400 Beniyama cherry trees line the Jukai Line near the Kosaka Nanataki Roadside Station area. They usually reach peak bloom from early to mid-May, though the timing varies with seasonal conditions. Nanataki is a waterfall about 60 metres high, with water flowing down seven tiers; a watermill stands in front of it. Cherry blossom season offers a seasonal point of reference, while the waterfall is another natural attraction in the area.

Culture and History in Tokito

One of the two brick smokestacks originally built at the former Tokito Mine remains, as does a slag mound. The remains were designated a historic site by the town of Kosaka in 2002. The area around the smokestack is off-limits to visitors because of the risk of falling bricks and because it is on private property. If you visit the area, also check the local notices.

The Towada-san Seiryū Daigongen monument in Tokito, erected in 1832, records a legend: Nansobo drove Hachirotaro away from Lake Towada, transformed into a dragon god, and sank into the lake. An account of the Tokito Ōdaiko published in 2011 lists “Dai-byōshi” and “Takaya” as part of the traditional repertoire, and names three pieces performed at the “Kazuno Furusato Ōdaiko Daikyōenkai,” including “Tanuki.”

Planning Your Trip Around Different Priorities

For trip planning, there are different ways to focus your stay: wine and local grapes in Uwamuki, natural and cultural heritage nearby, or the scenic road as a regional route. When looking for a holiday rental, consider which of these priorities you want to shape your stay. This makes it possible to distinguish a wine-focused visit from nearby attractions and a drive through the wider landscape.

Discover more destinations: Kazuno, Yokote, Daisen, Oga, Yuzawa, Noshiro, Kosaka, Yurihonjō

For the broader travel overview: Akita Prefecture.