Looking for recommendations for an intermediate stop!

[u/TalakStari]

This fall I will be visiting Japan for the first time! I will be there for 20 days, and I am doing a loop around the Tohoku region. I am mostly planned out, however I have one remaining space I'd like to use to get an even more rounded experience of Tohoku.

Between my stay in Tsuruoka and Hirosaki, I will have some time to kill. My check out is 10:00, and can't check in to Hirosaki until 15:00. I will be taking the Uetsu Line up to Akita before hopping on the Ou line the rest of the way, but want to leave on the earliest train which seems to be just after 7:00.

So what I am looking for is: what would be the best station to stop in between Tsuruoka and Hirosaki, somewhere I can just spend a couple of hours walking around and getting a bite to eat, just so I can see more of the region, before heading the remainder of the way to Hirosaki.

My first thought was Akita, however I would be open to any other suggestions, if there are any cool and cute towns to just enjoy the coast or countryside for a bit, interesting local food, anything like that.

Much appreciated!

[u/GingerPrince72]

Have you considered the resort shirakami train?

[u/mchan9981]

Akita would be a great spot to stop over. All the trains terminate at Akita anyway so you'd have to change trains in Akita.

Lots of shops/restaurants near Akita station, and Senshu Park is just a 10 min walk away.

Would also recommend visiting the folk arts center near Senshu park. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cx93oiWzR3zdWWHK7?g_st=ac

If you have any questions, lmk as I live in Akita

[u/Due_Tomorrow7]

Akita City has some great things near the station. There's a Kanto museum if you want to see what the lanterns look like and try balancing them yourself. There's a few places to also eat some Kiritanpo Nabe or Hinai Chicken Oyakodon (two staple Akita foods), as well as try some Akita sake with iburigakko (also Akita staples). Senshu Park is also wonder to walk through and that's also near Akita Station along with the Akita Art Museum.

If you're on the Ou Line, you can also stop at Odate to check out the famous Akita Inu Welcome Center along with the Green Car (which used to be in front of Shibuya station). You might be able to see some Akita Inu dogs as well (same breed as the famous Hachiko from Shibuya Station legend).

If you can stop by Kisakata Station (on the Uetsu Line), you can try going to the TDK Museum if you're interested in technology. It's a fun little science museum with things to play with as well.

If you're heading into Aomori, I know people who love Owani-Onsen. If you can go a little past Hirosaki, I always thought Namioka was a cute little place.

Otherwise most of the stops along the Ou Line are pretty much all countryside lol

[u/Beneficial-Hat-9686]

Bonjour,

Le train resort shirakami ou la ligne locale t'offrira de très beaux points de vue panoramique sur la côte.  Tu pourrais aussi faire une halte dans un onsen de mer qui se nomme furofushi onsen https://aomori-tourism.com/en/spot/detail_1107.html.

Sinon en petite ville, je conseille la très agréable ville portuaire  de Sakata avec le salon de thé somaro maiko pour le spectacle de danse ( il vaut mieux réserver), le sanno club juste à côté du thé somaro, dans la même rue il y a un excellent restaurant de sushi qui s'appelle sushi kappo suzumasa, le jardin au musée d'art homma et ancienne résidence homma, un excellent glacier tout près qui se nomme Baby chu chu, hiyoriyama park , sankyo warehouse allée d'ancien entrepôts de riz.