Akita Japan: Oirase Stream to the Oga Peninsula

Join me on a cinematic journey through Northern Tohoku, Japan. We begin by leaving the frozen beauty of Oirase Stream, heading south to Akita City. From the modern comfort of the Hotel Metropolitan Akita to the ancient, haunting legends of the Namahage on the Oga Peninsula, this trip was full of surprises—including an unexpected hail storm and the best Oyakodon I’ve ever tasted.

Highlights of this journey:
Leaving the Oirase Keiryu Hotel via shuttle.
Exploring the cultural masks and rituals at the Nagahame Namahage Museum.
A spiritual walk through the ancient cedars to Shinzan Shrine.
Trying Akita’s local specialties: Kiritanpo and Hinai-jidori chicken.
A glimpse of what’s next: The Shinkansen to Sendai.

00:00 – Intro
00:17 – The 4 Hour Journey From Oirase to Akita
01:48 – Hotel Metropolitan Akita
03:38 – Hunt for Akita’s Specialty
04:54 – Day 2: Searching for Spirits
06:39 – Namahage Museum
09:31 – Shinzan Shrine
11:38 – Hail & Closed Senshu Park
13:18 – Last Meal
14:24 – Up Next