You can have an interesting experience by making ceramic arts or Naraoka-yaki, traditional pottery from Akita Prefecture. Naraoka ceramics are famous for their namako yakishime glaze technique, involving firing sea cucumber glaze at high temperatures and subsequently charcoal firing it in a reducing flame without oxygen to achieve a stunning blue color. You can make Naraoka-yaki with the guidance of potters.

You can also do various outdoor activities, such as cycling, canoeing, camping, and stand up paddleboarding (SUP) at Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan. Additionally, you can ride the Lake Tazawa Pleasure Boat and pass by the statue of Tatsuko and the Gozanoishi Shrine which are believed to bring good fortune in appearance.

Wooden crafts, such as cypress Magewappa crafts and bent cedar, are must-have souvenirs that you must get when visiting Akita Prefecture. You can make your own wooden craft souvenirs in workshops which you can find in several studios. Some wooden crafts that you can make are Odate Mage-wappa, Ginsenzaiku, Temari, and Kawatsura Lacquerware.

If you want to relax in hot springs in Akita Prefecture, visit Nyuto Onsenkyo which has its own unique and varied hot springs. Enjoy iron-rich brown waters at Taenoyu Onsen or soak in milky white waters at Tsuru no Yu Onsen. Alternatively, come to Kawarage Oyutaki if you want to enjoy hot springs with the natural beauty of a waterfall.

While exploring Akita Prefecture, visit the Namahage Museum and the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum, where you can see displays of real Namahage masks, wearing Namahage costumes, and see demonstrations about New Year's Eve. Namahage, considered a messenger of the god Yama-no-kami, is a figure in local customs and traditions believed to visit homes, ward off evil spirits, and invoke blessings for good health and bountiful harvests.

For animal lovers, Akita Prefecture is a suitable tourist destination because you can meet Akita Inu breed at Akita Inu Station and Akita Inu Fureaidokoro at Senshu Park. Akita dogs have adorable round eyes with dense and smooth fur. There you can take photos, feed Akita dogs, and buy various adorable merchandise.

If you are interested in Japanese history and culture, visit Kakunodate, a historical area containing traditional samurai houses. Explore the Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum which displays a collection of valuable properties and items, stroll along Uchimachi Street where you can find many former samurai houses and warehouses known as Bukeyashiki-dori (Samurai House Street), or you can visit the Ishiguro Samurai House to get insight into the history of the building.