Just like its name, the houses where samurai used to reside are lining up on Bukeyashiki Street (武家屋敷通り) in Kakunodate! A couple of these 200-year-old traditional houses are open to the public. Finding the differences in the construction of the houses between the home of top-ranked samurai, middle-ranked samurai, and lower-ranked samurai can be really fun!
The street itself is quite scenic throughout the year. With the cherry blossom blooming in spring, the bright green leaves in summer, the vibrant color in autumn, and the pure white winter scenery, this street attracts a lot of tourists to visit Kakunodate every year (*´ω｀).
- If you would like to see the cherry blossoms in Kakunodate’s Bukeyashiki Street, visit the town from mid to late of April.
- The autumn foliage season is from late October to mid-November.
How to Get to Bukeyashiki Street
The Bukeyashiki Street is located at least 15 minutes from Kakunodate Station. If you don’t want to walk, you can rent a bicycle from Shimoda Rental (下田レンタサイクル) close to the station.
The Smile Bus’s (スマイルバス) Nakagawa Line (中川線) that previously stops at Bukeyashiki Street is combined into the Yobu no Kakunodate (よぶのる角館) mini bus service. The bus service doesn’t have a fixed timetable. Instead, it is reservation-based. if you read Japanese, you can refer to Yobu no Kakunodate Official Website.
A List of Samurai Houses on Bukeyashiki Street
- Ishiguro Samurai House (武家屋敷 石黒家)
- Aoyagi Samurai House (角館歴史村・青柳家)
- Matsumoto Samurai House (武家屋敷 松本家)
- Iwahashi Samurai House (武家屋敷 岩橋家)
- Other Samurai Houses
- Satoku Garden (さとくガーデン)
Tip: Accommodation in Kakunodate is limited. Book yours as soon as possible. Hotel Folkloro Kakunodate is really close to Kakunodate Station. And if you want to be close to where all the Samurai residences are, stay at Machiya Hotel Kakunodate!
Ishiguro Samurai House (武家屋敷 石黒家)
The Ishiguro family was in charge of the financials of the Kakunodate Castle back in the Edo period. Among all the traditional houses that still remain today, it is the oldest house and has the highest design standard in Kakunodate.
The family’s house is also the only traditional house with the original owner’s descendants living there! This is why only half of the property is open to the public.
During the opening hours, there will be staff around the house who can introduce the house’s special features to you. And they can even do it in English (not perfect, but understandable)!
In the main wing of the house, armor, ancient documents, and old essential living utensils passed down within the family are displayed throughout the year.
According to the season, Japanese dolls and kimonos may also be seen!
Ishiguro Samurai House’s Opening Hours, Admission Fees, and Access Information
- The house is open from
- 9 am to 5 pm from April to November
- 9 am to 4 pm from December to March
- The admission fee is
- 500 yen for adults
- 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students
- The house is located a 25-minute walk away from Kakunodate Station.
Aoyagi Samurai House (角館歴史村・青柳家)
When the Japanese talk about the samurai house in Akita Prefecture, they will never fail to mention the Aoyagi Samurai House.
Pass through the front gate, and you will time slip into ancient Japan. With more than 9,000 square meters of land, the residence has been renovated into a small village that aims to reproduce the atmosphere of the time when samurais ruled Japan.
Of course, it would be a bit boring if all you could see were old buildings. But this won’t be the case at Aoyagi Samurai House. As a rare and sought-after privilege, you can hold an authentic samurai sword here (and it is free apart from the small fee you pay at the entrance)!
If touching the sword isn’t exciting enough, you can also put on a samurai helmet. And if you really want to transform yourself into a samurai, remember to bring 4,950 yen, and you can tick off that item on your bucket list. You will have 40 minutes to take photos around the residence while wearing the armor.
Other facilities include restaurants, museums, galleries, and a tea room overlooking the well-maintained garden.
For more information about what to do and what exhibits are on, refer to the official English website HERE.
Aoyagi Samurai House’s Opening Hours, Admission Fees, and Access Information
- The house is open from
- 9 am to 5 pm from April to October
- 9 am to 4 pm from November to March
- The admission fee is
- 500 yen for adults
- 300 yen for high school students
- 200 yen for younger children
- The house is located a 15 to 20-minute walk away from Kakunodate Station.
Matsumoto Samurai House (武家屋敷 松本家)
Contrasting the lavish Aoyagi Samurai House, the Matsumoto Samurai House, which used to be the residence of a lower-ranked samurai, is much more humble.
The good thing is, no entrance fee is required here (^_-)-☆.
From mid-April to mid-October, there is a live demonstration of Itayazaiku (イタヤ細工) in the house (Itayazaiku is craftwork made of thin strips of maple wood)!
Matsumoto Samurai House’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- The house is open from 9 am to 4 pm daily from late April to early November.
- No admission fee is payable at Matsumoto Samurai House.
- The house is located a 15 to 20-minute walk away from Kakunodate Station.
Iwahashi Samurai House (武家屋敷 岩橋家)
Ranking in between the Aoyagi Samurai House and the Matsumoto Samurai House is the Iwahashi Samurai House.
As you might have already noticed, the life of a middle-class samurai is a lot more comfortable than samurai ranked one rank lower.
The big oak tree on the residence’s ground is said to be around 300 years old. A lot older than all of us (´▽｀*).
Entry is again free at Iwahashi Samurai House!
Iwahashi Samurai House’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- The house is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily from late April to the end of November.
- No admission fee is payable at Iwahashi Samurai House.
- The house is located a 15-minute walk away from Kakunodate Station.
Other Samurai Houses
Other samurai houses that are free to enter in the area are:
- Kawarada Samurai House (河原田家) is open from
- 9 am to 5 pm from April to November
- 9 am to 4 pm from December to March
- The last admission is at 4:30 pm
- The admission fee is
- 500 yen for adults
- 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students
- Odano Samurai House (小田野家) is open from 9 am to 5 pm from late April to the end of November.
Both of the above houses are within a 15-minute walk from Kakunodate Station.
Satoku Garden (さとくガーデン)
In between the Matsumoto Samurai House and the Kawarada Samurai House is a souvenir shop full of traditional crafts, cute miscellaneous goods, and local food products (such as Kiritanpo, a toasted rice stick).
If you purchase more than the threshold amount, your purchase will be tax-free!
It is also a great place to seek travel guidance with free brochures and maps available. And for anyone who loves dogs, the mascot Akita – Bukemaru is there just to welcome you (≧▽≦).
Satoku Garden’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- The shop is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily, and when it gets too busy, it will open until 6 pm.
- The shop is located a 15-minute walk away from Kakunodate Station.
Other Attractions in Kakunodate
Bukeyashiki Street is only just one part of Kakunodate. To find out what other awesome attractions you can visit in the historic town, check out our article on Kakunodate!
The article also includes a couple of cherry blossom spots in the town!
