Kakunodate, a former castle town in Akita Prefecture, preserves one of Japan's finest collections of samurai district architecture. Established in 1620 by Lord Ashina Yoshikatsu, the town served as the administrative center of the Satake North family, a branch of the powerful Satake clan that ruled the region during the Edo period. Unlike many Japanese castle towns destroyed by war or modernization, Kakunodate's samurai quarter retains its original layout with over 160 traditional buildings, earning it designation as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
The town's most distinctive feature is its 400-year-old weeping cherry trees, designated as natural monuments. These shidare-zakura were brought from Kyoto as part of samurai daughters' dowries and now line the streets of the Bukeyashiki district. Approximately 152 weeping cherry trees bloom each spring, creating tunnels of pink blossoms along the 2-kilometer embankment of the Hinokinai River, where an additional 400 Somei Yoshino cherry trees attract over one million visitors during the annual sakura season.
Visitors can explore six preserved samurai residences, with three major houses open to the public. The Aoyagi Samurai Manor Museum displays samurai armor, weaponry, and household items across multiple buildings. The Ishiguro family residence, continuously inhabited by descendants for 11 generations, showcases authentic daily life with its original earthen walls and gate.
The Kawarada family residence offers free admission and features a beautiful traditional garden. Walking through these estates reveals the strict social hierarchy of the Edo period, with high earthen walls and sprawling compounds contrasting sharply with the merchant district's modest buildings.
Kakunodate is located 90 minutes from Tokyo by JR Komachi shinkansen to Kakunodate Station. The samurai district lies approximately 20 minutes' walk from the station, though rental bicycles are available for 500 yen per day. Most samurai houses charge admission between 300-500 yen, while some smaller residences remain free.