Things to Do in Kazuno (鹿角市), Akita: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Kazuno (鹿角市) in Akita Prefecture (Tohoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Alpas Sports Park, Chagama Falls, Dainichido Bugaku and served by Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km) via the regional hub at Akita Station (Akita Shinkansen) & Akita Airport (AXT). Set at 123 m elevation (40.2158°N, 140.7884°E), Kazuno offers travelers a base for sampling regional Kiritanpo nabe (toasted rice skewers in Hinai-jidori chicken broth), Inaniwa udon (silky hand-stretched noodles), Hatahata (sailfin sandfish) & shottsuru broth cuisine and exploring neighboring Ōdate (大館市) (20 km), Kosaka (小坂町) (20.5 km), Takko (田子町) (24.5 km), Kitaakita (北秋田市) (35.5 km).

Kazuno is located in the far northeast corner of Akita Prefecture. The urban center is located in the Hanawa Basin, which is part of the basin of the Yoneshiro River. The area of present-day Kazuno was settled in prehistoric times, and contains major Jōmon period archaeological sites and numerous burial mounds from the Kofun period. The area was part of ancient Mutsu Province and was ruled by the Nambu clan of Morioka Domain during the Edo period. The economy of Kazuno is based on agriculture, forestry and seasonal tourism. Within Akita Prefecture, Kazuno (鹿角市) serves as a city in Akita Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1972-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Kakunodate samurai district, milky hot springs of Nyuto Onsenkyo, cobalt-blue Lake Tazawa (Japan's deepest lake), Oga Peninsula Namahage folklore, and Shirakami-Sanchi.

What to See & Do in Kazuno (鹿角市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Kazuno (鹿角市) from Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km) at 123 m elevation (40.2158°N, 140.7884°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Kazuno):

• Alpas Sports Park — local sightseeing landmark near Kazuno (鹿角市).
• Chagama Falls — local sightseeing landmark near Kazuno (鹿角市).
• Dainichido Bugaku — local sightseeing landmark near Kazuno (鹿角市).
• Hachimantai Onsen — local sightseeing landmark near Kazuno (鹿角市).
• former Osarizawa Mine — local sightseeing landmark near Kazuno (鹿角市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Kazuno: Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km) (connecting to Akita Station (Akita Shinkansen) & Akita Airport (AXT)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Kazuno

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Kazuno (鹿角市) and Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Akita Prefecture and Tohoku:

• Ōdate (大館市) — 20 km from Kazuno (Akita Prefecture)
• Kosaka (小坂町) — 20.5 km from Kazuno (Akita Prefecture)
• Takko (田子町) — 24.5 km from Kazuno (Aomori Prefecture)
• Kitaakita (北秋田市) — 35.5 km from Kazuno (Akita Prefecture)
• Ōwani (大鰐町) — 36 km from Kazuno (Aomori Prefecture)

Getting to Kazuno & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Kazuno (鹿角市) via Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km): 3h 50m direct from Tokyo Station on the JR Akita Shinkansen Komachi via Morioka, stopping at Kakunodate and Tazawako. From Akita Station (Akita Shinkansen) & Akita Airport (AXT), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km) to reach central Kazuno (40.2158°N, 140.7884°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Akita with Kazuno (鹿角市) and neighboring Ōdate, Kosaka, Takko. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Kazuno, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Kazuno and continuing toward Ōdate can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Kazuno: While Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km) anchors public transit for Kazuno, picking up a rental car at Akita Station (Akita Shinkansen) & Akita Airport (AXT) makes it easy to link Alpas Sports Park and Chagama Falls with nearby Ōdate (大館市) (20 km), Kosaka (小坂町) (20.5 km), Takko (田子町) (24.5 km), Kitaakita (北秋田市) (35.5 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Kazuno (鹿角市) & Akita

Dining near Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km) and across Kazuno (鹿角市) highlights the regional food culture of Akita Prefecture and Tohoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Kazuno:

• Local specialty & terroir of Kazuno (鹿角市): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside orchard cultivation of crisp apples and seasonal tree fruits.
• Kiritanpo nabe (toasted rice skewers in Hinai-jidori chicken broth) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kazuno (鹿角市) and Akita Prefecture.
• Inaniwa udon (silky hand-stretched noodles) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kazuno (鹿角市) and Akita Prefecture.
• Hatahata (sailfin sandfish) & shottsuru broth — regional specialty enjoyed across Kazuno (鹿角市) and Akita Prefecture.
• Iburigakko (smoked daikon pickles) — regional specialty enjoyed across Kazuno (鹿角市) and Akita Prefecture.

If you are dining in Kazuno (鹿角市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km).

Where to Stay in Kazuno (鹿角市)

Visitors staying overnight in Kazuno (鹿角市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km), or base at major rail hubs in Akita (Akita Station (Akita Shinkansen) & Akita Airport (AXT)) or neighboring Ōdate, Kosaka, Takko for quick train access into Kazuno. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Kazuno & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Kazuno (鹿角市, 123 m elevation at 40.2158°N, 140.7884°E): Late April–early May for Kakunodate weeping cherry blossoms; August 3–6 for Akita Kanto lantern festival; mid-October for Nyuto Onsen autumn leaves; February for Yokote kamakura snow huts.

Wider sightseeing across Akita Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Alpas Sports Park in Kazuno (鹿角市) includes: Kakunodate samurai district, milky hot springs of Nyuto Onsenkyo, cobalt-blue Lake Tazawa (Japan's deepest lake), Oga Peninsula Namahage folklore, and Shirakami-Sanchi.

Practical Travel Tips for Kazuno (鹿角市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Kazuno: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Akita Station (Akita Shinkansen) & Akita Airport (AXT) or Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km) for local bus schedules to Alpas Sports Park and walking maps of Kazuno (鹿角市).
• Cash & ATMs in Kazuno: Convenience stores and major hotels around Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Alpas Sports Park often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Kazuno accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Kazuno: Around Shibahira Station (柴平駅) (1.7 km) and neighboring Ōdate, Kosaka, Takko, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.