Things to Do in Yokote (横手市), Akita: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

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

Overview & City Profile

Yokote (横手市) in Akita Prefecture (Tohoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Akita Museum of Modern Art, Kuromori Yama (10.1 km), Yokote-bonchi (12.6 km) and served by Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km) via the regional hub at Akita Station (Akita Shinkansen) & Akita Airport (AXT). Set at 61 m elevation (39.3113°N, 140.5533°E), Yokote 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 Misato (美郷町) (13.5 km), Daisen (大仙市) (17.1 km), Yuzawa (湯沢市) (17.1 km), Nishiwaga (西和賀町) (22.3 km).

Yokote is located in southeast corner of Akita Prefecture in the center of the Yokote Basin, the Yokote River, which flows from the Ōu Mountains to the east, flows through the urban area. It is located about 70 kilometers away from the prefectural capital at Akita city. The area of present-day Yokote was part of ancient Dewa Province and was the homeland of the Kiyohara clan of the Heian period Gosannen War. At the end of the Sengoku period, the area came under the control of the Onodera clan, who ruled from Yokote Castle. The economy of Yokote is based on agriculture. Within Akita Prefecture, Yokote (横手市) serves as a city in Akita Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2005-10-01) 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 Yokote (横手市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Yokote (横手市) from Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km) at 61 m elevation (39.3113°N, 140.5533°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Yokote):

• Akita Museum of Modern Art — local sightseeing landmark near Yokote (横手市).
• Kuromori Yama (10.1 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Yokote (横手市).
• Yokote-bonchi (12.6 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Yokote (横手市).
• Nangō Dake (13.3 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Yokote (横手市).
• Ōhinata Yama (14.9 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Yokote (横手市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Yokote: Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km) (connecting to Akita Station (Akita Shinkansen) & Akita Airport (AXT)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Yokote

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Yokote (横手市) and Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Akita Prefecture and Tohoku:

• Misato (美郷町) — 13.5 km from Yokote (Akita Prefecture)
• Daisen (大仙市) — 17.1 km from Yokote (Akita Prefecture)
• Yuzawa (湯沢市) — 17.1 km from Yokote (Akita Prefecture)
• Nishiwaga (西和賀町) — 22.3 km from Yokote (Iwate Prefecture)
• Ugo (羽後町) — 22.5 km from Yokote (Akita Prefecture)

Getting to Yokote & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Yokote (横手市) via Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 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 Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km) to reach central Yokote (39.3113°N, 140.5533°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Akita with Yokote (横手市) and neighboring Misato, Daisen, Yuzawa. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Yokote, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Yokote and continuing toward Misato 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 Yokote: While Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km) anchors public transit for Yokote, picking up a rental car at Akita Station (Akita Shinkansen) & Akita Airport (AXT) makes it easy to link Akita Museum of Modern Art and Kuromori Yama (10.1 km) with nearby Misato (美郷町) (13.5 km), Daisen (大仙市) (17.1 km), Yuzawa (湯沢市) (17.1 km), Nishiwaga (西和賀町) (22.3 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Yokote (横手市) & Akita

Dining near Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km) and across Yokote (横手市) highlights the regional food culture of Akita Prefecture and Tohoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Yokote:

• Local specialty & terroir of Yokote (横手市): orchard cultivation of crisp apples and seasonal tree fruits alongside historic castle-town (jōkamachi) streetscapes, samurai heritage, and local crafts.
• Kiritanpo nabe (toasted rice skewers in Hinai-jidori chicken broth) — regional specialty enjoyed across Yokote (横手市) and Akita Prefecture.
• Inaniwa udon (silky hand-stretched noodles) — regional specialty enjoyed across Yokote (横手市) and Akita Prefecture.
• Hatahata (sailfin sandfish) & shottsuru broth — regional specialty enjoyed across Yokote (横手市) and Akita Prefecture.
• Iburigakko (smoked daikon pickles) — regional specialty enjoyed across Yokote (横手市) and Akita Prefecture.

If you are dining in Yokote (横手市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km).

Where to Stay in Yokote (横手市)

Visitors staying overnight in Yokote (横手市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km), or base at major rail hubs in Akita (Akita Station (Akita Shinkansen) & Akita Airport (AXT)) or neighboring Misato, Daisen, Yuzawa for quick train access into Yokote. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Yokote & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Yokote (横手市, 61 m elevation at 39.3113°N, 140.5533°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 Akita Museum of Modern Art in Yokote (横手市) 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 Yokote (横手市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Yokote: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Akita Station (Akita Shinkansen) & Akita Airport (AXT) or Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km) for local bus schedules to Akita Museum of Modern Art and walking maps of Yokote (横手市).
• Cash & ATMs in Yokote: Convenience stores and major hotels around Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Akita Museum of Modern Art often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Yokote accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Yokote: Around Yokote Station (横手駅) (0.6 km) and neighboring Misato, Daisen, Yuzawa, 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.