Akita

Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi
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Kakunodate: Explore samurai housing district

Learn more about samurais right outside of Akita at Kakunodate, a samurai housing district. The cherry tree-lined streets with traditional samurai houses will transport you to feudal Japan.
Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi
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Akita: Beautiful castle town packed with natural and cultural attractions

Located in the northern part of mainland of Japan and facing the Sea of Japan, Akita City is a four-hour drive from Misawa Air Base. The city is surrounded by rice fields and mountains and is known as one of the nation’s most important granary regions.
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Community News
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Did you know?: Weeping Virgin Mary of Akita

Located on a hill in Akita City, near Misawa Air Base, the Institute of the Handmaids of the Holy Eucharist houses a wooden statue of “Our Lady of Akita,” also known as the “Weeping Virgin Mary of Akita”. The wooden statue, carved by a Japanese sculptor 56 years ago, was observed weeping 101 times between 1975 and 1981.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Japanese

Kampai – Okinawan style!: Get into the spirits of the Ryukyu Kingdom

The French have their wine, you can’t get more American than beer and everybody knows Japan is all about the sake, right?
Photo by Read Urban
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Food & Drink
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Oodles of cold noodles

This cold noodle salad is quick, light, and won’t have you spending more than five minutes in front of a stove. The prep work is easy and the final dish comes together quickly. Boiling the noodles and a quick sear are the only things that will tear you away from your other summer duties.
Photo courtesy of Shirasa Shokudo
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Japanese

Shirasa Shokudo serves up seafood bowls with original sauce

An old Ryukyuan legend has it that a young couple accidentally fell from the sky onto Kouri Island, becoming the first inhabitants of what we know call the Okinawan islands.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Thai

Get a spice of life at Jai Thai on Okinawa

Spicy Asian food always seems to hit the spot when it’s hot outside. Your sweat and the taste of hot peppers go well together.
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: Japanese

Kijimunaa near Camp Foster serves omu-taco rice

You may have heard and even sampled Okinawa’s signature so-called soul food, taco rice – south-of-the-boarder-seasoned ground beef atop rice with shredded cheese, lettuce and tomato. But, what about its cousin, “omu-taco rice”?
Photo by Shoji Kudaka
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Food & Drink
Cuisine: American

Try tasty and beefy burger at Hilly Valley Jr.

If you are planning to go there, it would be a good idea to replenish your energy before starting a long hike.