Excursion Exploring the oga peninsula tour at Akita

Mt. Kanpu Observatory

Taking a 50 min scenic drive along the coastline with fantastic views of crags and boulders takes you to Mt. Kanpu Observatory, situated on a unique volcano covered with green fields, 355 metres about sea level. The observatory makes a full rotation every 13 minutes offering great views of all of the mountains and the coastal area. The iconic observatory offers an unimpeded 360° panoramic view stretching as far as the paddy fields on the reclaimed land of Lake Hachirogata in the east, Nyudozaki Lighthouse and the Sea of Japan in the west, snow-capped Mount Chokai in the south and the World Heritage Site of Shirakami Sanchi in the north.Inside the observatory is an exhibit where you can learn about the history of the Oga Peninsula and its natural environment.

Namahage Museum

Re-board the coach for a 30 min drive to the Namahage Museum. Focusing on the Oga area, the Namahage Museum highlights the Namahage Festival, a New Year's Eve ritual that involves young men donning devil masks and traditional straw garments to raid local houses in search of children and young women. The devils take them as captives, and are then offered sake, food and assured that the children and women are good people. Uncover the importance of this dramatic festival for the local people and their culture through the exhibits on display. Enjoy the displays of Namahage masks as well as a show which demonstrates the Festival events.

Traditional Lunch

The last attraction for the day is a 40 min drive to a local local restaurant where you will get to experience "Ishiyaki Okenabe". The regional cuisine is a miso-based soup with a lot of vegetables and the unique way it is cooked in a stone-simmered hot pot.. The chef puts all the freshly harvested ingredients in a wooden tub with red-hot stones to boil. Enjoy this cultural treat of stone-simmered seafood soup, grilled fish, pickled vegetables and white rice. This dish is said to have been a fisherman's treat. After lunch, a 90 minute scenic drive takes you back to the pier.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Panoramic view from Mt. Kanpu Observatory, Namahage Museum with a local show.

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking (approximately 1.5km or 1.0mile), climbing steps (70 in total) and inclinations at Mt. Kanpu Observatory, cobblestones, unpaved and paved walkways. This tour is recommended for active guests in good physical condition able to sit on the floor for the Japanese style lunch. For dietary restrictions please contact the on board Shore Concierge Team upon embarkation. Please be advised that special dietary requests or menu substitutions may be not be possible to accommodate in this program. Guests are to remove shoes before entering the Namahage Museum and at the local restaurant. This tour is not suitable for guests who utilise a wheelchair or immobility. Guests are advised to wear comfortable/ sturdy walking shoes. Although credit cards are mainly accepted, Japanese yen is required for any purchases: guests are advised to exchange money at the airport prior to the cruise. The tour sequence may vary.