Friday 7 June 2019

First Day in Japan - Akita Prefecture


Akita is located in the Northern part of Honshu, Japans Main Island. It’s well known for long snowy winters, hot springs (Onsen) and sake. Last time I checked Akita was ranked seventh in the snowiest cities in the world! Wish I knew that before going there the middle of winter. In ancient times Akita was occupied by nomadic tribes who lived in the mountains hunting and gathering. Now days Akita is a well known tourist spot famous for the Samurai Village and beautiful cherry blossom. 
Japan Travel Blog
Akita City Center
I landed in Akita after the longest flight of my life! I remember waking up totally dazed as the aircraft touched down at the airport. Looking out of the window I could just see white, everything was covered in snow. The Akita airport was small and they didn’t have an air bridge, I was a frozen icicle by the time I got inside the airport. Travel 101 keep warm clothes in you carry on!
Japan Snow Winter
Way to office
Around the office


 I was in Akita for work visiting a client who had a factory in the outskirts of the city, every day I would cross a snow covered highway to get to work. Some days there were blizzards and the ride to work was super scary for me, to my colleagues it was just another day at the office.
Snow in Japan
Akita Town
Vending Machine Japan
Japan 101 - you will find vending machines in every street corner

One of the first things you will notice once you land in Japan are the vending machines; they are everywhere.  There is a vending machine for every 23 people living in Japan. The popularity of vending machines is attributed to soaring real estate prices and Japans love for automation. 

 Photos of Akita Town

Akita Japan Travel Blog
My hotel in the center right

After work I spent rest of the day exploring the town on foot, by 6 most of the shops had shut and I was out hunting for a place to have dinner. Although Akita is a small town and people don’t speak English they really went out of their way to help! I loved my 3 weeks in Akita, hopefully my next visit would be around Cherry blossom time
Tokyo Travel Blog
Orderly Traffic
Sony RX100 Japan
Frozen lake
Akita Railway Station
Near Town Square
Japanese Food
First dinner in Japan I discovered Gyudon; a rice and beef dish with simmered onions and topped with egg yoke


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