Escape Japan's more popular tourist hubs and head to a less-visited, mountainous region with festivals and delicious food ...

I recently visited Akita Prefecture and toured several sites where bears had been spotted. To my surprise, many areas were far more urban than I’d imagined—it’s no longer the case that bears ...

OGA, Akita Prefecture—Wearing menacing masks and straw coats, a father-son team kept a tradition alive here by making the rounds and terrifying households, including children. Two years ago ...

People in Akita Prefecture, northeastern Japan, have flown kites in a festival to mark the first signs of spring as the snow ...

The wakame seaweed harvest has started in the sea near Akita Prefecture and other areas. On February 23, a harvesting event was held in the city of Oga. About 40 people, including elementary ...

Temperatures are expected to rise across Japan through the weekend, reaching levels normally seen in April and May. Large ...

Please always refer to the latest government advice before booking travel and departing on any trip. Enjoy four seasons of natural beauty, festivities and outdoor activities off the beaten track ...

TASS/. A Siberian cat called Mir (Russian for "peace"), which Russian President Vladimir Putin gave to the governor of Japan's northern Akita Prefecture Norihisa Satake in 2012, has died.