Yokote (横手)

Map

Getting There

• train
• bus
• car

Best Times to Visit

• spring: Cherry-blossom festivals, park viewing, and pleasant countryside scenery make spring especially attractive.
• summer: Warm weather supports sightseeing, outdoor exploration, fireworks, and major summer cultural events.
• autumn: Harvest season highlights apples, regional food, sake, historic walks, and colorful rural scenery.
• winter: Heavy snow creates Yokote’s signature illuminated snow-house festival and distinctive winter cultural experience.

What's There

• architecture: Masuda preserves historic merchant buildings from the Meiji period through the prewar era.
• art: The manga museum exhibits extensive collections of original artwork.
• castle: Yokote Castle’s observation tower stands on former castle grounds.
• cherry blossoms: Yokote and nearby parks host spring festivals amid thousands of cherry trees.
• crafts: Nakayama dolls are traditional unglazed clay figures and local souvenirs.
• culture: Snow-house traditions, historic neighborhoods, manga, crafts, and local festivals showcase Yokote’s cultural heritage.
• festival: Yokote hosts major snow, cherry-blossom, summer, and food festivals.
• food: Yokote is known for its signature fried noodles, smoked pickled radish, dumplings, and regional cuisine.
• history: Masuda’s preserved merchant district and former castle grounds provide historical attractions.
• museum: The city offers dedicated museums for snow-house traditions, manga, and local history.
• nature: Rural scenery, orchards, seasonal snow, and basin landscapes surround Yokote.
• onsen: Yuppuru offers hot-spring bathing amid apple orchards and countryside views.
• park: Yokote Park and other local parks provide viewing areas, walking spaces, and seasonal events.
• river: Yokote Castle overlooks the Yokote River and the surrounding basin.
• sake: Five local breweries support Yokote’s regional sake tradition.
• views: The castle-style observation tower provides broad views of the basin, river, and Mount Chokai.
• snow: Yokote receives heavy snowfall and is renowned for illuminated traditional snow houses.
• farm: Apple orchards and rural landscapes are important features of Yokote’s local agriculture.
• shrine: The winter festival period includes a traditional dedication at Asahiokasan Shrine.

Specialties

• Yokote Yakisoba (横手やきそば): Yokote’s signature noodle dish uses thick, straight-edged boiled noodles, cabbage, ground pork, and a fried egg. It is typically served with a mild Worcestershire-based sauce and fukujinzuke pickles.
• Local Sake (横手の地酒): Yokote has a local sake tradition supported by five breweries in the city. The products are promoted as regional specialties and souvenirs by the Yokote City Tourism Association.
• Nakayama Dolls (中山人形): Nakayama dolls are traditional unglazed clay figures from Yokote. They are commonly sold as local crafts and seasonal zodiac-themed souvenirs.
• Yokote Hanami Dango (横手の花見だんご): Yokote hanami dango is a distinctive local confection associated with the city’s cherry-blossom viewing culture. The tourism association lists it among Yokote’s regional specialties and souvenirs.
• Iburigakko (いぶりがっこ): Iburigakko is a smoked and pickled daikon traditionally associated with Akita cuisine. Yokote’s tourism association highlights locally marketed versions, including an award-winning product.