Ōdate: Shrines, Magewappa and Akita Dogs

In the Ōdate municipal area, attractions range from historic architecture and traditional Magewappa craftsmanship to Akita dogs. The Kiritanpo tradition is also rooted in the wider Ōdate area. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Ōdate, you can focus your trip on topics such as architectural history, craftsmanship, dogs or regional food culture.

Culture and Architectural History

Sakura Yagurakan is a rare surviving wooden building from the early Shōwa period in Ōdate’s historic old town. The main buildings of Shō Hachimangū and Wakamiya Hachimangū also tell the story of the city’s architectural history: both are single-aisle buildings in the Nagare-zukuri style and date from 1687. Their architectural style and shared construction date offer a specific point of comparison if you are interested in historic religious architecture.

Two main buildings of Ōdate Hachiman Shrine are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Ōdate-bayashi is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Ōdate City. This cultural heritage encompasses both historic buildings and a designated tradition, with each telling a different story.

Magewappa: History and Craftsmanship

Ōdate Magewappa developed in the second half of the 17th century. At the time, the Satake-nishi family, lords of Ōdate Castle, promoted the craft as a sideline for lower-ranking samurai. Today, Ōdate Magewappa is designated a traditional Japanese craft; its history thus connects a specific craft technique with the region’s former division of labor.

Ōdate Magewappa is made using Akita cedar, known for its elasticity and beautiful grain. The thinly peeled wood is softened in hot water and bent; it is then stitched together with mountain cherry bark. These steps show how the material’s properties and the way it is worked together. Ryōbian offers a course in making Ōdate Magewappa. Please check in advance whether you can take part.

Akita Dogs and the Ōdate Amekko Market

Akita Inu no Sato is a tourist information and exchange facility run by Ōdate City, a one-minute walk from Ōdate Station. You can learn about the origins of Akita dogs in its museum. Akita dogs belonging to members of the Akita Dog Preservation Society take turns greeting visitors at Akita Inu no Sato each day. Check which dogs are scheduled to appear before your trip. The Akita Dog Hall also houses the society’s headquarters.

The Ōdate Amekko Market features a procession of Shirahige Ōkami, the White-Bearded God, and a parade with Akita dogs. According to the legend, the procession reenacts the story of a deity coming from Mount Tashiro to buy sweets. Events may vary from one edition to another, so check the dates and program for the edition you plan to attend before your trip.

Kiritanpo and Food Culture

The history of Kiritanpo hot pot as a dish served to guests in Ōdate dates back to the mid-Meiji period, when restaurants and inns began offering it. Each household developed its own flavors and ingredients. In the wider Ōdate area, Kiritanpo is cherished as a traditional home-cooked dish and eaten on festive occasions. The culinary history thus encompasses both the dish’s development in restaurants and inns and its role in home and celebratory food culture.

Discover more destinations: Noshiro, Kazuno, Yuzawa, Oga, Akita, Kosaka, Uwamuki, Daisen

For the main travel overview: Akita Prefecture.