Uwamuki

If you’re looking for a hotel for a trip to Uwamuki, seasonal attractions may influence when you travel: visits to Kosaka Nanataki Winery have reservation and closure periods, while cherry blossoms and grape sales follow seasonal schedules. Winemaking, Nanataki Waterfall and cultural sites in Tokito offer different points of interest in the surrounding area; the Jukai Line continues through the wider region.

Winemaking and visits to Kosaka Nanataki Winery

Kosaka Nanataki Winery opened in 2017 next to the Kosaka Nanataki Roadside Station. It makes Japanese wine from locally rooted grapes. Many of the grapes used for the winery’s wine are grown in the Tokito area on the Uwamuki Plateau. In autumn, Tokito table grapes are sold directly from the fields and at Heartland Market.

The “Cellar Door Nanataki” shop is right next to the winery. It offers tastings of the winery’s products and stocks most of the products made there. If you’re planning a tasting, check availability before your trip. Winery tours are available by registering through a form. Tours take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the last registration accepted at 3:00 p.m. The winery is closed on Tuesdays and in winter, from the second half of November through the end of March. Before you travel, also check the registration form and opening hours.

The Jukai Line and seasonal scenery

The 42.5-kilometer Jukai Line runs through the wider region. Open to traffic year-round, this scenic road leads from Ōdate via the center of Kosaka and Nanataki to Hakka Pass at Lake Towada, offering views that change with the seasons. Check current road conditions before setting out.

In the area around Uwamuki, about 400 Beniyama cherry trees line the Jukai Line near the Kosaka Nanataki Roadside Station. They typically reach peak bloom from early to mid-May, though this can vary with seasonal conditions. Winemaking and cherry blossoms therefore correspond to different travel periods: Tokito table grapes are sold in autumn, while the cherry trees bloom mainly in spring.

Nanataki and the cultural sites in Tokito

Nanataki Waterfall is in the area around Uwamuki. It is about 60 meters high, and its water flows down over seven tiers. A waterwheel stands against the backdrop of the waterfall. The waterfall and the waterwheel are two distinct features of the landscape: the cascading water and the structure set against it.

Tokito also has historical remains. One of the two original brick chimneys from the former Tokito Mine has been preserved, and a slag heap also remains there. The remains were designated a historic site of Kosaka Town in 2002. The area around the chimney is closed to visitors because falling bricks pose a danger and the site is on private land. Check local notices before visiting.

Tokito is also home to the Towada-san Seiryū Daigongen monument, erected in 1832. According to legend, Nansobo drove Hachirotaro from Lake Towada, transformed into a dragon god and sank into the lake. The traditional Tokito Ōdaiko repertoire includes the pieces “Dai-byōshi” and “Takaya.” A 2011 publication describes three pieces being performed at the “Kazuno Furusato Ōdaiko Daikyōenkai” together with “Tanuki.”

Discover more destinations: Kazuno, Daisen, Yuzawa, Fujisato, Yurihonjō, Akita, Semboku, Oga

For the full travel overview: Akita Prefecture.