[2025 Akita Attraction] Travel Guide for Kubota Castle Front Gate (Updated Sep)

#asiabudgetchallenge Kubota Castle Front Gate – Otemon, thoughtfully reconstructed in 2001, marks the majestic entrance to Kubota Castle’s main enclosure in Senshū Park. Built from ancient zelkova and cypress timbers, this two-story, tile-roofed gate—based on archaeological evidence and historical drawings—stands as a testament to the Satake clan’s legacy during the Edo era. Rough Budget: Free to visit as part of Senshū Park; optional museum admissions (Turret/Museum: ¥100–¥150). Travel Tip: Stop by at sunrise or sunset—natural light accentuates the gate’s textures beautifully and fewer visitors make for tranquil photos.

We visited Kubota Castle Ruins on a rainy, overcast day—which gave the entire site a somewhat somber and moody atmosphere. While it would’ve been great to explore under blue skies, the snow-dusted scenery still managed to lend a certain charm to the experience. Having visited several castles across Japan, we found Kubota Castle to be modest in comparison. It’s relatively small, and the restored structure only has a few levels open to the public. That said, we enjoyed climbing to the top, where the observation area offered a lovely bird’s-eye view of Akita and its surroundings. The castle grounds were peaceful—perhaps too peaceful, as we were the only visitors during our time there. It was nice to enjoy the quiet, but it also highlighted how subdued the attraction felt, especially in the gloomy weather. Parking was available but required a bit of a walk to get to the castle entrance. In all, Kubota Castle Ruins may not be the most spectacular castle visit in Japan, but if you’re already in Akita, it’s worth a stop for the views and a glimpse into the local history. #summervacay #KubotaCastle #AkitaViews #TohokuTravel #JapaneseCastles #SnowyScenery #QuietMoments #JapanOffTheBeatenPath #japan #japantrip #tohoku #travel #tohokutrip

📍Selected as the 9th of Japan's 100 Greatest Castles! ! 🌟You can finish touring in about an hour. Kubota Castle was built by Satake Yoshinobu and was used as the residence of the prestigious Satake clan until the Meiji era. By the way, when it was first built, it was written as "Kubota Castle", but it was renamed to "Kubota Castle" from 1633 (Kan'ei 10) to 1645 (Shoho 2). One of the characteristics of Kubota Castle is that, although it is a castle from the Edo period, it has almost no stone walls and is built on earthen ramparts (hachimaki dote). In addition, due to consideration for the shogunate or financial circumstances, a castle tower was not built. Currently, it has been developed as "Senshu Park" and is popular as a place of relaxation for citizens and as a famous cherry blossom spot. 🚩Route 1-1 Senshu Park, Akita City, Akita Prefecture 🚶♂️Access About 15 minutes walk from Akita Station #Akita #Kubota Castle #Autumn leaves #Castle #Tohoku #History