Tohoku 2015 東北の旅 - Kakunodate JR Station 角館駅

Little Kyoto of Michinoku. Kakunodate JR Station 角館駅 is located along Akita Shinkansen line 秋田新幹線 and Tazawako line 田沢湖線. Kakunodate was once a flourishing castle town established in 1620, during the Edo period (1603 - 1868). Even though the castle is no longer around today, the well preserved Samurai district / Bukeyashiki dori 武家屋敷通り will shed some light on how life was in the olden days. Apart from its rich heritage, Kakunodate is also one of the top three cherry blossom viewing spots in Michinoku region, alongside Hirosaki Koen 弘前公園 in Aomori Prefecture and Kitakami Tenshochi Koen 北上展勝地公園 in Iwate Prefecture. The sakura matsuri/festival usually takes place around mid April to early May in Kakunodate and is said to attract a whopping 60,000 visitors during the two weeks hanami period! The Samurai district is particularly well known for its memerising weeping sakura trees and contrast of the blooming pink flowers against the signature black wooden fences of the samurai residences is such an alluring sight to admire.

Kakunodate also referred to as the little Kyoto of Michinoku みちのく小京都.

Its reputation of being the top three cherry blossom viewing spots in Michinoku was also exemplified aptly in the overhead bridge linking the train platforms!

From Kakunodate JR Station,
(1) Komachi こまち travels westwards for Omagari 大曲駅 and ends its journey at Akita 秋田駅, via Akita Shinkansen line.
(2) Komachi こまち travels eastwards for Tazawako 田沢湖駅, Shizukuishi 雫石駅 and ends its journey at Morioka 盛岡駅, via Akita Shinkansen line. At Morioka, Komachi will combine with Hayabusa はやぶさ and both will travel southwards for Sendai and Tokyo.

Boarded the stunning red coloured Komachi (the train model in the background) from Morioka JR Station.

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What’s nearby?

(1) Kakunodate-cho / Senboku-shi Tourist Information Center 角館町観光協会 / 仙北市観光情報センター. Upon exiting from the train station, turn right and the tourist information center will come within sight.
http://kakunodate-kanko.jp/summary.html

(2) Samurai district / Bukeyashiki dori 武家屋敷通り, about 15 minutes walk from the train station.

Made our way to Samurai district / Bukeyashiki dori by foot.

Clear directional markers (such as the one on the right) were spotted along the way; directing us to the Samurai district.

Upon arriving at this iconic clock tower landmark, the Samurai district is just right ahead.

Even the 7 Eleven here took on a similar colour scheme as the buildings residing in the Samurai district. Yet again impressed by Japan's attention to such minute details!

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Commemorative stamps: