Major city · Japan
Semboku仙北市
Spend 2 days: day 1 Nyuto Onsen, day 2 Kakunodate samurai district and Lake Tazawa (30 min bus from Tazawako).
Semboku in Akita Prefecture offers hot‑spring resorts, a preserved samurai town and Japan’s deepest lake. A short stay covers the main sights; longer trips add hiking in Tamagawa.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Aug (hot, humid)
- Airport
- AKJ
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Semboku110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Semboku, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetySemboku is safe; main risks are slippery roads in winter and hot‑spring water temperature—ask staff before entering.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportAKJ Akita Airport (Bus or train to Semboku about 1 h).
- Getting aroundFrom Tazawako Station take local buses (≈30 min) to Nyuto Onsen, Tamagawa and Lake Tazawa; Kakunodate is walkable from its station.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at café¥300–¥500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealBowl of ramen¥600–¥900 (≈ US$5–7)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus ride¥500–¥800 (≈ US$4–6)
- Museum or sight ticketOnsen entry (ryokan)¥1,000–1,500 (≈ US$7–11)
- Budget bedCapsule or hostel bed, a night, per person¥3,000 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness‑hotel double room, a night, per room¥13,000 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedBusiness‑hotel double room, a night, per room¥30,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥8,000 (≈ US$55) · High ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AKJ Akita Airport (Bus or train to Semboku about 1 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
Best
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Semboku: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
10 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
From Tazawako Station take local buses (≈30 min) to Nyuto Onsen, Tamagawa and Lake Tazawa; Kakunodate is walkable from its station. Buses run hourly; check timetables.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tamagawa hot springs
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Bus from Tazawako Station, about 40 min
Visit the acidic spring (pH 1.2) and the rare Hokutolite ore.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Nyuto Onsen ryokan
Traditional onsen inns, walk from Nyuto Onsen station.
Kakunodate machiya inns
Former samurai houses turned guesthouses, within walking distance of the district.
Lake Tazawa hotels
Small hotels near the lake promenade.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business‑hotel double room1 × 2 nights × ¥13,000 | ¥26,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ¥8,000 | ¥32,000 |
| Komachi Shinkansen Tokyo → Tazawako (one‑way, reserved seat)2 × ¥12,000 · check | ¥24,000 |
| Local bus day‑pass (Tazawako area)2 × ¥500 · check | ¥1,000 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × ¥2,500 · check | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥8,800 |
| Trip total≈ ¥24,200 per person per day, bed included | ¥96,800≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Onsen entry (ryokan) | ¥1,000–1,500 (≈ US$7–11) |
| Local bus ride | ¥500–¥800 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Bowl of ramen | ¥600–¥900 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Coffee at café | ¥300–¥500 (≈ US$3–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Last buses return around 19:00; plan dinner early.Last buses return around 7:00 PM; plan dinner early.
- Onsen baths may require reservation in peak season (check).
- Winter snow can close mountain roads to Tamagawa (check conditions).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Semboku仙北市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Tokyo → Tazawako (Komachi Shinkansen): about ¥9,000–12,000 (≈ US$65–85) reserved seat, 4 h
- Tazawako → Nyuto Onsen bus: ≈¥500, 30 min
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Semboku. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Aug (hot, humid) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a JR East Pass for Komachi Shinkansen to Tazawako
- Reserve onsen ryokan early in summer
Sources
Ask about Semboku
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