Kakunodate: Pride in the Samurai Tradition

The ancient town of Kakunodate, in Akita Prefecture, northern Japan, is steeped in history. For visitors, it is like a time slip — back to the period when the streets were filled with samurai warriors. In the old days it developed as a castle town and became a regional hub, both economically and culturally. Many vestiges remain from the Edo Period (1603-1868), including former samurai residences, which are open to the public. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Peter MacMillan explores this fascinating town, which is known as the "little Kyoto of the Michinoku region". He visits the residence of the Ishiguro Family, to glimpse the traditional architecture and lifestyle of the samurai. He discovers a store that sells oboro konbu, a traditional preparation made from kelp seaweed, and is shown around the oldest surviving storehouses in the Tohoku Region, built inside the private residence of a long-established soy sauce producer. At a local restaurant, he dines on a dish that used to be served to the lords of Kakunodate in the old days. He also tries his hand at a local craft, using the bark of mountain cherry trees. In the evening, Peter joins the local people taking part in a fire festival that is held to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Called the Hiburi Kamakura, this tradition dates back 400 years.