Discover the tranquility and natural beauty of Akita Prefecture at Kamenoi Hotel Tazawako, where traditional Japanese hospitality meets the serene landscapes of Japan’s countryside. Nestled by the picturesque Lake Tazawa, this hotel offers a blend of traditional and modern amenities, making it a perfect escape for travelers seeking relaxation and a touch of local culture.
Accommodations
Explore the variety of rooms designed for comfort and tranquility, from traditional Japanese tatami rooms to Western-style accommodations suitable for every traveler.I stayed in a tatami room this time. The futons were already laid out from the beginning.
There were delicious sweets in the room, all for free, of course.
Dining Experience
Indulge in a culinary journey with Akita’s local delicacies, featuring a buffet of regional and international dishes that cater to all palates.
This is the venue for both dinner and breakfast.
The sashimi was very fresh and delicious.
Kamenoi Hotel Tazawako offers a rich variety of Akita’s local cuisine. Here is Akita’s famous Kiritanpo Nabe.
Kiritampo is a traditional Japanese dish originating from Akita Prefecture in the northern region of Japan. It’s made from freshly cooked rice that is pounded until it becomes partially glutinous and sticky. This sticky rice is then molded around bamboo sticks in a cylindrical shape and grilled over an open flame. The grilling process gives the kiritampo a slightly crispy exterior while maintaining a chewy interior.
Originally, kiritampo was a way to preserve rice. Nowadays, it is often enjoyed in a variety of ways, most commonly as a key ingredient in Kiritampo-nabe, a hot pot dish. In Kiritampo-nabe, the grilled rice sticks are cut into smaller pieces and cooked in a broth with chicken, burdock root, and various seasonal vegetables. The savory broth soaks into the kiritampo, making them even more flavorful.
Kiritampo offers a unique texture and flavor that distinguishes it from other rice-based dishes. It’s a comforting, warming dish that’s particularly popular during the colder months, and it embodies the simplicity and heartiness of rural Japanese cuisine.
For breakfast, the Medetai Rice from the Kame no I Hotel’s common menu was delicious. Medetai Rice is a dish made by mixing sea bream, which has been marinated in a light and savory white soy sauce, with a flavorful tororo (grated yam) broth.
When it comes to Kame no I Hotel, it’s all about the Dan Dan Noodles. You can enjoy them for free at 9:00 PM. This time, it was “Shiro Jigoku” – white sesame Dan Dan Noodles.
Natural Hot Springs
Unwind in the therapeutic waters of Kamenoi Hotel’s onsen, boasting skin-nourishing properties amidst a backdrop of Akita’s lush greenery.
Some people might mistake it for dirty water, but the white floating substances are yunohana (hot spring minerals). Yunohana, often referred to as “hot spring flowers,” are mineral deposits that form in hot spring water. As the hot spring water flows from deep underground, it dissolves minerals from the earth’s crust. When this mineral-rich water reaches the surface and cools, some of the minerals can precipitate out, forming delicate, flower-like crystalline structures. These “flowers” are not plant-based but are made up of various minerals like sulfur, calcium, and magnesium, depending on the composition of the hot spring. Yunohana are considered a natural beauty and a sign of the rich mineral content of the hot springs, often sought after for their therapeutic properties.
In the lobby next to the bath, apple vinegar is available for unlimited drinking.