Yurihonjo

Cake Kobo Furian Nakamura

ケーキ工房フリアンナカムラ

A cake and dessert shop. Also serves coffee and has magazines and a sitting area.

Desserts ¥200-400

Chiyogiku

千代菊

The special is toromi ramen, and the tanmen is also quite good. Seats 24.

Chokai Snowmobile Land

鳥海高原南由利原スノーモビルランド

A snowmobile training and recreation area. Instructors can teach beginners, including children. Reservations necessary.

Dec-Mar Wed-Sun 10:00-16:00

Chokaiso

鳥海荘

This hotel and onsen has a restaurant with a standard Japanese menu and tasty katsudon. Large rooms may be reserved for enkais.

¥600-1200 for lunch

Conbini Sato

コンビニ佐藤

Convenience store. Sells fresh fruit, local gifts, and post cards.

Closed · opens 6 am

Cycling Terminal Yamayuri

サイクリングターミナルやまゆり

This building has a tourist information center, a small gift shop, a small restaurant, public restrooms and vending machines, and maps. There may be bicycles for rent, as well. The annual Chokai Marathon running race starts and ends here. Closed in winter.

Gobando

五番堂昭和音酒場

This izakaya serves standard fare. On Saturdays once or twice a month, it has open mic night for local bands.

Grill Kind

グリルカインド

A very nice steak restaurant. There are only 3 tables, so reservations are required.

Main dishes ¥1000-3000

Hanadate Milsey Dairy

花立牧場工房ミルジー Hanadate bokujō kōbō milsey

This dairy has tasty milk and ice cream. Offers hands-on tours.

Closed · opens 10 am

Honjo Culture Hall

本荘文化会館 Honjō bunkakaikan

This building is the only large auditorium in Yurihonjo. It hosts many kinds of shows, such as dance shows, concerts, and karaoke contests.

Honjo Library

由利本荘市立本荘図書館

Largest library in Yurihonjo. Some English books are available, but most of these are in a storage room in back, so ask for help.

Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat Sun 09:00-17:00, closed 3rd Sun of the month, closed last day of the month (or preceding Fri)

Honjo Park

本荘公園 Honjō kōen

Have a picnic. In April or May, watch cherry blossoms in the park.

Hotel Foresta Chokai

フォレスタ鳥海

Onsen and hotel on the base of Mt. Chokai. There are indoor and outdoor baths. Bring your own towel for bathing.

¥400

Hottai Waterfall

法体の滝 Hottai no taki

A large waterfall with picnic and camping area and restaurant in Momoyake, Hitane, Chokai. There is also a 2-km hiking trail. The facilities are closed in winter, and the road is not plowed. However, the road is plowed in Momoyake until the last 2 km, so one can easily walk in on snowshoes.

Hottoin Chokai

ほっといん直売所

Sells fresh and canned vegetables and gifts for tourists, such as postcards and t-shirts.

Closed · opens 9 am

Ibuki

うどん工房いぶき

This small shop has some of the best udon in Nishime. It also has blueberry and sesame soft-serve ice cream.

11:00-14:00, closed Mon·¥600-900

Ichikoma

いちこま

This small udon shop has three tables and a counter. It serves many kinds of udon, and also oden. The shop is owned by a young couple, and their udon is quite good.

Thu-Tue

Ichiyoshi

一よし

A traditional Japanese restaurant where you sit and eat on tatami mats. Specializes in fish. Reservations required.

Iwaki Local History Museum

岩城歴史民俗資料館 Iwaki rekishi minzoku shiryōkan

This reconstructed village has some museum buildings with old clothes, weapons, scrolls, and, oddly, biology research. There are also some reconstructed buildings, as well as old looms and blacksmith tools. Next to the reconstructed village there's a large tower, surrounded by a small moat. There's a restaurant and gift shop on the first floor, and the top floor has nice views of Kameda. No English is spoken, but the ticket window has an English language handout that describes each of the buildings. If the employees have time, they can demonstrate how some of the tools are used.

¥400 for adults

Keijiro

鶏次楼

This restaurant and izakaya serves various Japanese food, such as ramen, soba, and katsudon. It also serves kiritanpo, a famous Akita dish.

Fri-Wed 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00·Main dishes for ¥500-900

Kizakura Onsen Yurari

黄桜温泉・湯楽里

This is a large onsen. It has relaxing areas, baths, and an attached restaurant.

Daily 09:00-21:00; closed 1st and 3rd Sun of each month, or the following day if a national holiday·¥350

Kofuen Sumo Ring

光風園相撲場

This is an outdoor sumo practice ring, open for all to use. Contact the Honjo Board of Education (number above) for more information.

¥200 per hour

Koryu Gakushu Center

交流学習センター

This public building has a small public library, as well as a gym and kitchen. Private groups often reserve the gym or kitchen and use them for various events. This building used to be called the Koiki Koryu Center (広域交流センター).

Lawson Station

ローソン・由利本荘矢島店

Convenience store with ATM. For late night shopping, people from Yashima and Chokai go here, because it's the only option.

24 hours

Masadon

政どん

This izakaya's special is half of a small chicken, deep fried. The chicken sells out, so it's best to call in advance and reserve a portion. Because the chicken is greasy and tasty, this is a good location for drinking after dinner.

Mingei Saito

民芸さいとう

Sells crafts, food and drink from the region. For example, the shop sells many lacquer dishes and containers made in Akita, as well as local brands of sake and kiritanpo.

Mon-Sat 08:30-18:30, Sun 09:30-18:30, closed 1st and 3rd Wed of each month

Mt. Chokai

鳥海山 Chōkai-san

Climb Mt. Chokai from the Haraikawa Trailhead near Yashima. It takes around 4 hours to reach the summit, or 8 hours round trip. The mountain is 2236 m high.

Hiking is free. To stay overnight at the summit lodge, you need to make reservations and pay

Mt. Hinoto

丁岳 Hinoto-dake

A round trip climb up and down Mt. Hinoto takes around 5 hours. Get supplies in Jinego before going to the trail head. For a few kilometers leading to the trail head, the road is unpaved. The mountain is 1,145 m high.

Road closed in winter·Free

Nagasaka Ski Area

長坂スキー場

A small ski area with one t-bar and one slope. Open for day and night skiing.

Nishime Kominkan Seagull

西目公民館シーガル

This community center has a medium-sized auditorium. It often hosts community events like dance recitals and art exhibits.