Kata Bunko: A Memorabilia of Showa Era

Kata Bunko (潟分校） is a former branch of Obonai Elementary School in Tazawako Area.

Kata Bunko

"Open Today"

Kata Bunko is located about 4km south of Lake Tazawa. Takko-No-Ki(田子の木） and Osawa(大沢） areas were once dubbed as “Solitary islands on land,” because of its remote location from nearby villages. A Proposal of an elementary school was long awaited by villagers there and celebrated when finally carried out in 1882. Since then, the school had been a home to hundreds of pupils until it was closed down in 1974, due to the decrease of student population.

After its closure, the site was being used for a community center at one point; however, in recent years, the decrepit building was even suggested to be torn down.

Mr. Kazushi Sato, CEO of Tsurunoyu Onsen, had provided an endowment for the restoration; for he insisted that the building would serve as an important role in preserving cultural and historical scenery. After two years of reconstruction, Kata Bunko was finally revived with photos and school supplies collected from former students. As Mr. Sato believed, this building certainly has been a valuable memorabilia for us to remember the Showa era.

A hallway leads to a gym.

Open for any recreational activities

A classroom for 3rd and 4th graders.

Wonder if Organs are being used nowadays..

Feels so great that makes you want to stay in class!

Schools supllies collected from foremer students.

They are very fragile--- please handle with care!

The Story of Alibaba in an English textbook

Works of local elementary students

Photos of the old days..

Did they sneak comic books under desks? Nowadays they are cellphones..

200 yen for entrance fee. You can leave your domestic address here so they can send you seasonal greeting cards.

Today the building hosts Kata Bunka Center (Kata Cultural Center) and shelters artifacts from which we could learn the unique tradition of fishery and agriculture at the lake. It is open to the public throughout the year, except for some days in winter (possibly closed due to the snow condition). The gym and field are also available for any recreational activities.

Cherry blossoms in the field

Entrance Fee: 200 yen per person (Collected for the maintenance)

ACCESS:
Bus     From JR Tazawako Station; take Isshu-Sen (Circuit Line) bound to Lake Tazawa; get off “Takko-No-Ki” or “Osawa” Stop. It is about 10 minutes walk.

Taxi    20 minutes from JR Tazawako Station.

CONTACT:
Address   〒014-1203  秋田県仙北市田沢湖潟字一の渡２２６　
                 226 Ichi-no-watari, Tazawako, Semboku-shi, Akita, 014-1203
TEL/FAX   0187-43-0766

A Soba Near Waterfall: Komagatake Onsen

Soba Goro is a Soba specialized restaurant with locations at Komagatake Onsen and Tazawako Ichi in front of JR Tazawako Station. They serve Juwari Soba (100% Buckwheat Noodle), the finer variety consists entirely of buckwheat, while the more common variety, Ni-Hachi Soba  (2-8 Buckwheat Noodle) consists of buckwheat and 20% wheat. This means Juwari Soba contains higher nutrition such as amino acids, dietary fibers, and rutin. You think soba is healthy? Choose Juwari Soba--- even healthier!

Komagatake Onsen and Juwari Soba Soba Goro

The Entrance

Soba Goro’s Tazawako Ichi Location is popular among train travelers; however, this Komagatake Onsen location is situated as a part of this inn and mostly visited by overnight guests, day-trippers, and hikers who came for Onsen in Mizusawa Area. The building is secluded from other Mizusawa inns, deep in the forest next to a creek. The best treat for your eye is a beautiful waterfall called Yujo-No-Taki, Waterfall of Friendship.

But first, let us have some treat for our tummy! Our order this day was Kakiage Soba--- recommended by the receptionist. At this location, you first buy a ticket from the vending machine in front of the front desk, which you will show to the server upon entering the restaurant at the end of the hall.

Written in Japanese only, so you can ask for an assistance.

Take this ticket to a server

The interior is furnished with beautiful dark wooden pieces and decorated with antique goods, which give a certain ambiance--- similar to Tsurunoyu and other Soba Goro location. This place is so unique, though, because you see a river and hear the water and it feels like you are out in the nature!

Welcome..

Sit on the counter or a table? You choose.

Help yourself with hot tea or water.

Antique pieces displayed.

A view from our table

Dried persimmons. Hear the sound of river?

Kakiage Soba is a plate of cold soba served with pieces of kakiage tempura (shreded mixed vegetables deepfried). Soba aficionados say that a good soba must have such texture that is hard and chewy at the same time. Soba Goro’s Soba is at its perfection and cooked so fresh--- boiled no more than 20 seconds! As a result, it leaves the distinctive scent of buckwheat which you would enjoy in every moment. At the end of the meal, we were served a pot of flavorful soba-yu (water in which soba was boiled).

Morisoba with Kakiage

Kakiage!

After our indulgence with soba, we proceeded to explore the waterfall, which is a minute away. The mist from the waterfall was so refreshing! We also found many young spring plants near the water. How comforting it was.. we just wanted to stay there forever!

Yujo-No-Taki

To access Komagatake Onsen, you take a road into the forest following a sign. The road directly takes you to the waterfall and Komagatake Onsen, so it’s pretty self-explanatory. Enjoy a soak, soba, and relaxing moment near the waterfall :)


大きな地図で見る

Cherry Blossoms in Takano Area

Takano is an area along Route 127 on the way up to the Nyuto and Mt. Komagatake Area. Not known by many people, but it is a popular cherry blossom viewpoint for many local people. Due to its elevation, the climate is cooler than other Semboku City areas so that the cherry blossoms in this area are enjoyed a few days to a week later. Now they are in full bloom! If you are driving or taking a bus to Nyuto area, make sure you have your eyes wide-open from the window!

Route 127 in Takano Area

More than 100 cherry blossoms are aligned over 1 km along Route 127.

The area used to be known for a ranch called Takano-Bokujo, where they raised horses and cows. Now this pasture is not used for a ranch, but you can find some remains of the old days.

A Statue of Horse stands next to a small red shrine.

You can get a better view when driving down. 

After cherry blossoms are gone, the mountains will accelerate to grow greener and greener: After summertime, you can see a large field of uncommon buckwheat species in magenta! This route 127 is unavoidable in accessing major Onsen areas in Semboku City, so hopefully you can get a glimpse of beautiful mountains in various hues!

Takane Ruby: Expected to bloom in late September to early October

A Walk to a Hide-Out at Frog Stone

Kaeru-Ishi （蛙石） is a rock that resembles a gigantic frog! We took a short walk down to the lakeshore across from Kenmin-No-Mori.

Follow the sign.

Find the road sign across the street of Kenmin-no-mori. The narrow trail is not paved with concrete. Most parts are covered by gravel and soft soil along the roped walking path. Springtime has come very slowly this year. But you can still see the footsteps of summer in the green leaves of the trees. Very refreshing!

Watch your step!

Although some lakeshore of Lake Tazawa is rather rocky because of the volcanic component, here you will be walking on the bed of dry leaves and fluffy soil. As you approach the water, you might have to walk on wet grounds depending on the previous weather condition - so make sure you are wearing a comfortable pair of shoes!

Soon this place will have a roof of young fresh leaves.

Wild Violas

Do not go off the road - just follow the ropes.

The water is calm.  

There you go..

Within 5 minutes, we found what we were looking for: the Frog Stone!

The wooden plate says ''Look from this angle"

Moss covered rocks!

Talismans.. Wonder what they wished.

Depth of Kappa

Whether or not the rock resembles a gigantic frog depends on your imagination.. On this day we saw coins by the visitors. The rock might not resemble a frog to you, but you would still enjoy the nice walk near the water.

It is only 100m walk for about 15 mins. If you are visiting Kenmin-No-Mori or having a bike ride around the lake, it could be a very nice place to take a break. It is a hidden spot and not commonly known even by local people, so you probably have the whole place for yourself. Enjoy!