Fantastic place, one of my best experiences of homestay. - Hideyuki and his family are super welcoming and helpful - Hideyuki is working hard to keep alive and transmit local traditions (cooking, hunting, stories, costumes). Hideyuki even took us for a tour in the rice fields and forest around in snowshoes (there was 1m of snow) - The place is both traditional and confortable (don’t expect western style comfort though, you should go for pure japanese style housing) with fire, tatami, old wooden house - The area around is « deep & hidden Japan » with onsen (really hidden!), ski place (you can see snow monsters, and there is so much snow really amazing), nature, rivers, mountains. If you want to enjoy real Tohoku experience, fantastic place!

This was the most incredible and unforgettable blend of traditional culture and modern Japanese rural life. Over the top hospitality and kindness in a region of natural splendor.

Highly recommend! Hideyuki san and his family are super friendly and nice! Reply us as soon as possible, introduce us the spots and also the culture! The house is traditional japanese style, i like it so much. It is great the join the experience activity, hiking and know more about matagi hunting. They are so willing to share! It is a memorable time for staying in akita. The dinner is also very impressive! Everything is great!

By far the best experience in Japan!! Trekking activity is a MUST. Very peaceful town away from city. Hideyuki was super cool and friendly. We had so much fun playing games and singing along together til late night and I wish the night would never end. Also, we are super honoured to be their first Thai guest. Highly recommend others to come here!

What a wonderful experience. Although remote, we felt it was worth the trip! Beautiful and undisturbed scenery in the winter. Hideyuki and his family are extremely hospitible. Picked up at the train station, brought us to locals private onsen, played games together as a family, and returned to train when needed. Highly recommend hiking experience and cooking together. A bit pricey, but worth the experience. Looking forward to return another season!

Hideyuki & Yuri san are really nice people who care about the guests from the bottom, even we can't speak Japanese, music & (Hidden by Airbnb) translate collect us well:) It leads you to the hidden beauty of Kitaakita. Just be prepared returning to nature lives (non-flush toilet, hunter haul display) during your stay, other than that all is superb!

it's the best airbnb i have stayed so far. it's a super nice guest house, great host and family and amazing experience. it might sounds a little bit over exaggerated, but this surreal experience is real. Hideyuki is a real hunter but he's also a cool designer. that's why his guest looks so neat and so much interesting detail you can find in it. his family just like him, they are all so friendly. we had wonderful dinners together for two nights sit around the traditional fire pit and they shared a lot of local stories with us. he's very considerate and always responses/helps fast. and he communicates clearly so we can get to his guest house easily even it's in a remote area. the highlight of the experience is definitely his hiking tour. highly recommend you book for it. we had a nice walk and camp fire barbecue with this local hunter, it made this trip the best! if you want to experience the real north japan, from living style, food to culture, or learn more about the nature, or make a new friend with a nice family, Hideyuki and his guest house will fulfill you.

Marvelous stay in Kitaakita ! The house is very old and traditionnal, very beautiful. Hideyuki, his wife and the whole family is very gorgeous. The place is perfect to explore the nature around, and a lot of different things to do, from trekking, to art exhibitions and a lot of onsens! Different activities depending of the season of course (snow sports and leisures in winter :p !). Hideyuki is a perfect host, very helpful, and he knows how to make you discover and appreciate the area. I totally recommend this place! Go there!

雪国の寒い地方ですが、とても暖かいおもてなしをして頂きました。 囲炉裏を囲んでお食事を頂けたのも、カナダ人の主人はもちろん、日本人の私にとっても貴重な経験でした。 地元のお酒を飲みながら、色々とお話出来たのも良い思い出になりましたし、マタギについても、とても勉強することが出来、感謝でいっぱいデス。 ヒデさん、ゆりさん。本当にお世話になりありがとうございました。

Our stay in Kitaakita with Hideyuki and Yuri was absolutely perfect and such a surreal experience. On our first night we learned to make kiritanpo (a local dish to Akita) and the next day we did the mountain hike with Hideyuki and learned about the sacred practices of Matagi hunters. We were travelling across the country but our stay with Hideyuki and Yuri and their daughters was particularly special. Their ryokan is beautifully decorated and comfortable. We went during winter so though it was chilly they provided heaters which was much appreciated. We had a kitchen space, a bathroom space and a pantry. Everything you need is there. Also it is in a remote area surrounded by mountains and really serene, the local onsen is a twenty minute drive and absolute bliss. Would recommend anyone looking to experience traditional Akita cuisine and culture to stay here.