Kakunodate Samurai District

Kakunodate was established in 1620 by local lord Ashina Yoshikatsu, who designed the town following classical castle town principles: samurai residences on elevated ground in the inner town (Uchi-machi), and merchant quarters in the outer town (Tomachi). The Satake clan later ruled the area for 260 years until the Meiji Restoration. The town's layout, with samurai compounds separated by earthen walls and lined with weeping cherry trees and cedar hedges, has been remarkably preserved.

The samurai residences feature distinctive black-walled structures with thatched or shingled roofs, surrounded by manicured gardens. Six of these residences are open to the public, including the Aoyagi, Ishiguro, and Kawarada families' homes, offering rare insights into samurai daily life, architecture, and culture. The interiors display samurai armor, weapons, calligraphy, and household items, while the gardens demonstrate the aesthetic sensibilities of the warrior class.

Kakunodate earned the nickname 'Little Kyoto of Michinoku' (Tohoku region) for its refined culture and beautiful preservation. The samurai district was designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings in 1976. The town is also famous for over 400 weeping cherry trees that bloom in late April, creating a pink canopy over the streets - these Shidarezakura were brought from Kyoto by a bride of the ruling family over 300 years ago.