About 500 meters from Chokokuji Temple, home to the nine-meter-tall Kannon statue known as “Akata’s Great Buddha,” sits the home of self-employed Mitsuhiro Ogawa (64), nestled in the rice fields of Akata, Yurihonjo City. Here, a variety of animals live together under one roof.Among them are an elegant, black-coated Italian […]
For Masami Sasaki (59) of Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, one of life’s greatest joys is spending time in the garden with her two Akita dogs. Chukichi (five-year-old male), calm and composed, and Hanako (five-year-old female), full of energy, wag their tails as they run through a garden dotted with blooming […]
Tama (six-year-old female)“This photo captures Tama yawning during a break on our walk. Her expression is just irresistibly cute.”(Rui Sakamoto – Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture) Chachamaru (one-year-old female)“She brings us peace every day, making us relaxed and happy. Thank you for coming into our lives, Chachamaru! And thank you to […]
The 1983 blockbuster Antarctica was based on the real-life reunion of the sled dogs Taro and Jiro with the Antarctic expedition team a year after they were left behind. But for one viewer, it wasn’t those two famous survivors who left a lasting impression – it was the lead dog, […]
Akita dogs are covered with a slightly firmer coat that protects the skin and a softer coat that helps retain heat. Depending on their environment, they generally shed in spring and fall twice a year. As large dogs, they shed a lot of hair, making them difficult to care for. […]
The Akita Prefectural Museum, located in Kanaashi, Akita City, has a collection of works featuring Akita dogs by Hiwatashi Giichi (d.1987), the third-generation creator of Nakayama Dolls in Yokote City. These works present the ideal poses of Akita dogs, which is how Giichi raised the reputation of Nakayama Dolls nationwide. […]
A cute Akita dog is “sitting” on top of stylish sweets. In the west of Akita City, there is a craft center called Akita Araya Glass Studio, where budding glass artisans can freely express their creativity, and visitors can experience the fun of glass blowing. Inside the center, there is […]
2022 is the Year of the Tiger, so why don’t you come and meet Akita dogs with “tiger hair”? When speaking of Akita dogs, the red-haired and white-haired ones are the most popular. But the wild and powerful tiger-haired ones, known as Tora-ge (brindle), have their own popularity among people. […]
The “Wasao Grand Prize,” a competition of long-haired Akita dogs, was held in front of the Izumiotsu City Hall in Osaka Prefecture in early October. The grand prize went to Ran Ran (two-year-old male) kept by Mr. Ueno Hiroshi, a self-employed man from Kyoto City. The Wasao Grand Prize originated […]
A couple of Akita dogs walk along the black wall of the samurai residence street in Kakunodate, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture. They are Su-chan (male, four-year-old) and Fujiko (female, two-year-old), who are well known as the signature dogs of Enishi, a private B&B owned by Mrs. Yoshimi. Kakunodate, known nationwide as the “Little Kyoto of […]
Akita Inu (dogs), with their fluffy coat, round eyes, and an adorable tail that curls up, are now famous worldwide. Akita dogs have a strong body and are best known for their loyal personality. The number of Akita dogs raised overseas continues to increase. In Akita Prefecture, the Akita dog's birthplace, there is an active movement to utilize them for tourism promotion. Akita Sakigake Shimpo, entitled "Akitainu News," will circulate various domestic and international information about Akita dogs. The goal is to connect the world and Akita through Akita dogs.
