Looking for an authentic rural Japan experience?

This half-day experience combines wild vegetable foraging, a visit to a hidden waterfall, outdoor cooking over a fire, and Gakko Chakko—a traditional Akita-style gathering where local people share tea, pickles, food, and conversation.

Accompanied by local residents, you’ll explore the mountains near Shirakami Sanchi, harvest seasonal wild vegetables, enjoy the flavors of the region, and connect with the people who call this area home.

It is a unique opportunity to experience the nature, food culture, and community spirit of rural Akita in a single memorable journey.

What is Gakko Chakko?

In Akita dialect, “gakko” means pickles and “chakko” means tea.

Gakko Chakko is a long-standing local tradition where people gather to enjoy tea, homemade pickles, seasonal foods, and conversation. More than just a snack break, it is a way for neighbors and friends to connect, exchange stories, and spend time together.

During this experience, visitors are invited to join this tradition around an outdoor fire, creating opportunities for genuine interaction with local residents and a deeper understanding of everyday life in rural Akita.

Discover Choshi Waterfall, a Hidden Gem Near Shirakami Sanchi

Before heading into the mountains, the tour begins with a visit to Choshi Waterfall, one of Fujisato Town’s hidden gems.

Loved by local residents for generations, this picturesque waterfall is known for its unusual cave-like rock formation. Over thousands of years, flowing water carved away the rock behind the falls, creating a distinctive hollow space rarely seen in other waterfalls.

The waterfall’s name comes from a traditional Japanese sake flask called a “choshi.” Local people say the shape of the waterfall resembles sake being poured from the vessel into a cup below.

Despite its peaceful atmosphere, the waterfall is easily accessible and only a short walk from the parking area. As one of the lesser-known scenic spots near Shirakami Sanchi, it offers visitors a chance to experience a place that many international travelers never discover.

The waterfall also provides a fitting introduction to the mountains, rivers, and seasonal traditions that shape life in this part of Akita.

Learn Traditional Wild Vegetable Foraging from Local Residents

After visiting the waterfall, participants venture into the mountains with local residents to learn the traditional practice of wild vegetable foraging.

More than half of Akita Prefecture is covered by forests and mountains, providing an abundance of edible wild plants often referred to as the region’s “mountain blessings.” For generations, local families have gathered these seasonal ingredients as part of their everyday lives.

Depending on the season, participants may discover a variety of wild vegetables while learning how to identify edible plants and harvest them responsibly.

Along the way, local guides share stories about mountain life, seasonal traditions, and the knowledge that has been passed down through generations.

Rather than simply collecting food, this experience offers insight into the close relationship between local people and the natural environment that sustains them.

Cook and Enjoy the Harvest

After returning from the mountains, participants gather around an outdoor fire to prepare and cook the vegetables they have harvested.

Freshly picked mountain vegetables offer flavors and textures that are difficult to experience elsewhere. Cooking together creates an opportunity to learn simple traditional preparation methods while enjoying food sourced directly from the surrounding landscape.

Sharing a meal around the fire is an important part of the experience, bringing together nature, food, and conversation in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Join a Real Gakko Chakko Gathering

The experience concludes with a Gakko Chakko gathering at Mori no Eki, a local community hub where residents often stop by throughout the day.

As participants enjoy tea, homemade pickles, and freshly prepared mountain vegetables around the fire, conversations naturally unfold with guides, fellow participants, and sometimes local residents who happen to visit.

These spontaneous encounters are part of what makes the experience special. You might hear stories about life in the countryside, learn about local customs, or simply enjoy sharing a moment with people who call this region home.

This is the true spirit of Gakko Chakko—not a staged cultural activity, but a genuine expression of hospitality and community that continues to thrive in rural Akita today.

More Than a Foraging Tour

This experience is about much more than collecting wild vegetables.

It is an opportunity to discover a hidden waterfall, learn traditional knowledge from local residents, enjoy the flavors of the mountains, and participate in a local gathering that reflects the warmth and hospitality of rural Japan.

For travelers seeking authentic cultural experiences beyond the typical tourist route, this journey offers a memorable glimpse into the everyday life and mountain culture of the Shirakami Sanchi area.