TŌHOKU
This region is the heart of northern Japan, a land of deep snow, sacred mountains, and vibrant summer festivals.
Discover a profound cultural history in ancient temples and samurai towns, and enjoy world-class skiing, scenic gorges, and some of Japan’s most renowned hot spring villages.
Why Visit Tōhoku?
Spectacular Scenery: Explore stunning natural wonders, from the autumn colors of Oirase Gorge to the ‘Snow Monsters’ of Mount Zao.
Vibrant Festivals: Experience a traditional Japanese summer with the energy of the Aomori Nebuta and Sendai Tanabata festivals.
Onsen Culture: Tōhoku is home to secluded, traditional hot spring inns (ryokan), offering a quintessential Japanese winter experience.
Smart Travel
Shoulder Season (Late May–June, September–Mid-October): Best for clear weather and beautiful scenery, especially for viewing late cherry blossoms and the start of autumn foliage in the mountains.
Deep Off-Season (Mid-November–March): Ideal for winter sports and a peaceful onsen experience. Travel is quieter and accommodation is often a better value, but many mountain roads are closed.
Peak Season (Late July–Mid-August): The season of spectacular Summer Festivals and prime hiking. Book well in advance and be prepared for higher prices and crowds, especially around the major cities.
Main Areas & Places to Explore
Sendai & Matsushima Bay (Miyagi)
Sendai, the largest city in Tōhoku, is an excellent modern base, famous for its tree-lined avenues and fantastic food scene. Just a short trip away is Matsushima Bay, considered one of Japan’s three most scenic views, dotted with over 200 pine-covered islands.
Your Smart Tip: Combine a city break in Sendai with a serene morning cruise around Matsushima Bay. Visit in the shoulder season for moderate temperatures and pleasant coastal air.
Traditional Samurai Towns & Hot Springs (Akita & Yamagata)
These prefectures offer a mix of preserved history and mountainous nature. Kakunodate in Akita is famous for its preserved samurai district. In Yamagata, visit the picturesque, gas lamp-lit Ginzan Onsen or ascend to the mountaintop Yamadera temple.
Your Smart Tip: For an unforgettable experience, visit Ginzan Onsen in winter when the snow transforms the town into a stunning, secluded winter wonderland.
Aomori & Scenic Nature (Aomori)
Aomori is the northern gateway to the region and a natural paradise. It’s home to the incredible autumn colors of Oirase Gorge and the deep, mysterious waters of Lake Towada. Aomori City itself is the stage for the massive Nebuta Festival in August.
Your Smart Tip: The autumn foliage along the Oirase Stream (mid-October to early November) is breathtaking. To avoid the worst crowds, start your walk in the early morning.
Hiraizumi & Mountain Pilgrimage (Iwate & Fukushima)
Hiraizumi in Iwate is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful Buddhist temples, including the golden Konjiki-dō Hall of Chūson-ji. Fukushima offers natural wonders like the colorful mineral lakes of Goshikinuma.
Your Smart Tip: The area around Hiraizumi is best explored on a bicycle, which allows you to easily hop between the spread-out temple grounds and ancient gardens.
Handy Tips
Weather & Climate
The climate is defined by the seasons. Summers are warm and humid, while winters are long and cold with heavy snowfall, particularly on the Sea of Japan side (Akita/Yamagata/Aomori), where temperatures can drop well below freezing.
Local Customs And Etiquette
Onsen (Hot Springs): Public bathing etiquette is strict; always wash thoroughly before entering the bath. Tattoos are sometimes prohibited, but many places are becoming more accepting (call ahead or wear a rash guard).
No Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Japan and can be considered rude. Excellent service is standard and is already included in the price.
Shoes: Always remove your shoes when entering a traditional inn (ryokan), a temple, a private home, and many restaurants.
Budgeting For Your Trip
Accommodation: Hostels ($30–$55), mid-range hotels ($80–$150), luxury/ryokan with meals ($180+). Prices spike during major summer festivals.
Food: Quick lunch (ramen/donburi) ($7–$15), dinner at a mid-range restaurant ($20–$40 per person), multi-course kaiseki meal at a ryokan ($50+).
Transport: Local bus/train ticket ($2–$5), Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets are expensive, so consider a JR Rail Pass if you plan extensive travel.
Activities: Temple/museum entry ($5–$15), Onsen entry ($4–$15), Ski pass ($35–$60).
Daily Budget:
- Budget: $70–$110 (hostels, fast food, local transport).
- Mid-range: $120–$180 (mid-range hotels, restaurants, attractions).
- Luxury: $200+ (boutique ryokan, gourmet meals, Shinkansen travel).
Getting Around
By Train: The Shinkansen (bullet train) provides fast access to major cities like Sendai and Morioka. Local train lines are extensive but often infrequent in rural areas.
By Car: Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore the rural nature and hidden onsen towns, especially in Aomori, Akita, and Yamagata.
By Bus: Local and intercity buses connect smaller towns not served by the train network, though schedules can be limited.
Must-Try Food
Gyūtan (Beef Tongue): Sendai’s most famous dish—thickly sliced beef tongue, often grilled and served with barley rice and oxtail soup.
Wanko Soba: A challenge-style dish from Iwate where small bowls of soba noodles are rapidly refilled by a server until you can’t eat any more.
Kitakata Ramen: A type of ramen from Fukushima known for its thick, wavy noodles in a fragrant soy-sauce-based broth, often eaten for breakfast.
Kiritanpo Nabe: A traditional Akita hot pot with chicken, vegetables, and crushed rice that is skewered and toasted before being added to the stew.
Sasa Kamaboko: A soft, grilled fish cake from Miyagi shaped like a bamboo leaf, often served as a local snack or appetizer.
Hiyashi Chūka: A popular cold ramen dish (chilled noodles with cold toppings and a tangy sauce) that is said to have originated in Sendai.
Kurumi Mochi: Mochi rice cakes served with a creamy walnut paste, a specialty of Iwate.
Zunda Mochi: Mochi covered in a sweet, bright-green paste made from mashed edamame (young soybeans), a popular local dessert from Sendai.
Tama Konnyaku: Skewered, boiled konnyaku (a gelatinous cake made from yam) served hot with a soy sauce-based marinade, a staple snack in Yamagata.
Ichigo-ni: A clear, savory soup from the coast of Aomori and Iwate made with sea urchin and abalone—it translates to “strawberry boil” because the cooked urchin roe resembles wild strawberries.
Must-Try Drinks
Local Sake (Nihonshu): Tōhoku’s pure mountain water and excellent rice fields make it one of Japan’s top sake-producing regions. Each prefecture has unique breweries.
Apples and Apple Cider: Aomori is Japan’s largest apple producer; try their fresh-pressed juice or local, crisp apple cider.
Jizake (Local Craft Sake): Seek out small, local brewers for unique and refined flavors that aren’t distributed nationally.
Dobu-Roku (Cloudy Sake): A rustic, unfiltered sake with a thick, milky appearance, often made by local farmers for their own consumption.
Local Beer: Smaller craft breweries are emerging across the region, offering unique local brews.
Yonezawa Wine: Yamagata Prefecture has a growing reputation for its locally produced wines, especially whites.