Best Of Tohoku, Japan: A Complete Guide To The Untouched North

Tohoku is one of Japan’s least-traveled regions, but in this ultimate guide for visiting Tohoku we’re going to prove to you that it’s an epic destination worth visiting. We traveled the region finding the coolest attractions and awesomest things to do, so let’s dive right in!

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From the Yamadera Temple built into steep mountain cliffs to the breathtaking Nakuro Gorge with its epic autumn colors, we loved how culture and nature blended effortlessly in Tohoku. 

The region also hosts amazing cultural festivals, such as the Akita Kanto Festival, where you can watch performers balancing giant bamboo poles covered in lit lanterns. Get ready to have your mind blown!

Ultimate Guide For Visiting Tohoku

Image via Unsplash by Andy Kuo

We’ve put together this epic Tohoku guide so you can save yourself time doing research and start booking your trip!

So what are you waiting for? Let’s dive right in and discover the region’s best attractions.

Why Tohoku Is Worth Visiting

Image via Flickr by Barbara Sakamoto

Tohoku was largely devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Today, it is reemerging as a vibrant region of Japan with lots of epic cultural events, like the Akita Kanto Matsuri festival, as well as beautiful landmarks and unparalleled nature.

From the holy mountain shrines of Dewa Sanzan to the cherry blossom-covered mountains that take over Tohoku’s landscape in the spring. It’s the third largest of Japan’s eight regions, so we can guarantee you won’t run out of things to do!

Notable Hotels In Tohoku

After exploring the Tohoku area, it was these great hotels that really stuck with us. We’re sure you’ll love your stay there as much as we did.

Top Things To See In Tohoku

Image via Flickr by aik leck

Tohoku is a culturally rich region of Japan with great traditional festivals, dozens of ancient temples steeped in history, and historical hot spring towns. But Tohoku isn’t just rich in culture. It also has amazing mountains for skiing in winter, deep gorges, and crystal-clear lakes. 

There are six prefectures in Tohoku overall. We’ve included lots of attractions in five of the six. We left out the Iwate Prefecture because, even though it does have some dramatic and awesome stretches of coast, all the prefecture’s attractions are really spread out and it’s a bit of a logistical nightmare to travel. 

But don’t worry, there’s so much to see in Tohoku’s five other prefectures you won’t run out of things to do!

Aomori Prefecture

Image via Flickr by Kayoko Andresen

Aomori is a prefecture with a balanced mix of things to do. You can be soaking in hot springs one day and then traveling up a mountain peak the next. 

The best time of year to visit Aomori is in April. By then, some of the snow has cleared but there is still plenty of it around, plus the Sakura season starts! 

Soak Your Worries Away At The Sukayu Onsen

Image via Flickr by Dav Yaginuma

This epic historical bathhouse is nestled away in the Hakkoda Mountains and was built in 1929. The building is made out of cypress wood and has a timeless feel to it that really adds to the vibe. 

It’s also one of the few onsens in Japan where the custom of Konyoku, or mixed gender bathing, is upheld. That means you can go as a couple and soak in the hot springs together! 

We ended up staying the night at Sukayu Onsen because there were a few added perks. Overnight guests get a complimentary round-trip transfer from the city of Aomori, which solves the problem of how to get there, and the price also includes dinner, and a winter walk through the snow early the next morning.

It’s a great destination for couples in need of some TLC and romance!

Check Out The Aomori Museum Of Art

Image via Flickr by chee_hian

This epic art museum is one of the best we’ve ever been to. The styles on display are super unique, and there are famous pieces like the giant Aomori Dog statue by local artist Yoshimoto Nara. 

Other famous artists on display include works by Pablo Picasso, Tohl Narita, and Paul Klee. We’re usually not huge fans of art museums, but we had a great time walking around the Aomori Museum of Art.

It’s pretty big, so set aside a couple of hours to see everything. If you’re visiting in winter it’s also a good way to escape the cold for a little while.

Visit The Hirosaki Castle

Image via Flickr by tez guitar

Japanese castles are really impressive and are an important part of the country’s history that culture buffs should definitely explore. We decided to go on a trip to Hirosaki Castle not just for the castle, but also because it’s surrounded by a lush green park. 

The original five-story castle was built in 1611 by the Tsugaru Clan, but sadly in 1627 it was struck by lightning and burned down. The immense three-story castle that you see today was built in 1810 and is protected by moats, high walls, and turrets.

Surrounding it is Hirosaki Park, which has over 2,500 cherry trees and is incredibly beautiful in springtime when all the cherry blossoms are out. The park hosts an annual Sakura festival from the last week of April to the first week of May. 

The coolest thing you can do there during the cherry blossom season is rent a wooden boat and row along the moat that’s lined with cherry blossom trees on either side. Watching the petals falling gently onto the water was the ultimate hanami experience.

Jump On The Hakkoda Ropeway To The Top Of Mt Tamoyachi

Image via Flickr by Jase Hill

We love ropeways, and Japan is covered in them. If you’re like us and you aren’t always up for a long and arduous hike, they’re a great way to reach mountain summits with sweeping views effort-free. 

The Hakkoda Ropeway takes you deep into the Hakkoda Mountains, to the summit of Mt. Tamoyachi. Lots of snowboarders and skiers come here each year, drawn in by the thick, powdery Japanese snow. 

But that isn’t all the area is known for – legend has it, there are also snow monsters looming on Mt. Tamoyachi. 

In reality, the monster-like shapes that cover the mountain are just trees covered in layers of snow and wind-swept into dramatic shapes. Even so, they are very cool and enormous!

Don’t worry if you can’t make it in winter or early spring to see the giant snow monsters, the views are just as impressive in autumn when the mountains turn orange and red.

Drive Through The Hokkada Wall, Surrounded By Meters Of Thick Snow

Image via Flickr by Liz Bartlett

Every year on April 1st the road between Sukayu Onsen and Yachi Onsen is opened up after a long winter period of closure. Because Aomori gets some of the heaviest snow in all of Japan in the winter, it’s impossible to keep all the prefecture’s roads open.

This stretch of Highway 103 is an iconic road to drive at the start of spring, as the thick snow hasn’t melted yet, so snow walls reaching up to nine meters straddle the tarmac on either side. 

It takes almost a month for the team of snow plows to work their way through the snow and clear it enough to make the road usable again.

Huddled in our little rental car with lots of winter layers on, we set out! We knew the snow walls would be impressive, but we hadn’t expected them to be quite as tall as they were!

Akita Prefecture

Image via Flickr Steve Tracy Photography

Our favorite thing about Akita Prefecture is the festivals. Many traditions and customs have been celebrated in Tohoku for centuries and are still alive today in Akita. We were especially impressed by the Kanto pole balancers at the Akita Kanto Festival.

Beyond the festivals, Akita is rich in samurai history and is home to one of the region’s prettiest national park, where you’ll find a historic onsen town and the giant Lake Towada.

Dive Into Japan’s Samurai History In Kakunodate

Image via Flickr by murozo

Kakunodate is a little city in the Akita Prefecture that used to be a castle town. Sadly, the castle isn’t there anymore, but the city is still worth visiting because it was a samurai stronghold. 

We’ve always been really intrigued by samurais, and couldn’t pass up this opportunity to dive into samurai history! 

When we arrived at the Samurai District we were blown away by the massive houses that showcased how wealthy a lot of samurai families were. We learned about how samurai were the most revered warriors in pre-industrial Japan and how they even came to dominate government from the 12th century right up to 1868.

If you’re anything like us and super curious about the history of Samurais, then we highly recommend booking this tour of the Kakunodate Samurai District.

Back in those days, samurai families would have lived in this area. Of those, only six of the houses that are still intact are open to the public. If you decide to visit one and go in, we recommend choosing either Aoyagi or Ishiguro.

Stroll Around And Check Out The Weeping Cherry Trees In Kakunodate

Image via Flickr by foxeight

Weeping cherry trees are some of the most beautiful species, and the city is full of them. The first one was brought to Kakunodate from Kyoto during the Edo Period, when samurai families started to display their wealth by having the most stunning cherry blossom trees.

Because of that, you can see cherry blossom trees pretty much anywhere in the city in late April and early May. 

One particularly good hanami spot is along the edge of the Hinokinai River that runs through the city. The hundreds of cherry trees here are a different kind of cherry tree, these are the yoshino trees, not weeping cherry trees more common in other areas.

Go To The Kamakura Festival

Image via Flickr by Blaz Purnat

Known locally as the Kamakura Matsuri, this awesome festival is centered around the impressive Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The real event is the festival parades. Everyone comes together dressed in traditional attire and marches down Wakamiya Oji Street towards Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. 

We loved seeing all the brightly colored costumes and also enjoyed how intergenerational the celebration was. Everyone, young and old, got involved in the parade. There was a real sense of community throughout the festival, and even as tourists, we felt very welcome.

There was a lot of traditional dancing that we hadn’t seen before. Once we reached the shrine, we weren’t sure what would happen next, but to our surprise, there was a free matcha tea ceremony that everyone was invited to join. 

Later on, there were yabusame shows, which is a form of traditional horseback archery.

Celebrate The Akita Kanto Festival In Akita City

Image via Flickr by Roger

Also known as the Kanto Matsuri, or pole lantern festival, this is one of the most unique and quirky Japanese festivals we’ve been to. It’s a colorful celebration that takes place in Akita City every August.

There’s always a lot going on, from street food stands to live music. But the star of the show is the Kanto pole balancing performances. Performers balance long bamboo poles that can hold as many as 46 paper lanterns and reach heights of up to 12 meters.  

Keeping the poles upright would be challenging enough, but it turns out the performers have to balance them on their hands, shoulders, hips, and even foreheads! Considering each one can weigh up to 50 kilos, it’s very impressive. 

The main event is the night parades along Kanto Odori Street. Over 250 Kanto poles with lit lanterns are all raised together at the same time, and then the performers show off their skills.

Chill In The Nyuto Onsen

Image via Flickr by Isriya Paireepairit

We’ve been to a lot of different hot springs in Japan, but Nyuto Onsen has to be in our top three. Tucked away in the mountains within Towada-Hachimantai National Park, very few tourists know about them, so you get a real sense you’ve discovered something new. 

There are seven hot springs in the village you can choose from, some of which have been around for more than 350 years and were once where the lords of Akita came to rest and recover after a long journey or a gruesome battle. 

The whole village feels like stepping back in time, which makes it easy to believe how long the onsens have been around. 

If you’re looking for an onsen with the most rustic vibe, then opt for Tsurunoyu Onsen with cloudy, milky waters and is one of the oldest in town. Another favorite of ours is Ganiba Onsen, which is surrounded by virgin forest and feels completely nestled away in nature. 

In winter, the snow is thick in Nyuto Onsen, making it even more magical!

Visit The Largest Caldera Lake On Honshu, Lake Towada

Image via Flickr by sic Chiu

Lake Towada is surrounded by lush mountain scenery and dense forest. In autumn, the area is especially beautiful, as the beech trees turn a vibrant shade of yellow and the maple trees turn a deep red.

The best time to go if you want to see the autumn foliage is from mid to late October. The water is so clear that you can see a reflection of Mount Towada on the water’s surface.

We were eager to get out into the lake, which is the largest caldera lake on Honshu Island. We hopped on one of the Lake Towada Excursion boats, which run every season apart from winter, and embarked on a scenic boat ride around the lake.

If you want to find out more about the cost of the trip or check their most up-to-date timetable, visit their official website. 

If you aren’t interested in being out on the water of the lake, try this epic hiking tour of Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada instead.

Fukushima Prefecture

Image via Flickr by Karen

Fukushima is one of our favorite prefectures in Tohoku. It’s riddled with amazing mountain landscapes and pristine lakes that are perfect for outdoorsy travelers.

Did you know Japan’s most beautiful Sakura tree is also in Fukushima?

Immerse Yourself In History In Ouchijuku

Image via Flickr by Donna

This historical postal town is situated along the ancient road connecting Aizu and Nikko, known as the Shimotsuke Kaido, and was once a bustling post station village and an important trading center during the 17th century Edo Period. 

While much of what you see today is reconstructed to some degree, Ouchijuku has managed to replicate what the town would have looked like in the past very beautifully. The unpaved streets are lined with adorable thatched-roof houses, and any signs of modern life, like telephone and electricity wires, have been cleverly hidden away. 

We also loved checking out the old Honjin, which would have been the main inn for any passing high-ranked government officials. Today, it’s a museum that tourists can wander around to learn the history of the village. 

A great way to see the village from above is to walk along the main street and up the stairs to the town’s temple. The views are pretty special.

Another great way to learn more about the village is by booking a private tour with a government-licensed guide.

Visit The Breathtaking Goshikinuma Lakes

Image via Flickr by Donna

There are approximately 30 colorful lakes and ponds that are all clustered under the name Goshikinuma. They were created when the powerful Mt. Bandai erupted more than one hundred years ago. 

Each lake and pond has a unique concentration of minerals so each have a different vibrant and distinct color. 

It would be tough to see all the lakes in a single trip, but we did find a way to squeeze the most lakes into just a few hours – the Goshikinuma Nature Trail. This accessible four-kilometer-long hiking trail is short, but it connects eight of the region’s lakes. 

We took a little longer than usual because we hadn’t realized that you could rent a boat at the Bishamon-numa Lake, and we couldn’t resist getting involved! As we rowed along, we spotted colorful carp fish swimming around us.

Marvel At The Vast Lake Inawashiro

Image via Flickr by Dave Schaefer

This awesome lake is known as the ‘Heavenly Mirror Lake’ because, reflected on the water’s surface, you’ll see the sky and Mt. Bandai – it’s super impressive! It’s also the fourth-largest lake in Japan, which is no small feat. 

The lake originated approximately 50,000 years ago when Mt. Nekoma erupted and left a large dent in the landscape, where water gathered and Lake Inawashiro formed. 

In the winter, many visitors come to Lake Inawashiro to see the swans that migrate through the area and call the lake home in the depths of the winter. Summer is much warmer, and with the swans gone, the lake becomes a watersports playground.

Get Up Close With Japan’s Prettiest Sakura Tree

Image via Flickr by K. Yano

Near the town of Miharu there is a breathtaking takizakura tree. The word takizakura means ‘waterfall cherry tree’ and perfectly describes the cascading branches of the Miharu Takizakura.

It’s no ordinary tree either. The tree is thought to be more than a thousand years old and has survived longer than most of Japan’s ancient temples and castles! 

It has a 9.5-meter-wide trunk and its knotted and twisty branches stretch up to 20 meters in every direction. We didn’t fully grasp how mighty the tree was until we were standing in the shade of its branches.

The only downside is that the Miharu Takizakura is fairly out of the way in a small rural town, so you will need to hire a car to see it. 

You should also use a Sakura forecast map to make sure you turn up when the tree is in bloom. It’d be a damn shame to catch it once all the pink petals have fallen off.

Yamagata Prefecture

Image via Flickr by Songeur Instants

Yamagata is bursting with mountain temples that have been considered sacred sites of worship for centuries, and historical spots like the old Sankyo Warehouse. It’s also a cool place to visit in winter as it’s where the Zao Onsen Ski Resort is, which has some pretty epic slopes.

Wander Around The Incredible Risshaku-Ji Temple

Image via Flickr to C K Leung

Commonly known as the Yamadera Temple, we hadn’t heard of Risshaku-ji Temple before. When we arrived, we couldn’t believe it wasn’t on every tourist’s Japan bucket list! 

The temple complex is built into the mountains to the northeast of Yamagata City, climbing up the steep incline of the landscape. Yamadera, meaning ‘mountain temple’, is a very fitting name. 

It is steeped in history, and was formed more than a thousand years ago in 860 as a Tendai sect temple. It was in this very temple that the famous poet Basho composed one of his most famous haiku pieces in the late 1600s. There’s a little statue of him, and his poem is engraved on a rock in the lower temple grounds. 

There’s so much to see at the Yamadera Temple, so we recommend carving out a full day to explore. Make sure you don’t miss the main hall, the Konponchudo Hall, which is at the base of the mountains.

To reach the upper area of the temple grounds, you’ll have to climb up 1,000 stone steps! It’s not easy on your knees, but it’s so worth it. The awesome view over the valley and town below from the Godaido Hall is still etched into our minds.

Hit The Slopes At The Zao Onsen Ski Resort

Image via Flickr by Raita

It would be a mistake to visit Tohoku in the winter and not make the most of the thick snow. So, we set out on a mission to find the best ski slopes, and that’s when we came across the Zao Onsen Ski Resort.  

The ski resort has lots of different slopes suitable for all levels, and the longest run is 10 kilometers long! But our favorite thing about the Zao Onsen Ski Resort was the snow monsters at the top of the mountain. 

From the minute we stepped off the ski lift, we were surrounded by giant trees covered in a thick layer of snow and ice. They take on peculiar and unique shapes, which is why they’ve become known as snow monsters. Skiing down the mountain surrounded by snow monsters isn’t something you get to do every day!

The season runs from mid-December to early May at the Zao Ski Resort, and you can check out the cost of different passes on this website. You can also read about each of the slopes to get yourself excited for your trip here.

Dive Into Local History At The Yamagata Folk Museum Bunshokan

Image via Flickr by Mutsuki Kadowaki

The immense Bunsho-kan that the Yamagata Folk Museum is in will blow your socks off before you’ve even stepped in. It was built in a British Renaissance-style building that used to be the prefectural office and parliament building back in 1916. 

We spent a little while walking around the exterior of the building and admiring the architecture before entering. 

Once inside, there were a few rooms with exhibits that delved into the history of the prefecture, as well as some rooms that had been kept as they were before to give you an idea of what the meeting rooms looked like.

If you would like to stop for refreshments there’s a cute cafe in the building that is great for a coffee and a snack.

Discover The Sankyo Warehouse

Image via Flickr by ubic from tokyo

We’ve added the Sankyo Warehouse to our guide because we think it’s a pretty unique historical attraction. The old structure consists of 12 beautiful storehouse buildings that were built in 1893.

Rice production has always been an important part of rural life in Japan, and these storehouses were used to store bags of rice that were transported along the Mogami River. It was important that the rice was kept cool and dry, which is why there are lots of big trees shading the storehouses, and double roofing was used.

We love how the warehouses have been kept alive by being transformed into a mix of museums, restaurants, and local craft stores.

The storehouses are in Sakata, which historically was a major rice shipping port. They are an awesome bit of 19th-century history that’s worth visiting.

Mt. Yudono-San Shrine

Image via Flickr by Gastronomy Tsuruoka

Before we tell you about the Mt. Yudono-San Shrine we need to give you a bit of context. The temple is on one of the Three Mountains of Dewa, which are considered incredibly sacred and have been revered for centuries.

Pilgrims who follow Zen practices will take a long reincarnation journey, traveling to all three mountains as a way of being reborn. Travelers will pray for the present on Mount Haguro, for the past on Mount Gassan, and for the future on Mount Yudono, which is the location of this incredible temple.

One thing to note about our temple visit is that you aren’t allowed to wear shoes on the temple grounds. But hey – earthing is never a bad thing! 

It also isn’t a traditional temple in the sense that there isn’t a main temple building; instead, what you’ll find as the main site of worship is an orange-colored rock that spouts hot water.

As you approach the temple area, there’s a giant torii gate that juts out against the surrounding snow-capped mountains.

Mt. Yudono is also considered to bring luck in love to visitors, and you can get hold of lucky charms from the shrine if you want one.

Miyagi Prefecture

Image via Flickr by Shinji Nagashima

Miyagi is located along the Pacific coast in the southern part of the Tohoku region. It was severely affected by the 2011 tsunami, and there is still evidence of it along the coast. Many towns and villages were completely wiped out by the tsunami, and are still being rebuilt today.

We thought Miyagi was a quirky prefecture and loved the unique Zao Fox Village. Autumn is the best time of year to come if you want to see the Naruko Gorge in all its glory!

Fall In love With The Fluffy Foxes At The Zao Fox Village

Image via Flickr by Cat Chu

There are a few animal-themed attractions in Japan that we’ve already told you guys about, such as the micropig cafe in Tokyo that made it onto our Ultimate 3-Day Tokyo Itinerary For Families and the Nara Deer Park that featured in our 12 Day Japan Itinerary – The Ultimate Trip Planning Guide. But neither of them is as cool as the Zao Fox Village.

It’s not really a village, more of a forest sanctuary for the foxes. They roam freely around the park but are very friendly and will come right up to you. If you want to, you can even have one sit on your lap and give it a little cuddle!

Listen out for announcements on the speaker, they’re in Japanese, but they only call out when it’s fox cuddling time. 

As we walked around, there were lots of little feeding platforms where you could feed the foxes from, but honestly, we found the foxes just came right up to us and happily ate any food we dropped them. You can pick up fox treats at the sanctuary, so don’t worry about bringing anything along.

We can’t explain how cute and fluffy the foxes are! Their bushy tails are especially charming.

Admire The Autumn Colors At Naruko Gorge

Image via Flickr by Kent Ekasak

This stunning gorge is found between Nakayamadaira Onsen and Naruko Onsen. You can easily rent a car and park it at one of the villages, then walk from there to the gorge. It takes about half an hour to walk to the gorge from Nakayamadaira and an hour from Naruko. 

There is also a bus that runs part of the year, although it gets very busy in autumn when the gorge is at its busiest, so make sure you arrive early if you want to catch the bus. 

We wouldn’t recommend coming in winter, but any other season is stunning in the Naruko Gorge. We must admit, autumn is the prettiest. The valley’s trees turn shades of vibrant yellow, rusty orange, and deep red. 

As we walked along the little Naruko Gorge Walking Trail through the gorge, we could see the river weaving down the valley, steep rock faces rising a hundred meters above us, and colorful trees in every direction. 

Make sure you check out the viewing platform adjacent to the Ofukazawa Bridge, the view of the mountains and gorge with the bridge cutting through the middle is awesome!

Activities We Recommend Booking

The Tohoku region isn’t particularly touristic, which means there aren’t as many tours as you might find in other regions of the country. Because of that, we recommend you think one step ahead of other travelers and book these tours in advance.

• If you want to learn everything you can about samurai history, then book this tour of the Kakunodate Samurai District. Nicknamed the ‘Little Kyoto of Tohoku’ because of its historical importance, the Samurai District is best explored with a guide who can tell you all about the local history of the place. You’ll also pass by the Tazawa Lake and Gozanoishi Shrine. Oh, did we mention that towards the end of the tour, you’ll get to make your very own fireworks!
• We love the outdoors, so we couldn’t resist this epic hiking tour of Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada. We stumbled across it by accident while looking for a Lake Towada tour but visiting the Oirase Gorge was an added perk we’re glad we got to experience. The dense forest along the walking trails and stunning views of the lake were incredible.
• You can’t leave Fukushima Prefecture without visiting the adorable postal town of Ouchijuku on this private tour with a government-licensed guide. Walk through the town’s tranquil streets lined with thatched-roof cottages and let your guide take you into the past with historical facts and stories. 
• This awesome and super affordable tour of Yamadera Temple is a great option for backpackers on a budget. This awe-inspiring mountain temple is in our top three must-see attractions in the Tohoku region, so make sure you don’t skip it! If you have more budget, book this tour that goes to Yamadera Temple as well as Ginzan Onsen town. Visiting an ancient temple and chilling in a hot spring feel like a quintessentially Japanese day.

Go Deeper In Tohoku

Image via Flickr by hatake_s

• There’s more to the Sakura season than just cherry blossoms. These delicate flowers have inspired Japanese traditions and formed an integral part of the country’s culture for centuries. Make sure you know everything there is to know about the Sakura season ahead of your trip by reading our Ultimate Guide To Cherry Blossoms In Japan! We’ve included our favorite Sakura spots, and guess what? The most beautiful cherry blossom tree, the Miharu Takizakura, is right here in Tohoku. There are also tips on how to predict when the cherry trees will blossom.
• Want to try ordering like a local on your next trip to Japan? Then check out our awesome Rosetta Stone Japanese guide, where we uncover whether the Rosetta Stone App is any good for learning Japanese. Spoiler alert, it is! 
• Whether you’re a newbie backpacker or an old timer, our The Art Of Trip Planning guide is a must-read. We’ve learned through a lot of trial and error, but we’re determined to make it as easy as possible for you to plan a hassle-free and fun trip that you’ll remember for years to come.
• Don’t go to Japan before you’ve checked out our The Best Apps For Japan Travel guide. It’s full of handy apps that will help you overcome language barriers and make getting around Tohoku loads easier.

General Travel Tips

Image via Flickr by Manuel Negrerie

It’s always daunting to start planning a trip. There’s so much to think about and consider, and it is difficult to find time in busy schedules to do hours of research.

To save you time and energy, we’ve put all the important bits in one place. Read on to find out all the practical bits you need to know about Tohoku!

When is the best time to go to Tohoku:

Though not many tourists add Tohoku to their itinerary, it’s actually a great year-round destination. Unlike regions of Japan like Hokkaido, which is better in one season, Tohoku is a multifaceted region that always has something on offer.

In spring, the combination of snow and sakura trees is striking. The cherry blossoms don’t appear until later than usual in Tohoku because it is a more northern region of Honshu. You can enjoy the practice of hanami from mid-April to May. Some of our favorite Sakura spots are in the Fukushima Prefecture and even made it onto our Ultimate Guide To Cherry Blossoms in Japan.

Summer is the best time of year for hiking and festivals. There’s usually thick snow on the mountains, but in summer, the trails to the summits of epic peaks in Dewa Sanzan are finally opened. August is a special month as it’s when the Aomori Nebuta Festival takes place in Aomori and the Akita Kanto Festival happens in Akita. 

Autumn doesn’t fall short either. As the leaves turn hues of red and orange, the Naruko Gorge and Lake Towada look extra beautiful. Winter can be pretty chilly, and there’s a thick blanket of snow on the mountains, so it’s a great time to chill in the region’s hot spring towns like Ginzan Onsen.

What you shouldn’t miss in Tohoku: 

It’s always tricky picking just a few attractions that you should visit, especially in a region that is as diverse and colorful as Tohoku. If you’re a bit of a history nerd, you should make sure you visit Hirosaki Castle, the postal town of Ouchijuku, and the Samurai District in Kakunodate.

But if it’s the outdoors that gets you going, then make sure you get to the Hakkoda Ropeway, Lake Towada, and the Zao Onsen Ski Resort. 

We enjoyed every single one of the places we visited in Tohoku, but for us, the festivals and temples were the stars of the show. We’d never been anywhere like the Risshaku-ji Temple (or Yamadera Temple as it’s also known), and the Akita Kanto Festival was amazing.  

Top tips for traveling in Tohoku:

• It might seem strange, but they don’t tip in Tohoku: As people who are used to always tipping, we were very confused when we were chased down the street by a waiter who had come to give us our change, saying we had paid too much for our meal. We quickly learned that tipping isn’t the norm in Tohoku.
• Make sure you catch at least one festival on your trip: The festivals in Tohoku are out of this world. They’re an integral part of the local heritage and culture of the region, and they’re guaranteed to sweep you off your feet. We recommend the Akita Kanto Festival in Akita that is celebrated in August.
• Don’t leave until you’ve tried the region’s best dishes: Japanese food is so tasty, and every dish in Tohoku feels special. Some great additions to your list are wanko soba, buckwheat noodles that are an Iwate specialty, kiritanpo, rice skewers that are grilled over the fire and mixed with miso for that umami taste, and matsushima oysters that are farmed in the town’s bay. 
• Consider booking a paid seat at the Kanto Festival night parades: A one-kilometer stretch of road is taken up by the Kanto Festival performers at the night parades. While you can usually find somewhere to sit along the pavement or squeeze your way through the crowd to get a good view, it can get super busy. If you want to guarantee having a clear view of the performers and you aren’t a fan of being pushed and shoved, then book a chair through the festival’s official website. Remember to do it months in advance as, they get booked up quickly!

How to get around Tohoku:

As Tohoku isn’t a very touristy area of Japan, there aren’t any direct flights to the region from abroad. You’ll need to fly into a city like Tokyo, then catch a domestic flight from there to Sendai Airport or Aomori Airport. Airlines such as Japan Airlines, Skymark, or ANA are worth looking into. 

The good thing is that once you’re in Tohoku, it’s super easy to get around! There are three Shinkansen bullet train lines across Tohoku, which connect the region’s bigger cities and even stretch as far as Tokyo! If you’re planning on traveling by train a lot in Tohoku we recommend getting a JR Pass, it works out a lot cheaper. 

When we were in Tohoku’s cities we mostly just used Google Maps to get around. It’s easy to use and can tell you which subway or bus to get. It’s also handy if you’re walking from one attraction to another and aren’t quite sure where you’re going.

Of course, having a hire car has its own perks. You can travel in your own time for starters, and there’s less need to plan everything out in advance. We hired a car for part of our trip and used it to reach more rural areas, then ditched it when we were in big cities. 

Common travel mistakes:

• Don’t try to visit the Hokkada Wall along Highway 103 in winter: Because the Hokkada Wall is all about snow, people often get mixed up and assume it’s a winter attraction. In fact, that stretch of Highway 103 is completely closed in the winter months because the snow is too dense to move off the road. It’s not until spring that it reopens. 
• Bring along some tattoo covers: In Japan, you aren’t allowed into the onsens (hot springs) if you have visible tattoos. While it might seem a bit old-fashioned, it’s the norm across Japan. Make sure you don’t end up missing out by bringing along some Suhada Seal patches. They are skin-colored patches that you can stick over your tattoos.
• Get a JR Pass ahead of time – Most of the regional trains in Japan are run by JR, and having a pass can save you a lot of money. You’ll get discounted prices on train fares. You can pick between regional or nation wide passes, and choose how many days you want it for.  
• Plan at least a week in Tohoku: Trying to rush your trip around Tohoku will only make it stressful and not very fun. Because it’s harder to reach than other areas of Japan and you’ll need to factor in a bit more travel time to get there, so we think a week is the minimum amount of time you should plan for your trip. 

What to Pack for Tohoku

Tohoku is the most northerly region on Honshu island, so the weather is changeable. Winter is harsh, and there’s always lots of snow. 

Because of that, we’ve made a normal packing list and added a few extra bits you should consider if you’re visiting when it’s still cold:

General Packing List

• Bring your best camera: Capture your awesome trip away in timeless photos! You might want to think about packing other accessories like selfie sticks and a lens hood (which guarantees reflection-free travel photos). 
• Remember to pack a travel adapter: You’ll need a two-pronged Type A for Japan, so check your plugs to see if you need to get an adapter ahead of your trip.
• Bring hand sanitizer: It’s not unusual for public and restaurant toilets in Japan to not have soap.
• Remember you’ll need to cover your tattoos: Suhada Seal tattoo patches are a hassle-free way you can cover up your tattoos when you’re visiting the region’s hot springs. 
• Get some Japanese Yen ready before your trip: It’s always a good idea to pack some cash in the local currency before your trip, in case you need cash to pay for your transport from the airport or you find yourself in a sticky situation. 
• Make sure to check that you can use your bank card to take out Japanese Yen whilst in Japan without being charged hefty fees! If not, plan ahead and bring all the travel money you think you’ll need. In our 10 Day Japan Itinerary we estimated it costs about $147 per person per day to travel in Japan.
• Check if you need a Visa before your trip: Most countries don’t need a Visa for a short holiday in Japan, but make sure you check the unique requirements for your country so you don’t run into any unexpected problems. You can find more about it on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.

Winter Extras

• Snow boots: The snow is heavy and thick in Tohoku in winter, so make sure you’re equipped with some snug snow boots that will keep your toes from freezing. If you’re visiting in the warmer months, swap them out for some lightweight hiking boots. 
• Pack a good pair of mittens or gloves: We recommend going beyond the usual cheap, knitted gloves and spending a bit more money on a pair of sealskinz gloves. We know they aren’t the cheapest, but you really do get your money’s worth. 
• Pack warm gear for the snowy weather: It’s a good idea to bring along some merino thermals that you can wear under other layers as well as a sturdy winter coat and some extra warm layers like wool jumpers.
• Read our guide to cold weather packing: It has our tried and tested gear that is packable and incredibly warm, everything you need is in there!

Get Off The Tourist Trail And Discover Japan’s Quiet Escapes

We hope reading this ultimate guide for visiting Tohoku has given you an idea of just how much there is to do in the region. It might seem like a lot to pack in so we recommend spending at least a week in Tohoku.

Whether you decide to go in winter for skiing, in spring for the Sakura season, in summer for hiking and festivals, or in autumn for the unbeatable colors – we’re sure you’ll be head over heels for Tohoku.

From fox villages to deep gorges and mountain temples, we think Tohoku is one of Japan’s most vibrant and multi-faceted regions, and we can’t wait to go back!

Frequently Asked Questions