Situated at the northern tip of Honshu, Japan’s biggest island, Tohoku is a region known for its cold winters and heavy snow.
Counter the cold by soaking in a soothing onsen while gazing out to the Pacific Ocean, cozy up in the Azuma Highlands, or head to the picturesque Ginzan Onsen hot spring town. Apart from onsens, the scenic countryside with majestic mountains and lakes is a common sight in the region. Enjoy the rustic beauty of spots such as Lake Tazawa which is astounding in autumn.
Other than nature, enjoy Tohoku’s samurai history and soak in the lively atmosphere at famous festivals like the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri and the Akita Kanto Matsuri.
Destinations in Tohoku
Aomori
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Hirosaki
Discover Aomori’s sacred Mount Iwaki and the Hirosaki Castle area -
Aomori City
Discover markets, temples, museums, and historical sites -
Hachinohe
Rugged, eastern coastline with local seafood culture
Akita
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Akita City
Home of the Kanto Matsuri -
Kakunodate
Historical town and former samurai stronghold -
Oga Peninsula
Discover the legend of the Namahage -
Semboku
Akita countryside and home to Kakunodate
Iwate
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Tono
Folklore capital of Japan and home of the Kappa sdf -
Hanamaki
Onsen area in central Iwate -
Morioka
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Kitakami
Small city in south-west Iwate -
Ichinoseki
Gorge capital of Tohoku -
Hiraizumi
Home to Chusonji Temple
Miyagi
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Sendai
Tohoku region's largest city and the capital of Miyagi -
Matsushima
Beautiful in all seasons for all time -
Naruko Onsen
A tranquil country getaway in the Tohoku area -
Zao
Mountain park with rural discoveries awaiting -
Ishinomaki
Manga heritage and fishing prowess
Yamagata
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Zao Onsen
Enjoy a relaxing bath at a historic onsen -
Yamagata City
Capital of this mountain prefecture -
Iide
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Mamurogawa
Famous Yamagata plum town, and more -
Tendo City
Where to go, where to eat, where to stay, what to see -
Dewa Sanzan
Spiritual mountains in Yamagata -
Ginzan Onsen
Traditional hot springs town in east Yamagata -
Tsuruoka
Gourmet heartland in Yamagata