The Tohoku region offers magnificent nature, four distinct seasons, historic culture, hot springs, and great local food. Highlights include Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge (Aomori), Chuson-ji Golden Hall (Iwate), Matsushima (Miyagi), Yamadera (Yamagata), Kakunodate samurai district (Akita), and Ouchi-juku (Fukushima).
This model course uses public transport (Shinkansen, JR lines, buses) with daily sightseeing from 9:00 to 18:00. In 2 nights and 3 days you can enjoy a balanced mix of nature, history, hot springs, and regional cuisine.
Overview (2 nights, 3 days)
- Transport: Tohoku Shinkansen + JR local lines + buses
- Suggested bases: Night 1 = Sendai / Night 2 = Aomori or Morioka
- Sightseeing hours: depart 9:00 / arrive accommodation 18:00
- Budget estimate:
- Transport: approx. ¥7,000–12,000/day
- Meals: approx. ¥3,000–5,000/day
- Lodging: approx. ¥8,000–15,000/night
- Total (2 nights, 3 days): approx. ¥50,000–85,000/person
Itinerary
- Day 1: Sendai & Matsushima
- Morning: Arrive in Sendai → Zuihoden, Sendai Castle Ruins
- Lunch: Gyutan (beef tongue), sasa-kamaboko fish cake
- Afternoon: JR Senseki Line to Matsushima. Bay cruise, Zuigan-ji, Godaido
- 18:00: Stay in Sendai
- Day 2: Hiraizumi & Morioka
- Morning: Shinkansen to Ichinoseki → bus to Hiraizumi → Chuson-ji Golden Hall, Motsu-ji
- Lunch: Wanko soba, Morioka cold noodles
- Afternoon: Morioka city walk (Takuboku Ishikawa Memorial, Morioka Castle Ruins Park)
- 18:00: Stay in Morioka
- Day 3: Aomori or Yamagata
- Option A (Aomori): Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori → Lake Towada & Oirase Gorge (bus) → Nebuta Museum Wa-Rasse
- Option B (Yamagata): Train to Yamadera (Risshaku-ji) → Ginzan Onsen stroll & footbath
- 18:00: Arrive in Sendai or Shin-Aomori, end of tour
Seasonal Highlights (months)
- Spring (Apr–May): Hirosaki Park cherry blossoms; Hanamiyama Park in Fukushima
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Aomori Nebuta Festival (Aug), Akita Kanto Festival (Aug), Yamagata Hanagasa Festival (Aug)
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): Foliage at Naruko Gorge & Oirase Gorge; imoni (potato stew) parties in Yamagata
- Winter (Dec–Mar): Ginzan Onsen snow scenery, Kakunodate samurai houses in snow, Zao “Snow Monsters”
Food & Souvenirs
- Food: Gyutan (Sendai), Wanko soba (Morioka), Kiritanpo hotpot (Akita), Kitakata ramen (Fukushima), Zunda mochi (Miyagi), Yamagata imoni
- Souvenirs: Nanbu ironware (Iwate), Tsugaru lacquerware (Aomori), Akabeko (Fukushima), Kokeshi dolls (Miyagi & Yamagata), local sake