Tohoku: Places to Explore

In the scenic, faraway realm of Akita, the peaks of the Dewa Sanchi (Dewa Range), marked by Mt. Taihei, march off to the east, and the Sea of Japan lies at the edge of the fertile plains that extend to... Read more

Despite the horrible weather, Aomori may return to its busier heyday since the Hayate Shikansen now stops at JR Shin-Aomori Station, making a day trip from Tokyo and elsewhere on Honshu an easy task. In... Read more

A culture of gold flourished in Hiraizumi in the late 11th and 12th centuries, when the Oshu Fujiwara family, a then-powerful clan, chose to move here. Massive temple- building projects were carried out... Read more

Hirosaki is one of northern Tohoku's most attractive cities. It's most famous for its sweet apples, and its only real cultural attraction is a small but photogenic, reconstructed castle. The town has a... Read more

Matsu-shima and its bay are the most popular coastal resort destinations in Tohoku. Matsu-shima owes this distinction to the Japanese infatuation with oddly shaped rocks, which the bay has in abundance... Read more

Morioka is a busy commercial and industrial city ringed by mountains, but it's more of a travel hub than a destination to visit; for that reason, a one-day (or even half-day) stopover is usually sufficient... Read more

Sendai is Tohoku's largest city, and its 1.3 million residents enjoy the big-city feel. Meanwhile, they can relax in knowing that Sendai is as safe and easygoing as a small town. Devastated by World War... Read more

The little samurai town of Kakunodate, sometimes called "Little Kyoto," was founded in 1620 by Yoshikatsu Ashina, the local lord, who chose it for its defensible position and reliable water sources. It... Read more

If you'd like to see one of Japan's most revered—and scenic—temple complexes, come up here on an easy day trip from Sendai.... Read more

Yamagata, or Mountain Terrain, is the capital of the prefecture of the same name (and the Sister City of Boulder, Colorado). It's a community of a quarter-million souls who enjoy one of the most visually... Read more