Getting Oriented

Tohoku, like the rest of Honshu, is riven by a series of dramatic chains of densely forested mountains. Not only will their rugged beauty take your breath away, they can also make travel difficult. If you allow for this, you won't be overly frustrated. Tohoku is comprised of six prefectures, and stretches from Fukushima, just a short train ride from Tokyo, to the remote and rugged Aomori, the northernmost tip of Honshu, within easy striking distance of Hokkaido. This broad swath of territory encompasses mountain ranges, primitive forests, stunning seacoasts, well-preserved feudal villages, sacred glaciated peaks and secluded temples, relaxing hot springs, and bottomless lakes in the craters of volcanoes.