Tōhoku Region

Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima

Morioka-Sansa-Odori-Festival

The Best Guide to What Are the Top Festivals in Morioka

As a city with a long history, there are a couple of representative festivals in Morioka that you could consider joining. During the festivals, the city is packed with visitors. Yatai stalls selling every kind of festival food you could hope for also fill the approach of the shrines that hold them.

The Best Guide to What Are the Top Festivals in Morioka Read More »

Lake-Gosho-Park-Rape-Blossoms-Morioka-Iwate-Japan

Lake Gosho Park: A Scenic Hidden Spot for a Family Day Trip

Gosho Lake (御所湖), south of Morioka Handi-Works Square, is a top spot in Morioka to adore Mt. Iwate’s magnificence. It is a huge dam lake created by damming the Shizukuishi River (雫石川). When the weather conditions are right, Mt. Iwate is reflected on the surface of the vast lake, creating a breathtaking view.

Lake Gosho Park: A Scenic Hidden Spot for a Family Day Trip Read More »

Michinoku-Hydrangea-Garden-Ichinoseki-Iwate-Japan

Michinoku Hydrangea Garden: Japan’s Best Hydrangea Spot

If you visit Ichinoseki in June or July, ensure Michinoku Hydrangea Garden (みちのくあじさい園) is on your itinerary. On the garden’s vast land of around 150,000㎡, 40,000 hydrangeas of 400 types are growing in the cedar forest. When the flowers reach full bloom, countless hydrangeas will cover the slope of the mountain, making it the best

Michinoku Hydrangea Garden: Japan’s Best Hydrangea Spot Read More »

Tadami Line from Kaneyama Fureai Hiroba Kaneyama Fukushima Japan

A Guide to the Attractions Along the Scenic Tadami Line

Tadami Line (只見線) is Japan’s most scenic local train line that runs between Aizu-Wakamatsu City (会津若松) in Fukushima Prefecture and Uonuma City (魚沼市) in Niigata Prefecture. No matter when you visit the Tadami Line, you will be amazed by the natural scenery of the Japanese countryside landscapes that haven’t changed much since a few centuries

A Guide to the Attractions Along the Scenic Tadami Line Read More »

Koike Confectionary Store: The Most Famous Awamanjū Shop

One of the top specialties in the Aizu region is Awamanjū (あわまんじゅう), a slightly chewy bun filled with red bean paste. While manjū is a common traditional sweet that can be found across Japan, Awamanjū is only sold in Aizu, where it originates. Speaking of Awamanjū, Koike Confectionary Store (小池菓子舗) is the most famous shop

Koike Confectionary Store: The Most Famous Awamanjū Shop Read More »

Sakunami-Onsen-Sendai-Miyagi-Japan

The Top 10 Places to Visit or Stay in Sakunami Onsen

Besides the famous Akiu Onsen, if you are looking to enjoy a hot spring session in Sendai, Sakunami Onsen (作並温泉) is another great option to consider. Although the hot spring town has less exciting things to see and do, the weakly alkaline onsen is gentle on the skin and is nicknamed the Beauty-Making Onsen (美女づくりの湯)!

The Top 10 Places to Visit or Stay in Sakunami Onsen Read More »

Nikka-Whisky-Sendai-Factory-Sendai-Miyagi-Japan

Nikka Whisky Sendai Factory: Sendai’s Hidden Gem for Alcohol

If you love whisky and would like to tour around a Japanese whisky factory, jump onto a train and head to Sendai city‘s outskirts and visit Nikka Whisky Sendai Factory (ニッカウヰスキー 宮城峡蒸溜所). The distillery holds factory tours throughout the day to show visitors how their delicious whisky is made. And the best thing is that

Nikka Whisky Sendai Factory: Sendai’s Hidden Gem for Alcohol Read More »

Statue-of-Date-Masamune-Sendai-Castle-Sendai-Miyagi-Japan

Sendai Castle – The Throne of Powerful Ruler, Date Masamune

If you are a Japanese history buff, the first attraction you will want to visit once you arrive at Sendai must be the Sendai Castle (仙台城). The castle, situated atop Mt. Aoba or Aobayama in Japanese, was built by Date Masamune (伊達政宗), one of the most famous feudal lords in the late 15th to early

Sendai Castle – The Throne of Powerful Ruler, Date Masamune Read More »

The Top 12 Destinations in Aomori Prefecture

Aomori, Japan’s main island’s northmost prefecture, is filled with stunning landscapes and volcanic mountain ranges. In addition to its many off-the-beaten-path scenic destinations, it is also culturally rich and features two of the country’s best art museums. Read on and discover the top 12 places to visit when you visit Aomori!

The Top 12 Destinations in Aomori Prefecture Read More »

Akiu-Shrine-Torii-Sendai-Miyagi-Japan

Akiu Jinja – The Ultimate Shrine to Pray for Victory

If you have a competition or something similar coming up, make sure you visit Akiu Shrine (秋保神社) in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, during your next Japan trip. The shrine erected in the early Heian period is famous for those who want to pray for victory. In recent years, starting with the famous Japanese figure skater Hanyu

Akiu Jinja – The Ultimate Shrine to Pray for Victory Read More »