Tōhoku Region

Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima

Nagatoya Shop Front, Nanukamachi's Must-Visit Traditional Sweets Maker

Nagatoya: Must-Visit Traditional Sweets in Aizu-Wakamatsu

June 13, 2026 / Fukushima Prefecture, Traditional Confectionery, Vegan and Vegetarian-Friendly Spots

In the nostalgic, historic streets of Nanukamachi in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Nagatoya (会津長門屋 七日町店) is one of the top traditional confectionery makers in town. Their Nanukamachi shop, located on Nanukamachi-dōri Street, opened in 2011. Founded in 1848, this legendary sweets maker has spent over 170 years blending samurai-era tradition with innovative, modern artistry. Whether you are a […]

Nagatoya: Must-Visit Traditional Sweets in Aizu-Wakamatsu Read More »

Nakasuka-Coast-Tanesashi-Hachinohe-Aomori-Japan

Tanesashi Coast Guide: Hachinohe Hiking & Vegan Travel Tips

June 26, 2026 / Aomori Prefecture, National Places of Scenery Beauty, Tōhoku Region, Trekking/Hiking in Japan

Looking for a breathtaking coastal escape in northern Japan that perfectly balances wild nature with plant-based travel? Look no further than the Tanesashi Coast (種差海岸) in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture. Serving as the stunning northern terminus of the famous Michinoku Coastal Trail, this scenic 12-kilometer stretch of the Sanriku Fukkō National Park (三陸復興國立公園) features everything from

Tanesashi Coast Guide: Hachinohe Hiking & Vegan Travel Tips Read More »

Aizu Ichibankan and Noguchi Hideyo Museum in Nanukamachi Fukushima Japan

Aizu Ichibankan: The Historic Aizu Cafe & the 1,000 Yen Note

June 13, 2026 / Fukushima Prefecture, Recommended café, Tōhoku Region

Tucked away in the historic streets of Aizu-Wakamatsu, Café Aizu Ichibankan (會津壹番館) offers visitors the rare chance to literally sip coffee inside a piece of Japanese history. Housed in a beautifully preserved, Meiji-era Western-style brick building, this cozy coffee shop is much more than a retro local hangout. It is the former Kaiyō Clinic (會陽医院),

Aizu Ichibankan: The Historic Aizu Cafe & the 1,000 Yen Note Read More »

Seki Lacquerware Aizu-Wakamatsu's Top Aizu Lacquerware Shop in Fukushima Japan

3 Best Places to Buy Authentic Aizu Lacquerware on Nanukamachi-dōri

June 13, 2026 / Fukushima Prefecture, Pottery and Crafts, Tōhoku Region

Strolling down the historic, 100-year-old streets of Nanukamachi-dōri Street in Aizu-Wakamatsu feels like stepping back in time. If you want to experience this beautiful art form firsthand, there is no better destination than Nanukamachi-dōri Street in Aizu-Wakamatsu. This scenic stretch is lined with beautifully preserved architecture and home to some of the region’s finest Aizu

3 Best Places to Buy Authentic Aizu Lacquerware on Nanukamachi-dōri Read More »

Aizu-Wakamatsu Vegan Friendly Confectionery Maker and Cafe Kumanoya Nanukamachi

Kumanoya and Nanukamachi’s Famous Japanese Street Sweets

June 13, 2026 / Fukushima Prefecture, Sweets, Tōhoku Region

Strolling down the historic, century-old buildings of Nanukamachi-dōri Street in Aizu-Wakamatsu feels like stepping back in time, and no visit to this cultural hub is complete without experiencing its incredible food scene. Opened in 1887, Kumanoya Nanukamachi (菓子司 熊野屋 七日町店) is a beloved traditional confectionery maker famous for its vegan-friendly street-food-style Japanese sweets (wagashi). Unlike

Kumanoya and Nanukamachi’s Famous Japanese Street Sweets Read More »

View of JR Tadami Line train crossing the First Tadami River Bridge in winter

Tadami Line: The Most Picturesque JR Local Train Line

June 13, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Fukushima Prefecture, Hidden Gems, Niigata Prefecture, Snow Scenery

Are you looking for a hidden gem that is too breathtaking to take your eyes off near Tokyo? While there are a couple of these spots, the one we love the most is the JR Tadami Line (只見線). It was chosen as Japan’s most scenic local train line. From the window of the local train

Tadami Line: The Most Picturesque JR Local Train Line Read More »

Top Things to Do in Tadami Town Fukushima Japan

Tadami Town: Exploring Japan’s Best Hidden Gem Railway Town

June 13, 2026 / Fukushima Prefecture, Tōhoku Region

Are you planning a trip along the historic JR Tadami Line and looking for the perfect stopover? Look no further than Tadami Town (只見町), Fukushima. Known affectionately as the “Capital of Nature,” this charming town in the Oku-Aizu region offers an authentic glimpse of rural Japanese life that most tourists miss entirely. From the challenging

Tadami Town: Exploring Japan’s Best Hidden Gem Railway Town Read More »

Mitsuishi Shrine Worship Hall Tadami Fukushima Japan

Mitsuishi Shrine: Fukushima’s Hidden Gem & Unique Rituals

June 13, 2026 / Fukushima Prefecture, Temples & Shrines, Tōhoku Region

Tucked away in the lush, nature-filled mountains of Fukushima Prefecture, Mitsuishi Shrine (三石神社) in Tadami offers a captivating escape from the typical tourist trail. Located just a short hike from Tadami Station along Japan’s picturesque Tadami Line, this historic 12th-century sanctuary is famous for its three sacred giant boulders, each carrying its own mystical blessings.

Mitsuishi Shrine: Fukushima’s Hidden Gem & Unique Rituals Read More »

Tadami Line and Autumn Foliage Mishima Fukushima Japan

Tadami Line Photography Guide: Best Spots for the 8 Bridges

June 13, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Hidden Gems, Miyagi Prefecture, Niigata Prefecture, Snow Scenery, Tōhoku Region

For rail fans and travel photographers alike, capturing a lone train cutting through the misty, forested gorges of Fukushima and Niigata on the JR Tadami Line (只見線) is a bucket-list experience. Widely celebrated as Japan’s most picturesque local train lines, its winding route features eight distinct bridge crossings that offer breathtaking views in every season.

Tadami Line Photography Guide: Best Spots for the 8 Bridges Read More »

View of JR Tadami Line train crossing the First Tadami River Bridge in winter

The Ultimate Guide to the First Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint

May 17, 2026 / Autumn Foliage, Fukushima Prefecture, Hidden Gems, Snow Scenery, Tōhoku Region

If there is a single image that captures the ethereal beauty of rural Japan, it is the sight of a lone train gliding across the First Tadami River Bridge. Nestled in Fukushima’s Mishima Town, this viewpoint has evolved from a local secret into a global pilgrimage site for photographers. Whether you are chasing the “ink

The Ultimate Guide to the First Tadami River Bridge Viewpoint Read More »