The Tohoku region offers a
diverse range of attractions — outwardly rustic in appearance yet with a rich
and deep ambiance. It is a combination of a colorful natural world, friendly and
ingenuous people, with explosive summer festivals and excitement that culminate
in the region's short summer season. And so very much more ...
The northern portion of the main island of Honshu is called the
Tohoku region. The weather is always refreshingly cool in the highlands with
summer temperatures some 10 cooler
than in the southwest.
Rustic hot springs are everywhere in Tohoku and lure large
numbers of "onsen" lovers from throughout Japan. All these hot
springs are known for their medicinal values and, as such, have served as
hot-spring cure places since times of old.
The gateway to the Pacific Coast area is Sendai, 2 hrs. by Shinkansen super express from Tokyo. Sendai serves
as a base for trips to Matsushima, which can be reached in 40 min. by rail. Matsushima
is reputed to be one of the three most beautiful places in Japan. The scenic
bay is dotted with hundreds of islets. A tour around the bay on a pleasure boat
is recommended.
Hiraizumi,
a 1 hr. 30-min. train ride from Sendai, was originally modeled on Kyoto and is
the site of the noted Chusonji
Temple built in 1109. The
temple's Konjikido, or Golden Hall, houses 11 images of Buddha, and was originally
coated with black-lacquer and gold plate.
Aomori, 2.5
hrs. by limited express or Hachinohe, 30min by Shinkansen from Morioka is a starting point
for trips to Lake
Towada and the Oirase Valley, the core of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Lake Towada, in the center of the park, is one of
the most picturesque lakes in Japan. At its eastern shore, the Oirase Valley
stretches for 14 km. A promenade, meandering along the gorge fringed by dense
woods, provides refreshing views of the crystal-clear stream as well as
waterfalls, large and small.
A must-see in the city of Aomori is the ancient ruins of Sannai-Maruyama, a 30-min. bus trip from central Aomori. Dating back
about 4,000 to 5,500 years, it is one of Japan's largest-scale ruins of
Jomon-period communities. Unearthed articles and reproductions of ancient
dwellings are open to the public. The city's Nebuta Festival, held in August,
is famous as a festival representative of the country as a whole and attracts throngs
of revelers from all over.
Hirosaki is
30 min. by limited express from Aomori. In early May every year, Hirosaki Castle grounds and surrounding areas come alive with cherry
blossoms in full bloom on some 5,000 cherry trees.
The Shirakami-Sanchi
Mountains, extending over
the prefectural borders between Aomori and Akita, is a vast woodland of
primeval beech forest, thus retaining an untouched part of the world of nature.
"Mini Shirakami" hiking course is found nearby.
The city of Akita, 1 hr. 40 min. from Morioka by Akita Shinkansen, is
home to the Kanto Festival in August, another great summer festival in the
Tohoku region.
Kakunodate,
45 minutes from Akita by Shinkansen, is
a
historic town dotted with samurai residences and storehouses. The samurai
residences now serve as museums and restaurants, allowing visitors to experience
old-style Japan.
Yamagata Prefecture, about three hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen,
offers visitors onsen and winter skiing in the Zao mountain range. The Zao "Okama" (cauldron) is a mystical caldera lake brimming with emerald
water. Don't miss it.
Aizu Wakamatsu, the castle town of Tsuruga Castle, is around 2 hrs. 30 min.
from Tokyo by Shinkansen and JR limited express. Nearby Mt. Bandai and Lake
Inawashiro are
famous winter ski resorts.
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