Spend a full day in the Dewa Sanzan area, visiting the three sacred mountains of Haguro-san, Gas-san and Yudono-san. Note that only Haguro-san is accessible during the winter.
Leave Dewa Sanzan early and head to Zao, a volcanic mountain range with hot spring town and nice hiking (in summer) and skiing (in winter) opportunities. Overnight in Zao.
Depart from Zao early and make your way to Yamadera, a temple built into a mountainous cliff. Afterwards continue to Sendai and spend the next two nights there.
Travel from Sendai to Nyuto Onsen and visit Hiraizumi with its precious historic and cultural properties along the way. Overnight at the rustic Nyuto Onsen.
Travel from Nyuto Onsen to Lake Towada, a large caldera lake. The recommended route is through the Hachimantai Mountains; however, this route is difficult to travel along without renting a car and impossible during the winter due to road closures.
Visit Mount Osore, one of Japan's three most sacred places. Afterwards, take a ferry onwards to Hokkaido or return to Tokyo.
The above itinerary is somewhat fast-paced. Tourists preferring a slow pace of travel should consider spending more time at some of the destinations along the way.
