Tohoku Travel Guide

The Tohoku Region (��k�n��, Tōhoku Chihō, literally "North East Region") consists of six prefectures in the north of Japan's largest island, Honshu. It is well known for its countryside, mountains, lakes, hot springs, high-quality rice and rough winters. The Tohoku Region's Pacific coast was hit worst by the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011.

1

Towada•
Caldera lake famous for autumn colors.

4.0
★★★★★

380
2

Shimokita Hanto•
Remote peninsula famed for Fear Mountain.

3.9
★★★★★

153
3

Hirosaki•
Former castle town in Northern Tohoku.

3.7
★★★★★

463
4

Shirakami Sanchi
Mountain range with virgin beech forests.

3.9
★★★★★

118
5

Aomori
City best known for its Nebuta Matsuri.

3.5
★★★★★

807

1

Hachimantai•
Mountainous region with rustic hot springs.

3.8
★★★★★

260
2

Kakunodate•
City with nicely preserved samurai district.

3.7
★★★★★

370
3

Kamakura Festival
Festival in Yokote with lots of small snow houses.

3.5
★★★★★

39
4

Akita
Prefectural capital best known for its festival.

3.2
★★★★★

576

1

Sanriku Coast•
Pacific coastline that was hit by the 2011 tsunami.

4.0
★★★★★

197
2

Hiraizumi•
Tohoku's former cultural and political capital.

3.9
★★★★★

466
3

Appi Kogen•
Leading ski resort in the Tohoku Region.

3.5
★★★★★

39
4

Tono
Rural town known for its folktales and legends.

4.2
★★★★★

43
5

Kitakami
Popular cherry blossom spot in the Tohoku Region.

3.3
★★★★★

92
6

Morioka
Prefectural capital famous for noodle dishes.

3.0
★★★★★

199

1

Yamadera••
Scenic temple on a steep mountainside.

4.5
★★★★★

395
2

Dewa Sanzan••
Three sacred mountains with shrines.

4.4
★★★★★

153
3

Ginzan Onsen•
One of Japan's nicest, old-fashioned onsen towns.

4.1
★★★★★

64
4

Zao•
Volcano with hot spring and ski resort.

3.9
★★★★★

452
5

Kaminoyama Onsen
Onsen town with castle and fruit farms.

3.7
★★★★★

28
6

Sakata
Commercial center at the Sea of Japan coast.

3.4
★★★★★

20

1

Matsushima•
Scenic bay dotted by pine clad islets.

4.0
★★★★★

923
2

Naruko Gorge
Forested gorge famous for its autumn colors.

3.6
★★★★★

77
3

Sendai
Largest city in the Tohoku Region.

3.5
★★★★★

1,668

1

Historic Site
Ouchijuku•
Former post town along a trade route.

4.1
★★★★★

131
2

Oze National Park•
Popular hiking destination with a marshland.

3.9
★★★★★

191
3

Aizu•
Small city known for its samurai history.

3.7
★★★★★

659
4

Bandai•
Volcanic mountains with beautiful highlands.

3.3
★★★★★

206
5

Fukushima
Prefectural capital with a few attractions.

3.3
★★★★★

272
6

Iwaki
City famous for its Hawaiian water park resort.

2.7
★★★★★

141