The Four Largest Cities for Tourism in Tohoku
The four largest cities for tourism in Tohoku are here!
Sendai
Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku region. It is easily accessible from Tokyo by the Shinkansen bullet train, which takes about two hours. Sendai, which has developed as the central city of the Tohoku region, is an attractive city with a harmony of convenience and nature.
From Aobayama, where Sendai Castle once stood, a panoramic view of the city reveals why this city, surrounded by lush greenery, is called the "City of Trees. Sendai, where urban vitality and natural beauty coexist, will provide visitors with a pleasant experience.
Sendai Pageant of Starlight (December)
This is one of the most popular light-up events in Tohoku.
The 160 zelkova trees lining Jozenji Avenue are beautifully illuminated with approximately 600,000 lights, transforming the entire town into a fantastic world of light. Walking along the tree-lined avenue in the clear winter air, you will feel as if you are in a dream.
Mitsui Outlet Park Sendai Port
The largest outlet mall in the Tohoku region offers about 120 stores. The diverse lineup includes brand-name fashion shops, general stores, sporting goods stores, and children's goods stores. Visitors can enjoy the thrill of finding bargains while shopping to their heart's content.
Sendai Bar Hopping
Dotted throughout the area are hidden gems of restaurants and bars loved by the locals. Why not experience the good old Japanese izakaya culture and taste excellent food and delicious drinks? Enjoy the warm atmosphere, talk with the locals, and enjoy a memorable moment of exchange.
Hirosaki
Hirosaki is located in the western part of Aomori Prefecture and is a historic city that once flourished as a castle town. There are many nationally known sightseeing spots and events, such as the cherry blossom viewing spots around Hirosaki Castle and the powerful Hirosaki Neputa Festival.
It is also famous for producing more apples than any other municipality in Japan today, and visitors can enjoy delicious apples and specialty products made from apples.
Hirosaki Castle (Hirosaki Park)
Built in 1611, it is one of the few precious castles in Japan that still retains its original appearance.
The castle keep, bridges, and moat are in beautiful harmony, and the scenery is especially breathtaking during the cherry blossom season. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the petals cover the surface of the moat, a "hananakada" (flower raft) appears like a light red carpet. This fantastic sight is so beautiful that it is captivating to behold.
Hirosaki Apple Pie
If you visit Hirosaki, you can enjoy about 45 varieties of original apple pies at stores throughout the city. Be sure to enjoy the diverse flavors of the crispy dough and juicy apples. You can also enjoy eating and walking around while savoring the delicacies unique to the town of apples.
Goshogawara - Ashino Park
Ashino Park is located in Kaneki-cho, Goshogawara City, north of Hirosaki, and is known as the birthplace of the writer Osamu Dazai.
This park, along with Hirosaki Park, has been selected as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan. Approximately 2,200 cedar and cherry trees stretch along the shores of Lake Ashino, and in spring, the Tsugaru Railway train crosses the park through a tunnel of cherry trees. The fantastic and romantic sight will captivate visitors and leave them with unforgettable memories.
Morioka
Morioka, the capital of Iwate Prefecture, is about 30 minutes north of Sendai Station on the Shinkansen bullet train, and is a fascinating city with a rich history and culture.
Unique Western-style buildings built in the Meiji era (1868-1912) still remain in the city, creating a retro and quaint atmosphere. Morioka's charm has been recognized around the world, and the New York Times named it one of the "52 Places to Visit in 2023.
(Quoted from Iwate Prefecture site)
In this article, Morioka City is highly praised as a "jewel-like spot that can be walked around". The convenience of being just a few hours away from Tokyo by bullet train, the beauty of the Japanese-Western architecture built in the Taisho era, the Morioka Castle Ruins Park, and places like "NAGASAWA COFFEE", "Azuma-Ya", "BOOKNERD", and "Johnny of Kaiun Bridge" are introduced.
The Rock-splitting Cherry Tree (mid-April to late April)
This 360-year-old old cherry tree grows straight up on a huge granite rock with a circumference of 21 meters.
When the cherry blossoms bloom in spring, they become a popular tourist attraction that attracts many people who come to catch a glimpse of their magnificent and solemn beauty. The cherry blossoms, which combine the strength of nature with delicate beauty, are designated as a national natural monument.
Wanko Soba - one of the 3 Great Noodles of Iwate
When eating wanko soba, bite-sized buckwheat noodles are placed one after another in bowls and served at a brisk pace by the waiter standing next to you.
If you visit Iwate, you must experience this unique food culture. With the encouragement of the waiters, challenging yourself to see how many bowls of wanko soba you can eat will be a fun and memorable experience.
Morioka Castle Ruins and the Site Park Area
This area is also associated with the famous poet Ishikawa Takuboku, of whom Iwate Prefecture is proud. Why not leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind, enjoy the unique atmosphere, and relax in the rich natural surroundings?
Cherry blossoms bloom in the spring, colorful roses bloom in the summer, and vibrant autumn leaves welcome visitors in the fall. Nearby are the historic Iwate Bank building, the Nakatsu River running through the center of the city, a beautiful garden with cherry blossoms and roses, the Sakurayama Shrine, known as a "power spot" in Japan, and the Morioka Museum of History and Culture.
Hachimantai
Hachimantai is one of Japan's leading mountain resorts located north of Morioka.
The area is dotted with natural sulfur hot springs, which are popular among foreign tourists because they can be enjoyed along with the rich natural surroundings. In spring, the longest snow corridor in Japan appears, in summer, visitors can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, and in autumn, the mountains are filled with brilliantly colored autumn leaves. In winter, visitors can enjoy the finest powder snow and world-renowned skiing.
Hachimantai Dragon Eye (late May to early June)
Kagami-numa, located near the summit of Hachimantai, is called "Hachimantai Dragon Eye" because the pattern of water and snow when the snow melts looks like a giant dragon's eye.
Walking on the spring snow is great fun and allows visitors to enjoy the fantastic sight up close. It is an especially great spot for photography, and many people visit to capture its mysterious beauty with their cameras.
Cherry Blossoms and the Snow Corridor (late April to early May)
Every year in March, snow removal work begins on the Hachimantai Aspite Line and the Hachimantai Jukai Line, which were closed to traffic during the winter.
In mid-April, the "Snow Corridor," created by towering walls of snow on both sides of the road, opens and offers a spectacular view as the longest snow corridor in Japan. The beautiful contrast between the blue sky and silvery spring snow is truly spectacular. At the same season, cherry blossoms bloom at the foot of the mountain, making it possible to enjoy both snow and cherry blossoms at the same time, which is another unique attraction of Hachimantai.
Appi Kogen Ski Resort, Hachimantai Resort Ski Areas (December to March)
Known for their world-class powder snow, these ski resorts are now attracting the attention of skiers and snowboarders from around the world.
It is a popular spot for families, with a variety of courses for all ages, from beginners to advanced skiers. Recently, more tree run courses have opened and the area for advanced skiers has been expanded. In addition, CATs (snowmobiles) have been introduced in the ski area where visitors can enjoy skiing on ungroomed slopes, making the experience even more thrilling.
