EDITOR'S PICK

• Springtime in Miyagi: Dive Deep into Northern Japan

  Miyagi is the perfect place to start a deep spring journey in northern Japan! Home to the region's largest city, there's also a bounty of gorgeous scenery, delicious food, local culture and more!

  read more

  Brian Takahashi

  Brian has been living and working in Miyagi Prefecture for the last eight years. He works for his local board of education with aspects related to English. His focus is English learning, from infants to junior high school students, including city projects related to English and tourism. He is also an aspiring video creator who tries to expose his YouTube audience to some of the great locations Tohoku has to offer. Tohoku is his home, and he plans to stay there for the foreseeable future.

  Brian Takahashi

  Springtime in Miyagi: Dive Deep into Northern Japan

  Tohoku is one of the best areas to visit in Japan if you are the type of person exploring who wants to explore the natural beauty of local areas. You can avoid the crowds and chaos of Japan’s “Golden Route” and have some truly unique experiences. Sendai is a major bullet train hub in Tohoku, which makes getting to the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture from Tokyo (or anywhere else) a breeze! From there, it’s really easy to explore all the prefecture has to offer. Whether you are looking to try the local food, visit hot springs, hike through nature or find some local, unique activities, Miyagi has all that and more!

  Hanami “Flower Viewing”

  No matter where you go in Miyagi in spring, one thing is for sure—hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is one of the major events! Thanks to its northern location, hanami season in Miyagi is a little later than other parts of the country, typically from mid-April. All over Miyagi, you have many public parks where you can picnic and watch as the beautiful petals flutter to the ground in the gentle yet crisp breeze. While it is very easy to visit some of the local parks in Sendai directly from the bullet train, areas like Matsushima’s Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park, Tome’s Naganuma Futopia Park, and Ishinomaki’s Hiyoriyama Park are all beautiful views that capture Miyagi in a light outside the perspective of an urban Japan, and will require venturing outside of the capital city.

  If you are looking for some adventure areas, Rifu’s Uma no Se (literally “The Horse’s Back”) is perfect for an afternoon hike along the peninsula, or spectacular for viewing the sunrise over the bay in the early morning, or stargazing at night. If you have children with you, Ogameyama Forest Park in Tomiya has a hiking and obstacle course pathway for children, as well as playground equipment and a giant slide where you can rent sleds.

  Special Animal Attractions

  Maybe your idea of nature has less to do with landscapes and more to do with cute critters! Well, forty-five minutes by ferry off the coast of Ishinomaki is Tashirojima. Tashirojima is Miyagi’s Cat Island. About 150 cats live on the island, compared to the 50 or so human residents.

  What makes spring so special for the Island is that their tourism department opens April 1st, and that means you can rent one of their cat bungalows in the area called “Manga Island” where the cats tend to congregate to meet the island’s visitors. Piece of advice: visitors are prohibited from feeding cats – please treat these animals with the respect they deserve!

  If you want something specifically unique to Miyagi, head to Fox Village near Mount Zao, just outside of Shiroishi. There you can be one with the foxes and see as they begin to shed their winter coats for summer. April and May also tend to be when foxes give birth to their kits, which means there’s a good chance you’ll see a mom and kids spending some quality time together.

  While the majority of foxes are domesticated enough to allow humans near them, please be advised that you should not pet, touch or get too close to the foxes, no matter how cute they look! If you want to pet them, they have a certain few specific foxes that are completely tame you can hold at a specific time for a small fee. They also have treats for the foxes you can purchase, and a safe place from which to feed them.

  Scenery and Hot Springs

  Exploring the prefecture is sure to tire out even the most season traveler, and leave them looking for a little R&R! Well, Miyagi has some great springtime hot springs for you! There’s nothing better than a nice soak and Japanese hospitality to leave you feeling rejuvenated and ready for more.

  My personal favorite in Japan is at Sakunami Onsen. They have multiple baths, including a standing bath right on a riverbed where you can see fish swimming freely while blossoms fall and the trees become green. Keep in mind that the male and female baths switch throughout the day to accommodate the guests.

  Akiu in Sendai is also another place to visit for hot springs. Akiu is located at the foot of the mountains in the Sendai area and has a breathtaking view of the range from the outdoor baths. For those a bit shy about baring it all in front of strangers, some Akiu hotels have private baths or family baths that are separate from the public bath area. That way, you can enjoy all of the luxury without worry!

  Naruko is another must-visit place in Miyagi to visit for hot springs. Some hotels in the area have natural sulfur outdoor hot springs, which are so hot that they stay open in winter. While the hot springs are a plus, the scenery around Naruko is incredible. The abundance of Japanese maples that make fall such a gorgeous season turn a lush green in spring, leading into summer.

  Local Food in Spring

  But no trip to Japan is complete without sampling some local delicacies and cuisine! From April to May you will find many different strawberry-picking locations all over Miyagi. My personal recommendation is Berry Farm Fushimi in Ishinomaki. At these strawberry picking places, you pay a flat fee and can eat as many strawberries as you like during the allotted time! To keep up with the demand for strawberries and keep enough strawberries for those who want to pick, Berries Farm is only open on the weekends in April and May.

  Looking for seafood maybe? No problem! Outside of markets in Sendai, the Shiogama Fish Wholesale Market is the largest in the area. Almost everything you find in their massive warehouse is caught right there off the coast of Miyagi! You aren’t going to get closer to the source than that. They have everything from shrimp to salmon and even tuna heart. You can expect that all seasonal fish will be in stock when you visit. You can also purchase certain items and have them cooked for you in their patio area if you’re just interested in getting a quick bite to eat.

  The Nikka Whisky Miyagikyo Distillery is also another great option when visiting Miyagi. You can tour the distillery, and it is on the way to both the Akiu and the Sakunami hot spring areas. Nikka Whiskey is only made in Miyagi and Yoichi (in Hokkaido), but the Miyagi distillery has a special single malt that can only be found there! Rightfully so, the whiskey is named Miyagikyo. Not sure what you like? They have a tasting room where you can find your favorite!

  Lastly, while you are visiting Miyagi, beef tongue (gyutan), edamame paste (zunda), and fishcakes (kamaboko) are some of the major specialty dishes found here. You can find them year-round throughout the prefecture and I highly recommend trying them.

  Touring Miyagi, you’ll find many differences compared to urban areas like Tokyo or Osaka. If you are looking for nature, locally grown food, and attractions that are not well known even to veteran travelers of Japan, Miyagi may be your greatest adventure yet!

• Tohoku in Spring: Northern Japan's Exciting Destinations

  The Tohoku region is one of Japan's most diverse but overlooked regions! If you're looking to experience a truly unique side of the country, there's no better place to look than the wild north—especially in spring!

  read more

  Lucy Dayman

  Lucy is an Australian born freelance writer based in Tokyo. She worked as the editor for a culture and arts magazine in Australia and is currently the Program Director for the Japan arm of Global Hobo—a travel writing program—and the co-founder of Y+L Projects Communications Agency. She has a keen interest in discovering some of the county's more regional, unconventional, and overlooked travel destinations.

  Lucy Dayman

  Tohoku in Spring: Northern Japan's Exciting Destinations

  The Tohoku region—on the northern side of Honshu—is one of Japan’s most diverse but still underrated tourist destinations, at least with international guests. In winter these areas are dusted in powder-perfect snow, while in autumn they’re alight with the vibrant shades of yellow, red and gold. But in spring the area truly shines!

  While the rest of Japan is jam-packed with cherry-blossom-hunting tourists, Tohoku is far more laid back, with plenty of places to visit and even more unique local cultures to explore. The prefectures of Iwate and Yamagata are exemplary examples of everything the region has to offer!

  Iwate: Eat the Three Great Noodles of Morioka

  Morioka, the capital city of Iwate Prefecture, is home to some incredible cuisine, but the dish they do best is noodles. Morioka is so good at making noodles; it doesn't just have one type of noodle specialty, but three! Known as the “three great noodles of Morioka,” these dishes are wanko soba, jajamen, and Morioka reimen.

  Wanko soba is arguably the most ambitious of all three dishes. The wanko soba experience is almost more of an eating challenge than a leisurely meal! The noodle is served in small, mouthful sized portions, and as you finish one bowl the dutiful server watching over you will swiftly hand you a fresh bowl. This process will continue until you finally cover the bowl with a lid as a sign of defeat.

  The second great noodle is jajamen, a Chinese inspired dish. It features thick, udon-like noodles topped with cucumber and a scoop of nikumiso—a thick miso paste—and ginger sauce. Jajamen draws inspiration from the Chinese dish known as zhajiangmian, and these hearty noodles will leave you hungry for more!

  The final of the three great noodles is the Morioka reimen which like jajamen was inspired by its international neighbors. Legend has it that a North Korean native from Hamhung named Teruto Aoki introduced the dish to Morioka in 1954. Its chewy noodles are balanced with a diverse combination of a salty broth, spicy kimchi, sour pickles and sweet watermelon to create a noodle dish quite unlike any other in Japan.

  Iwate: Visit the Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium and Tsunami Memorial Hall

  The Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium is the unofficial symbol of the city. The stadium was built on the site the local elementary and junior high schools, which were demolished by Great East Japan Earthquake. Kamaishi is one of the host cities for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and this 16,000 capacity stadium is officially one of the tournament's most symbolic venues.

  Near the stadium also sits the Tsunami Memorial Hall, where guests can learn more about the events of March 2011 and the incredible recovery of the prefecture.

  Iwate: Shop at Morioka Market

  If you want to catch the real local action of Iwate, get up early and head to the Morioka Mikoda Morning Market. Local farmers from around the area bring their fresh and cheap produce to the site from 6 a.m. Don't eat before you get there, though! One of the local specialties you have to try is a breakfast bowl of hitsumi soup, a delicious clear broth soup filled with chew pieces of mochi-like doughy flour dumplings.

  Iwate: Cruise along Jodogahama Beach and Geibikei Gorge

  There are two main locations to embrace the diverse natural beauty of Iwate, one is by the sea, and the other tucked deep between lush green valleys. Geibikei Gorge is the latter; it's a two-kilometer long gorge home to valleys towering 100 meters high. Cruising down the river on one of Geibikei's iconic flat-bottomed boats is the best way to see the area.

  Jodogahama Beach is an icon of the prefecture. It's a rugged, untamed corner of the Sanriku Coast, defined by its white, jagged giant rock peaks that pierce the surface of Jodogahama's sparkling blue water. Take the Miyako Jodogahama Boat Cruise to see the shore from a different angle. It's a 40-minute journey along the Sanriku Coast, with unparalleled views and plenty of cheeky local birds to feed!

  Iwate: Party at the Spring Fujiwara Festival

  Recognized by UNESCO, the Spring Fujiwara Festival is one of Iwate's most exciting celebrations. It was initially a memorial service in honor of the four Fujiwara lords, but today it's as much a party in anticipation of the impending spring season as it is a memorial service. Be sure to witness the focal point of the celebrations, where local strongmen compete to see who can carry a giant, 160-kilogram rice cake the farthest. Festivities take place from May 1st – May 5th, and culminate at Chuson-ji Temple.

  Iwate: Admire the Cherry Blossoms of Kitakami

  In the peak of spring, be sure to take some time to explore Kitakami Tenshochi Park, one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in all of Tohoku. Along the serene Kitakami River sits two kilometers of fluffy cherry blossom trees drooping under the weight of the soft pink blossoms in full bloom. In total, there are about 10,000 (mainly Somei-Yoshino cherry trees) in the area making it officially one of "Japan's top 100 spots for viewing cherry blossoms."

  Iwate: Enjoy Some Rest and Relaxation at Osawa Hot Spring

  After exploring the sights and tastes of Iwate, unwind by booking some time over at Osawa Hot Spring. Osawa Onsen includes the Japanese inn Sansui Kaku, and Tojiya, a simple lodging equipped with amenities so you can cook your own food. Each of the inns boasts relaxing open-air baths some of the most soothing water and stunning scenery in the area. For the ultimate in luxury, be sure to try Osawa Onsen's kaiseki dishes, the menu of which changes depending on the seasonal ingredients available.

  Yamagata: Eat Mugikiri, and Natto Soup

  Shonai in Yamagata Prefecture is famous for many incredible dishes, but one you can’t bypass is mugikiri noodles. These ultra-thin noodles are made in a similar style to udon, with their chewy firm textures, but are thinner than your classic udon. They're enjoyed throughout all of the seasons often with a delicately flavored seafood broth for dipping. Another dish, one for the more ambitious folk, is natto-jiru a local style of miso soup made from ground-up natto (fermented soybeans) with tofu, deep-fried tofu, mountain vegetables, mushrooms, and konyaku (gelatinous mountain yam). It's a healthy local soul food the locals love to enjoy during the cooler months.

  Yamagata: Pray at Zempoji Temple and Dewa Sanzan in a Journey of Rebirth

  Two of the area's most spiritually significant sites are Dewa Sanzan and Zenpoji Temple. Dewa Sanzan, aka the three mountains of Denwa, is one of the most sacred mountains in Japan. Mount Haguro represents the present, and is a place to pray for happiness. Mount Gassan represents the past, and is a place to pray for peace and comfort passing from this world to the next. Mount Yudono represents the future, and is a place for pilgrims to pray for a renewal of their soul. The pilgrimage over these three peaks has been quite popular since the Edo Era. Mount Haguro is particularly noteworthy for its cedar-lined path, and has received three stars in the Michelin Green Guide.

  Zenpoji Temple, with its brightly colored family of Buddha statues, is home to one of the most fascinating prayer practices in all of Tohoku. Every day inside the temple, a group of monks holds a prayer session they pour open the pages of ancient scripts as a way to “fill the air with the wisdom of the books.” It's as hypnotic as it is religiously important.

  Yamagata: Drink Takenotsuyu, the Regional Trophy-Winning Sake

  The Shonai Plains of Yamagata Prefecture has some of the best rice crops in all of Japan, and that means one very important thing: excellent sake. If you want to try some of the best in the area, be sure to head to Takenotsuyu. This brewer has been recognized on a global stage at the 2019 IWC (International Wine Challenge), during which it received a regional trophy. Here you take a tour of the factory, chat with the local makers about the process and sample some of the best batches of the season. It's worth noting that most of the tours are in Japanese, but seeing the process in action isn't any less fascinating.

  Yamagata: Visit the Charming District of Gotenzeki

  In recent times, Yamagata has experienced quite a resurgence in tourism popularity, thanks in large part to its diverse attractions, great food, and incredible nearby skiing facilities. As a way to showcase the history of the area local developers, have also rebuilt Yamagata's Gotenzeki a warehouse turned gift-shop-lined old town district which runs along a scenic canal. It's the perfect place to pop by and pick up some souvenirs or sample some excellent local cuisine in the traditional but refurbished old town ambiance.

  Yamagata: Become a Human Chess Piece at the Ningen Shogi Spring Festival

  For a very different way to enjoy spring, join Yamagata's Ningen Shogi spring festival in Tendo, which is celebrated in April. By becoming living Japanese shogi pieces. Shogi is a little like the Japanese version of chess. The two players of the shogi game are professionals who command their human pieces to move strategically along the 52-feet-long and 46-feet-wide shogi board. It's much more than your traditional board game.

  Yamagata: Admire the Cherry Blossoms of Tsuruoka Park

  Located on the ruins of Tsurugaoka Castle, Tsuruoka Park was once home to the Sakai family, a family of feudal lords who ruled the Shonai Domain for 250 years. Today, the site is a publicly accessible park stunning all year round. But it's especially so in spring when the 800 cherry trees that grow here come into full bloom, carpeting the castle ruins with their bubblegum-pink petals. Like Kitakami River, it's known as one of "Japan's 100 top cherry blossom spots" cementing the fact that Tohoku region is the place to visit in spring.

  Yamagata: Unwind at Yunohama Onsen Kameya

  Yunohama Onsen Kameya was founded in 1813, and is a long-running traditional Japanese inn. Situated on the coast of Tsuruoka, it offers some incredible ocean views while still maintaining an air of hidden, authentic Japanese charm. If you book a room because to ask for an ocean view because watching the crisp and vivid spring sunset over the Sea of Japan is simply unforgettable.

• A Spring Fling in Tohoku

  If you want to make the most out of sakura season in Japan, there's no better place to do it than Tohoku! Between spots of scenic beauty that you have to see to believe, local culture steeped in history, and regional cuisine that will leave you hungry for more, Tohoku has all an eager traveler could want!

  read more

  Nicholas Rich

  Nick is the editorial director for the Japanese culture site, All About Japan. He became a lifelong fan of Tohoku after a too-brief stay in Fukushima Prefecture, but is always on the lookout for opportunities to return to the region and keep exploring!

  Nicholas Rich

  A Spring Fling in Tohoku

  It’s widely acknowledged that spring is one of the best times to visit Japan—with the changing of the seasons the snow and chill of winter melt away, and around the country gorgeous cherry blossoms burst into bloom. It’s also widely acknowledged that spring can be one of the most crowded seasons to visit! But you can dodge the crowds without skipping on scenic beauty and deep local culture with a visit up north, to Tohoku! This three prefecture itinerary will have you hopping around Akita, Aomori and Fukushima, checking out some gorgeous sakura hot spots and getting hands-on with local culture the whole way!

  One of the best aspects of spring in Tohoku is that the cherry blossoms generally bloom a bit later than the rest of the country, and although they’re popular throughout the region, the best spots to see them are generally not as crowded as other touristy areas.

  Start your spring fling in Tohoku in Fukushima Prefecture, which is just 1.5 hours from Tokyo via the Tohoku Shinkansen. From Fukushima Station, a short bus ride south will take you to Hanamiyama Park, which is arguably one of THE best spots for cherry blossom viewing in the prefecture. Hundreds of sakura trees line the hillside across several hiking routes, along with other seasonal flowers. From the top, you’ll find an incredible view of the surrounding valley and the Azuma Mountains in the distance.

  After that, hop on a local train and head to the samurai city, Aizuwakamatsu. At the center of this small city lies Tsurugajo, a striking white castle that played an important part in Japanese history. These days, it’s the perfect venue for a picnic with friends and family, since the cherry blossoms look even more stunning in front of a majestic castle. Before heading over, stop by one of the many award-winning sake breweries in the area and pick up a bottle to share! Once you’ve had your fill of fun in the sun, head into the castle itself, which is a well curated museum that details the history of the region. Plus, the top floor of the castle offers a panoramic view of the city and nearby areas.

  Speaking of nearby areas, you’ll want to make a stop at the neighboring town, Kitakata. This sleepy town is famous for its ramen, and wakes up surprisingly early for it! There’s nothing like a piping hot bowl of regional noodles to get your day started the right way—just be aware that you may have to wait in line. After that, take a leisurely stroll around the town and appreciate some of the residences, many of which used to be sake breweries.

  From Fukushima, we’re heading even further north into Tohoku! For a picturesque trip back in time, head to the city of Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture. Sometimes called “Little Kyoto,” this former castle town was historically a samurai stronghold, and the Kakunodate samurai district has been lovingly maintained, which makes it feel like a piece of living Japanese history. Beyond the townscape, Kakunodate is also home to an incredible cherry blossom festival that sees about one million visitors ever year! The streets of the samurai district are lined with gorgeous weeping cherry blossom trees, while the nearby Hinokinai River has hundreds of sakura along the riverbank, which is simply breathtaking. Just remember that if you want to get a prime picnic spot, it pays to get there early.

  To really get in touch with a unique piece of Akita’s local culture, you’ll have to go a little further afield to the Oga Peninsula. This somewhat remote area is home to an awesome piece of Japanese folklore that has been added to the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage—the namahage. For the uninitiated, namahage are a characteristic, regional spirit, and on New Year’s Eve locals dress up in traditional outfits, complete with meticulously carved wooden masks, and stomp from house to house around their neighborhoods looking for naughty children. Although the main event only happens once a year, visitors who want to immerse themselves in this spooky fairytale can visit the Oga Shinzan Folklore Museum. There, you can see a live performance of a namahage visit, and enjoy exhibitions that showcase the history of the tradition, as well as masks and costumes from different neighborhoods—plus, you can try on the costumes yourself, and deck yourself out like a demon!

  All of that exploration and excitement is sure to work up an appetite. Fortunately, Akita is home to some delectable local dishes. In addition to a bounty of fresh seafood caught off the coast, be sure to try the hearty soup, kiritanpo nabe. Nabe is a blanket term for Japanese hot pot, but what sets Akita’s apart is the addition of kiritanpo, freshly harvested rice that has been shaped into a sort of cylinder and grilled over charcoal (sometimes with miso). Throw that into a hearty broth along with chicken, mushrooms, burdock and other vegetables and you have a hearty soup that is sure to satisfy!

  From Akita, head to Tohoku’s northernmost prefecture, Aomori. This large prefecture is home to iconic festivals, stunning scenery and regional cuisine that will leave you hungry for more. It’s also incredible during cherry blossom season! If you want to feel like you’ve fallen into a cherry blossom dream, you’ll want to visit Hirosaki Castle.

  This small castle has an expansive park surrounding it that is filled with over 2,000 (!!!) cherry blossom trees of some 50 different varietals, and is considered one of the best viewing areas in the entire country. Perhaps the festival’s biggest claim to fame is the Sakura Tunnel, which are trees that line the western moat—eventually the petals fall, creating the illusion of an entire river of flowers. Talk about dreamy! It is really incredible at night, when the trees are illuminated.

  If you want to walk on the wild side, why not head to Lake Towada? Part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, Lake Towada is a large caldera lake that is beautiful no matter the season. In spring, the leaves once again fill with greenery, and like most of Japan, cherry blossoms dot the area (though not nearly to the same extent as some of the aforementioned areas). A sightseeing cruise is the perfect way to acquaint yourself with the lake as a whole and the beauty of the surrounding area, but it also makes for an exhilarating hike as well. If you’re feeling really ambitious, you can also head to the nearby Oirase Gorge and hike through fresh greenery accompanied by rushing waterfalls and a graceful mountain stream.

  Feeling hungry? We know you are, which is why we recommend heading to the sprawling town of Hachinohe. A beautiful destination worthy of a visit all on its own, Hachinohe is home to a vibrant nightlife centered on its small yokocho alleyways, which are populated with many small restaurants serving up fresh dishes alongside local sake. Many of the dishes served will be riffs on the local specialty nambu senbei. Unlike traditional senbei, which are basically rice crackers, nambu senbei are made with wheat. Perhaps the most delicious way to enjoy them is in senbei jiru, a hearty soup full of fresh vegetables and the aforementioned senbei, which ends up having a texture similar to fresh noodles!

  Another can’t miss dish is saba, or Japanese mackerel. The saba landed in the cold waters of Hachinohe is rich, fatty and unctuous, and is delicious no matter how it is prepared! Favorite ways to eat it include as sushi or sashimi, roasted on skewers, and lightly seared in broth through the classic preparation, shabu shabu, and many more! This specialty can basically only be found in Aomori, so don’t miss it!

  And like cherry blossom season, before you know it our three prefectural tour of Tohoku is over! But with three other prefectures to explore and incredible seasonal highlights throughout the year, you’ll have plenty of reason to visit over and over again!