Continuing with our story on Japan’s Tohoku region, in this second part, besides using Japan’s efficient train system, we invite you to consider renting a car too as another way to explore the region. Why? Because renting a car gives you more flexibility to uncover more of Tohoku’s hidden gems according to your own time and pace, hence more freedom!
However, as a start, it is best if you could take the Shinkansen all the way to Aomori – the northernmost area of Tohoku – then venture out by car to Aomori, Iwate, and Akita prefectures. Likewise, you can also traverse Tohoku’s southern route by driving from Niigata to Fukushima, then proceed to Yamagata and Miyagi.
It is good to know that when you are driving, one of the major roads connecting you to the prefectures of Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate and Aomori – including Sendai City – is the Tohoku Expressway, a south-north national expressway (controlled-access highway) that is the longest in Japan at 679.5 kilometres. It begins from Saitama in the Greater Tokyo Area and runs all the way to the city of Aomori in Aomori prefecture, the northern part of Tohoku. Travellers who want to drive to Akita, Yamagata and Niigata prefectures can use other expressways like Tohoku-Chuo and Nihonkai-Tohoku. All of the mentioned expressways are operated by East Nippon Expressway Company or NEXCO East.
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Foreign travellers should opt for an all-you-can-ride pass to access the expressways within the Tohoku region for travel periods ranging from 2 to 14 days. However, at the moment, applications for the pass are not available due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this should not stop you from making plans to explore Tohoku by car in the near future once the pandemic abates!
What to experience in NIIGATA prefecture:
Try your hands at hardware-making in Tsubame City and blacksmithing in Sanjo City
Niigata is highly regarded internationally for producing high quality hardware. Cities like Tsubame and Sanjo in Niigata prefecture can trace their roots back as hubs in the production of agricultural equipment and knives. Travellers can partake in enriching hands-on activities such as making small plates at the Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum and Japanese blacksmithing at the Sanjo Kaji Dojo.
Munch on the comforting Koshihikari rice balls in Tokamachi City
When being in Tokamachi City, travellers should grab the rice balls much loved by the locals, made from high quality rice grown in an area within Niigata prefecture called Uonuma and branded as Koshihikari. Koshihikari rice is renowned for its fragrance and subtly savoury flavour, giving joy at every bite.
What to experience in FUKUSHIMA prefecture:
Slurp down delicious Kitakata ramen in Kitakata City
Kitakata ramen is recognised as one of the three most well-loved ramen (noodle soup) in Japan, and Kitakata City is home to more than 130 ramen shops. For a remarkable ramen experience, travellers should head to the award-winning Bannai Shokudo, the most popular eatery that serves authentic Kitakata ramen for over 50 years.
Admire the lovely view along the way to Jododaira in Fukushima City
Located at the mid-point of the road called Bandai-Azuma Skyline, Jododaira is a heavenly scenic spot created by volcanic activity 1,600 metres above sea level. Along the way to Jododaira, travellers are recommended to take in the area’s incredible views, especially during autumn because the place is famous in Fukushima for marvelling at the foliage as it turns colour.
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What to experience in SENDAI City:
Shop till you drop in Sendai City
For a luxurious and rewarding shopping experience, shopaholics should to Sendai Izumi Premium Outlets and Mitsui Outlet Park Sendai Port, where they can find a wide range of products from luxury brands and outdoor goods to reputable drugstores. As a matter of fact, Sendai Izumi Premium Outlets stages a magical atmosphere of snow and illumination during winter.
Have a reinvigorating dip at Akiu Hot Spring Village in Sendai City
Invigorate yourself by dipping into a hot spring water at Akiu Hot Spring Village, located 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Sendai City. In case you are not used to bathing in public baths, there are also rooms and ryokans (traditional Japanese guesthouse) with private springs for you to choose. After a refreshing bath, you can explore the surrounding nature, witness Akiu Otaki Falls, or participate in Kokeshi doll-painting. The village also has a vegan café and a barbecue at a winery.
What to experience in MIYAGI prefecture:
Be amazed at the amount of seafood on sale at Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market in Shiogama City
The port town of Shiogama boasts one of the largest catches of fresh tuna in Japan. The Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market is one of the largest markets in the Tohoku region, with more than 90 stalls. You can even make your own seafood bowl with ingredients you purchase on the market at the “My Seafood Don” corner.
Relish luscious strawberries at Yamamoto Strawberry Farm in Yamamoto Town
Strawberry lovers should not miss dropping by Yamamoto Town, recognised as the best strawberry-producing area Tohoku. And since you are already there, why not directly go to Yamamoto Strawberry Farm, one of the largest strawberry farms in Tohoku? There are many activities relating to strawberries that you can do and they are not limited to just picking and eating them – you can also learn how strawberries are cultivated on an industrial scale, visit a strawberry winery (yes, you can make wine out of strawberries), purchase various strawberry-based products, and indulge in sinfully rich strawberry-based desserts and meals at the Berry Very Labo café!
What to experience in IWATE prefecture:
Get in touch with spirituality at Chuson-ji Temple in Hiraizumi Town
Inscribed as a World Heritage Site since June 2011, Chuson-ji Temple was first founded back in 850 A.D. and then expanded into a large-scale structure in the 12th century to comfort the souls of those who fell during a war that engulfed the Tohoku region in the latter half of the 11th century, and promote peace. The temple holds the largest repository of Heian Buddhist art East Japan, with over 3,000 national treasures and important cultural properties, including the impressively gilded Konjiki-do (Golden Hall).
Cruise along Geibikei Gorge in Ichinoseki City
Designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument since 1923, the two-kilometre long Geibikei Gorge – characterised by 100-meter-high rock formations along both banks – is noted as one of Japan’s awe-inspiring landscapes. It is best for travellers to embark on the Geibikei Gorge boat trip, operated by a boatman who skilfully manoeuvres it using a single pole. Besides appreciating the scenery from the boat, travellers are invited to engage in tossing ‘balls of luck’ into a nearby hole for good fortune. During winter, be sure to ride on kotatsu boats, which are essentially heated boats equipped with kotatsu table (low table with built-in heater) that allows you and your travelling companions to feast on local dishes in comfort while admiring the passing view.
What to experience in AOMORI prefecture
Immerse in Tsugaru culture at Tsugaru-han Neputa Village in Hirosaki City
The Tsugaru clan was a samurai clan who ruled the Aomori prefecture during Edo period (1603 – 1868), when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate. At the Tsugaru-han Neputa Village located right next to Hirosaki Castle, travellers are welcomed by an interesting exhibition showcasing Hirosaki’s traditional Neputa Festival annually held from 1 until 7 August. Neputa refers to a large fan-shaped float depicting images of legendary warriors, while the festival is aimed at repelling the sleep demon that was believed to make people drowsy during summer, the busiest time for farming. Other than the exhibition, remember to try your hand at painting a goldfish neputa and playing the Tsugaru shamisen (three-stringed traditional Japanese instrument) as well.
Become one with nature at Oirase Gorge in Towada City
The Oirase Gorge is one of Japan’s most picturesque river valleys replete with lush vegetation, fast-moving mountain stream and waterfalls, stretching for 14 kilometres from Nenokuchi on Lake Towada to Yakiyama. The site is definitely the much-needed antidote for stressed out urbanites and those seeking to commune with pristine nature as a way to return to balance.
What to experience in AKITA prefecture
Uncover hidden hot spring at Nyuto Hot Spring Village in Senboku City
Dubbed as a ‘hidden hot spring’ where hot spring lovers must visit at least once in their lives, Nyuto Hot Spring Village consists of seven ryokans (traditional inns), each with its own unique hot spring source. For convenience, you can take a tour around Nyuto Hot Spring Village by bus apart from driving.
Be amazed by Lake Tazawa, the deepest lake in Japan
Swing by at Lake Tazawa, which is the deepest lake in Japan with the depth of 423.4 metres. When seen from above, the lake’s shape is nearly circular with 20-kilometre circumference. The calm surface of the lake reflects the colour of the seasons, for instance cherry blossom in spring, red and orange during autumn, and snow white in winter. You can swim in the waters during summer, and enjoy pedal-boating and paddle-boarding in spring and autumn.
What to experience in YAMAGATA prefecture:
Get transported back in time at Ginzan Hot Spring in Obanazawa City
Famous for being the setting for the iconic 1980s Japanese TV drama “Oshin” (which was about a fictional character named Shin Tanokura who was born into poverty in early 1900s and faced challenges throughout her life but finally emerged as a successful businesswoman in the 1980s), Ginzan Hot Spring makes you feel like you travel back in time because it is surrounded by nostalgia-inducing traditional inns that were built around 100 years ago that come with historic indoor baths. Plenty of pleasurable activities await you at this secluded hot spring town nestling in the mountains such as trying on traditional Japanese clothing and eating out, on top of dipping into the hot spring bath, of course.
Savour premium locally sourced wagyu at Yonezawa City
Yonezawa beef – highly prized for its inherent tenderness, marbling and taste – is rated as one of the three great brands of wagyu (Japanese beef from specific bloodline and breed of domestic cattle). This is because to be certified as Yonezawa beef, it must originate only from the wagyu cattle raised by breeders in three cities and five towns within the Okitama district in the south of Yamagata prefecture that meet rigorous standards set by Yonezawa Beef Brand Promotion Council.
For more info on Tohoku, read here: Travel to Tohoku
Filed in: japan / Tohoku / Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization
