Things to Do in Tohoku, Japan
The rugged, uncrowded northeast: samurai towns, festivals, mountain onsen and deep autumn colour.
91 destinations across 6 prefectures
Festivals in Tohoku
Namahage Sedo Festival
12 to 14 February 2027
Akita · Fire festival
Photo: Rarisan / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival
15 to 16 February 2027
Akita · Snow and ice festival
Hirosaki Sakura Matsuri
16 April 2027 to 5 May 2027
Aomori · Festival
© Rosino / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri
1 to 7 August 2027
Aomori · Lantern festival
Aomori Nebuta Matsuri
2 to 7 August 2027
Aomori · Lantern festival
© 秋田市 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Akita Kanto Matsuri
3 to 6 August 2027
Akita · Lantern festival
Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri
5 to 7 August 2027
Yamagata · Dance festival
© 掬茶 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sendai Tanabata Matsuri
6 to 8 August 2027
Miyagi · Lantern festival
© KANSEI / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Omagari Fireworks
28 August 2027
Akita · Fireworks festival
Suggested Itineraries
Places to Visit in Tohoku
Chusonji Temple
Golden Hall of the Northern Fujiwara
A UNESCO World Heritage temple complex featuring the stunning Konjikido, a hall covered entirely ...
Kitakata
Japan's Ramen Capital with Historic Kura Storehouses
Famous as one of Japan's three great ramen cities, with over 100 ramen shops serving the signatur...
Shirakami-Sanchi
A UNESCO World Heritage Site preserving the largest virgin beech forest in East Asia, Shirakami-S...
Geibikei Gorge
A River Gorge Adventure by Traditional Boat
Geibikei is a spectacular river gorge where visitors glide through two kilometers of towering cli...
Shiogama Shrine
Tohoku's Most Revered Shrine Overlooking Matsushima Bay
One of the most important shrines in the Tohoku region, perched on a hilltop overlooking Matsushi...
Tendo Onsen
A Charming Onsen Town Famous as Japan's Shogi Capital
A relaxing hot spring town known as the production center of over 90% of Japan's shogi pieces. Th...
Tono
A rural town in the mountains of Iwate known as the birthplace of Japanese folklore studies, wher...
Ouchi-juku
An Edo-era post town lined with thatched-roof houses, Ouchi-juku is famous for its negi soba -- b...
Jodogahama Beach
A Heavenly White Beach on the Sanriku Coast
Named for its resemblance to a Buddhist paradise, Jodogahama is a white pebble beach backed by sh...
Sannai-Maruyama Archaeological Site
Japan's Largest Jomon Settlement, a UNESCO World Heritage Prehistoric Site
One of Japan's most important archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sannai-Maruy...
Aizu-Wakamatsu
A Samurai City Steeped in Edo-Period History
A historic castle town known for its samurai heritage, Tsuruga Castle, traditional Aizu lacquerwa...
Namahage Museum
A museum dedicated to the Namahage folk tradition of the Oga Peninsula
The Namahage Museum in Oga, Akita showcases the UNESCO-listed Namahage tradition, in which fearso...
Matsushima Bay
One of Japan's Three Great Views
A bay dotted with over 260 pine-covered islands, celebrated as one of Japan's Three Most Scenic V...
Motsuji Temple
Motsuji Temple - UNESCO Pure Land Garden in Hiraizumi
A UNESCO World Heritage temple in Hiraizumi featuring one of Japan's finest Pure Land gardens fro...
Aomori
Aomori - City of the Blazing Nebuta Festival
Northern Honshu city famous for the spectacular Nebuta Festival, one of Japan's most dramatic sum...