Things to Do in Tohoku, Japan

The rugged, uncrowded northeast: samurai towns, festivals, mountain onsen and deep autumn colour.

48 destinations across 6 prefectures

Suggested Itineraries

Places to Visit in Tohoku

Attraction
Iwate

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...

Miyako, Iwate, Japan
Park
Akita

Senshu Park

Senshu Park (Kubota Castle Ruins)

Senshu Park occupies the hilltop ruins of Kubota Castle, the former seat of the Satake clan who r...

Akita, Japan
Shrine
Miyagi

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...

Shiogama, Miyagi, Japan
Attraction
Iwate

Geibikei Gorge

A River Gorge Adventure by Traditional Boat

Geibikei is a spectacular river gorge where visitors glide through two kilometers of towering cli...

Ichinoseki, Iwate, Japan
City
Iwate

Tono

A rural town in the mountains of Iwate known as the birthplace of Japanese folklore studies, wher...

Tono, Iwate, Japan
City
Aomori

Aomori

Aomori - City of the Blazing Nebuta Festival

Northern Honshu city famous for the spectacular Nebuta Festival, one of Japan's most dramatic sum...

Aomori, Japan
Attraction
Fukushima

Lake Inawashiro

Mirror of Heaven

Japan's fourth-largest lake, nicknamed the Mirror of Heaven for its crystal-clear waters reflecti...

Inawashiro, Fukushima, Japan
Attraction
Miyagi

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...

Matsushima, Miyagi, Japan
Historic Site
Aomori

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...

Aomori, Japan
Attraction
Miyagi

Sendai Tanabata Festival Area

Japan's Most Spectacular Star Festival Celebration

One of the three great Tohoku festivals, held every August along Sendai's covered shopping arcade...

Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
Attraction
Akita

Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival

The Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival transforms this Akita city into a winter wonderland, where hund...

Akita, Japan
Attraction
Yamagata

Mogami River Boat Ride

A Scenic River Cruise Through a Forested Gorge

A relaxing hour-long boat ride down the Mogami River through a scenic gorge, accompanied by the b...

Tozawa, Yamagata, Japan
Historic Site
Akita

Kakunodate

Known as the 'Little Kyoto of Tohoku', this beautifully preserved samurai district features centu...

Senboku, Akita, Japan
Attraction
Akita

Oga Peninsula

The Oga Peninsula juts dramatically into the Sea of Japan, famous as the home of the Namahage, fe...

Akita, Japan
Onsen
Akita

Nyuto Onsen

A secluded collection of seven rustic hot spring inns deep in the mountains near Lake Tazawa, Nyu...

Senboku, Akita, Japan

Prefectures in Tohoku