Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Overview
Stretching out above Tokyo is the fabled Tōhoku (東北; Northeast) – starring Miyagi, Yamagata, Iwate, Fukushima, Akita and Aomori Prefectures – where ice monsters and river imps inhabit the imagination (but hopefully not the onsen). Hugging the west coast is Niigata Prefecture, a skiing and hiking wonderland that also includes the rugged and remote island of Sado-ga-shima.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
The 2446 stone steps through ancient cedars to Haguro-san's summit (419m) have been smoothed by centuries of pilgrims. The climb, taking up to two hours,…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Accessible from July to September, Gas-san (1984m) is the highest of Dewa Sanzan's sacred mountains. From Hachigōme (八合目; eighth station) the route passes…
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Accessible from May to October, Yudono-san (1504m) is the spiritual culmination of the Dewa Sanzan trek. Coming from Gas-san it's a short walk from the…
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Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
The 'Temple of Standing Stones', more commonly known as Yamadera, rests atop a rock-hewn staircase weathered over the centuries by unrelenting elements…
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Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
High in the hills above Kesennuma, this local art museum houses the largest collection of photographs and artefacts in existence relating to the 2011…
Kakunodate Cherry-Bark Craft Center
Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Inside this elegant building you'll find exhibits and demonstrations of kabazaiku, the craft of covering household or decorative items in fine strips of…
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Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
The under-visited beach at Shirahama (白浜) is a real find for open-water swimmers and beach bums due to its clear-blue water, shallow entry and…
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Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Jagged, green-fringed cliffs plunge into the deep-blue Pacific Ocean along this 8km stretch of coastline known as the Kitayamazaki coast. Stunning in…
Plan with a local
Articles
Latest stories from Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)
Filter by interest:
- CyclingJapan’s Bandai-Asahi National Park offers a world of outdoor adventures
Sep 8, 2021 • 5 min read
Wildlife & NatureExploring Japanese traditions in the ‘Deep North’ region of TohokuFeb 27, 2020 • 5 min read
- Wildlife & NatureHow the Oku-Matsushima Trail in Japan made me fall in love with hiking
Jan 30, 2020 • 6 min read
Wildlife & NatureSee the animal life thriving around Fukushima's exclusion zoneJan 15, 2020 • 1 min read
Wildlife & NatureJapan's nature paradise won't be a secret for much longerDec 23, 2019 • 5 min read
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