Tohoku — Japan’s six northernmost prefectures on Honshu — is the country’s most under-visited region by international tourists, and for many Japanese that makes it one of the most rewarding. Tohoku has spectacular natural scenery, one of Japan’s best summer festivals, ancient shrines, distinctive onsen towns, and relatively few foreign visitors outside major events. This guide covers the main destinations.
Sendai
Tohoku’s largest city and the natural base for exploring the region. Sendai’s main draw is its August Tanabata Matsuri festival — one of Japan’s Sanだai Matsuri (three great festivals), held 6–8 August, with enormous colourful paper streamers decorating the covered shopping arcades. The Zuihoden mausoleum (Dateno Masamune’s tomb, in ornate Momoyama-style architecture) and Sendai Castle ruins (Aoba Castle, with city views) are worth visiting. Accessible from Tokyo in approximately 1.5 hours by Shinkansen.
Matsushima
A bay of approximately 260 pine-covered islands, historically counted among Japan’s three great scenic views (Nihon Sankei) alongside Amanohashidate (Kyoto) and Miyajima (Hiroshima). The islands are viewed from observation points on the shore or from sightseeing cruise boats. Zuigan-ji temple, a Zen monastery in the town, is one of Tohoku’s finest temples. Accessible from Sendai in 40 minutes by train (Senseki-Tohoku Line to Matsushima-Kaigan).
Yamadera (Risshaku-ji)
A mountain temple complex in Yamagata Prefecture, with halls and meditation caves set into a steep cliff face above the valley town. The 1,015 stone steps to the summit (Okuno-in) take 30–45 minutes at a moderate pace. The view from Godaido lookout mid-way is among Tohoku’s most photographed landscapes. Made famous by the haiku poet Matsuo Basho’s 1689 visit (recorded in Oku-no-Hosomichi). Accessible from Yamagata Station by JR (30 minutes).
Aomori and Towada-Hachimantai
Aomori is the prefectural capital of Japan’s northernmost Honshu prefecture, known for the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (held 2–7 August) — enormous paper lantern floats depicting warriors in dramatic poses, pulled through the city streets to taiko drums. One of Japan’s most spectacular festival experiences. The Sannai-Maruyama archaeological site (3500 BCE–2000 BCE Jomon-period) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside the city.
Towada-Hachimantai National Park straddles Aomori, Iwate, and Akita prefectures. Lake Towada (a caldera lake) and the Oirase Gorge (a 14km riverside trail through pristine forest — particularly stunning in autumn foliage) are the highlights. Accessible from Aomori or Hachinohe.
Hirosaki
A castle town in Aomori Prefecture with one of Japan’s best-preserved original castle keeps (Hirosaki Castle, 1611) set in a park famous for approximately 2,600 cherry trees. The Hirosaki Sakura Matsuri (late April–early May) is considered one of Japan’s finest cherry blossom events, with moat-reflected blossoms and a carpet of fallen petals on the water surface. Accessible from Aomori in 45 minutes by JR.
Nyūtō Onsen
A cluster of traditional onsen inns deep in the mountains of Akita Prefecture, known for milky white waters and a remote, atmospheric forested setting. The most photographed is Tsuru-no-Yu, one of Japan’s oldest hot spring inns still operating in its original form. Best in winter when snow covers the outdoor baths. Accessible by bus from Tazawako Station (JR Tazawa Line from Akita).
Nikko
Technically in Tochigi Prefecture (sometimes counted as Kanto rather than Tohoku), Nikko is the most accessible day trip or overnight destination in this direction from Tokyo (approximately 2 hours). The Tosho-gu shrine — Japan’s most elaborately decorated shrine, housing Tokugawa Ieyasu — is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Kegon Falls (97m), Lake Chuzenji, and the highland Oku-Nikko area extend the visit for those spending the night.
Tohoku’s Summer Festivals
Tohoku’s festivals are among Japan’s most spectacular and are a primary reason to visit in August:
- Aomori Nebuta Matsuri: 2–7 August. Enormous illuminated float-pulling parade with taiko and flute accompaniment. Estimated 3 million annual attendees.
- Sendai Tanabata Matsuri: 6–8 August. Paper streamers filling covered arcades; one of Japan’s largest Tanabata festivals.
- Akita Kanto Matsuri: 3–6 August. Performers balance bamboo poles (kanto) studded with up to 46 paper lanterns — some poles weigh 50kg. A feat of skill repeated across multiple performers simultaneously.
- Yamagata Hanagasa Matsuri: 5–7 August. A dance parade of thousands wearing straw hats (hanagasa) decorated with safflower.
Getting Around Tohoku
- The Tohoku Shinkansen connects Tokyo to Sendai (1.5 hours), Morioka (2 hours), and Shin-Aomori (3 hours). The JR Pass covers these routes.
- Local trains and buses serve smaller destinations; some areas require rental cars for convenient access.
- The JR East Tohoku Area Pass is a regional rail pass option for those not purchasing a full Japan Rail Pass.
Related Pages
For onsen including Nyūtō, see Onsen in Japan. For photography including autumn foliage timing, see Photography in Japan and Best Time to Visit Japan.