LONG STAY TOHOKU
Tohoku: where the unseen essence of Japan remains.
Dishes and cultures unique to the local region, warm encounters, slowing down as if you lived there – this could be your next trip.
Here we map out four sample tour plans based on recommended accommodation areas to help you make the most of the vast Tohoku region.
Our recommended Tohoku accommodation options for multi-night stays (PDF）
Recommended tour plans
●Oirase, Towada
●Hanamaki Onsen
●Zao Onsen
●Bandai, Urabandai and Aizu
3 days in Aomori, Iwate and Akita!
Where to stay for this tour
●Oirase, Towada plan
Where to go/What to do on this tour
1. Stay in Oirase Keiryu Onsen, Towada
Walk along Oirase Stream, moss walk and moss-ball-making experience
2. Shirakami-Sanchi mountains (Shirakami river trekking)
3. Roadside Station Kazuno Antler/Kiritanpo-making experience
4. Hachimantai Dragon Eye and early spring alpine wildflower trek
Hachimantai scenic riding tour by e-Mountain Bike
Snow crawler off-road experience in buggy and Jimny
３days in Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Akita!
Where to stay for this tour
● Hanamaki Onsen Plan
Where to go/What to do on this tour
1. Stay in Hanamaki Onsen
2. Ashino Park/Tsugaru Railway experience/Hirosaki Park/Tsugaru-han Neputa Village with Kingyo neputa (goldfish lantern) painting experience
3. Kakunodate Bukeyashiki (Samurai Residences)/Learning the samurai spirit through Iaido experience
4. Koiwai Farm soft cream and gelato
5. Morioka city stroll/Wanko soba experience
6. Kitakami Tenshochi Park
7. Toyoma Education Museum
8. Hitome Senbonzakura (cherry blossoms) along Shiroishi River embankment, Shiroishi Castle/Armor wearing experience
３days in Yamagata, Fukushima and Niigata!
Where to stay for this tour
●Bandai, Urabandai and Aizu Plan
Where to stay for this tour
1. Stay in Bandai, Urabandai/Aizu
Hike the Goshikinuma Ponds
2. Handwoven Yonezawa Ori and dyeing experience/Yonezawa beef/Tour of Toko Sake Museum
3. Tsuruga Castle/Aizu Bukeyashiki (Samurai Residence)
4. Nagatoko and Kitakata storehouse district walking tour/Fukuman Kokuzo Bosatsu (Aizu Yanaizu Kokuzoson)
5. Shogun-sugi (giant cedar), Byodoji Temple
6. Agano River boat cruise
３days in Miyagi and Yamagata!
Where to stay for this tour
●Zao Onsen Plan
Where to go/What to do on this tour
1. Zao Onsen (stay)
2. Shiogama: Sushi/Matsushima Bay SUP Plan
3. Ichinokura (sake brewery tour)
4. Okama Crater, Zao
5. Takahata Winery
6. Yamadera Temple (Risshakuji Temple, Mt. Hoju)/Tendo (fruit-picking)/Ginzan Onsen
7. Naruko Gorge
Tips from Base! Tohoku
The Tohoku region is filled with countless attractions that can't all be covered in a few short days.
The map shows recommended places to stay that would make excellent bases for a relaxed, extended stay.
Let them serve as a launch point for your own meaningful, inspiring and unforgettable experiences in Tohoku.
We recommend that you have fun mixing and matching the seven tour plans below.
■1 Experience Aomori's nature and immerse yourself in its local culture!
■2 Crossing Iwate! Sanriku Railway and Morioka/Hanamaki Full Enjoyment Course
■3 The Ultimate Akita Experience Course: Everything Akita Has to Offer
■4 Experience Miyagi! Fruit Picking, Artisan Crafts, and Sword Drawing Training Course
■5 3-Day Tour of Popular Spots: Ginzan Onsen and Zao
■6 A Journey Through Fukushima: The Natural Splendor of Urabandai and the Historical Charm of Aizu
Best Accommodations for Extended Stays
Here are recommended accommodations in areas that serve as travel bases.
Use this list to help plan your trip.