TOHOKU
TOHOKU
TOHOKU
TOHOKU
TOHOKU
TOHOKU
TOHOKU
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TOHOKU
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Aomori
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Iwate
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Miyagi
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Akita
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Yamagata
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Fukushima
Tohoku
- Tohoku
- Aomori
- Iwate
- Miyagi
- Akita
- Yamagata
- Fukushima
With Japan’s longest Ou Mountain Range as the border, the Tohoku region is divided into the Pacific coast area, the Japan Sea coast area and the Sanriku area. Taking advantage of the varying climate and distinctive geography, agriculture is one of the most thriving industries. In summer, an inflow of tourists visit the region to experience the excitement of Tohoku’s top three festivals: the Nebuta Festival in Aomori, the Kanto Festival in Akita and the Tanabata Festival in Miyagi. Endowed with nature’s bounty and beauty, Tohoku is full of sightseeing spots to explore and enjoy for all seasons, with regional delectable cuisine and activities.
Located at the northern tip of Japan’s main island, Aomori Prefecture has many different faces depending on the locality and the season. Taking a stroll in the primeval beech forest of the Shirakami Mountains, which was designated as a World Heritage Site, will surely be an inspirational experience. Aomori boasts plenty of specialty products, including apples and rice, as well as such local dishes as “Senbei-jiru” (pot dish cooked with rice crackers and vegetables) and “Ichigo-ni” (sea urchin and abalone soup). Nebuta Festival, which is counted as one of Tohoku's top three festivals brings a frenzy of excitement to a prefecture known for a cooler climate.
Second only to Hokkaido as Japan’s largest prefecture, Iwate is truly a sight to behold, including the breathtakingly beautiful and mystical Jodogahama Beach and limestone caverns. The prefecture is also where literary classic “Tono Monogatari (The Legends of Tono),” a collection of folklore narratives, as well as children’s books by Kenji Miyazawa, are based. One of the most popular dishes of Iwate Prefecture is “Wanko Soba.” In the spirit of hospitality, a small bowl of soba buckwheat noodles is served quickly and endlessly refilled is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Surrounded by the sea and mountains, Miyagi Prefecture is known as the City of Trees since ancient times and has natural highlights include Akiu Great Falls and Rairai-kyo Gorge. Miyagi is also famous for a wide variety of hot springs such as Naruko Onsenkyo as well as local dishes including ox tongue and “Zunda Mochi” (soybean paste draped over sticky rice cake). Historic sightseeing spots with a traditional atmosphere include Matsushima, one of the top three scenic views of Japan, and Aoba Castle with the iconic statue of Masamune Date (1567-1636).
Blessed with bountiful nature, Akita Prefecture is dotted with an amazing array of sightseeing spots and hot springs. Local performing arts and festivals are also held, such as “Namahage” (a ritual in which men dressed as ogres to admonish children for their laziness and ward off misfortune), “Kiritanpo” (mashed rice skewer), “Akitakomachi” (a rice varietal) and “Kamakura” (igloo-like houses). Streets lined with old samurai residences in Kakunodate and Koraku-kan in Kosaka-machi are steeped in a nostalgic atmosphere that will make you feel like you are traveling back in time. If you are looking for a rich, traditional cultural experience, this is the place to be.
Resource-rich tourism destinations abound in Yamagata Prefecture, including the Japan Sea, Dewa Mountains, and hot spring resorts. Enjoy boat tours down the Mogami River or visit the Somaro Maiko Teahouse, where you can experience the history and culture of Yamagata. To get a taste of Yamagata, drop by at the Yamagata Sake Museum where you can find Japanese sake made by 49 breweries in the prefecture, Nakano Fruits Garden for sampling freshly picked fruits and a variety of restaurants offering dishes with locally sourced traditional vegetables.
Fukushima Prefecture mesmerizes visitors with Tsuruga Castle with its iconic red-tiled roofs, as well as splendid natural wonders such as Mount Bandai and Goshiki-numa (five-colored lakes). Ouchijuku, which thrived in the Edo period (1603-1868) as a post station on a vital road connecting Aizuwakamatsu City in Fukushima Prefecture and Nikko Imaichi in Tochigi Prefecture, is designated as the Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the Japanese government.
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Accommodation
Tsutanuma Pond and Tsuta Onsen
Deep in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park in Aomori Prefecture is the Tsutanuma Pond, which is one of the seven ponds collectively known as "Tsuta no Nana Numa" (the seven ponds of Tsuta) along with Kagaminuma, Tsukinuma, Hyotannuma, Suganuma, Naganuma and Akanuma ponds. Surrounded by native beech trees adorned with seasonal colors such as fresh greenery in May and the stunning shades of autumn leaves, the pond fascinates visitors with picturesque landscapes. The perfect photo opportunity is…
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Activity
Basenkyo Gorge
Basenkyo is a beautiful gorge with Japan's tallest "meoto-iwa (married couple rocks)" labelled "Ogami-iwa (god rock)" on one side and "Megami-iwa (goddess rock)" on the other of the Mabechi River in the city of Ninohe in Iwate Prefecture. The gorge is filled with the natural beauty of four seasons such as the gorgeous autumn foliage. You can enjoy a dynamic scenery of the two rocks from the observation deck located upstream of Ogami-iwa.
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Activity
Izunuma-Uchinuma
Izunuma-Uchinuma is a famous wintering site for Whooper swans in Japan, but come summer, it offers a breathtaking view of a blanket of flowering lotus blossoms covering the surface of the lake. The Lotus Festival is held during the peak period in which you can enjoy large pink lotus flowers blooming over the water. Take a boat ride tour through the lake to view the beautiful flowers up close.
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Accommodation
Kurikoma Sanso and Mount Kurikoma
Kurikoma Sanso is a hot spring villa located on the Sukawa Plateau, in the foothills of Mount Kurikoma, a renowned peak in the Tohoku region. The view from the large bath with an altitude of 1,100 meters is truly spectacular. Immerse yourself in the milky white hot spring bath and feel the cool breeze over the mountains on your cheeks.
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Activity
Bandai-Azuma Skyline
Located within the Bandai-Asahi National Park, Bandai-Azuma Skyline is Fukushima's representative sightseeing mountain road that has been also selected as one of the 100 Best Roads in Japan. Because the road is closed in wintertime, the reopening of the road in April announces the arrival of spring. The road's maximum elevation reaches 1,622 meters around the Jododaira area, letting you enjoy a driving amid breathtaking volcanic landscapes of the Azuma mountain range as well as lush greenery an…
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Culture
Oyama Sankei (Mount Iwaki)
Mount Iwaki, the highest peak in Aomori, is often referred to as the Tsugaru Fuji because of its beautiful conical shape. The mountain serves as a spiritual symbol for the local people and has long been worshipped. Oyama Sankei is a traditional event held over three days in August every year in which a large number of worshippers climb the mountain to pray for a bountiful harvest and household safety. On the last day, participants march to the top of the mountain and revere the light of the ris…
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Activity
Hachimantai Aspite Line
The 27-kilometer mountain sightseeing road runs through Iwate and Akita prefectures. It offers panoramic views of seasonal landscapes of Mount Hachimantai, which are spectacular especially during the seasons of the snow-walled corridor in spring and stunning autumn foliage. The Jukai Line joins with the Hachimantai Aspite Line near the peak of Mount Hachimantai and also offers a scenic driving route that traverses the magnificent scenery of Mount Iwate.
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Food
Harakomeshi and Hokkimeshi in the town of Watari
Watari is a coastal town in the southern area of Miyagi Prefecture that is located at the mouth of the Abukuma River, the second largest river in the Tohoku region. Salmon caught in the river is a famous local specialty that has long been offered to shoguns as an autumn delicacy. Originating in Arahama in the town of Watari, Harakomeshi has plentiful cuts of fatty salmon and sparkling salmon roe (harako, also known as ikura) on top of rice cooked with salmon broth. As soon as you take a bite, y…
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Activity
Mount Kanpu
The Oga Peninsula juts out into the Sea of Japan from the coast of Akita Prefecture. At the base of the peninsula sits the 355-meter-high Mount Kanpu. The road leading to the summit is a pleasant driving course called the Kanpuzan Panorama Line. The mountaintop is a perfect spot to take in splendid uninterrupted views of the entire peninsula, the reclaimed land of Lake Hachirogata and the coastline of the Sea of Japan. There are also a restaurant and a shop on the rotating observatory at the to…
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Activity
Mount Adatara
Located in central Fukushima Prefecture, Mount Adatara is a 1,728-meter-high active volcano selected as one of 100 famous Japanese mountains as well as top 100 flowery mountains. The mountain is also depicted in Man'yoshu (the oldest anthology of Japanese poetry) and has been appreciated by many people since olden times. Not only does the mountain offer a number of hiking courses, but you also get the opportunity to enjoy soaking in hot waters as there are various hot spring baths at the trailh…
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Accommodation
Sukayu Onsen
Sukayu Onsen is an inn with hot spring baths located at the foot of the Hakkoda Mountains in Aomori Prefecture. This hot spring has long been well known for the powerful healing effects of the highly acidic and abundant supply of spring water. This inn also has a self-catering kitchen area for those who come here for long stays. It also has a massive bath area the size of a tennis court.
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Experience
Morioka Geigi
Geigi are female entertainers of traditional Japanese performances, such as dancing, singing and Tokiwazu (storytelling with a shamisen stringed instrument), who usually perform and attend to guests during meals. Morioka Geigi, the winners of a past competition among six prefectures in the Tohoku region, are well known for the quality of their performance and have been actively supported by the local community.
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Shopping
Minamisanriku Sun Sun Shopping Village
This shopping village, originally established following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 as a set of temporary buildings, was officially opened on March 3, 2017. There are 28 shops and restaurants that offer delicious local food from Minamisanriku. This one-story building was made from Minamisanriku cedar and designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma. You can especially enjoy shopping and eating fresh seafood at this amazing seafront location. Don't miss the famous Minamisanriku Kirakira…
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Activity
Akitashirakami Station and Resort Shirakami
Resort Shirakami is a scenic train that weaves its way along the JR Gono Line through stunning coastal scenery of blue sea and green mountains. It is a great way to visit the Shirakami-Sanchi Mountain Range World Heritage Site, and Akitashirakami Station is the gateway to the range from the Akita side. The train slows down at several scenic points to allow you to fully enjoy the breathtaking experience.
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Experience
Soko-ji Temple and Chokai-no-Mori Forest
Unlike the Sakata area on the coast, the Matsuyama area has a much calmer atmosphere. Home to a castle town for the Matsuyama Domain, it developed its own history and culture over time. This area is surrounded by beautiful nature and offers a host of interesting attractions for visitors, for example, Soko-ji Temple where you can experience Buddha image drawing and zazen training and the Chokai-no-Mori Forest which overlooks the panorama of the Shonai Plain and the Japan Sea.
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Accommodation
Takayu Onsen
Takayu Onsen hot spring resort sits halfway up a slope on the Azuma Mountains. A scenic road called the Bandai-Azuma Skyline winds through these mountains, showcasing some amazing scenic features, such as Mount Azuma Kofuji and the Jododaira Plateau. This hot spring resort has followed a strict policy of maintaining an area free of any entertainment districts throughout its lengthy history of 400 years and attracts a great number of visitors seeking highly therapeutic 100% pure natural sulfuric…
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Culture
Shimofuro Onsen
Shimofuro Onsen is a hot spring resort area facing the Tsugaru Straits with the sea in the forefront and the mountains as a backdrop. This area, infused with a slightly sulfurous scent, attracts a number of visitors due to its abundant supply of natural water and delicious fresh seafood. It is truly a great experience to take a hot bath in winter while observing the rough waves of the straits and the fires lit on the fishing boats. Enamored of this magic, the famous author Yasushi Inoue was ins…
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Experience
Hotto-Yuda
The Yuda Onsen resort area in Nishiwaga Town is blessed with beautiful, clear waters and rich forests. A number of hot springs are scattered throughout the area, and picturesque Lake Kinshu is another outstanding feature especially when surrounded by colorful leaves in autumn. Hotto-Yuda Station on the JR Kitakami Line is the gateway to the resort and an iconic representation of the area, as it has an authentic hot spring bath in the station building.
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Accommodation
Akiu Onsen
Akiu Onsen is a well-known historic hot spring resort in a beautiful natural setting only 30 minutes from Sendai City. Located in a valley by the Natori River, this resort is recognized as one of the top three hot springs in Japan. It is believed that an Emperor was once cured from a disease with water from this hot spring, and the resort was visited by feudal lords from the Date family, including Masamune.
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Activity
Nyudozaki
The grass-covered Cape Nyudozaki is located at the northernmost tip of the Oga Peninsula and is surrounded by the Japan Sea. It is well known as a spot for viewing a dynamic panorama of ocean and sky. It is also home to the Nyudosaki Lighthouse, listed as one of the best 50 lighthouses in Japan, and the 40-degree north latitude monument created from rock local to the peninsula.
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Food
Sakata sake (Sakata Yume-no-Kura)
Sakata City, located by the Japan Sea and at the foot of Mount Chokai, boasts a nature-rich environment. Well known for fine-quality sake produced from rice cultivated in the vast Shonai Plain and water drawn from the water system fed from Mount Chokai, its sake culture has become fairly established mainly due to the passion and tenacious efforts of local breweries. Luckily, you can sample sake from different breweries for 110 yen per cup at Sakata Yumenokura at the Sankyo Soko Rice Storehouses.
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Accommodation
Higashiyama Onsen
Higashiyama Onsen hot spring was discovered by Gyoki, a monk who was highly respected by many people around 1300 years ago. It has remained very popular for the quality of its waters, which are believed to be effective for maintaining beautiful skin, and also for the stunning natural features that surround it: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in early summer, colorful leaves in autumn and bountiful snowfall in winter. Other attractions are the entertainment offered by Higashiyama Geigi,…
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Activity
Goishi Coast (Sanriku Fukko National Park)
The Sanriku Coast, facing the Pacific Ocean, in the Tohoku region was dealt a devastating blow by the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. The Sanriku Fukko National Park was established here after the disaster as an important element of recovery for the local community and as a way of remembering the catastrophe. The southern part of this coastline, called the Goishi Coast, features eight scenic spots, all of which exhibit unique characteristics.
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Culture
Hiyoriyama Park
Kitamae-bune cargo ships were once very active along routes on the Japan Sea from the 18th and 19th centuries and brought a great deal of prosperity to the Sakata area. A half-size replica of this ship, which is the largest in Japan, is on display in Hiyoriyama Park, as well as Japan's oldest wooden hexagon lighthouse and a zodiac direction stone, all providing an atmosphere typical of a port town. The sunset over the Japan Sea and cherry blossoms in spring are other must-see attractions in thi…
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Activity
Rengenuma Pond and Nakasenuma Pond Trail (Bandai-Asahi National Park)
The Bandai-Asahi National Park encompasses a number of mountains stretching over Yamagata, Fukushima and Niigata prefectures, with rich forests, dynamic volcanic areas and beautiful lakes and marshes. These mountains are not only visited by people for leisure purposes but also as sites for mountain worship. One of the outstanding features of the park is the Rengenuma Pond and Nakasenuma Pond Trail, which, being relatively flat, is easy to walk while offering magnificent views created by volcani…
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Culture
Hachinohe Sansha Festival
The Hachinohe Sansha Festival, or the Three Shrines Festival, is a grand event with around 300 years of tradition that captivates the town of Hachinohe every year from July 31 to August 4. In addition to an ancient portable shrine parade and folk art performances, the highlight of the festival is the 27 lavishly decorated floats called dashi, designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property as well as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
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Culture
Kitakami Michinoku Performing Arts Festival
Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture is a treasure trove of folk entertainment, where the passing on of traditions is very much alive. The Kitakami Michinoku Performing Arts Festival, held in the city of Kitakami, brings together such folk entertainments from both around and outside of the prefecture to perform all around town. Especially popular are the group dances of the Onikenbai (Devil's Sword Dance) and the Shishiodori (Deer Dance), as well as impressive scenes created by a portable shrine par…
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Culture
Sendai Tanabata Festival
Every year from August 6 to 8, the famous Sendai Tanabata Festival is held over three days in the city of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. Recognized as one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region, the historical festival has been continued from the era of Masamune Date (1567-1636), the founder of the Sendai domain. A crowd of visitors from both around and outside of Japan fill the streets of Sendai during this period to enjoy the gorgeous Tanabata paper ornaments adorning the city.
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Culture
Akita Kanto Festival
A summer tradition to pray for a bountiful harvest, the Kanto Festival has been held since about 270 years ago and is one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region. Performers called Sashite parade the streets while forcefully holding up Kanto poles, which are long bamboo poles with 46 hanging lanterns and weighing 50 kilograms altogether. Around 260 Kanto poles are held up by the Sashites by their palms, foreheads, shoulders and lower backs with amazing skills. The stunning festival is…
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Accommodation
Yunohama Onsen
Located in the Shonai region west of Tsuruoka City in Yamagata Prefecture, Yunohama Onsen is a hot spring town with hotels and inns lining the coast and a breathtaking panoramic sunset over the Sea of Japan. The coast of Yunohama is one of the largest shallow swimming beaches in the Tohoku region. In the summer, family visitors can enjoy various activities such as sea kayaking. The town is conveniently located at only about 10 minutes by car from Shonai Airport.
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Culture
Nihonmatsu Lantern Festival
On the first Saturday, Sunday and Monday of October every year, Nihonmatsu Shrine’s annual festival is held, which has a tradition of more than 350 years. The main attraction is the 3,000 brightly glowing red paper lanterns. On the eve of the festival, seven large floats called Taikodai are gathered from neighboring towns, and a ceremony is held to light the sacred flame of Nihonmatsu Shrine to the red paper lanterns. The 11-meter tall Taikodai are each decorated with 300 lanterns, and they par…
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Culture
Kuroishi Yosare Dance and Nakamachi Komise Street
Passed down in Kuroishi, Aomori Prefecture, since olden times, Kuroishi Yosare is said to have originated from a love song sung between men and women 500 to 600 years ago. It is one of the three Nagashi-style dance parades in Japan along with the Awa Dance of Tokushima City and Gujo Dance of Gujo City. The Kuroishi Yosare travels down the picturesque Nakamachi Komise Street, an area with 300 years of history, as 2,000 dancers all wearing braided straw hats and matching yukatas parade through th…
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Experience
Ryusendo Cave
Ryusendo Cave in Iwaizumi, Iwate Prefecture, is one of Japan's three greatest limestone caves and designated as a national natural monument. The underground lake created by pristine water welling out of the cave is one of the most transparent in the world, called "dragon blue." The spot has also been drawing attention in recent years as a "lover's sanctuary," a romantic setting often visited by couples.
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Culture
Tashiro-jima Island
Tashiro-jima is a small island located 17 kilometers southeast of Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture. On this small island, more than 100 cats live harmoniously with the local residents. The island is very popular among cat lovers as "Cat Island," referring to the fact that there are more cats than humans living on this island. In Tashiro-jima, cats have long been cherished by fishermen as a lucky animal for a good catch. There is also a Cat Shrine that enshrines a cat, which is affectionatel…
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Activity
Kawarage Jigoku and Kawarage Oyutaki Falls
The Kawarage Jigoku (meaning "hell" in Japanese) in Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, is a desolate landscape with gushes of volcanic gas and devoid of vegetation. It is one of Japan's top three spiritual grounds along with Mount Osore in Aomori Prefecture and Mount Tate in Toyama Prefecture. Located on the west side of Kawarage Jigoku is a rare natural hot spring waterfall, a bucolic hot spring only accessible during the summer.
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Accommodation
SHONAI HOTEL SUIDEN TERRASSE
The Shonai region in Yamagata Prefecture is one of leading rice producing areas in Japan and is known for its beautiful landscape of rice paddy fields. SHONAI HOTEL SUIDEN TERRASSE, opened in 2018, was built as if floating on the paddy field. Conveniently located close to Shonai Airport and JR Tsuruoka Station, the hotel building is designed by world-renowned architect Shigeru Ban to blend in with the rural scenery of Shonai and garnering attention for its wonderful view of the seasonal scenery…
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Culture
Iizaka Kenka Matsuri Fighting Festival
At Iizaka Hachiman Shrine in Iizaka Onsen, one of the most historic hot springs in the Tohoku region, an annual festival is held every year in early October. The climax of the festival, called Miyairi, sees floats crash into each other violently. Because of its intensity, it is called Iizaka Kenka Matsuri (fighting festival) and is recognized as one of Japan's top three fighting festivals.
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Food
Hirata Farm Shonai Airport Restaurant
Hirata Farm's Sangenton and Kinkaton are pork brands from the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture. Pigs are grown feeding on Japanese rice and often referred to as "mythical pork" for their rarity in the market. Sangenton and Kinkaton are among the highest-quality pork brands in the world, in which pigs are grown healthily in an open pigpen and the pork characterized by its delicate texture and refined sweet flavor. Hirata Farm's directly managed restaurant can be found in Shonai Airport, offe…
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Culture
Sannai-Maruyama Site
Sannai-Maruyama Site is a large settlement site from the early to middle Jomon Period (approximately 3,900 to 2,200 B.C.). The excavation work revealed many remains including pit-dwellings, earthenware and stone artifacts, indicating that people had lived there for more than 1,500 years. The site covers an area of 42 hectares, where the symbolic pillar-supported buildings and the remains of large pit-dwellings are reconstructed, which enable us to trace back through the lifeways of the Jomon pe…
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Culture
Miyazawa Kenji Dowa Mura (Village of Fairy Tales)
Miyazawa Kenji Dowa Mura (Village of Fairy Tales) is a facility that lets you fully enjoy the world of fairy tales written by Kenji Miyazawa, a poet known globally for "Ginga Tetsudo no Yoru (Night on the Galactic Railroad)." It is designated as one of the 88 anime pilgrimage sites selected by the Anime Tourism Association.
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Culture
Kanahebisui Shrine
Located in Iwanuma City in Miyagi Prefecture, Kanahebisui Shrine boasts a long history spanning 1000 years. The name Kanahebisui is spelled as "gold, serpent, and water" in Japanese, hence visitors come to worship the golden serpent enshrined here in prayer for good financial fortune and business prosperity. The shrine also has a good reputation for a variety of flowers such as cherry trees, wisteria, peony and azalea that offer beautiful sceneries from spring through early summer. The breathta…
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Activity
Omagari Hanabi-National fireworks competition
The national fireworks competition, representing Japanese tradition and high skills, is the most prestigious competition in Japan were selected top pyrotechnicians from all over the country compete for their skills. Located on the riverside and with a mountain in the background, it has the best environment for fireworks viewing, enabling you to experience the impressive sound and light.
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Culture
Komine Castle
Komine Castle, completed in 1632 after a four-year restoration, was built by Nagashige Niwa who served as the lord of the Nihonmatsu Domain and is known for constructing a number of castles. On a long and narrow hill stands Komine Castle surrounded by beautiful stone walls. Before it was destroyed during a battle in 1868, the castle had passed through the hands of seven clans with a total of 21 lords including Sadanobu Matsudaira, a famous chief senior councilor of the Tokugawa shogunate. Komin…
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Culture
Zenringai (Zen Temple Area)
Situated in western Aomori, Hirosaki City allows visitors to feel a long history while strolling through Hirosaki Castle, which is known as a popular cherry blossom viewing site, as well as the traditional streets of this castle town. South of the castle is the Zenringai (Zen Temple Area), which is a unique district packed with temples. In 1610, Nobuhira Tsugaru, the second lord of the Hirosaki domain, moved 33 Soto Zen temples from the entire Tsugaru region as a fortress on the southwest of th…
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Culture
Esashi-Fujiwara Heritage Park
Oshu-Esashi, where the park is located, is the birthplace of Kiyohira Fujiwara, the first lord of the Oshu-Fujiwara clan, and his father Tsunekiyo. Kiyohira is also known as the person who built Chuson-ji Temple's Konjikido in Hiraizumi, a golden hall registered as a World Cultural Heritage site. On the 20-hectare area of the historical park stand a number of buildings such as residences of Heian nobility which have been faithfully recreated based on the townscape of the Heian Period (794-1185)…
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Culture
Kinkasan Island and Kinkasan Koganeyama Shrine
Kinkasan is a small spiritual island off the coast of Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture and is only about 26 kilometers in circumference. Considered one of the three holiest places in the Tohoku region along with Osorezan in Aomori Prefecture and Dewa Sanzan in Yamagata Prefecture, this sacred island is particularly known for the legendary Koganeyama Shrine that is said to bring you good fortune. Upon arriving at the island, a number of deer roaming around will welcome you. They are protecte…
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Activity
Junsai picking experience in Mitane town
Junsai is a water plant that grows in ponds and swamps with clear water. It looks like a lotus plant and has edible buds covered with a gelatinous coating. Known as the emeralds of the water, these buds have a smooth texture and a pleasant feeling in the throat. These refreshing, green buds are the perfect food to celebrate the arrival of summer. You can enjoy handpicking the buds one by one as you pull your way through a 50- to 60-centimeter-deep pond in an exclusive small box-shaped boat. Aft…
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Experience
Aizu Clan School Nisshinkan
Nisshinkan was a school for children of the Aizu clan (now Fukushima Prefecture) built-in 1803 at end of the samurai period with the aim of fostering young talent. Children entered at the age of 10 and worked on academic studies as well as physical exercises including martial arts to instill both physical and mental discipline. The school produced many talented graduates. Within the area of 26,000 square meters were the martial arts hall, astronomical observatory and the swimming pond known for…
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Food
Hirosaki Apple Park
Hirosaki City is Japan's top apple producer, and its apples are widely known around the world for their perfect balance of sweetness and acidity with a firm texture and sublime succulence. This large park, beautifully situated with Mount Iwaki as a backdrop, was established in 2002 to spread the reputation of these delicious apples. With approximately 2,300 apple trees of 80 varieties, it offers a variety of fun attractions, such as apple picking in autumn and other seasonal events featuring th…
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Culture
Oni Museum of Kitakami
One of Iwate Prefecture's folk performing arts, Onikenbai (demon sword dance), is said to have originated in Kitakami City. The Oni Museum of Kitakami is a rare museum that casts a spotlight on demon. From fearsome to comedic, you can learn a lot about these demons.
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Food
Yamamoto Yume Ichigo-no-Sato
Located along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in the southern part of Miyagi Prefecture, Yamamoto Town is one of the top strawberry producers in the Tohoku region. A wide variety of fresh local agricultural and fishery products are available in this market, including strawberries, apples, and surf clams, as well as processed items certified as Yamamoto Brand products.
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Activity
Towada Hotel and Lake Towada
This prestigious hotel is a National Tangible Cultural Property situated by beautiful Lake Towada and is located on the border of Akita and Aomori prefectures. It is a caldera lake formed during a volcanic eruption that occurred 200,000 years ago. Lake Towada, the third deepest lake in Japan with a depth of 327 meters, offers spectacular mirrored views of the surrounding landscape: lush greens in summer, colorful trees on lakeside mountains in autumn, and the serenity of snow-covered trees in w…
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Experience
Marue Fruit Farm
Located on the Fruits Line road, along with a number of other orchards, Marue Fruit Farm offers a picking experience of different kinds of fruits: cherries, peaches, pears, grapes, and apples. The fresh, fully ripe apples here are very juicy with a refreshing aroma and sweet flavor, a totally different eating experience from in-store apples that are picked before they reach maturity.
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Accommodation
Hotel Apple Land in the Minamina Hot Spring Resort
Aomori is well known not only for its apples but also for its hot springs. The Hotel Apple Land in the Minamina hot spring resort has apple farms on-site, as well as a large communal bath with apples floating in the bathtub. Properties contained in apples are said to help moisturize the skin and alleviate fatigue and stress. The hotel also offers a variety of meals featuring seasonal local ingredients.
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Food
Suzumi-no-Oka Winery
Suzumi-no-oka Winery, located in Noda Village along the Sanriku Coast, produces wine from wild grapes, which is a specialty of Iwate Prefecture. In addition to sales of its products, it offers a winery tour and a wine tasting experience for a limited period. Its location overlooking the ocean is a wonderful accompaniment to a glass of delicious wine.
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Activity
Miyagi Olle Kesennuma/Karakuwa Course
"Olle" is a trekking course originally started in Jeju Island in Korea. It means a narrow alleyway between the street and someone's doorstep in the dialect of the island. The Kesennuma/Karakuwa course is designed to explore a small peninsula located at the northeastern corner of Miyagi Prefecture, featuring a variety of amazing views, such as the Sanriku Geopark that includes a long stretch of ria coastline with seasonal plants and flowers.
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Activity
Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Conservation Center (Fujisato) and Shirakami Mountain Range
This virgin beech forest, the largest of its kind in Japan, is part of the Shirakami mountain range, which is a massive 130,000-hectare area extended over Aomori and Akita prefectures and was listed as UNESCO's World Heritage site in 1993. The forest has always maintained its natural eco-system without being exploited, as home to a diversity of wild fauna and flora, such as beech trees, golden eagles and black woodpeckers.
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Experience
Marusei Fruit Farm
Fukushima produces a wide variety of fruits, and there is even a road called Fruits Line, along which a number of fruit farms are in operation. The Marusei Fruit Farm on the Peach Line road offers not only a fruit picking experience but also a cafe called Mori-no-Garden, serving sweets featuring seasonal fruits. The farm is also a great place to stroll, with lovely walks beside a stream and a heart-shaped pond alive with colorful carp and ducks. It is certified by both the GGAP and ASIAGAP, the…
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Activity
Cherry Blossom Tree-lined Street and Rape Flower Road
This is an 11-kilometer stretch of breathtakingly beautiful cherry trees and rape fields that never fails to impress visitors between late April and early May. Located along Prefectural Road 298 that runs through Ogata Village, it was created from reclaimed land that formed the bed of Lake Hachirogata. Approximately 3,700 cherry trees of several varieties come into bloom to amaze the viewer with the contrast of pretty pink petals and vivid yellow rape flowers.
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Activity
Hirosaki Castle
Hirosaki Park in Hirosaki City is well known as one of the best sakura (cherry blossoms) viewing spots in Japan, mainly because of the combination of cherry blossoms and the majestic Hirosaki Castle. In this park, there are around 2,600 cherry trees of 52 varieties, which create a magnificent landscape of the area.
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Experience
Kitakami Tenshochi
Kitakami Tenshochi has been selected as one of the top 100 sakura viewing sites in Japan and the three greatest sakura viewing sites in the Tohoku region. The tunnel comprising century-year-old cherry trees stretching 2 kilometers along the Kitakami River is quite a site, and it is the main attraction of the Sakura Festival in spring. This area is beautiful throughout the year, not only with cherry blossoms in spring but also for its colorful foliage in autumn and swans in winter.
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Activity
Hitome Senbon Zakura along the Shiroishi Riverbank
The row of cherry blossoms that stretches 8 kilometers along the Shiroishi riverside from Ogawara-machi to Shibata-machi in southern Miyagi Prefecture is known as the “Hitome Senbon Zakura,” a representative cherry blossoms viewing spot in the Tohoku region that lets you literally see 1,000 cherry blossoms at a single glance. Against the backdrop of the snow-capped Zao Mountain Range in the distance, it offers a spectacular view when approximately 1,200 Somei Yoshino cherry trees come into full…
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Activity
Mototaki Underflow and Mount Chokai
Located in southern Akita Prefecture right along the Sea of Japan coast, Mount Chokai is a beautiful mountain that has long been worshipped. Melting snow from Mount Chokai, which was absorbed into the ground over a long period of time, emerges from deep beneath the ground creating the mystical Mototaki Underflow. The underground water that gushes out among the rock surface flows into a waterfall of 30 meters wide and from a height of 5 meters, growing a scenic coat of green moss. The water flyi…
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Culture
Mount Yudono
Standing 1,504 meters above sea level, Mount Yudono is a famous sacred mountain and training ground for Shugendo, an ascetic mountain religion in which practitioners engage in strict training in seclusion deep in the mountains. Together with Mount Gassan and Mount Haguro, they are called the Three Mountains of Dewa, and practitioners who train in these mountains are said to be able to attain the state of enlightenment of Buddha. At the gorge on the hillside in the northern part of Mount Yudono …
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Culture
Tsuruga Castle's Cherry Trees
Tsuruga Castle is a symbolic icon of the Aizu-Wakamatsu region. This is Japan's only castle building with reddish roof tiles, which were newly fitted in 2011. It looks particularly amazing when the 1,000 cherry trees are in full bloom.
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Activity
Kasamai Ohata Sakura Road
Kasamai Ohata Sakura Road in Ohata Town is a national route lined with around 1,400 cherry trees, stretching over approximately 8 kilometers. It is one of the longest roads lined with the Somei Yoshino variety, the most popular flowering cherry trees in Japan.
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Activity
Ayaori's Cherry Trees
A 1.2-kilometer stretch of cherry trees along the Sarugaishi River in the suburb of Tono City is known as "Ayaori's Cherry Trees" with its amazing spring scenery. The view of this river and Mount Rokkoushi through the cherry trees gives a sense of nostalgia that is typical to Tono City, which is famous as the home of folk stories.
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Activity
Azaleas of Mount Tokusenjo
Mount Tokusenjo in Kesennuma City in Miyagi is known as one of Japan’s leading growing areas of azalea bushes that offers breathtaking views. During the peak season from mid-May to early June, 400,000 to 500,000 wild mountain azaleas and Japanese azaleas in full bloom paint the whole mountain in vivid red and orange colors. Everyone including beginners can hike up to the summit along the mountain trail lined with azalea flowers while enjoying the splendid views of the mountains and ocean of Min…
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Activity
Hydrangeas of Unsho-ji Temple in Oga
Grown painstakingly by the temple's head priest over 15 years, the hydrangeas paint the entire temple with blue blossoms during the peak season, which is generally in late June. You can enjoy the beautiful hydrangeas at their best against a backdrop of the blue ocean from mid-June to early July.
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Activity
Dohara Falls and Mount Chokai
Straddling both Yamagata and Akita prefectures, Mount Chokai is a uniquely beautiful mountain that rises from zero elevation at the Sea of Japan straight to the mountain top. At a height of 2,236 meters, it is the highest independent summit in the Tohoku region. The famous waters of Dohara Falls is the subsoil waters that spring from the rock face on the mountainside of Mount Chokai.
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Culture
Kannonji River's Cherry Trees
In spring, a cherry blossom tunnel appears over the Kannonji River for a distance of 1 kilometer near Lake Inawashiro. There are about 200 trees of the Somei Yoshino and weeping varieties.
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Activity
Sannohe Castle Ruins
Sannohe Castle was home to the Nambu Family who once ruled this area during the Warring States Period (late 15th century to late 16th century). Shiroyama Park adjacent to the castle ruins is the most popular spot in the south of Aomori to view around 1,600 cherry blossom trees. This place also attracts history fans for its remains, such as stone walls and moats.
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Culture
Goshono Ruins
The Goshono Ruins is a large historic site of a former village that existed 4,000 to 4,500 years ago in the latter part of the Jomon Period. On the site, Goshono Jomon Park features replicas of pit-dwellings with turf roofs and stone circles. There is also a museum adjacent to the site, offering learning opportunities about the culture of the site, the area and the period through displays of excavated artifacts.
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Activity
Cherry Blossoms of Saigyo Modoshi-no-Matsu Park
In the mid-12th century, as the poet Saigyo Hoshi was traveling around various parts of Japan, it is said that he met a child underneath a pine tree on a hill. They exchanged a Zen riddle, and when Saigyo could not answer, he gave up his journey to Matsushima and turned back, giving the pine tree the name Saigyo Modoshi No Matsu, or "the pine tree that sent Saigyo home." Today, the park is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot with around 260 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees blooming all together. Fro…
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Activity
Hachimantai Dragon Eye (Kagami Pond)
Every year between late May to mid-June, Kagami Pond located on Mount Hachimantai in Senboku City, Miyagi Prefecture, creates a rare natural phenomenon that takes on the appearance of a dragon eye. As a great amount of snow melting in spring pours into the pond, its center rises by buoyancy, which then starts to thaw in such a way as to resemble an eye of a dragon. You may be lucky enough to witness this mysterious vista only seen during this time.
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Activity
Kamo Aquarium
Located in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, Kamo Aquarium is the world's leading aquarium featuring jellyfish, with an amazing collection of over 50 species. Enjoy the soothing atmosphere as colorful jellyfish freely float in the water. In addition to the jellyfish display, the aquarium offers various attractions for the entire family, such as the seal show popular among children and the feeding of black-tailed gulls.
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Culture
Hanamiyama Park
This park is a popular spot, known as a hidden paradise of Fukushima, for its overwhelming scenery filled with color. In spring, thousands of flowers in different varieties bloom, including not only cherry blossoms, but also plums, forsythia trees, and camellias.
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Activity
Sakura Yabusame - The Koma Kaido Government Office Street
The Koma Kaido Government Office Street in Towada City has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Streets and New Japan's Top 100 Landscapes. In late April, the city hosts Sakura Yabusame, a traditional horseback archery event featuring only female contestants, when the cherry blossoms along this street are at their best. It is amazing to see the horses running so fast under the trees in full bloom over a distance of around 200 meters.
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Culture
Hashino Iron Mining and Smelting Site
With the help of technical guidance by Takato Oshima, known as the father of the modern iron and steel industry, Japan's oldest Western-style blast furnaces were built on the Hashino Iron Mining and Smelting Site in 1858. In 2015, it was listed as a World Heritage site as part of the "Sites of Japan's Meiji Industrial Revolution" and is one of the greatest historical remains that represent the modernization of the iron and steel industry in Japan.
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Culture
Shiogamazakura (Shiogama Shrine)
Shiogama Shrine situated in Shiogama City is a traditional shrine believed to be over 1,200 years old. In addition to Shiogamazakura cherry trees that are a designated National Natural Monument, about 300 cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino and Shidarezakura with pink double flowers, are planted around the shrine grounds. Shiogamazakura is a gorgeous variety that has around 35 to 50 light pink petals in one flower. Because it is a late-blooming type of cherry tree, you can enjoy it in full bl…
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Culture
Catholic Convent Seitai Hoshikai
The small Institute of Catholic religious nuns leading devoted lives of prayer can be found on a hilltop in a semi-rural area on the outskirts of Akita City. The chapel is dedicated to the statue of the Virgin Mary that is said to have shed tears for a total of 101 times from 1975 to 1981. It is one of the few approved Marian apparitions in the world. Its Garden of Mary for praying is open to everyone.
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Shopping
Roadside Station Chokai Furatto
Yuza is a coastal town in northern Yamagata Prefecture. At the Roadside Station Chokai Furatto located along National Route 7, enjoy the town's abundant nature and specialties all in one place, such as the restaurant serving local seafood and mountain produce; direct sales of farm products and fresh fish; and shops offering regional specialties.
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Culture
Nitchu Line's Weeping Cherry Trees
The main tourist attractions of Kitakata City are old warehouses and ramen noodles. But there is another amazing feature in spring, which is the 1,000 weeping cherry trees in full bloom over a 3-kilometer stretch of a walking path that used to be a train track of the Nitchu Line that shut down in 1984.
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Activity
Ashino Park
Ashino Park, located in Kanagi Town, Goshogawara City, is popular for its 1,500 cherry trees and old pine trees and is also known as a place where a famous novelist from this area, Osamu Dazai, used to play. An interesting feature of this large park is a retro train of the Tsugaru Railway that runs under the beautiful cherry blossoms in spring on the rail track laid across the park.
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Experience
Tekiseisha Studio: Joboji Lacquerware
Tekiseisha is a lacquerware manufacturer, located in the town of Joboji within Ninohe City, where 70% of the lacquer in Japan is produced. This locally produced Joboji lacquer is durable and lasts a long time. Due to its high quality, it has been used in the repair work of many National Treasures and Important Cultural Assets, including Konjiki-do Hall of Chuson-ji Temple, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and Kinkaku-ji Temple.
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Experience
Naruko Kokeshi
Kokeshi are wheel-carved wooden dolls. Characterized by a big head and a stable silhouette with a chrysanthemum pattern, Naruko kokeshi dolls boast a long history of 200 years and are designated as a national traditional craft product. The famous squeaking sound their heads make when turned is created with a unique method of inserting the head into the torso. The kokeshi street in Naruko Onsen is lined with many shops where you can enjoy a kokeshi painting experience.
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Culture
Chido Museum
Located in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, the Chido Museum is a large-scale facility with seven permanent exhibits including various historical buildings and gardens. It was formerly a public residence of the Sakai family, head of the Shonai domain, and is now open to the public as a museum. Valuable historical buildings, such as the former Nishitagawa-gun government office and the former Tsuruoka police station, were relocated to this museum. Visitors can get a glimpse of the rich culture and …
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Culture
Miharu Takizakura
This enormous cherry tree, called Takizakura ("waterfall cherry tree"), is acknowledged as one of the three largest trees in Japan and was designated as a Natural Monument for the first time among cherry trees. During the flowering period in April, it blooms into beautiful cascades of millions of delicate pink petals, just like water flowing down a waterfall.
