Things to do in Tohoku, Japan: The Best Sights & Landmarks

January 25, 2022 Malia Yoakum

The Tōhoku region (東北地方, Tōhoku-chihō), Northeast region, or Northeast Japan consists of the northeastern portion of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. This traditional region consists of six prefectures (ken): Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata.
Restaurants in Tohoku

1. Chuson-ji Temple

202 Koromonoseki, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun 029-4102 Iwate Prefecture +81 191-46-2211 http://www.chusonji.or.jp/index.html
Excellent
48%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 777 reviews

Chuson-ji Temple

Reviewed By W9171FFmichellec - San Diego, United States

It's good to get here early as walking around the temple buildings can be done anytime and its cool to see the small army of red smock wearing cleaning ladies do their thing. Lots of mature shade trees. Historical atmosphere. At 9am, the omikuji/temple offices/souvenir shops start opening. Multiple opportunities to get Goshuin (temple stamps) so bring your Goshuin-Cho (accordian style book) or buy one there. Museum and Golden Temple(its inside a building) combined ticket is 800 yen. Tourists start showing up in droves at 10am, on Saturday. Parking lots for this attraction start at 1000 yen, but can be found for 500yen. Not many obvious places to eat in this Hiraizumi area, (we missed our turn and drove and drove, looking for food, but settled for Expressway Rest Stop) but there is a cafe within the temple complex in the thatch roof building and near the museum.

2. Somaro

1-2-20 Hiyoshicho, Sakata 998-0037 Yamagata Prefecture +81 234-21-2310 http://www.somaro.net/
Excellent
48%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 69 reviews

Somaro

Dating back over 200 years to the Edo Period, Somaro is a maiko teahouse and museum in the northern port city of Sakata. It is one of the very few places outside of Kyoto where geisha culture can be enjoyed. Originally called Soma-ya, Somaro's geisha culture was brought up to Northern Japan through the thriving trade ties that once existed between Kyoto and Sakata. During that time, Somaro served as an entertainment destination and exquisite restaurant for the many merchants and shipping agents who shuffled through this city. Beautifully restored in 2000, Somaro is a museum and maiko dance house that preserves and showcases the splendor of Sakata's geisha culture.

3. Mt. Haguro

Haguromachi Toge, Tsuruoka 997-0211 Yamagata Prefecture http://www.dewasanzan.jp/publics/index/71/
Excellent
66%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 305 reviews

Mt. Haguro

4. Nishiazuma Sky Valley

Yonezawa 992-0000 Yamagata Prefecture http://www.urabandai-inf.com/?page_id=25027
Excellent
46%
Good
46%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26 reviews

Nishiazuma Sky Valley

5. Risshaku-ji Temple

4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata 999-3301 Yamagata Prefecture +81 23-695-2843 http://www.rissyakuji.jp/
Excellent
52%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 891 reviews

Risshaku-ji Temple

Reviewed By JohnD209 - Leavenworth, United States

Yamadera means "mountain temples" and the mountainside has many small and a few large temples built in nooks and crannies along the way up to the mountain top. The hike up to the top and the area of Risshaku-ji is along a stone path with over 1000 steps. It takes about one hour to climb and 25 minutes to descend. The lower steps wind back and forth climbing through a Japanese cypress forest festooned with stone lanterns. About half-way up there is a traditional temple gate with two guardian statues. After you pass through this gate there are more buildings and more maple trees - making the climb sparkling when the maples are changing colours. Most professional pictures of the temple complex are taken in the fall when the reds and yellows are out or in the spring when the maples send forth their green leaves. As the complex opens up you will see several separate buildings. Head to the left to go to the Risshaku-ji Temple and the views of the train station and town through which you passed on the way to the base of the mountain. A must-see experience. After seeing the Risshaku-ji Temple, continue up a few more minutes to the main Senju-in Temple, which is a completely different looking temple that is used more for worship than for the views. It has some magnificant statuary in the foreyard.

6. Hachimantai Asupite line

Hachimantai 028-7100 Iwate Prefecture http://trip8.jp/seeanddo/hachimantai-snow-wall
Excellent
51%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 51 reviews

Hachimantai Asupite line

Reviewed By 393denchai - Bangkok, Thailand

This is my favorite , about 47km long with snow corridor and on top of this mountain have walk way as I missed some places to visit, will come again.

7. Samurai District

Kakunodatemachi, Semboku 014-0325 Akita Prefecture +81 187-54-1114 http://www.city.semboku.akita.jp/sightseeing/spot/07_buke.html
Excellent
35%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 543 reviews

Samurai District

This historic neighborhood consists of wide, tree-lined streets with mansions built during the Edo Period, only six of which remain and are open to the public. The area is particularly beautiful in late April, when the cherry trees are in full bloom.

Reviewed By WarnerL_12 - Pasadena, United States

There are a minimum six houses to visit (of which two are admission), others to be viewed from the exterior free since they are city maintained

8. Sannai-Maruyama Site

305 Sannai Maruyama, Aomori 038-0031 Aomori Prefecture +81 17-766-8282 http://sannaimaruyama.pref.aomori.jp/
Excellent
39%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 549 reviews

Sannai-Maruyama Site

This historic site was accidentally discovered during construction of a baseball stadium. Excavations have revealed artifacts and structures dating back 5500 years to the Jomon period.

Reviewed By WarnerL_12 - Pasadena, United States

Teepees and everything else you can live in in ancient times is covered in a fantastic walk about... people there are so friendly and helpful.

9. Iwate Park (Koen)

1-37 Uchimaru, Morioka 020-0023 Iwate Prefecture http://www.city.morioka.iwate.jp/shisei/midori/koen/1010491.html
Excellent
19%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 253 reviews

Iwate Park (Koen)

Reviewed By WarnerL_12 - Pasadena, United States

This park is medium in size but a very nice place for relaxation though not the standard Japanese Garden type park.

10. Hirosaki Castle

1 Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki 036-8551 Aomori Prefecture +81 172-33-8739 http://www.hirosakipark.jp/
Excellent
36%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 795 reviews

Hirosaki Castle

Reviewed By WarnerL_12 - Pasadena, United States

Though small it has access to the interior and photos can be taken from the upper floor. It's beautifully located within the park grounds.

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