The Tohoku area in north-eastern Honshu, Japan, is home to various landscapes, including beautiful seascapes, towering mountains, rapid rivers and expansive farms. The region's warmth and rich culture are more captivating than natural beauty. Read on this piece to discover more!
Tohoku, one of the least populated regions in Japan, is renowned for its mountainous landscape. Here you'll never be far from its thick woods and volcanic summits. With the help of aTohoku travel guide, you can visit the most beautiful natural attractions of Tohoku. Walking through rivers and streams that are very clear, along the shore, to interesting towns like Hirono Town, which sells seasonal fish like sea urchin and abalone, and above Matsushima Bay, where more than 260 islands spread underneath can be an interesting way to explore Tohoku’s nature.
TheJapan Rail Pass allows tourists to explore the main tourist attractions in a time-saving and efficient manner. In the warmer months, you can also visit the Towada-ko (Lake Towada) area, a part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park where you can enjoy wonderful views and have the chance to enjoy the cool, crystal blue waters. However, Matsushima, a breath-taking assemblage of hundreds of wind- and sea-tossed islands, is the region's most well-known draw.
Tohoku has a rich cultural heritage. These are some of Japan’s most authentic cultural experiences. In the serene Dewa highlands, discover the ways of the Yamabushi, Japan’s renowned mountain priests, or go in a kimono and visit the old villages with thatched roofs. History enthusiasts should visit the Chuson-ji Temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has wonderful 12th century buildings and more than 3000 objects designated National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.
Tohoku is a naturally abundant region, so there are fantastic ingredients to choose from, which has resulted in the emergence of a vibrant and diverse culinary culture in the area. Gyutan, the beef tongue in Japanese, is something that is most associated with Sendai. Sendai beef tongue is characterized by smoky flavor, delicious flavor and spongy but tender texture. It should be thickly chopped and cooked on an open fire. This dish is typically accompanied by oxtail soup, Japanese pickles, and rice with barley. Whenever a food enthusiast heads to Japan, Morioka and its three unique noodle dishes are the first dishes that pop into his or her mind. Jajamen, reimen, and wanko soba are a trio of noodles.
Wanko soba is another unique meal in Tohoka because it's served gamified, with each person receiving a single serving in a tiny bowl piled high enough to count. The diet is based on the Korean dish Nangmyeon and is eaten cold consisting of transparent, chewy noodles with kimchi and fruit on top! Finally, jajamen is a beef miso-based noodle dish. After the noodles are consumed, a raw egg is usually thrown into the remaining broth to boil and mixed with rice, giving guests a whole new dish that can be enjoyed as a finishing touch to their meal!
Tohoku is attractive to skiers because of its enormous mountains and consistent annual snowfall. Zao Onsen is the largest and most popular ski resort in the region with some of the most breathtaking slopes. However, it requires a little more effort to arrive here, but you will never forget the night you relaxed under the stars or returned to your old room feeling rejuvenated and ready to enjoy a delicious kaiseki dinner of local food.
However, it is not necessary to be an avid skier to enjoy activities in Tohoku. Enjoy breath-taking views of the dreamlike snowy landscapes in winter and colorful autumn foliage above the hills from the JR Tadami Line. For a touch of fantasy, take a boat ride across the sea in a traditional tarai-bune or washtub boat to Sado Island.
Tohoku offers a wide variety of sights, attractions, and activities. Its nature and culture is sure to attract tourists. In your next visit to Japan, you should travel to Tohoku for a different kind of beauty that is unique in the area.
