region of japan

Tohoku東北

Quiet north: hot springs, old temples, and wide-open countryside.

Tohoku is the northern part of Honshu, between Tokyo and Hokkaido. It gets far fewer foreign visitors than Kyoto or Tokyo, so it often feels calmer. You will find old hot-spring villages, mountain temples, rice country and a long, rugged coast. Sendai is the main city and an easy base, about 90 minutes from Tokyo by shinkansen. From there, Matsushima's island-dotted bay and Hiraizumi's golden temple are simple day trips.

Places to go

SendaiTohoku's leafy capital, and the gateway north.Matsushima local favoriteA calm bay of pine-covered islands.Hiraizumi local favoriteA golden hall from Japan's northern golden age.

Through the year

springSendai's cherry trees usually open around April 8 and reach full bloom around April 13.
summerJune and July are rainy, then summer brings the big local festivals in early August.
autumnMountains color from October, and Sendai's maples typically peak around November 21.
winterThe mountains and Sea of Japan side get deep snow, which is prime hot-spring season.

Don’t miss

  • SendaiA green, easy city and the base for most of Tohoku.
  • MatsushimaA pine-covered island bay about 40 minutes from Sendai.
  • HiraizumiChusonji's Golden Hall and quiet temple gardens.
  • Naruko OnsenA hot-spring town with many public baths.
  • KitakataOld storehouse streets and a famous local ramen.

What to eat

  • GyutanGrilled beef tongue, Sendai's signature meal.
  • Zunda mochiRice cakes with sweet, bright-green edamame paste.
  • Wanko sobaIwate's small bowls of soba, refilled until you stop.
  • Kitakata ramenFlat, curly noodles in a light soy broth.

Getting there

Tokyo → Sendai: about 1h30 by Hayabusa shinkansen.

Good for: Repeat visitors, Onsen lovers, Travelers who want calm

psst — Some rural lines run only a few trains a day. Check the last train back before you set out.