Tohoku 5 Days Itinerary-A

９：３０

The mileage is 160km, which is a standard distance, but there are many things to see, so it is recommended that you leave Sendai around 8 or 9 o’clock.

１０：１０

First, please stop by the [Aoba Castle Ruins] in the city. Aoba Castle is the site of Sendai Castle built by Date Masamune, and the horse-riding statue of Date Masamune is a recommended photo spot.

１２：３０

Next, take the highway (E4) and [Zao Echo Line] to the highlight of the day, Zao. The Zao Echo Line offers a spectacular view of the four seasons, with a snow corridor in the spring, fresh greenery in the summer, and autumn leaves in the fall. It’s closed in winter, but a drive along the snow corridor right after the opening in spring is great.

[Okama] in Zao is very famous as an emerald green crater lake, and it is also attractive that you can walk from the parking lot in 2 minutes.

[Katamine Shrine] is a shrine on the summit of Mt. Zao, and it is very close to the Okama, so please visit it as well. The view from the surrounding area is the best.

１５：１０

The final destination of the day is the famous [Yamadera Temple (Rissyakuji)]. The entire mountain is the precincts of the temple, and there is wonderful scenery here and there on the way to Okunoin for about an hour. It is also in this place that Basho Matsuo, who is famous for haiku, wrote “The Stillness: A Cicada’s Cry Penetrating The Rock.” Please note that the gate will be closed at 17:00 and you will not be able to go to Okunoin after that.

１７：１０

In Yamagata, enjoy local gourmet foods such as [Imoni], [Dongara-jiru], [Tamakonnyaku], or [Yonezawa beef].

８：３０

Depending on the arrival point, the mileage is about 180-200km, which is very long and there are many attractions, so it is recommended to depart by 9 o’clock at the latest. Also, use the expressway as much as possible to reduce travel time.

９：４５

The first destination is [Ginzan Onsen]. Please use the expressway (E13) to reduce travel time.

This is a hot spring village full of retro atmosphere in the Taisho era (1912-1926) and is often posted on Instagram. We recommend taking a leisurely stroll through the hot spring town along the river to the Shiragane Falls in the back.

１２：２０

Next, stop by [Genso no Mori (Fantasy Forest)]. It is about a 60km drive from Ginzan Onsen. Although it is not well known, it is a fantastic space where a mysterious giant tree spreads all over the forest and you jump into the world of movies.

１４：００

Then head to Dewa Sanzan Shrine. Dewasanzan has long been known as a place of mountain worship centered on Shugendo. Dewa Sanzan Shrine is a shrine that enshrines the three gods of Dewasanzan, which consists of Mt. Gassan, Mt. Haguro, and Mt. Yudono.

Next, head to the [Hagurosan Five Story Pagoda] at the foot of Mt. Haguro. From the parking lot (MAPCODE: 90 146 215), walk through the sacred Sugi forest for about 10 minutes and you will arrive at the five-storied pagoda. It is a photo spot where you can take pictures of the giant sequoia and the five-storied pagoda, which is a national treasure.

About 3km from Hagurosan Five Story Pagoda, there is [Hagurosan Otorii] (MAPCODE: 90 172 677 * 32). The torii gate, which is about 24 meters high and is built at the entrance of Dewa Sanzan. The torii was rebuilt in 2018 and is very large.

１６：３０

Finally, if you have time, we also recommend the Kamo Aquarium, the world’s number one jellyfish aquarium. The appearance of various colorful jellyfish floating in the aquarium is very fascinating.

１８：００

You will be staying in Sakata or Tsuruoka on this day. Sakata and Tsuruoka are about 25 km away, about 40 minutes by car. Sakata is a little big as a city, but considering the mileage on the day, we recommend staying in Tsuruoka.

１０：００

The mileage is about 150km, which is a standard distance.

１０：３０

The first destination of the day is the historic Sankyo Warehouses. The warehouse is made of dozo (thick mortar walls) and the row of zelkova trees is famous on Instagram. The famous serial TV novel “Oshin” was also filmed here.

１２：２５

Next, you will go to the Chokaisan Hokodate Observatory through the [Chokai Blue Line]. This road is a driving route where you can enjoy the fresh greenery, the remaining snow, the autumn leaves, and the Sea of Japan below while driving. It is closed in winter, but shortly after the opening of spring, you can see high snow corridors on both sides of the road.

At the highest point of the Chokai Blue Line, at an altitude of 1,000m, there is the [Hokodate Observatory], and the view of the Sea of Japan and the Shonai Plain from there is amazing.

１３：４５

When you go down Mt. Chokai there is [Mototaki Waterfall], which was certified as one of the 100 Selected Waterfalls in Heisei (the Heisei period is 1989-2019). It is a wonderful view with an abundant amount of water that springs from the slope to the surface of the earth.

It is about 85km from Mototaki Waterfall to Akita. There aren’t many things to see along the way, so it’s recommended that you take the Nihonkai Tohoku Expressway to Akita directly. It takes about an hour and a half, so please drive while taking a break on the way.

１６：１０

Hotels are concentrated around the west exit around Akita Station where you stay on this day. There are many restaurants in the area, so enjoy local gourmet food such as Kiritanpo and Hinai chicken while strolling after checking in at the hotel. Akita sake is also the best.

８：３０

The mileage is very long, about 280km, and there is no expressway, so it will be a drive on a general road. For this reason, we recommend that you leave by about 8 o’clock if possible, and at the latest around 9 o’clock.

９：３０

Your first visit on this day is [Mt. Kanpuzan Observatory], which is located at the entrance of the Oga Peninsula. Since there are no high mountains in the vicinity, you can enjoy a 360-degree view, overlooking the Shinzan and Honzan mountain range on the Oga Peninsula, Cape Nyudo, Akita City, and the surrounding coastline.

１２：００

After Mt. Kanpu, you head to Lake Juniko (Shirakami Sanchi). It will be a long drive of about 100km and 2 hours from Kanpuzan Observatory. However, on the way, you can drive along the coast facing the Sea of Japan on Route 101, enjoying the spectacular scenery. Also, the JR Gono Line runs in parallel with Route 101, so you can see pretty trains running along the coastline.

Juniko is a general term for 33 lakes and marshes surrounded by beech forests located in the western part of the Shirakami Mountains. Among them, [Aoike], which looks like flowing blue ink, is especially famous. The color of the water changes depending on the position of the sun and your position from the view is fantastic.

If you walk further back from Aoike, you will find a natural beech forest, which is a World Heritage Site [Shirakami Mountains] with almost no human foresting. The length of stay at Juniko is about 90 minutes including walking.

１５：２０

Next is the Tsurunomaihashi Bridge, the longest triple drum bridge in Japan with a total length of 300 meters, which is the final destination of the day. This section is also a long drive of about 75km for about 1 hour and 40 minutes, but the appearance of Tsuru no Maihashi with Mt. Iwaki in the background is wonderful as it really looks like a crane flying in the sky.

１７：２５

If you plan to stay on this day, we recommend hotels near the east exit of Aomori Station. There are many restaurants on the east side of the station, so enjoy local gourmet food such as seafood, senbei soup, shellfish miso, and ichigoni while strolling after checking in at the hotel. Also, since Nebuta House Wa Rasse and A FACTORY are located on the Aomori Waterfront within walking distance, you may try walking in that direction.

９：００

Since the mileage is as long as 200km, we recommend that you leave at the latest by 9 o’clock. Also, use the expressway as much as possible to reduce travel time.

１１：１５

The first destination is [Ashigezaki Observatory] in the east of Hachinohe City. It is a 2 hour and 15 minute drive on the expressway (E4A) for about 100 km to travel to the Pacific Ocean side.

It has the atmosphere of an old western castle and is a wonderful viewing spot with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.

Next, please stop by the nearby [Cafe & Gallery Umine] (MAPCODE: 346 743 525 * 48). This cafe is located on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and the seats by the window are especially recommended.

１２：５０

After taking a break at the cafe, please go to [Kabushima Shrine], which has a mysterious atmosphere with countless birds. Here, you can see many black-tailed gulls from early February to early August every year. The number of birds is like a scene from Hitchcock’s suspense film “Birds” and is a must-see.

１４：００

Please stop by the large market [Hachishoku Center] where you can find fresh seafood caught in Hachinohe. You can eat seafood dishes, eat local dishes, and buy souvenirs at the huge market.

１７：００

Your stay on this day is the same as the day before in Aomori. If you are heading directly to Aomori, use the expressway (E4A) to shorten your travel time.

After returning to the hotel, enjoy local gourmet food at a restaurant on the east side of the station, or enjoy a walk in the direction of Aomori Waterfront.