Tohoku 8 Days Itinerary-A

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The trip to Tohoku begins at Sendai Airport, the gateway to Tohoku. First of all, please register at the rental car counter at the airport.

The mileage is relatively long at 230km, so it is recommended to leave by 9 o’clock at the latest. Also, use the expressway as much as possible to reduce travel time.

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The first destination is [Matsushima], one of the three most scenic spots in Japan. Please use the expressway (E6) to shorten the travel time.

The scenery of Matsushima Bay, which is dotted with more than 260 islands, is especially famous. In addition, Zuiganji Temple, which is known as the Family Temple of Date Masamune, and the Godaido are also highlights worth visiting.

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Next, you will go to [Genbikei Gorge], which is famous for the beauty of the valley. It is about 85km from Matsushima, and it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes by using the expressway (E4). It is a place where you can enjoy the beauty of the valley where the river erodes the huge rocks and shows various expressions.

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Next to Genbikei Gorge, please head to the World Heritage [Motsujiteien Garden]. Motsuji Temple is a representative temple of Hiraizumi along with Chusonji Temple, and its garden is a representative work of the Pure Land Garden, which was created during the time of Oshu (Northern) Fujiwara in the late Heian period (12th century).

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There is [Chusonji Temple] in the immediate vicinity of Motsuji. Hiraizumi prospered as a gold-producing region during the time of Oshu (Northern) Fujiwara, and the Chusonji Konjikido (Golden Pavilion), which used that gold, is too famous. The precincts are also wonderful, and you can feel the appearance of each season.

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Next, go directly to today’s final destination, Morioka, and go to the Iwayama Observatory, which overlooks the city of Morioka. It is about 85km, about 1 hour and 20 minutes drive using the expressway (E4).

From here, you can see not only the city area but also the Ou Mountains including Mt. Iwate, Hachimantai, and the Kitakami Mountains, which is a powerful sight.

１７：５０

There are two options for staying on this day. If you choose for convenience, we recommend the city around Morioka Station, and if you want to relax at a hot spring inn, we recommend the inn around Goshoko (about 15km from Morioka Station). There are many restaurants on the east side of the station, so please enjoy local gourmet food such as “Wanko soba” and “Morioka Reimen” while taking a walk after checking in at the hotel. You may want to walk to the Morioka Castle Ruins or Morioka Hachimangu Shrine.

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The mileage is about 160km, which is a standard distance, but if you want to take your time to enjoy Hachimantai, we recommend that you start early.

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The first destination is [Yakehashiri Lava Flow] at the foot of Mt. Iwate. Here, lava from the eruption of Mt. Iwate in 1719 flowed and solidified over a wide area. Plants have not grown in the surrounding area yet, and you can feel a little different world there.

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Next, you go to [Hachimantai] through [Hachimantai Aspite Line]. Hachimantai is located on the prefectural border between Iwate and Akita prefectures, but you are going up from the Iwate prefecture side. The view will get better and better, so let’s enjoy an exhilarating drive while stopping by the observatories on the way.

Please park in the large parking lot of Hachimantai Mountaintop Rest House just near the mountaintop and enjoy a 90-minute walking course around [Hachimannuma Pond] and [Kagaminuma Pond (Dragon Eye)].

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After enjoying Hachimantai, you will go down the Hachimantai Aspiteline on the Akita prefecture side and head for [Kosaka Town], which was one of Japan’s three largest copper mines during the Meiji and Taisho eras. There are many modern industrial heritage sites here, such as the Kosaka Mine Office, Korakukan, and Kosaka Railroad Rail Park.

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Finally, before going to the shore of Lake Towada, please stop by the Hakka Pass Observatory, which overlooks Lake Towada. Access is convenient because it is located along Route 103 on the way to Lake Towada. On a clear day, you can see Lake Towada, which is said to be “Lake Towada Blue”, which is really beautiful.

１６：３０

On this day you are staying at the shore of Lake Towada.

• Parking
  You can park in the hotel’s free parking lot.
• Onsen
  Most hotels in Gero are hot spring inns.
• Meal
  Many restaurants close early. It is recommended to make a reservation with a plan that includes one night and two meals.

Also, if you are staying at a hotel near the Towada Visitor Center, we recommend that you take a walk along the shores of Lake Towada, aiming for the Towada Shrine and the statue of the maiden after check-in.

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The mileage is as short as about 90km, so you can travel comfortably.

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The first destination is [Oirase Stream], which is known as one of the three major mountain stream beauty in Japan. It is convenient because the road and the mountain stream are parallel, and you can stop at the point you like. However, since the road is narrow, please be careful not to block the passage of other vehicles when the vehicle is stopped. The MAPCODE of the recommended points is as follows.

Choshi Otaki (MC: 612 549 226*63)
Ishigedo Rest Area (MC: 612 732 534*76)
The flow of Ashura (MC: 612 702 226*0)
Kumoi no Taki (MC: 612 672 152*33)

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Next, please stop by [Suiren pond], which is easy to reach. In the summer, beautiful white water lily flowers bloom on the surface of the pond. From Suiren pond, you can see the mountains of the Hakkoda mountain range and enjoy the autumn leaves in the fall.

After Suiren pond, head to [Mt. Hakkoda Ropeway]. From Mt.Hakkoda Ropeway Sancho Koen Station at the mountain top, you can see the Hakkoda Mountain Range, Aomori City, Mutsu Bay, Tsugaru Peninsula, Shimokita Peninsula, and Mt. Iwaki. The fresh green of early summer, the autumn leaves, and the snowy landscape of winter are all beautiful.

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From Mt.Hakkoda Ropeway Sancho Koen Station, you can reach [Tamoyachi Marsh Observatory] by following the walking path. Many ponds and swamps are scattered around, and the surrounding area is a great treasure trove of alpine plants. A 30-minute walk is sufficient.

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Next, move to today’s final destination, Aomori, and go to [Seiryuji Temple (Showa Great Buddha)]. Showa Great Buddha is the largest bronze sitting Buddha in Japan, with a height of 21.35m, which is larger than the Buddhas of Nara and Kamakura.

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We recommend that you stay at a hotel near the east exit of Aomori Station on this day. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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The first destination is the Tsurunomaihashi Bridge, which is the longest triple drum bridge in Japan with a total length of 300 meters. 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.

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Next is a drive of about 75km, about 1 hour and 40 minutes to [Juniko], which stretches across the prefectural border between Aomori and Akita prefectures. Among them, [Aoike], which looks like flowing blue ink, is especially famous, and the color of the water that changes depending on the position of the sun and the position of 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 humans changing it. The length of stay at Juniko is about 90 minutes including walking.

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Next, you head to [Mt. Kanpuzan Observatory]. It’s a long drive of about 2 hours, but you can drive while enjoying the scenery as you follow the road along the sea.

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.

１７：３０

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.

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

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First of all, please get up early in the morning and visit [Akita Citizen’s Market]. The restaurants in the market are open early in the morning, so please try the sashimi set meals and other morning set meals that are unique to the market.

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The first destination on this day 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.

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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.

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The final 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.

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You will be staying in Tsuruoka on this day.

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The mileage is about 180km, 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.

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The first destination is the Kamo Aquarium, the world’s number one jellyfish aquarium. The appearance of various colorful jellyfish floating in the aquarium is very fascinating.

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Then head to Dewasanzan (Three Mountains of Dewa). First of all, you go to [Hagurosan Otorii] (MAPCODE: 90 172 677 * 32), which is about 24 meters high at the entrance of Dewa Sanzan. The torii was rebuilt in 2018 and is very large.

There is a parking lot (MAPCODE: 90 146 215) of [Hagurosan Five Story Pagoda] about 3km from the Otorii. From there, 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. There is a stone staircase leading to Dewa Sanzan Shrine at the end of the five-storied pagoda, but it takes about 2 hours for a round trip, so you will go back to the parking lot and drive to the shrine without walking.

Dewa Sanzan Shrine
If you drive to the top of the mountain from the parking lot at the foot of Mt. Haguro, you will arrive at [Dewa Sanzan Shrine]. Dewa Sanzan Shrine is a shrine that enshrines the three gods of Dewasanzan, which consists of Mt. Gassan, Mt. Haguro, and Mt. Yudono.

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Next, stop by [Genso no Mori (Fantasy Forest)]. Although it is not very 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.

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Next, please go to [Ginzan Onsen], the last destination of the day. It is a drive of about 60km. 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.

１８：００

Please use the expressway (E13) to shorten the travel time.

You will be staying around Yamagata Station on this day, but if you want to stay at a hotel with hot springs, the Tendo Onsen area (about 20km north of Yamagata) is a good choice. In Yamagata, please enjoy the famous “Imoni”, “Dongara-jiru”, “Tamakonnyaku”, or “Yonezawa beef”.

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

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The first 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”.

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Next, take the [Zao Echo Line] to the highlight of the day, Zao. This road 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.

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Next, move to Sendai and go to [Aoba Castle Ruins]. Use the expressway (E4) to reduce travel time.

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.

１６：５０

This is the end of the drive trip. Please refuel and return the car to the car rental company branch.
For those who use Sendai Airport, the airport is about 20km from Sendai Station, about 30 minutes away.

In Sendai, try the famous beef tongue and zunda mochi. If you don’t have time, you can easily eat zunda mochi at the shop on the way from the parking lot of Aoba Castle to the statue of Masamune Date.