Travel guides for Hokkaido and Tohoku region (Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima)
Hokkaido is Japan’s most exciting food destination — home to Sapporo-style miso ramen, soup curry, Genghis Khan grilled lamb, the freshest seafood in Japan, world-class dairy, and Yubari melons. This complete guide for first-time foreign visitors covers the iconic dishes, best food markets, regional specialties from Hakodate to Obihiro, seasonal tips, food etiquette, and a 3-day food itinerary built around Sapporo.
Nyuto Onsen is a cluster of seven historic ryokan inns scattered through the beech forests of Akita in northern Tohoku, where milky white sulphur baths, snow-covered roofs, and 400-year-old samurai retreats deliver one of Japan’s most authentic hot spring experiences. This complete first-timer’s guide covers each of the seven inns, how to get there from Tokyo, costs, etiquette, the food of Akita, and the best season to visit. With practical booking tips, a sample three-day itinerary, and detailed advice on bath culture, this is everything you need to plan a memorable Tohoku ryokan retreat.
Shiretoko is Japan’s last great wilderness — a remote UNESCO World Heritage peninsula in northeast Hokkaido where brown bears outnumber tourists, sea ice drifts in from Siberia each winter, and primeval forests tumble straight into the Sea of Okhotsk. This complete first-timer’s guide covers when to visit, how to get there, the best things to see and do (Shiretoko Five Lakes, Kamuiwakka Hot Falls, sightseeing boats, orca watching from Rausu), where to stay in Utoro and Rausu, what to eat, bear safety, sample itineraries, budget estimates, and practical tips for one of the most ecologically intact regions left in Asia.
Hiraizumi in Iwate Prefecture is one of Japan’s most surprising hidden treasures — a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the dazzling 12th-century Golden Hall of Chuson-ji, the ancient Pure Land garden of Motsu-ji, and the legacy of the Northern Fujiwara lords who built a Buddhist paradise on earth. This complete guide covers how to visit Hiraizumi from Tokyo by Shinkansen, what to see at each UNESCO site, where to eat regional Iwate cuisine like wanko soba and hittsumi, where to stay, the best seasons to visit, and the cultural context that makes this quiet Tohoku town one of the most rewarding off-the-beaten-path destinations in Japan.
Aizu-Wakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture is one of Japan’s most historically compelling cities — home to the stunning red-roofed Tsurugajo Castle, the moving Byakkotai memorial on Mount Iimoriyama, and a celebrated sake-brewing tradition. This complete guide covers the city’s samurai history, the best attractions, where to eat Aizu cuisine like wappameshi and Kitakata ramen, sake breweries to visit, accommodation in Higashiyama Onsen, how to get there from Tokyo, and day trips to Ouchi-juku and Kitakata.
Oirase Gorge in Aomori Prefecture is one of Japan’s most spectacular natural landscapes — a 14-kilometer forested ravine carved by the crystal-clear Oirase River flowing from Lake Towada. Famous for its 14+ named waterfalls, ancient beech forests, and world-class autumn foliage, Oirase is Tohoku’s most beautiful secret. This complete guide covers how to get there, what to see, where to stay, the best walking routes, seasonal highlights, food, photography tips, and practical advice for first-time visitors to this stunning corner of northern Japan.
Kakunodate is one of Japan’s most perfectly preserved samurai towns, tucked into the mountains of Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region. This complete guide covers how to get there by Shinkansen from Tokyo, the six original Edo-period samurai residences of the bukeyashiki district, the famous spring cherry blossom season, the unique kabazaiku cherry bark craft tradition, Akita regional cuisine including kiritampo and Inaniwa udon, day trips to Lake Tazawa and Nyuto Onsen, where to stay, and practical tips for every season. An unforgettable destination for first-time visitors to Japan seeking authentic history and culture.
Discover Hirosaki Castle in Aomori — home to 2,600 cherry trees, one of Japan’s 12 original castle towers, and the famous hanaikada flower raft. This complete guide covers when to visit, how to get there, where to eat and stay, and everything first-time visitors need to know about Japan’s most breathtaking cherry blossom destination.
Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture is one of Japan’s most beautiful and atmospheric destinations. This fairy-tale village of historic wooden ryokan, gas lanterns, and steaming hot springs is set deep in the mountains of Tohoku and transforms into a magical snow scene in winter. Our complete guide covers how to get there, where to stay, onsen etiquette for first-timers, the best seasons to visit, what to eat, day trip options, and a full budget breakdown for every type of traveller.
Discover Noboribetsu Onsen, Hokkaido’s most famous hot spring resort. This complete guide covers the nine spring types, Jigokudani Hell Valley, the best ryokan and hotels, kaiseki cuisine, getting there from Sapporo, the best times to visit, onsen etiquette for first-timers, and practical planning tips for an unforgettable Hokkaido hot spring experience.
