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Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)

Stretching out above Tokyo is the fabled Tōhoku (東北; Northeast) – starring Miyagi, Yamagata, Iwate, Fukushima, Akita and Aomori Prefectures – where ice monsters and river imps inhabit the imagination (but hopefully not the onsen). Hugging the west coast is Niigata Prefecture, a skiing and hiking wonderland that also includes the rugged and remote island of Sado-ga-shima.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • 500px Photo ID: 51173684 -

    Haguro-san

    Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)

    The 2446 stone steps through ancient cedars to Haguro-san's summit (419m) have been smoothed by centuries of pilgrims. The climb, taking up to two hours,…

  • 500px Photo ID: 43496704 - Pilgrimage to Dewa Sanzan, the three sacred mountains, start from Mount Haguro symbolizing the birth, continous with Mount Gassan symbolizing the death. Then ends with Mount Yudono (rebirth).

    Gas-san

    Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)

    Accessible from July to September, Gas-san (1984m) is the highest of Dewa Sanzan's sacred mountains. From Hachigōme (八合目; eighth station) the route passes…

  • Yudono-san

    Yudono-san

    Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)

    Accessible from May to October, Yudono-san (1504m) is the spiritual culmination of the Dewa Sanzan trek. Coming from Gas-san it's a short walk from the…

  • Risshaku-ji

    Risshaku-ji

    Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)

    The 'Temple of Standing Stones', more commonly known as Yamadera, rests atop a rock-hewn staircase weathered over the centuries by unrelenting elements…

  • RIAS Ark Museum of Art

    RIAS Ark Museum of Art

    Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)

    High in the hills above Kesennuma, this local art museum houses the largest collection of photographs and artefacts in existence relating to the 2011…

  • Zuigan-ji

    Zuigan-ji

    Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)

    Tōhoku’s finest Zen temple, Zuigan-ji was established in AD 828. The present buildings were constructed in 1606 by Date Masamune to serve as a family…

  • Tazawa-ko

    Tazawa-ko

    Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)

    The under-visited beach at Shirahama (白浜) is a real find for open-water swimmers and beach bums due to its clear-blue water, shallow entry and…

  • Kitayamazaki Cliffs

    Kitayamazaki Cliffs

    Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)

    Jagged, green-fringed cliffs plunge into the deep-blue Pacific Ocean along this 8km stretch of coastline known as the Kitayamazaki coast. Stunning in…

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Articles

Latest stories from Northern Honshū (Tōhoku)

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Cycling

Explore the cultural wonders of Japan’s Bandai-Asahi National Park

Sep 8, 2021 • 6 min read

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