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Japan: Tôhoku |
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Japan: Tôhoku |
I have scratched the surface of Tôhoku four times, and so far the East-North (for that's what the name means) is definitely my favorite region of Japan. Not geared for mass tourism, Tôhoku is a wonderland of mountains, forests and hot springs, ideal for hitchhiking and camping, with only the weather getting in the way sometimes...
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Dewa
Sanzan
The pilgrimage route between the three holy mountains of Haguro-san, Gas-san and Yudono-san in western Tohoku. Shown: The bridge at the start of the trail up Mt. Haguro-san |
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Hirosaki
The Kyoto of the North, site of the Neputa festival, the only castle in Tohoku, and many temples. Shown: Closeup of one of the massive floats for the Neputa festival |
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Kinkazan
Island
The remote Golden Flower Island off the eastern coast. Shown: Seagulls wheeling above the ferry to the island |
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Matsushima
Ah, Matsushima! Ah, Matsushima, ah! Matsushima, ah! --
Matsuo Basho's
famous haiku
Shown: One of
Matsushima's
pine islands wrapped in mist |
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Midlands
A grab bag from the middle of Tohoku: the temple town of Hiraizumi and the Japan Sea city of Tsuruoka. Shown: Horoscope vending machines lined up outside Chusonji Temple, Hiraizumi |
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Mt.
Osorezan
Located in the northern Shimokita Peninsula, the sulphuric wastes of "Dread Mountain" are Japan's mythological entrance to the underworld. Shown: A sulphur yellow boiling cauldron |
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Naruko Onsen
A low-key little hot spring resort up in the mountains not terribly far from Sendai. Shown:
Mori-no-Yu rotenburo (outdoor bath) at night, Ryokan Onuma |
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Sendai
The largest and busiest town in the North, not much to look at but there's some good eating to be found. Shown: Oden
Sankichi, one of Japan's best oden (fish soup) joints |
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Yagen
Valley
A hidden gem in the middle of Shimokita, Yagen has easy, beautiful hiking along the banks of the Oohata river and the simple but perfect outdoor baths (rotenburo) of Kappa-no-yu. Shown: A statue of a kappa sitting in the Kappa-no-yu rotenburo |