Farewell to Big Cities: Travel Guide to Northern Tohoku, Japan

This time, we visited the three prefectures of Northern Tohoku (Iwate, Aomori, Akita) and had many unique travel experiences. Compared to big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, smaller places offer a more relaxed atmosphere and unique experiences. Here is a guide for everyone. 🚞Transportation You can reach Northern Tohoku from Tokyo by Shinkansen (3-4 hours) or by plane (1 hour). You can also travel between the prefectures by JR or bus. 😁Travel Experiences Each of the three prefectures has its own characteristics. Here are some particularly special experiences: ⭕Aomori Nebuta Festival Held every summer, the Nebuta Festival attracts many tourists. Although there are many summer festivals in Japan, the Nebuta Festival allows everyone to join the parade and dance along with the chants, making it more engaging. ⭕Hanamaki Onsen Village Hanamaki Onsen Village in Iwate Prefecture is one of Japan's famous hot spring resorts. It is also the hometown of the famous Japanese writer and educator Kenji Miyazawa. The hot springs here are diverse, and because there are 12 hot spring areas, it is called "Hanamaki 12 Springs." We experienced the Lead Hot Spring this time. The ancient hot spring inn with over 600 years of history and the tranquil environment made us feel extremely relaxed. ⭕Towada-Hachimantai National Park This national park spans the three prefectures of Northern Tohoku and is rich in vegetation and volcanoes. It is also a great place for hiking. We tried the Seven Falls light hiking route this time, which takes about three hours and requires no professional equipment or experience, making it very beginner-friendly. The waterfalls are also very spectacular. ⭕Towada Art Center The first art museum in Northern Tohoku. Unlike traditional art museums, the exhibits here are quite avant-garde, with bright colors and exaggerated shapes. The integration of art and everyday spaces, along with various outdoor installation artworks, makes it perfect for photo ops. Top image: Standing Woman / Ron Mueck Bottom left: Flower Horse / Choi Jeonghwa Bottom middle: RR Haiku 061 / Rafaël Rozendaal Bottom right: Memory of Water / Shiota Chiharu ⭕Slam Dunk Pilgrimage When it comes to "Slam Dunk," everyone thinks of Kamakura, but in fact, the Noshiro Technical High School in Noshiro City, Akita Prefecture, is also a place worth visiting. This school is the prototype of the strongest high school, Sannoh High, in the manga. Besides visiting the school, there is also a Noshiro Basketball Museum with many "Slam Dunk" memorabilia, which fans should not miss! Additionally, please visit the campus respectfully, do not litter or sit on the ground, and do not take or post photos of students training. ⭕Jiyuya Summer Ski Practice Field Who says skiing is only for winter? You can also experience ski jumping on a pool in Northern Tohoku. It is worth mentioning that this activity is suitable for those with some skiing experience. 🛏️Accommodation There are many accommodation options in Northern Tohoku, including traditional hot spring inns and convenient chain hotels. We stayed at the Fujisan Ryokan, a famous hot spring inn with over 600 years of history, and at ROUTE INN HOTELS, a well-known Japanese chain hotel that is affordable and conveniently located. It is worth noting that for large events like the Nebuta Festival, you need to book your room several months or even a year in advance. We also stayed at Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, which is directly connected to Terminal 3 and offers comprehensive dining and shopping options, making it very convenient for transit passengers. It is a great choice for both arriving in Japan and returning home.