Tohoku Region

Tohoku region covers indeed the northeast of the island of Honshu, this region is very mountainous. The population are located all along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of ​​Japan and in several basins. The climate is relatively harsh, very snowy and foggy. The western side knows very cold winters and short but hot and stuffy summer. The eastern slope undergoes more clearly the oceanic influence of the Pacific, and thus has greater precipitation. The interior is more continental and drier.


The Tohoku region is mainly agricultural: 65% of cropland rice country. Fishing and forestry are also important. Industrial activities include electrical equipment, chemical production, pulp processing, cement, petroleum refining and natural gas.

Matsushima, a group of more than 260 small islands in Miyagi Prefecture, one of the three most beautiful places in Japan. The impact and consecutive tsunami damage to large earthquake in eastern Japan have been limited due to the geological characteristics of the region. By train, Matsushima is about 30 minutes from Sendai. Each summer, three picturesque festivals take place in the Tohoku region. This is the Nebuta Matsuri organized in Aomori Hirosaki, Tanabata Matsuri in Sendai and Akita Kanto Matsuri.

Matsushima

Matsushima

Matsushima is the name given to a group of 260 islands covered with pine trees scattered in the eponymous bay. The landscape is constantly changing, from island to island and over the seasons. Matsushima is considered one of the three most beautiful sites in Japan, the island of Miyajima near Hiroshima and Amanohasidate near Kyoto. Legend has it that the poet Basho, crossing Matsushitma, could not write a line on this place because words failed him to evoke the beauty of the place.

Lake Towada

Lake Towada

Lake Towada is located in Towada-Hachimantai National Park, which straddles the prefecture of Aomori and Akita. True jewels of Japanese nature, the lake is the largest lake in the crater of the main island of Honshu. With its impressive forests, waterfalls and rapids, this region is one of the main tourist destinations of Tohoku. The surrounding mountains and the two peninsulas Okura and Nakayama on the south shore reflected in lake, dye bright green in spring and ocher and purple colors in the fall.
Nature lovers will enjoy the landscapes and wildlife preserved. The many surrounding hot springs allow you to enjoy the pleasures of the most authentic onsen.

Hachimantai

Hachimantai

South of Lake Towada, Hachimantai (part of the natural park of Towada-Hachimantai) overlaps the prefecture of Akita and Iwate. It is mainly composed of volcanoes of different types and forms, such as Iwate, Koma, Hachimantai, Cha-usu Yakeyama or whose activity occurs here and there in the form of bubbling mud pools or chimneys belching steam or smoke. In many places have been developed spas, sometimes a bit rustic but offer visitors places to relax pleasantly. The most popular are Goshogake and Toshichi. They are also a great opportunity to meet local people and experience of Japanese rural life.

Hiraizumi

Hiraizumi

Today small country town, Hiraizumi was under the influence of the Fujiwara family, one of the richest cities and the largest in Japan in the Heian period and reached its apogee in the 12th century, rivaling Kyoto . But in 1189, Minamoto Yoritomo, worried that mighty city north, razed. Today, temples and Chusonji Motsuji are the main witnesses of the past splendor.

Akita

Akita, Kanto matsuri

Akita City, capital of the prefecture is undergoing rapid development as a new industrial center. Its area is known for producing high quality rice and Akita cedar forests.

Kanto matsuri
The Kanto Matsuri takes place from August 3 to 6. This is one of the three major festivals of Tohoku. A kanto is a long bamboo pole fitted with several edges which are hung paper lanterns. Young men compete skill twirling the kanto of their hands, shoulders, hips.

Sendai

Sendai

Sendai, old feudal town, is the largest city in Tohoku. Its main street lined with tall trees earned him the nickname "City of Trees". But above all, Sendai is known for its festival of Tanabata, the most famous of Japan. This star party, based on a Chinese legend, marks the meeting of the star Altair and Vega star on a bridge early July.

Zao

Zao

Located on the border of the prefectures of Miyagi and Yamagata, Mount Zao is considered one of the jewels of the Japanese nature and one of the most beautiful mountains in Japan. Volcanic chain, it combines a rich vegetation and beautiful landscapes to famous onsen or hot springs. In winter, a large ski area is enjoyed by sportsmen and families.

Aizu Wakamatsu

Aizu Wakamatsu

Old feudal town, Aizu Wakamatsu, is one of the main cities of Fukushima Prefecture. A large part of the city was burned during the Boshin Civil War in 1868, when the Aizu clan, which supported the Tokugawa shogunate, fought against the imperial factions. The clan was defeated, but the battle contributed to the fame of the city. Still found the feudal atmosphere in the narrow winding streets of historic buildings and warehouses of stone.

Mount Bandai

Mount Bandai

Inawashiro station is the gateway to the Bandai Asahi National Park, a place of green tourism in all seasons door. On sunny days, you can browse the Inawashiro lake, swim or go windsurfing, or enjoy hiking or cycling trips in the region of Ura-Bandai, north of Mount Bandai, with magnificent spectacle of a hundred lakes and swamps. Winter open ski area, especially on the slopes of Mount Bandai, snowshoeing or skiing multiply and can warm up in the many onsen this volcanic region.