logo oku
  • USD
  • EUR
  • AUD
  • CAD
  • GBP
Northern Japan

YAMAGATA, FUKUSHIMA, AKITA AND MORE

 

Northern Japan, collectively known as the Tōhoku region, connects Tōkyō in the south-east with the island of Hokkaidō in the north. The area itself is coated in forest and mountain with most of the population concentrated within the lowlands. As such, the region features six of Japan's most rural prefectures; from Yamagata to Aomori to the very north of Honshū. Sitting higher on the northern hemisphere, Tōhoku experiences cooler summer temperatures but also harsher winters. With the advent of the shinkansen bullet train and a great range of domestic airports, it is simple to travel to all six of Tōhoku's prefectures either on land or by air. For example, you can reach Shin-Aomori station from Tōkyō station in roughly three hours – a distance of nearly 700 km. From there, regional trains and buses reach out across the region, allowing visitors and residents to travel around easily from town to town.

 

Highlights of Northern Japan

 

Tōhoku was traditionally considered the granary of Japan thanks in part to the city of Sendai being the key supplier of rice to Tōkyō markets, where it provided 20 percent of the entire nation's rice. Tourism has since boomed in the region significantly, with visitors travelling towards the area’s several national parks, scenery and beautiful natural hot springs.

  • Get swept away by the stunning vistas of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, located within the mountainous region in the northern part of Akita and Iwate Prefectures. The area is far removed from Japan's bustling cities and truly offers some of the country's best hot springs.
  • Join the festivities of Nebuta Matsuri – one of the Tōhoku Three Great Festivals – is a summer festival held in Aomori city every year from the 2nd to the 7th of August. The enormous lantern floats are a highlight as they are paraded down the busy streets, adorned with images of fierce warriors and auspicious creatures.
  • Take a dip in Zao Onsen, known for its hot springs and ski resort in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture. It is one of the only places in Japan where you can see juhyo 'snow monsters'. The trees can take on very interesting and unique shapes due to the heavy snowfall and freezing winds.

 Self guided tours

Discover the country at your own pace with our detailed maps and walking instructions. Everything else - from rail tickets to accommodations - are all organised by us, so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying excellent local home-cooked meals and world class hospitality.

Self-Guided
Spirit of Aizu self-guided walking 6 days

Visit a region that has preserved both its natural beauty and its long legacy, passed down from the samurai of old.

Trip level:
Level
Duration:
6 Days
From USD 2,115
Self-Guided
Rugged Rias of the Michinoku self-guided walking 5 days

Travel into rugged terrain deep in mainland Japan’s north. Authentic, remote, and perfect for those seeking a challenge.

Trip level:
Level
Duration:
5 Days
From USD 1,400
Self-Guided
Rugged Rias of the Michinoku self-guided walking 6 days

A rugged self-guided hiking tour down the central portion of the Michinoku Coastal Trail. Includes a visit to the village of Okirai, which contains many monuments to the area's past.

Trip level:
Level
Duration:
6 Days
From USD 1,615
Self-Guided
Spirit of Aizu self-guided walking 7 days

Walk through preserved nature-rich lands that bore witness to battles and the progress of history and visit one of Japan’s largest mountain wetlands.

Trip level:
Level
Duration:
7 Days
From USD 2,415
Self-Guided
Michinoku Coastal Trail self-guided walking 6 days

Curated sections of northern Japan’s newest hiking trail, with walks along a rugged, dramatic coastline and through lush mixed forests.

Trip level:
Level
Duration:
6 Days
From USD 1,615
Self-Guided
Michinoku Coastal Trail self-guided walking 7 days

Hike Tōhoku’s Michinoku Coastal Trail and travel to the breathtaking Kitayamazaki Coast, where cliffs over 200 metres high stretch up over the ocean.

Trip level:
Level
Duration:
7 Days
From USD 1,925
 Guided tours

Sign up as individual travellers and leave as lifelong friends on an Oku Japan small-group guided tour. With a maximum of 13 people in any group, our tours ensure you get the full attention of your local guide who themselves share a passion for Japan. Whether it’s traditions, food, society or history, learn the ins and outs together with your fellow travellers and the assistance of our fully-licensed, bilingual guides.

Guided
Michinoku: Life With the Sea

Walk alongside the beautiful Sanriku coast and learn about the unique way of life in one of Japan’s most remote regions.

Trip level:
Level
Duration:
10 Days
From USD 4,055
Guided
Mountain Spirits Tohoku

Dramatic peaks and soothing hot springs of the north. A small-group guided walking tour with 6 days of walking and hiking of 2-6 hours per day

Trip level:
Level
Duration:
13 Days
From USD 5,175