Hi everyone! I’d love an itinerary check please for our trip next month. We went to Tohoku last fall and had a great time. Physically active couple in our 30’s.
We are early risers and enjoy scenic train rides. Did Resort Shirakami last fall and loved it.
A key source of indecision is whether it is worth fitting in Hachinohe / Tanesashi Coast and Goshogawara in winter?
Especially since it’s likely windy and cold by the seaside, and we’ve already seen the neputa/nebuta museums in Aomori and Hirosaki. If we do not, everything fits neatly within a JR East Tohoku pass. If we included these, we would extend the trip by two days and use a Kyun Pass to get back to Tokyo on the last day.
Would also love any recommendations for different / more / fewer activities, restaurants, etc.
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#Five day version
**Day 1**: Tokyo -> flowers -> Aomori
If kawazu sakura are still in peak bloom, then Odoriko to Kawazu in the morning and early afternoon, then Odoriko+Shinkansen to Aomori, nap on the trains & sleep in Aomori.
If kawazu sakura are past peak, then Kairakuen for plum blossoms and Hitachi to see the train station on the way to Aomori.
**Day 2**: Hirosaki -> Akita -> Sakata
Morning: Hirosaki to see castle and temples (Saishoin + stretch from ~Hirosaki Tenmangu to Choshoji), in the snow, buy apple pie from bakery and igamenchi from Niji no Mart for the train
13:20 Ou Line Limited Express to Akita
Eat Sato Yosuke noodles (if hungry) or quick spin through Senshu Park (if not hungry)
16:48 Inaho to Sakata (hoping for a clear day and good sunset).
Find an izakaya for fish dinner, sleep in Sakata.
**Day 3**: Sakata -> Murakami -> Atsumi Onsen
Morning: Sankyo warehouses, Sanno Club, Homma Residence
12:11 train to Murakami for the scenic route and to look at salmon hanging from the ceiling
15:36 train to Atsumi Onsen for the night (not super tied to Atsumi Onsen but would like to experience non-coed snowy outdoor onsen and this seemed to require the least detour)
**Day 4**: Atsumi Onsen -> Tazawako -> Sendai
09:50 Inaho from Atsumi Onsen towards Akita
Eat Sato Yosuke if not eaten on Day 2
Shinkansen to Tazawako for the bus loop around the lake
Dinner and sleep in Sendai
**Day 5**: Yamadera -> ??? -> Tokyo
Morning: Yamadera
Afternoon: Not sure – we have already seen Sendai city. Maybe Tendo for chess pieces or Yonezawa for beef?
Evening: Return to Tokyo
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#Seven day version (with Hachinohe & Goshogawara)
**Day 1**: Same as above, except sleeping in Hachinohe instead of Aomori
**Day 2**: Hachinohe -> Morioka -> Akita -> Sakata
Morning: Tanesashi Coast
12:16 Shinkansen to Morioka for lunch (noodles!)
14:35 Shinkansen to Akita
16:48 Inaho to Sakata
**Days 3 and 4 as above**
**Day 5**: Sendai -> Yamadera -> Hirosaki
Morning: Yamadera
Afternoon: Sendai -> Shin-Aomori -> Hirosaki
**Day 6**: Hirosaki
Castle & temples from Day 2 morning described above.
Sleep in onsen ryokan (seems to be a few good options reachable via bus / ryokan pickup from Hirosaki, recommendations welcome)
**Day 7**: Hirosaki -> Goshogawara -> Tokyo
Tachineputa museum (have already seen the ones in Hirosaki & Aomori), stove train