Hi everyone! I’d love an itinerary check please for our trip next month. We are a physically active couple in our 30’s. Went to Tohoku last fall and had such a great time we decided to return within a few months. We have already seen the first-time highlights (Aomori/Oirase/Hirosaki, Akita, Morioka, Sendai/Yamadera) on the previous trip but don’t mind revisiting somewhere if the scenery will be meaningfully different.
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.
​
#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 since it is on the Limited Express)
**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 Lake Tazawa 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
​
#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
by parking_sac
