Hi everyone, we are a couple (27 F & 38 M) heading to Tohoku, Japan this fall! Tickets and most accomms have been booked (though the option for free cancellation are available for some)
Context: Last year, we hit up Japan’s Golden Route (Tokyo, Osaka & Kyoto), and are looking for a different experience this year. We are foodies who enjoy hiking, photography (M) and onsens (F). We will be relying on public transport on most days.
Dates: 20 Oct – 31 Oct 2024
Day 1: Akita
- AM: Arrive in Akita Airport > Transfer to Akita Station via Akita-Airport Limo bus
- Meet Akitas at Akita Inu Satellite station (just behind Akita Station) every Sunday
- Early lunch of Oyako-don at Akita Hinai-jidori restaurant
- Walk to Senshu Park if there’s time to see the autumn leaves
- PM: Akita Station > Tazawako Station via Akita Shinkansen
- Explore Lake Tazawa on rental bikes
- Take public bus ‘Nyuto Line’ to one of the onsens at Nyuto Onsenkyo (Booked! For 1 night)
Day 2: Akita
- AM: Check out of Nyuto Onsenkyo
- Public bus to Tazawako Station
- Tazawako Station > Dakigaeri Gorge for fall colours (Please help, apparently there are buses in autumn to & from Tazawako, but I need some help in finding the schedule and reservation details if any)
- PM: Dakigaeri > Kakunodate via Yobunoru Kakunodate (¥1000 one way per pax) and explore the samurai houses (may skip and head straight to Aomori if not enough time)
- Check into Hotel in Aomori (Booked for 3 nights!)
Day 3: Aomori
- AM: First bus to Hakkoda Ropeway
- Round trip tickets up the Ropeway
- Explore around Sukayu Onsen and have a soak (1000¥ per pax) and lunch here after
- Tsuta Numa Lake for fall colours (if the bus timing aligns)
- PM: Head back to Aomori
Day 4: Aomori
- AM: Same bus as Day 3 to Oirase Keiryu (Reason for not staying over at Towada on Day 3: couldn’t get any decent accom < ¥50000 a night)
- Begin walk by Oirase Keiryu at Kumoi Falls. Estimate to spend about 2-3hours on the walk.
- PM: Lunch at Towada Lake and explore the area around the lake before boarding bus back to Aomori
- Visit Nebuta House WA Rasse & A-Factory before they close
Day 5: Aomori
- AM: Nokke-don for breakfast at Aomori Gyosai Centre
- Takayama Inari Shrine (Please help, is it worth the 2-hour trip to and fro there?)
- PM: Hirosaki City day trip: Castle Park, Fujita Garden, Saishoin Temple, loads of apple pies
- Head to Morioka and check into Hotel (Booked! For 1 night)
Day 6: Iwate
- AM: Fukuda-pan for breakfast
- Walk along Kitakami River while enjoying views of Mt Iwate
- Iwate Castle Park & Sakurayama Shrine
- Bank of Iwate Red Brick Building
- Enjoy some Soba and Reimen for lunch
- PM: Head to Kakunodate if not gone in Day 2
- Morioka (or Kakunodate) > Ichinoseki
- Check into hotel in Ichinoseki (not booked, but tentatively for 2 nights, any recommendations?)
Day 7: Iwate
- Rent a car for 1 day
- Have flying dango at Genbikei Gorge
- Chuson-ji
- Take the sightseeing river boat at Geibikei Gorge
- Return rental car
Day 8: Ginzan Onsen
- Check out of hotel in Ichinoseki
- Ship luggage to hotel in Yamagata
- AM: Head to Naruko gorge
- PM: Head to Ginzan Onsen via train route: Naruko Onsen > Shinjō > Oishida Station
- Shuttle service from Oishida Station to accomm in Ginzan Onsen (Booked! For 1 night)
- Check into hotel for onsen and kaiseki dinner
Day 9: Yamagata
- AM: Check out of Ginzan Onsen
- Head to Yamadera (Rissyakuji)
- PM: Yamadera > Yamagata station
- Explore Momiji park for fall colours
- Check into hotel near Yamagata Station (Booked! For 1 night)
Day 10: Tokyo
- AM: Yamagata Station > Tokyo Station via Yamagata Shinkansen
- PM: Shopping
Day 11: Tokyo
- Nothing really planned. Would just want to have some good food and get some shopping in.
Day 12: Home
- Early flight out of Haneda airport for home
Queries that I need help with:
- Does Akita airport have a luggage shipping service kiosk where I can ship my luggage to my hotel in Aomori? Would not want to lug my baggage to Nyuto Onsenkyo.
- Apparently there are buses to Dakigaeri Gorge in autumn that runs to & from Tazawako, any luck in finding the schedule and reservation details?
- Is Takayama Inari Shrine worth the hassle of traveling there? If the answer is yes, we will go!
- Recommendations on where we should stay for Day 6 & 7 that is not too far from Hiraizumi and Geibikei & Genbikei Gorges in Iwate and Naruko Gorge in Miyagi.
Let me know what you think. Thank you in advance!
by the-nagasiren