Hey everyone! I'll be traveling to Japan this October for the second time and wanted to explore Tohoku. I've put together an itinerary that covers Tokyo, Sendai, Morioka, Akita, Aomori, and Sapporo. I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially if you’ve been to any of these places. Am I missing something important? Does this look manageable?
Couple of things to know beforehand: I will not rent a car (too afraid lol), I'll be traveling alone (32f) and I have already been to Sapporo and Tokyo. I wanted to explore the more "rural" and smaller cities of Japan and eat some yummy foods 🙂
Last time I especially loved Sapporo hence why I wanted to visit it again and see the couple of things I missed the last time.
Here’s what I’ve got planned:
Day 1 – 3: Arrival in Tokyo
- Just general shenanigans, meeting up with friends yada yada 🙂
Day 4: Sendai
- Shinkansen (Tohoku or Akita) to Sendai
Lunch at the market?
take Loople bus, possible stop to jump out:
- Osaki Hachimangu
- Sendai Castle
- Somewhere in the middle for a nice Gyutan lunch
Visit AER Observation Deck in the evening (closes at 20:00) for pretty night view :3
Sendai Food: Gyutan, Zunda Mochi
Day 5: Trip to Matsushima
- Take the JR Senseki from Sendai to Hon-Shiogama Station as early as possible for me
- Marubun Matsushima Kisen Basho Cruise
- Singing "I'm on a boat" by Lonely Island
- Explore Matsushima
- Consider staying for sunset before returning to Sendai (depends on my excitement level)
- Evening: Explore Sendai
Day 6: Trip to Yamadera
- Take the JR Senzan Line from Sendai Station to Yamadera Station as early as possible
- Visit Risshaku-ji
- Afternoon/Evening: Return to Sendai
Day 7: Morioka
- Early morning departure to Morioka
- Explore Downtown Morioka
- Sakurayama Shrine
- Iwate Museum of Art or Morioka History & Culture Museum?
- Morioka Food: The three great noodles of Morioka (Reimen, Jajamen, wanko), though not sure if I want to do wanko all alone lol
Day 8: Trip to Kakunodate & Arrival in Akita
- Take the Shinkansen to Kakunodate
- Explore Samurai and Merchant District
- Kakunodate Castle
- Option to visit Lake Tazawa if time permits.
- Depart Kakunodate around evening-ish with Shinkansen
- Arrive in Akita, dinner, relax
Day 9: Akita
- Visit Kubota Castle
- … ?
- Either depart for Aomori today or stay another night.
- Akita Food: Inaniwa Udon, Kiritanpo, babahera ice cream
Day 10: Aomori
- Arrive in Aomori (or the day before)
- Visit Aomori Gyosai Center for Nokkedon (closes at 4) for breakfast/lunch
- Aomori Prefecture Tourism Information Center ASPAM
- Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse
- Aomori Food: Apples (obviously), Nokkedon, Kaiyaki Miso
Day 11: Aomori
- If yummy: Another Nokkedon
- Visit Showa Daibutsu Buddha
- A-Factory for some yummy apples
- Explore?
- Probably on this day (or the next morning): Depart Aomori and fly to Sapporo.
Day 12-16: Sapporo
- Moiwa Ropeway
- Sapporo Beer Museum
- Moerenuma Park
- Hokkaido Museum
- Former Hokkaido Government Office
- Relax 🙂
- (I've already been to Odori Park, Sapporo TV Tower, Shiroikoibito Park and the Clock Tower)
Day 17-23: Tokyo
- Vibing and shopping basically
I feel like I got enough to do in Sendai but I am unsure of Aomori and Akita. Should I maybe swap something out or go somewhere else? I am pretty relaxed about the last couple of days so I could switch things around or get some more days in Tohoku. In case that makes any sense.
I already know about Ginzan Onsen but its pretty much booked out now and also it seems to be hard to get anything for a single person (let alone one with a tattoo like me).
If anyone can pinpoint me to something interesting that I can put on my list I would be very grateful. Thanks!
by Anilanoa