Think you know Japan? You don’t until you explore the country’s hidden gem, the natural hot springs and snow-capped mountains of Tohoku.
When it comes to traveling in Japan, most people visit big cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, or the famous ancient capital of Kyoto, but it would be a shame not to journey to the northern part of Japan. In Tohoku, you will find one of the world’s greatest snow countries, rich in nature, history, and culture.
The Tohoku region of Japan is a vast, sparsely populated area that spans six prefectures. The six prefectures are Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima. The region has historically been isolated due to limited transportation and some of the heaviest snowfalls in the world. As a result, the Tohoku region has been largely unaffected by outside influences and has developed a unique culture with its own traditions.
Over the past decade, government-led efforts to make it an international tourist destination have finally allowed this best-kept secret of Japanese tourism to take the lead role. The region offers lush landscapes, a tranquil winter wonderland, unparalleled spiritual experiences, and world-class outdoor adventures.
Tohoku is also very accessible from Tokyo. One and a half hours away by bullet train, the warm countryside reminiscent of Ghibli films with its rich nature, vast rice paddies, and beautiful villages will enchant visitors.
Ginzan Onsen Town
Cherries, hot springs, natural landscapes of rugged beauty, and local agriculture are Yamagata’s most renowned sightseeing and tourist attractions. Travelers will fall in love with the wonderful vistas of this northern prefecture. If the Studio Ghibli movie Spirited Away is one of your favorites, then a visit to Ginzan Onsen Town might be the perfect bucket list item for you. Ginzan means ‘silver mine’ and this hot spring town once had flourishing silver production, but later shifted to tourism by opening dozens of hot spring inns along the small Ginzan River that runs through town.
As an onsen town, it has become one of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan, with an atmosphere that takes you back in time to the Taisho period (1912–1926). Strolling along the small streets on either bank of the Ginzan River gives you the best views of a traditional resort town that still retains last century charms.
Wooden hot spring inns line the Ginzan River and create a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of old Japan. Among them, Notoya Ryokan is the oldest and is most famous among foreign tourists because of its elaborate appearance, which inspired the hot spring inn that appeared in the famous anime.
Gaze up at the sparkling night sky from any of the outside baths in the onsen town. After you’ve had your fill of hot springs, walk along the river streets and find local foot baths set up along the river or stroll around the cafes and shops.
Kakunodate
Akita Prefecture in the Tohoku region is famous for its natural beauty, hot springs, and—of course—the Akita breed of dogs. Kakunodate is a town in Senboku-gun, Akita that still retains its quaint, old-fashioned appearance. This former castle town—although Kakunodate Castle no longer remains—is famous for its well-preserved samurai residences from the Edo period (1603–1867) along with hundreds of weeping cherry trees (shidarezakura). Some people call this place the Little Kyoto of Michinoku.
The samurai residences are open to the public, allowing visitors the chance to experience the traditional life of a samurai. Why not wear a rental kimono, take a jinrikisha (rickshaw) ride, and stroll through the streets as if you have slipped back in time to the Edo period. While you’re enjoying the beautiful townscape, don’t forget to visit the Kakunodate Kabazaiku Center where you can appreciate handmade traditional handicrafts that are elegant and rich in the color of cherry blossoms.
Nyuto Onsenkyo
After a two-hour train and bus ride north through beautiful scenery from Kakunodate, you arrive at the Nyuto Onsenkyo hot spring resort)in Tazawa. This stretch of seven hot springs is collectively called Nyuto Onsenkyo and the scattered springs are located at the foot of Mount Nyuto in Towada-Hachimantai National Park.
Among the seven springs, Tsurunoyu is the oldest and was a natural therapeutic bath for the lord of the Akita clan. The thatched-roofed tenement house used by the samurai who protected the lord, “Honjin,” still remains. The spring contains sulfur, sodium, calcium chloride, carbonic acid, and hydrogen, and its waters are said to be beneficial for high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, rheumatism, skin diseases, and diabetes.
Lake Juni (Twelve Lakes)
Venture to the northernmost prefecture of Japan’s main island and head to Lake Juni (Twelve Lakes) to experience the mysterious beauty of nature. From Akita to the nearest station, Juniko Station, take JR East’s Resort Shirakami and enjoy the spectacular seaside scenery of the Gono Line, which stretches about 150 km along the Sea of Japan.
The Twelve Lakes are a group of 33 lakes and ponds surrounded by beechwood forests located in Tsugaru Quasi-National Park, the western part of the Shirakami-Sanchi mountainous area. They are said to have been formed by a landslide caused by a major earthquake in 1704 and are called Juniko (Twelve Lakes) because twelve of the lakes and ponds can be seen from Mount Kuzure.
The Juniko area is accessible from April to November when spring’s fresh green and autumn’s leaves are popular with trekkers. From December to March, the gate leading to Lake Juni is closed to vehicular traffic. It is not possible to explore the area on your own, but you can go with a guide and enjoy the snowy scenery.
Aoike (Blue Pond)
Aoike is the most famous pond, with a blue hue that looks as if it has been artificially colored. The water is so clear that you can see dead beechwood trees lying nine meters below the surface of the cobalt blue pond. Who wouldn’t be fascinated by the mysterious blue color, the mechanism of which is yet to be elucidated?
Sukayu Onsen
For a truly historical hot spring experience, head east from Juniko to Sukayu. This hot spring village is a resort that dates back all the way to the Edo period. Located at the western foot of the Hakkoda mountain range, Sukayu will enchant visitors by Hiba Sennin Buro, a large bathhouse with about 250 square meters of bathing space spread out under a pillarless roof. The bathrooms are all made of Japanese cypress wood, which has a unique scent and creates an old-fashioned atmosphere.
Sukayu (acid hot spring) is named after its strong acidic nature. It is said to be effective in relieving muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue, and cold hands and feet, making it the perfect place to soak after trekking across Mount Hakkoda.
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