Tohoku famous for it’s scenic countryside, picturesque mountains, calm lakes, relaxing onsen (hot springs), high quality rice and winter sports among others. Six prefectures in the north of Japan’s largest island, Honshu make up Tohoku namely Akita, Yamagata, Miyagi, Aomori, Iwate and Iwate each with their distinctive attractions at every season of the year. Come take a delightful journey with Savour BlackBookAsia as we bring you highlights of this amazing part of Japan.
First stop is Pole Pole Farm located in Nishikawa (西川) surrounded by picturesque mountains, a scene that could well be taken from a Hollywood blockbuster movie. Pole Pole farm is the perfect location for families traveling with children as they offer a range of fun outdoor and indoor activities such as snow mobile, slides and even banana-boat ice rides. Safety is of utmost importance and well trained staff are at hand to ensure all proper guidelines are executed so that everyone has a good time.
Apart from day trips, Pole Pole Farm also has accommodations for guests to have a relaxing weekend trip or even long stay globetrotters. Every chalet has their own kitchen, living area with television, western beds and tatami mats to suit all kind of occasions. Parents and grandparents can have a nice cup of coffee or tea while their kids are out and about in the safe hands of Pole Pole Farm staff. A short drive away are the famous “ice walls” that reaches close to 15 meters up to the sky, available only during certain periods of winter.
Zao Onsen easily accessible from Yamagata is a must visit for locals and tourist alike famous for the soft milky waters as well as the “Zao monsters”; trees covered in snow during winter resembles cute animal like shapes which draws in crowds by the thousands. Takamiya 高見屋 is one of the very best accommodation around the region featuring traditional Japanese ryokan style rooms and a variety of onsen (hot spring) baths of varying temperatures. The rotenburo (outdoor onsen) is simply sublime with views that changes according to the seasons. All onsens also come with spacious bathing areas with high quality amenities like shampoo and bodywash for a good shower prior to your relaxing soak.
A number of stay packages are available at Takamiya 高見屋 and the most popular one is the stay package that includes breakfast and dinner whereby the masterful chef will prepare the best seasonal dishes from around the area to satisfy your cravings. Highlights include, awabi (abalone), gyu (beef) and a selection of fresh sashimi and mountain vegetables which goes amazingly with sake that can be bought at an additional cost.
Nearby is a sake museum and bar (owned by the same owners as Takamiya 高見屋 ryokan) serving an enormous range of sakes in all kinds of formats, tastes and body. This region in Tohoku is famous for sake and evident in the many award winning selections available for dine in or take away. If you are too dazzled by the sheer variety on the menu, a sake sommelier is at hand to offer assistance or simply order the tasting portions of 3 sake types all of which are most excellent choices.
At the historic Kakunodate is Natsuse Onsen “Miyako Wasure”都わすれ, an easy ride from Yamagata via Sendai on JR East Railway Company’s trains. The beautiful ryokan has panoramic views of the nearby lake and river with it’s turquoise waters that change colour tones depending on the time of the year. A very private and exclusive area that has VIP rooms with it’s own en suite indoor bath as well as rotenburo for that decadent dip while admiring the sounds of nature.
The interiors of Natsuse Onsen “Miyako Wasure”都わすれ is very homely with lavish sofas, rocking chair, fire place and even a grand piano as center piece. Design is a mix of contemporary and traditions with floor to ceiling windows letting in natural light adding to the overall cosy atmosphere of the premise liken to being at home. From the exterior, one would reminisce of time gone by, staying in bygone era country side cottages with their tall chimneys.
A main dining hall keeps guests full with private rooms subjected to availability. Natsuse Onsen “Miyako Wasure”都わすれ is proud of their classic Japanese omakase showcasing the very best seasonal ingredients and produce cooked using all kinds of methods and styles such as grill, suki yaki, shabu shabu, yakitori among others. Plating here is world class using a stupendous selection of table ware of all shapes, szies and material type with dishes aesthetically enhanced by local flowers.
Bukeyashiki “Ishiguroke” 武家屋敷 石黒家 situated in Bukeyashiki town, around 30 minutes drive from Natsuse Onsen “Miyako Wasure”都わすれ is an old samurai house converted into a museum with the current descendants of the family still living within the premise. The fine details of the house still remains untouched over all these years and can be seen on many doors and ceilings such as wooden animal carvings that reflects arty shadows when the house lights are turned on as night approaches.
Large store houses, the size of today’s hotel penthouses can be found at the back and is used to store food during winter when farming halts for the period. Authentic samurai armor, swords, clothing over and above other intricate artifacts are carefully preserved in glass showcases.
Kakunodate is renown for their cherry wood craft made from sakura trees. These high quality wood is used to make into almost anything you can imagine from card holders to chopsticks, plates and cups and even art sculptures that looks fitting for international museums and auction houses. During sakura season, the roads that line Bukeyashiki town in Kakunodate are flanked left and right with lovely cherry blossoms. One of the best sakura sightseeing spots in the whole of Japan.
In central Morioka, Asabiraki Sake Brewerly あさ開酒造 is a noted sake house with a celebrated history of producing some of the best sake not only in Tohoku but also in the whole of Japan. With an in-house laboratory, experimenting with new techniques to make sake staying true to the current times yet holding fast to traditional methods rooted deep in Japan’s rich culture of rice liquor.
The production plant spans a few blocks wide producing sake annually that can fill thousands of standard size bottles. Many sake produced here have gotten accolades from internationals sake tournaments and is no stranger to both Japanese and foreign sake lovers. By the factory is a venue where you can taste sakes for purchase home, ideal for gifts to family and friends or even business associates. The store also sells snacks that goes well with sake such as air dried beef jerky and seasoned hotate (scallops).
Jodogahama Cruise is an easy day trip from Morioka on the Kenpoku bus (106Express急行) from Morioka bus station (宮古駅前) via Miyako station (Miyako Byoin宮古病院). This is certainly the pinnacle of sight seeing spots around the area with a leisurely cruise along the sea in a well maintained double story boat with both air con and al fresco seating.
The Jodogahama area was badly affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami but repairs and restoration works have been speedy and well done causing this location to once again be a tourist draw this very day. The sea gulls are a constant companion on the boat ride with optional bird food available to be purchase onboard to feed the birds, a rather therapeutic and enjoyable activity.
Remember to bring your cameras as the sea exudes a deep blue calm within us with picture perfect shots from all around the boat while the sea gulls flies majestically in the air following the boat’s path. Advance reservation and purchase of boat tickets are recommended especially during peak season as the boat has capacity constraints for safety reasons, a trait that the boat management company is well liked for.
The Miyako Byoin (宮古病院) and Jodogahama area is acclaimed for it’s seafood and highly sought after dishes would be the seafood ramen and rice don. The seafood ramen is mouth wateringly good with a delightful mix of seaweed, scallops (hotate), prawns (ebi), crab (kani) in a clear flavourful salt (shio) broth. The noodles are handmade and cooked well neither too soft or hard on the bite. The seafood rice don is heavenly, topped with premium seafood like abalone (awabi), tuna (maguro), salmon (sake), sea urchin (uni) as well as prawns, crab and salmon roe. This dish is divine is every aspect of taste and textures, epicurean brilliance in every word.
World heritage ”Hiraizumi”should be on your bucket list of places to visit with their flagship attraction Chusonji temple where guests come from far and wide to visit. Have a leisure stroll along the gigantic area filled with many other temples and shrines with ample places to rest and stretch your legs. Just nearby Chusonji temple are many cafes and restaurants for that restful respite after all the walking and picture taking.
Sushi Akitsuki 暁月at Sendai is a hidden gem specialising in sushi and sashimi using only the best produce from around the region as well as from all over Japan. Along with the delectable dishes, a good number of sake, beer and other non alcoholic beverages such as green tea is available to order.
In an intimate seating arrangement facing the chefs, diners can enjoy their meal while watching the chefs in action dishing up course after course in a rhythmic beat. Expertly slicing fishes like yellowtail, crustaceans such as prawns before gently placing them on hand molded rice accompanied with preserved ginger and horse radish (wasabi).
Sushi Akitsuki 暁月restaurant is a short taxi drive from JR Sendai Station or also accessible by bus ride. Prior reservations are recommended to assist chef in preparing the freshest ingredients, endeavoring to create a precise bespoke dining experience just for you. Allergy or preferences can also be made known in advance.
In conclusion, Savour BlackBookAsia (SVR BlackBookAsia) is proud to collaborate with Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization and all the mentioned companies to feature many wonderful places, each with their own unique signature traits. We are hearten that many areas within Tohoku have already been fully or in the process of recovering from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. In all the places SVR BlackBookAsia visited, it can been seen that many security and safety measures are in place to ensure utmost care is taken during an emergency. So do include Tohoku in your itinerary during your next trip to Japan, a special place that will leave you fond memories for years to come.
Special thanks to Japan Creative Centre Embassy of Japan Singapore, JR East Railway Company, JR East Hotels, Changi Recommends/Changi Wifi (A subsidiary of Changi Airport Group, World’s Best Airport multiple award winner) Powered by Softbank Japan, various Japan prefecture representatives and corporate partners.
Read more on Savour (SVR) BlackBookAsia Special Japan Edition and 1st Anniversary Issue:
https://savourblackbookasia.com/category/japan-fb/
https://savourblackbookasia.com/category/japan-hotels/