For the entire five days of our Tohoku travel, we used the JR Tohoku pass/JR East Pass and saved up to 89 120 yen travel costs. With JR Tohoku pass we traveled to 5 prefectures without worrying about travel fare.
It’s advisable to secure a seat in advance when boarding the Shinkansen for your convenience. Additionally, if you’ve purchased a standard Shinkansen ticket, an extra fee is required, but this charge is waived with a JR Tohoku pass. For a detailed guide about my entire Tohoku travel, get my Tohoku travel itinerary in (PDF format) or (Google sheet) for free.
Table of Contents
ToggleDay 1: Yamagata Prefecture
Our first day of travel in Tohoku started bright and early with a 6:18 AM departure. We took a local JR train to Ueno Station, aiming to catch the Shinkansen to Yamagata. Unfortunately, there were no available seats for the direct route, so we adjusted our plans. Instead, we hopped on the Shinkansen to Sendai Station, then transferred to a local JR train on the Senzan Line to reach Yamagata. The journey from Sendai to Yamagata was breathtaking, as the snow-covered forests and mountains outside the train windows made the ride magical.
Once we arrived at Yamagata Station, we took the East exit and bought bus tickets to Zao Onsen. The ride was smooth, and after a short walk from the Zao bus terminal, we reached the Zao Ropeway. Spending around four hours there, we took in stunning views, enjoyed the Zao snow monsters (Juhyo), and visited the Zao Jizoson statue at the summit. After a delicious lunch at the station’s restaurant, we headed back down, catching the bus back to Yamagata. We returned to Sendai Station just in time for dinner at Heirokusushi, then made our final journey to Morioka, where we settled in for the rest of our day one Tohoku travel itinerary.
From Ueno Station to Sendai Station
Schedule: 6:18AM - 7:58AM
Travel Fare: ¥11,880
Using JR Tohoku Pass: 0
We initially took a local JR train to Ueno Station, planning to travel to Tohoku via the Shinkansen. However, due to the unavailability of seats for our direct journey to Yamagata Station, we altered our plans and opted to go to Sendai Station via the Shinkansen and then take a local JR train to reach Yamagata Station from Sendai.
Zao Onsen Bus Terminal to Zao Ropeway
Zao Ropeway is around a 5-minute walk from Zao bus terminal.
We spent around 4 hours enjoying the place. If you love skiing? this place is perfect for you.
Unizo Inn Express
Walk around 5 minutes going to Unizo Inn Express. Follow the signs going to the WEST Exit. There is a direct overpass heading to the Hotel which is very convenient if you have large luggage.
Day 2: Aomori Prefecture
On the second day of our Tohoku travel itinerary, we started bright and early with a 6:54 AM Shinkansen ride from Morioka to Shin-Aomori—thanks to the JR Tohoku Pass, it was all covered! After a quick hop on a local train, we reached Aomori Station and headed to Kominato Station. From there, we enjoyed a relaxing 30-minute walk to Asadokoro Kaigan, soaking in the beautiful coastal views before making our way back to Aomori.
Once we returned to Aomori, we visited the Nebuta Warasse Museum, where we got to see the incredible lanterns from the August 2023 Nebuta Festival. The artwork was amazing, and we couldn’t resist grabbing some souvenirs afterward. Then it was time to head back to Morioka by train. After arriving, we took a short bus ride to visit the peaceful Morioka Ruined Castle before ending the day with a delicious dinner at Kumamoto Oppeshan, just a few minutes from the station. Finally, we headed back to our hotel, ready for the next day’s adventure!
Nebuta Museum Warasse
Schedule: 12:30 - 13:35
Entrance Fee: ¥620- Adult
The museum is located near the station. These are the lanterns displayed at the museum. According to the staff, these were the winners last Nebuta Festival, August 2023.
Day 3: Odate City
On the third day, we kicked off early again, catching the 6:38 AM Shinkansen from Morioka to Shin-Aomori, all covered by our JR Tohoku Pass. From there, we transferred to a local JR train to reach Hirosaki Station, and then continued on another local train to Odate Station.
Our first stop in Odate was the Akita Dog Visitor Center and Museum, where we learned about the famous Akita breed and even spotted Mt. Houou in the distance. After exploring the area and walking around the city, we took the train back to Hirosaki. From there, we hopped into a taxi to visit the beautiful Hirosaki Castle, where we spent time strolling through the scenic grounds.
As the afternoon wrapped up, we caught the Limited Express Tsugaru back to Shin-Aomori, a quick 30-minute ride. With some time to spare before our next train, we enjoyed a relaxing dinner at one of the seafood restaurants inside the station, a perfect way to end our day before heading back to Morioka.
Day 4: Joyful Train Ride - Tohoku Travel
On day four, we started our day with an early 6:54 AM Shinkansen ride from Morioka to Shin-Aomori, once again using our JR Tohoku Pass. Before boarding the Joyful Train, we made sure to grab an ekiben (a special bento box meal) for lunch—a perfect way to enjoy local flavors while on the go.
The Resort Shirakami Joyful Train is more than just transportation; it’s an experience in itself. With its large windows, we were able to take in the breathtaking views of snow-covered rice fields as we traveled. Between Mutsu-Tsuruda and Kawabe Stations, we enjoyed a unique performance of “Katarabe,” a Tsugaru dialect storytelling event that made the journey even more memorable. We also had a quick photo stop at Senjojiki Station, with the stunning Senjojiki Coast right across the road.
The scenic seaside views continued as we traveled from Senjojiki to Fukaura Station. We even made a brief stop at Noshiro City, famous for its basketball legacy. By the time we arrived at Akita Station, we picked up another ekiben before heading to our next stop, Tazawako Station.
At Tazawako Station, we caught a bus to the stunning Lake Tazawa, Japan’s deepest lake. Its tranquil beauty was captivating, and we visited the golden Statue of Tatsuko, which tells the legend of a young woman transformed into a dragon, guarding the lake’s depths. After soaking in the serenity of the lake, we headed back to Tazawako Station for our train ride back to Morioka, ending the day with a delicious dinner near the station before returning to our hotel, Unizo Inn Express, for a restful night.
Statue of Tatsuko
The Statue of Tatsuko- a golden statue of a young woman looking over the lake.
Legend has it that Tatsuko was an exceptionally beautiful young woman who wished to be youthful and beautiful forever. She prayed to the merciful and compassionate Okura Kannon every night. The goddess responded to her long nights of prayer by telling her that her wish would be granted if she drank water from a nearby spring. Unfortunately for Tatsuko, her great thirst led her to drink until the spring ran dry, and she transformed into a dragon, fated to prowl the lake’s great depths for eternity as its guardian.
Day 5: Matsushima Bay
On the last day of our Tohoku travel itinerary, we set off early from Morioka, catching the 7:08 AM Shinkansen to Sendai Station using our JR Tohoku Pass. From there, we took a local train to Matsushima Kaigan, excited for a day of exploration by the bay.
Our first stop was the Matsushima Yakigaki House, where we indulged in an all-you-can-eat oyster feast (kaki tabehoudai)—a real treat I had been looking forward to! Afterward, we wandered around Matsushima Bay, and to our surprise, we found an adorable Akita dog named Yu-chan at the park. The owners kindly let us take a photo, making it a special moment, especially after our earlier trip to Odate to see Akita dogs.
Next, we visited Godaido Temple, an iconic spot in Matsushima, and followed it up with a scenic cruise around Matsushima Bay. Seeing the 200 islets scattered across the water was breathtaking. Afterward, we walked across Fukuura Bridge to explore Fukuurajima Island, taking in the peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty.
In the afternoon, we returned to the main island for a mini food trip, savoring local treats before making our way back to Sendai Station. From there, we boarded a local train back to Sendai, and later, the Disney-themed bullet train to Ueno Station. It was the perfect way to wrap up our unforgettable journey through Tohoku!
Walk around Matsushima Bay
Schedule: 10:00 - 11:00
Found an Akita dog at the park and we were happy as the owners permitted us to take a photo with their dog called Yu-chan. We have been excited to see Akita dogs during this trip that we even went to Odate City in Akita just to pet one but we were unlucky as most of the establishments were closed for year-end holidays.