Hidden Gems Across Japan
1,610 spots
Oga Aquarium GAO
Oga Aquarium GAO (男鹿水族館GAO) perches on a cliff overlooking the Sea of Japan, specializing in cold-water species native t…
Senshu Park
Senshu Park (千秋公園) occupies the site of Kubota Castle (久保田城), the Edo-period stronghold of the Satake clan who ruled Aki…
Nyuto Onsen
Nyuto Onsen (乳頭温泉郷) is a cluster of seven secluded hot spring inns deep in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, 50 kilo…
Illustration — not a photographKiritanpo
Kiritanpo (きりたんぽ) is Akita's signature comfort food, originating from the mountainous Kazuno region where woodcutters an…
Akita Kanto Festival
The Akita Kanto Festival (秋田竿燈まつり) is one of Tohoku's three great festivals, held annually August 3-6. The centerpiece i…
Lake Tazawa
Lake Tazawa (田沢湖) is Japan's deepest lake at 423 meters, located in Akita's mountainous interior. The depth creates an o…
Namahage
Namahage are demon-gods from Oga Peninsula folklore, part of Akita's New Year traditions since the Edo period. They wear…
Kakunodate Samurai District
Kakunodate preserves 2 kilometers of samurai district from the Edo period, with wide unpaved streets lined by black wood…
Michinoku Coastal Trail
The Michinoku Coastal Trail stretches over 1,000 kilometers along the Pacific coast from Aomori Prefecture through Iwate…
Zunda Mochi
Zunda mochi represents Sendai and Miyagi Prefecture's most distinctive sweet, a beloved confection where mochi rice cake…
Sakunami Onsen
Sakunami Onsen has welcomed travelers for over 1,500 years, a riverside hot spring town nestled in a forested mountain v…
Shiroishi Castle
Shiroishi Castle stands as an impressive wooden reconstruction of a feudal-era fortress that served the Date clan's Kata…
Sendai Pageant of Starlight
The Sendai Pageant of Starlight transforms the city's main boulevards into a glittering wonderland each December, when s…
Zuiganji Temple
Zuiganji Temple stands as one of the Tohoku region's most important Zen Buddhist temples, a National Treasure that has s…
Ishinomaki Manga Museum (Shotaro Ishinomori)
The Ishinomaki Mangattan Museum celebrates the legacy of Shotaro Ishinomori, one of Japan's most prolific and influentia…
Miyagi Zao Ski Resort and Okama Crater
Miyagi Zao encompasses both a world-class ski resort renowned for its powder snow and ice-encrusted trees, and the stunn…
Shiogama Fish Market and Sushi for Breakfast
Shiogama's fish market and surrounding sushi restaurants offer one of northern Japan's premier seafood experiences, wher…
Zao Fox Village (Miyagi Zao Kitsune Mura)
The first fox you see at Zao Fox Village is sleeping in a dirt hollow three meters from the entrance gate, curled nose-t…
Sendai Morning Market (Sendai Asaichi)
Sendai Morning Market captures the vibrant essence of local food culture, a covered arcade market that has served Sendai…
Rinnoji Temple and Garden
Rinnoji Temple presents a serene sanctuary in northern Sendai, a Zen Buddhist temple renowned for its exceptional landsc…
Sendai Tanabata Festival
The Sendai Tanabata Festival stands as Japan's most spectacular star festival celebration, transforming the entire city…
Naruko Onsen Hot Spring Town
Naruko Onsen has soothed travelers for over 1,000 years, a mountain hot spring town nestled in a volcanic valley where f…
Godaido Temple
Godaido Temple stands as one of Matsushima's most iconic landmarks, a small vermillion Buddhist hall perched on a tiny i…
Akiu Great Falls (Akiu Otaki)
Akiu Great Falls ranks among Japan's three most famous waterfalls, a powerful 55-meter cascade where the Natori River pl…
Estimated from distance to the nearest airport or shinkansen station. Confirm actual journey times before you travel.