1st Tensendai★Gathering Day
All day
Today is the day for the event. Tourists from all over Japan will fly to Sendai City in Miyagi Prefecture, Tohoku, Japan. Upon arrival, China-TravelNote staff will be waiting at the airport to guide you to your hotel by public transportation.
Recommended attractions in Sendai:
Jozenji-dori: This street is one of Sendai's main thoroughfares, known as the "Forest City." Four rows of beech trees stretch for approximately 700 meters, changing colors with the seasons, from vibrant green to vibrant red. A pedestrian path runs down the center of the street, perfect for a leisurely stroll while enjoying a cup of coffee.
Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle): Sendai Castle was built by Date Masamune, the first lord of the Sendai Domain, and served as the center of the domain's administration for 270 years. Today, the area is a park where the ancient remains of the castle walls can be seen.
[Kirin Beer Sendai Factory]: This factory started operating in 1923 and is the oldest brewery in Tohoku, Japan. You can visit the production process of "Kirin Beer Ichiban Squeeze" here, and taste fresh beer after the visit. (Minors are not allowed to drink)
Sendai City Food Recommendations:
[Beef Tongue]: Beef tongue is a delicacy that must be mentioned when talking about Sendai. There are hundreds of restaurants in Sendai where you can taste beef tongue dishes. Recommended restaurants: [Riku], [Kisuke], [Fukusuke], [Zenjiro], etc. Whether it is charcoal grilled or shabu-shabu, it is worth a try.
[Edamame]: Edamame mochi is a local dish belonging to the Sendai area and the southern Tohoku region. The edamame is first crushed and then seasoned with sugar. Of course, in addition to mochi, there are also edamame ice cream, edamame milkshakes, edamame ice cream, etc. Recommended restaurants: [Murakamiya Bakery], [Cha no Ida Kikusuian]
2nd Tensendai → Zao Fox Village → Ginzan Onsen → Yokote
All day
Depart from Sendai City and head to Miyagi Zao Fox Village. Embark on a journey to the village and get up close and personal with the adorable little creatures of the wild! Home to over 100 free-range foxes, the animals are allowed to run and leap freely in the wild. The entire hillside is a playground for the foxes. The village itself is situated on a small hill, and a leisurely stroll through the entire area takes about 30 minutes. As you stroll, you'll often see foxes strolling past you. Get up close and personal with the foxes: There's a feeding platform for the foxes. To prevent them from competing for food and injuring visitors, the only option is to toss food from the platform. As soon as someone steps onto the feeding platform, foxes gather from all directions to scramble for the food. While the free-range foxes won't attack, they can still be a bit wild, so petting is prohibited. However, children can cuddle with the foxes. (Fees are at your own expense.)
After your trip, head to Ginzan Onsen, a magical place straight out of the movie "Spirited Away." Located on the site of a former silver mine in rural Yamagata Prefecture, Ginzan Onsen is an ideal spot for exploring the mysteries of ancient Japan. Traditional inns line the riverbanks, creating a picturesque scene that feels like a trip back in time to the Taisho era (1912-1926). Although relatively far from the city, this spot offers a moment of tranquility and peace, a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.
After strolling through the hot spring town, we set off for Yokote City in Akita Prefecture.
Day 3 Yokote → Kakunodate → Nyuto Onsen
All day
After breakfast, we'll visit the Yokote Snow House Museum. Here, you can experience the magical charm of the Yokote Snow Festival, one of the five major snow festivals of Mutsu, year-round. The museum also features a replica of the snow house, allowing you to experience this fascinating folk festival in a different season.
After the tour, we left Yokote and headed north to Kakunodate, known as the "Little Kyoto of Mutsu."
Hideyoshi Sake Brewery, also known as Suzuki Sake Brewery, was founded in the 17th century and is one of Japan's oldest sake breweries. It's also one of Akita Prefecture's most famous and representative sake breweries. You can tour the brewery and sample delicious sake from Tohoku (minors are prohibited from drinking).
Kakunodate Samurai Residence Street: This street, built in the 17th century, is lined with black wooden walls, each surmounted by a majestic gate. Within the courtyards are samurai residences, warehouses, and courtyards. The moment you enter this street, you'll feel as if you've stepped back into the days of the samurai.
Kakunodate Kabazai Crafts Heritage Museum: Kabazai Crafts is a traditional craft that dates back to the 18th century and is still produced only in Kakunodate, Japan. Artisans peel the bark of mountain cherry trees, dry it, and then craft it into tableware and other items. Kabazai Crafts vary in style, ranging from polished surfaces to those that retain the texture of the bark. Among Kakunodate's handicrafts, the museum also displays Shiraiwa-yaki, a porcelain with a distinctive deep blue color, produced by Akita's oldest pottery.
In the evening, we arrived at Nyuto Onsen Village, located on the border of Akita and Iwate Prefectures. This hot spring village is the collective name for the hot springs at the foot of Mt. Nyuto, located in Towada-Hachimantai National Park in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, Japan. Nyuto Onsen Village encompasses six hot springs: Tsurunoyu Onsen, Ogama Onsen, Taenoyu Onsen, Kaniba Onsen, Magoroku Onsen, and Kuroyu Onsen. It is a designated national hot spring resort.
Day 4 Nyuto Onsen → Akita Innosato → Hirosaki
All day
Departing the hot spring hotel this morning, we'll continue north, where we'll first visit the Akita Inu Village in Odate. This location is modeled after Shibuya Station during the Taisho period, the era of the story of Hachiko. Here, you can learn all about Akita Inus and get up close and personal with these adorable little animals!
After bidding farewell to the Akita dogs, we continued our journey and arrived in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture.
Hirosaki, once the center of the Tsugaru region in northeastern Japan, is known for its high apple production year-round. Its well-preserved Japanese and Western-style architecture and samurai residences are also one of the city's hallmarks.
Surrounding the Hirosaki City Tourist Center is a cluster of Western-style buildings, each with its own distinct style. Near the former Hirosaki City Library is the Miniature Building Exhibition Area, featuring 1/10 scale replicas of 14 buildings in Hirosaki City. The models themselves are exquisite and truly impressive. You can freely stroll around the area and enjoy a Taisho-style afternoon tea at the nearby Taisho Romantic Café (at your own expense).
Tsugaru-han Nebuta Village: Aomori is the birthplace of the Tohoku Nebuta Festival. Every summer in early August, large lanterns are strung together to create "Neubuta" floats, a unique local ritual. The Nebuta Village Museum displays Nebuta lanterns used in successive Nebuta festivals, the largest of which stands two stories tall! Learn about the development of Nebuta festivals across Aomori Prefecture at the museum and experience the excitement of the festival with taiko drum performances.
Here, tourists can personally experience the [hand-painted Sandman Lantern]. The staff will help tie the ropes and wrap it, so that you can make your own souvenir.
In the evening, you will also taste Tsugaru cuisine, a specialty of the Northeast.
Day 5 Hirosaki → Oirase Stream → Lake Towada → Aomori
All day
After breakfast at the hotel, we set out to explore the natural surroundings.
Oirase Gorge: The Oirase Gorge originates from Lake Towada on the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures and flows through the scenic Oirase Gorge. For centuries, it has inspired painters and poets. Hiking or cycling along the riverbank is the best way to explore the gorge. A dedicated vehicle will take you to the mouth of Lake Towada, where you'll begin your hike and continue all the way to the Ishido Rest Area. The total distance is approximately 8 kilometers, and you'll encounter numerous small waterfalls with unique names, such as Shiraishi Falls, Kumoi Falls, and Soryu Falls. Some say a stroll here is like a Zen meditation. Embrace the pristine forest and breathe in the natural world amidst beech, Japanese oak, maple, and white cedar trees. The entire concept of forest therapy is based on this magical interaction.
You will have to take care of your own lunch during the hike. It is recommended that you prepare some food the night before.
After our hike, we'll depart for Towada City to visit the Towada Contemporary Art Center, a local creative hub and a symbol of the region's revitalization. In less than a decade, Towada has become a popular destination for contemporary art enthusiasts and tourists alike. The center showcases works by world-renowned artists, including Jean Mueke and Yayoi Kusama.
After the tour, we set off for Aomori City, the northernmost tip of Japan's Honshu Island.
6th Tianqingming★Disbandment Day
All day
Today is our final day. After breakfast at the hotel, you'll check out according to your flight or train schedule (most Japanese hotels have a 10:00 AM checkout time). Tourists who haven't had enough can stay a few days longer to experience the charm of Okuma Prefecture. Please check your belongings before leaving the hotel to ensure you don't forget anything (especially your passport). This concludes our in-depth Japan experience. I look forward to your travelogues!
Recommended games:
Aomori Gyosai Center (Furukawa Market): Located in Mutsu Bay, Aomori is home to many great spots for enjoying seafood. The Aomori Gyosai Center (Furukawa Market) is particularly renowned. Be sure to try the all-you-can-eat seafood rice bowl (のっけ丼), where you can choose all the toppings you want.
[Zenchi-dori Shrine] Located near Aomori Station, the Zenchi-dori Shrine is a very famous and efficacious shrine in Aomori City. It has been protecting the health of the people of Aomori. The most special thing here is the [Waist and Leg Guardian Amulet].
Aomori Nebuta House: This place introduces the history and charm of the Nebuta Festival, and allows visitors to experience the various activities of the festival firsthand. Four large Nebuta lantern floats, which are actually used in the festival, are also on display.
