7 Days in Tohoku: Sendai, Matsushima, Hiraizumi, Kakunodate & Aomori

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Tohoku, the north of Honshu, is green, quiet and full of hot springs. The Shinkansen makes it easy: this loop goes up the east side and back from Aomori.

Oirase Gorge in autumn
  • Length7 days, 6 nights
  • RouteSendai → Matsushima → Hiraizumi → Kakunodate → Aomori → Oirase
  • Best forTravellers looking for fewer crowds
  • When to goLate April (cherry blossoms), summer festivals in August, October (autumn leaves)
  • Rail passThe JR East Pass (Tohoku area) usually pays off on this route.

Make it yours: open this route in the trip planner, add your dates and get travel times, seasonal alerts and links to flights and hotels.

Open in the trip planner →

The route at a glance

  1. Day 1 · Sendai: Sendai
  2. Day 2 · Matsushima: Matsushima Bay
  3. Day 3 · Hiraizumi: Hiraizumi and on to Kakunodate
  4. Day 4 · Kakunodate: Samurai district and Lake Tazawa
  5. Day 5 · Aomori: To Aomori
  6. Day 6 · Oirase: Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada
  7. Day 7 · Aomori: Back to Tokyo

Day 1 · Sendai

Sendai

About 1 hour 30 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen. Visit Zuihoden, the ornate mausoleum of Date Masamune, and eat grilled beef tongue (gyutan) for dinner.

Zuihoden, Sendai
  • Zuihoden
  • Jozenji-dori
  • Gyutan dinner

Day 2 · Matsushima

Matsushima Bay

Forty minutes by train: a cruise among the pine-covered islets, one of Japan's three great views, and the Zen temple of Zuigan-ji.

Matsushima Bay
  • Matsushima Bay cruise
  • Zuigan-ji
  • Godaido

Day 3 · Hiraizumi

Hiraizumi and on to Kakunodate

Shinkansen to Ichinoseki and a short ride to Hiraizumi: the golden hall of Chuson-ji and the garden of Motsu-ji. Continue via Morioka to Kakunodate.

Chuson-ji, Hiraizumi
  • Chuson-ji Konjikido
  • Motsu-ji

Day 4 · Kakunodate

Samurai district and Lake Tazawa

Walk the black-fenced samurai houses of Kakunodate, then visit Lake Tazawa, Japan's deepest. Sleep at Nyuto Onsen if you can.

Kakunodate
  • Kakunodate samurai district
  • Lake Tazawa
  • Nyuto Onsen

Day 5 · Aomori

To Aomori

The Shinkansen via Morioka reaches Shin-Aomori in about 2 hours 30 minutes. See the giant Nebuta floats at Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse and build your own seafood bowl at Furukawa market.

Nebuta floats, Aomori
  • Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse
  • Furukawa Fish Market

Day 6 · Oirase

Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada

A seasonal bus takes you to Oirase Gorge: walk along the stream and its waterfalls, then cruise on Lake Towada.

Oirase Gorge
  • Oirase Gorge
  • Lake Towada

Tip: Bus service is reduced in winter: check timetables, or rent a car.

Day 7 · Aomori

Back to Tokyo

Shinkansen from Shin-Aomori to Tokyo (about 3 hours 10 minutes). With time, stop at Hirosaki Castle on the way to the station.

Hirosaki Castle
  • Hirosaki Castle

Getting around

Tohoku Shinkansen and Akita (Komachi) Shinkansen; buses for Oirase and Lake Towada.

When to go

Late April (cherry blossoms), summer festivals in August, October (autumn leaves). Add your dates in the trip planner to see cherry blossom and autumn leaf timing, the rainy season, typhoons and holidays for this route.

Where to stay

  • Sendai (2 nights): near Sendai Station.
  • Kakunodate (2 nights): Kakunodate or a ryokan at Nyuto Onsen.
  • Aomori (2 nights): near Aomori Station.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Nebuta festival?

Every year from 2 to 7 August in Aomori.

Is Tohoku crowded?

Much less than Tokyo and Kyoto, except during festivals and cherry blossom season.

Can I add Yamadera?

Yes: it is about an hour from Sendai, a good extra day.

Prefecture guides for this trip

Want a different pace or more stops? The planner rebuilds the itinerary around your dates and choices.

Customise this itinerary →

Last updated: 19 October 2026 · Japan47.org, by Francesco Consalvo. Travel times are approximate; check timetables and opening days before you go. Photos: Wikimedia Commons.

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