47 Best Sights in Tohoku, Japan

One of the trio of Dewa peaks, 5,000-foot Yudono-san is generally the last on pilgrims' rounds. You can descend on foot in a few hours from Gassan, but it likely involves reading signs in Japanese, a bit of exertion, and slippery metal ladders, and you'll want to check with the tourist information folks about current conditions and the bus schedule. Very limited bus access allows you to make the 80-minute (¥5,000) run on weekends and holidays between Tsuruoka and Sen-nin-Zawa, a trailhead for a short climb to the summit, where you can make a small monetary donation and be purified in a secret ritual that you are forbidden to photograph or tell anyone about. Once cleansed, don't miss the last bus back down to Tsuruoka, which leaves at 5:20 pm. There is a Tsuruoka shuttle bus for tourists only in July and August that makes the trip; another summer bus does as well, but it is not an easily accessible spot.

If you can't visit Aomori during the Nebuta Festival, you can see the glowing papier-mâché sculptures painted with the fierce countenances of warriors from the past year's festival at this museum, right by Aomori Station. There are floats on display, but you can also learn how they are made and interact with a variety of exhibits and events. Check to see what is available during your visit.

An excellent—if a bit crowded—choice for a walk is this gorge northeast of the lake at Nenokuchi. The carefully tended trail follows a river and a series of waterfalls for a total of 9 km (5½ miles; about two hours 40 minutes). A two-lane road parallels the river, so if you get tired you can catch buses north to Aomori and south to Nenokuchi and Yasumiya, the location near the visitor center. Be prepared for cold mist or rain, pack ample snacks and water, and find out the bus schedule before you start out.

One of the few structures left standing in Sendai after World War II, this shrine houses the guardian deity of military families. As such, the shintai (the object of worship in a Shinto shrine that is believed to contain the spirit of a deity) has a history of being passed among Tohoku's ruling families. In 1607, local daimyo Masamune Date had it brought to Sendai. Nestled among trees is the elegant wooden structure, with bright-metal ornamentation over subdued black lacquer. The main building has been designated a National Treasure. It's in the northwest section of the city, about 45 minutes from the station by the Loople and 30 minutes from the Zuihoden area.

While it is a bit out of the way, this temple, with a quintessentially Japanese garden, is one of Sendai's most beautiful locations. The temple holds free zazen-kai (seated meditation class) on most Saturday evenings after the temple has closed to visitors. In early summer, the garden is a blaze of color as the various flowers come into bloom. During the blooming season, visit in the early evening when the crowds leave. From JR Sendai Station, take the JR train to Kita-Sendai Station and walk 10 minutes.

If you're looking for a stopover between Yamadera and Sendai, this hot-spring area (with five hotels) is five minutes by free bus from JR Sakunami Station. Sakunami is only 39 minutes (¥510) by local express from Sendai Station, close enough to be an alternative spot to spend the night but not convenient. It's really a place to visit if you have a rental car. There are also free tours (in Japanese only) at the nearby Nikka Whisky distillery here.

One of the country's largest archaeological sites, this features a reconstruction of a Jomon settlement that lasted for roughly 1,500 years, from 3500 to 2000 BC, giving people a bit of sanitized insight into what life was like here 5,500 years ago. After an extensive excavation, it was opened to the public and has attracted crowds of children on school outings, tourists from all over, and, of course, archaeology buffs. Its interactive approach encourages visitors to try their hand at making crafts and cuisine. There is also a chance an English-speaking volunteer guide will be on hand, but if you want a guarantee, English-language tours can be arranged if you call or email two weeks in advance.

The elevated vantage point over all of Sendai gives you an idea of why the Date dynasty chose the site as their castle, which they occupied for three centuries, but it also gives you a good reason to bundle up if you're heading there in winter. While the only thing that remains of what was also known as Aoba-jo (Aoba Castle) is the restored guardhouse, the grounds have become a kind of public park offering views over the city, the attractive Gokoku Jinja (Gokoku Shrine), but also a museum displaying armor and weapons used by Masamune Date, periodic events, as well as digital reconstructions of the castle in its heyday. To get here by bus, take the Sendai Loople and get off at the Sendai-jo Ato/Site of Sendai Castle.

The museum at the foot of the hill beneath Sendai Castle displays cultural artifacts, including pottery, paintings, and armor relating to the history of the Date family and the city. It's a three-minute walk from Sendai City Museum bus stop on the Loople or a slightly longer walk from the Subway Tozai Line's Kokusai Center (International Center) Station.

Hidden behind some larger shopping centers (just to the west of Parco 2 and Sendai Station EBeanS), the market is only about a five-minute walk from Sendai Station to the southwest, where you'll find fish, vegetables, and likely many things you cannot identify. Wander around and you might even find something you'll want to eat. There is plenty of street food, and often the neighborhood holds events. Due to its convenient location, it's worth a stop if you're nearby in the morning (note that the market often closes on holidays).

The site of the now-ruined Kubota Castle, Senshu Park is a large, shady respite from the sun where cherry blossoms, lotus, and azaleas add color in season. Large koi carp swim lazily about the ponds and moats, white egrets stand like statues, and turtles bask in the sun. A reconstructed tower with an elevated lookout floor stands in the northwest corner of the park.

View the city of Sendai and the mountains for free from the observatory deck on the top floor of this 30-story skyscraper. Head into the building and take the elevators labeled Sky Shuttle, which go only to the 28th or 30th floors. The northern side of the building is a wedding facility you will pass on your way to the viewing area that is popular with teens.

Milky, highly acidic water floods into the large cedar bathhouse known as a sennin-buro, a 1,000-person bath. Designated as a national health resort, Sukayu draws many travelers to its curative waters. It has some mixed bathing, which is rare these days. Some people borrow clothing for the mixed baths, making it a bit more awkward than if everyone were naked. An hour every morning and evening is reserved for women only. The trip is one hour from Oirase Gorge and 70 minutes from Aomori. From JR Aomori Station East Exit, take the bus bound for Towada-ko. If you are going to stay the night at the onsen's hotel, you can take the free shuttle bus from Auga's parking lot at 10:15 am or 2 pm daily. As a destination, it is a possible (though difficult) day trip for those who love the baths. The soba shop and café add to the atmosphere, but the baths are the attraction.

The highlight is the strong, acidic water (which has a minor amount of radium). Gushing out at almost 2,400 gallons per minute, it's Japan's swiftest flow from a single spring. In the vicinity is another geothermal area in a national park where many enjoy a hot-rock bath. Take worn-out T-shirts and towels because they will get stained by the waters or even the steam (be careful also of reactive jewelry, such as copper or silver).

Thanks to its famous fall colors, Lake Towada welcomes a rumbling fleet of packed tour buses when the leaves begin to change. The lake fills a set of volcanic craters with a depth of up to 1,096 feet, making it the third deepest in Japan. The crater is held aloft like a giant goblet above the surrounding topography, giving it a dramatic illusory aspect. Boat tours let you float by the lovely landscape.

On the northeast corner of the castle grounds, this museum exhibits the giant drums and floats used in the annual Neputa Festival. If you miss the real thing, come here to see the 40-foot fan-shaped floats as they sleep off their hangovers from the mad midsummer revelry. In the workshop you can paint your own traditional kingyo-neputa (bamboo-framed paper goldfish) or kokeshi (traditional wooden dolls) to take home as souvenirs. There is a cute Japanese garden within the complex where you can appreciate a few different architectural styles among the garden's scenery. Craftspeople are working inside one of the larger structures where you can see their wares and how they're made, as well as take part. A food court on the premises provides inexpensive hearty Japanese meals, but if you're there really early on a Sunday in the summer, you can also check out the morning market.

Matsushima's main temple dates from AD 828, but the present structure was rebuilt to meet Masamune Date's tastes in 1609. Zuiganji is perhaps the most representative Zen temple in the Tohoku region. The museum, filled with the temple's treasures including a statue of the warlord, is also well worth visiting. The natural caves surrounding the temple are filled with Buddhist statues that novices carved from the rock face as part of their training. There are no regularly scheduled tours in English, but if you call ahead, it might be possible to arrange one, but that will depend on the availability of an English-speaking guide.