AKITA
Top 9 Sakura Spots in Tohoku & Hokkaido
Since northern Japan gets its cherry blossoms later than the rest of the country, even if you've missed the first round of 'sakura' to the south, you can often catch late blooms in Tohoku and Hokkaido as late as the end of April or even early May.
The Oldest Extant Wooden Theater in Japan
Come with us on a journey to Akita Prefecture to see an incredible wooden theater, the oldest one in existence in Japan.
Super Cheap Japan's Top Fall Spots in Tohoku
Places in Tohoku can be quite spread out, so if you're traveling through a number of spots in the area, a train pass or bus pass is your best bet.
15 Unique Festivals Only Found in Japan
There are a variety of interesting festivals in each prefecture of Japan throughout the year.
47 Souvenirs from All 47 Prefectures!
Traveling around Japan but don't know what souvenir to buy from each region? We've got you covered with this crazy list of our Top 47 'omiyage' from each of the nation's 47 prefectures!
Discover the Beauty of Tohoku
Japan's northeastern Tohoku region offers the comforts of refreshing nature, beautiful scenery and time-tested traditions—concentrating the best of Japan into a single incredible area!
Top 7 Weirdest Festivals Across Japan
While it's estimated there are 600,000 festivals in Japan, some are decidedly weirder than others!
Tohoku's 3 Great Summer Festivals
Summer Festivals Tohoku Resorts
Head to northern Japan this summer for huge glowing floats, giant poles covered in lanterns and streets festooned with positive wishes for the future.
The Oldest Beech Trees in Asia
With bright blue ponds and an 8,000-year-old biosphere, we invite you to witness the unspoiled splendor of one of Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Shirakami-Sanchi!
How Akita Warms the Winter
See life in Akita through the eyes of elementary school students as this snowbound town prepares for its winter balloon festival. If you've ever lived in small-town Japan, we challenge you not to cry.
All the Best Fall Color Spots in Tohoku
Check out these famous fall color spots and their nearby hot springs in each of northeastern Japan's six prefectures.
Japan's 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
World Heritage Temples & Shrines
Every traveler to Japan should be sure to visit at least a few of the nation's stellar World Heritage Sites, ranging from 1,000-year-old temples and shrines to breathtaking natural biospheres.
8 Gorgeous Japanese Lantern Festivals
Japanese lantern festivals are held to ward off evil or send off the dead, or just to warm up a chilly winter.
Top-Notch Ryokan Puts All Others to Shame
This Japanese inn shows guests the true meaning of hospitality by coming out to greet you as you arrive and leaving a thank you note by your shoes when you leave.
Top 10 Castles in Tohoku
Spared many of the fierce territorial battles of the Warring States Period, the castles of northeastern Japan are a little different from those you'll find to the south and west.
11 Record-Setting Sites in Japan
Venture out and discover these 11 spots that break records in Japan, from the tallest building to the deepest lake. Or how about the city that eats the most ice cream?!
The 5 Most Beautiful Villages in Tohoku
Japanese Countryside Tohoku Resorts
Check out Tohoku's most picturesque countryside towns.
Catch a Glimpse of Daily Life in Akita
Family and nature both feature prominently in this stirring glimpse of a day spent far away from the bright lights of Tokyo.
Japan's 3 Great 'Bon Odori' Dance Festivals
Summer is the season of the festival in Japan, and these three celebrations will have you literally dancing in the streets.
Sakura & Samurai Houses in Kakunodate
Cherry Blossoms Tohoku Resorts
Check out one of the Three Famous Cherry Blossom Spots of Michinoku, including the centuries-old weeping cherry blossoms of Kakunodate's samurai district.
