

Sensoji temple is one of the top tourist spots in Tokyo, which is no wonder as the temple has a long and interesting history and wonderful traditional architecture.

Hirosaki is known as a cherry blossom city, and you can enjoy beautiful sakura around Hirosaki Castle between late April – early May. You will also find a samurai district and the Neputa festival theme park in Hirosaki.

Aomori CIty is mostly skipped by tourists since the ferry is no longer the only way to get to Hokkaido, but if you happen to be here in August, the famous Nebuta Festival is worth a visit!

Hiraizumi flourished for nearly one hundred years, during a peaceful era of prosperity. Today, you can still see remnants of this rich legacy.

While Sendai might not feature on most international tourists’ itinerary, if you have enough time in Japan or are not a first-timer, the city is nice stop for those who are interested in history and culture.

Matsushima near Sendai on the northern Pacific coast, is considered one of the three most scenic spots in Japan while still being off the beaten path. Just a one-hour train ride away is resort town Naruko Onsen.

Yamadera is a temple in a mountainous region of Yamagata. It was founded over a thousand years ago, and now it is one of the region’s best-kept secrets. Some of the most amazing views of nature can be seen from Yamadera.

The Akan Mashu area was formed by volcanic activity around 6000 years ago. Akan Mashu National Park is especially known for its 3 beautiful lakes; Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, and Lake Kussharo.

Kushiro is the largest city on the sparsely-populated eastern side of Hokkaido. The area is a treasure trove for those who love nature and gourmet food.

Shiretoko in Hokkaido is a real nature paradise. You can enjoy hiking, fishing, hunting, an ice breaker boat, and a drift ice walk. Birding in winter is also a special experience.

The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an open-air museum in Sapporo with buildings from the Meiji and Taisho periods, during which Hokkaido developed rapidly.

Hakodate is well-loved by domestic tourists but often overlooked by foreign tourists which makes it a hidden gem. If you like green cities surrounded by beautiful nature, then Hakodate is a great place to visit.

Furano and Biei are located next to each other and are usually visited in one trip. Most people discover the area on a 4-5 day summer trip, and marvel at the colorful beauty of all the flowers.

Otaru makes for a great day trip from Sapporo, or a nice stop along the way for those traveling to ski resort Niseko. The glassworks shops, coffee shops, restaurants, and shops are located in traditional buildings.