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    • Spring
      • video

        Finding the Flow from Kansai to Kochi

        Shikoku’s many mountains, valleys and proximity to the ocean has made it a hidden gem for rafting, kayaking and canyoning enthusiasts willing to take a step or two further from the Golden Route of Kyoto and Osaka.

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    • Summer
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        An unforgettable way to intimately explore the Shonai Region in Yamagata is a culinary experience bringing bounty of the sea straight to your table.
    • Autumn
    • Winter
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        Heritage Hunting in Hokkaido

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
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        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
    • Near Tokyo
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        Getting Dirty in Japan

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    • Near Kyoto
    • All Regions
    • Article Map
    • Ocean and Beach
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • River and Lake
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        Heritage Hunting in Hokka...

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
        getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Mountain and Land
    • Sky
      • getting dirty in japan

        Getting Dirty in Japan

        “Getting Dirty in Japan” is about getting out of your comfort zone and into some exciting outdoor adventures and destinations in Japan.
    • Snow and Ice
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        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

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        shiretoko hokkaido outdoor japan

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        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
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        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
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        Northern Shinshu’s Secret Stash

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        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

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        shiretoko hokkaido outdoor japan

        New Horizons in Shiretoko

        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
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        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
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        Heritage Hunting in Hokkaido

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
        shizukuishi skiing snowboarding outdoor japan

        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
    • Food and Drinks
      • video

        CAMP3 Clubhouse in Madarao

        Keith Stubbs, a veteran in the snowboard industry, transitioned from rider to coach and instructor trainer for Snowboard Instruction New Zealand. After coaching in various Japanese resorts, he has established a permanent base in Madarao, outlining his plans for the area and future snowboard endeavors.
        shiretoko hokkaido outdoor japan

        New Horizons in Shiretoko

        During another epic powder season, two seasoned winter sports enthusiasts traded their snowboard bags for camera bags and traveled to Eastern Hokkaido to explore the frozen landscape and broaden their winter horizons.
        sayuri matsuhashi double role curling athlete japan outdoor

        Silent Resilience

        Curling athlete Sayuri Matsuhashi’s journey to the top of her sport is an inspiration to deaf athletes and women juggling their roles as mothers while also pursuing their professional dreams.
        ainu tour daniel moore outdoor japan hokkaido

        Heritage Hunting in Hokkaido

        Travelers venturing beyond Hokkaido's popular winter resorts will discover a land with a rich cultural and natural history, a proud indigenous people and a community striving to preserve their heritage.
        shizukuishi skiing snowboarding outdoor japan

        Shizukuishi

        Northern Honshu’s Iwate Prefecture, known for heavy snowfall, features Shizukuishi—a powder-rich resort area with views of Mt. Iwate. Snow enthusiasts seeking lesser-known gems can enjoy exceptional snow quality and uncrowded resorts, including Shizukuishi Ski Resort, Amihari Onsen Ski Resort, and Iwate Kogen Snow Park, offering affordability and traditional hospitality.
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Northern Tohoku’s Top 5 Spring Hikes

Northern Tohoku’s Top 5 Spring Hikes

Chase the cherry blossoms north and enjoy five of Tohoku’s best hikes this spring. The higher mountains in Honshu’s northernmost region still have snow through the end of June, so come prepared and exercise caution as trails can be hard to find under the spring snow.

Hachimantai Summit Area

The Hachimantai Aspite Line is a 27-kilometer stretch of road that goes from Iwate to Akita. When it opens on April 15, there is a long corridor of snow that is four or five meters high on each side of the road over much of that distance. Enjoy seeing the cherry blossoms at the bottom of the mountain, drive up to the summit and park, then put on your snowshoes and walk over the the deep snow and enjoy stunning views of nearby Mt. Iwate and Mt. Mokko. There are tons of trails for all levels, and even easy ones for kids. Distances vary as you can just walk around near the parking lot, or walk in any number of loops around the lakes. Check out the “Dragon Eye” in early June! 

Akita Komagatake

Akita Komagatake is a stratovolcano with five main peaks, the highest of which is called Onamedake (1,637 meters). While you can enjoy this mountain all year round, the most enjoyable way to hike it from the trailhead at Kunimi Onsen, which opens on May 7. It’s a fairly steep ascent for the first hour, but then it opens up as you reach the rim of the vast volcano caldera. The views of the volcano are just breathtaking. There are a variety of ways you can go, but if you keep it simple and just hit the main summit and come back, it’s about 11 kilometers with a total ascent of 940 meters. This Tohoku hike is guaranteed to please.

Hakkoda

Hakkoda keeps its snow until July most years, so take the ropeway up and enjoy hiking as near or far as you like! There are there summits nearby that you can hike up, or you could just walk around on the snow casually and have a picnic before going back down. Like Hachimantai, there are multiple routes, and you can enjoy it in a number of ways depending how much time you have or your fitness level.

Mt. Iwate

Mt. Iwate is a the highest mountain in the same prefecture, and officially “opens” on July 1. That said, people climb it all year round. It can be dangerous in the winter, but through most of June it’s great for intermediate hikers that are looking for a challenge. During this season, it’s best to stick to the Umagaeshi or Omisaka trails. (Save the longer, more glorious, routes for later in the year!) Mt. Iwate is shaped somewhat similar to Mt. Fuji, and—like Fuji-san—you can enjoy walking along the rim of a volcanic caldera at the summit. The Umagaeshi Trail is short and direct, about 11 kilometers with an ascent of 1,500 meters. The Omisaka can be a bit steeper and is 12.5 kilometers with a 1,566-meter ascent. Both can take a good six to ten hours depending on your speed. Plan accordingly so you don’t run out of daylight!

Mt. Goya

Mt. Goya is located near the Sanriku Coast,  and you’re likely to see some deer while walking up here. It’s less strenuous than some of the other hikes—with a distance of around 8 kilometers and an ascent of just 650 meters—and there is an interesting rock formation near the summit that is considered sacred. Many local hikers go there for the flowers that bloom throughout June. 

Getting There

Starting this April, JR East has made its two most popular passes, the Tohoku area and the Nagano/Niigata area pass, available to anyone with a foreign passport regardless of visa type. These passes were previously only available for temporary visitors, but foreign residents can now also take advantage of these deals. 

These passes offer unlimited rides in their regions over five consecutive days. This includes bullet train, local, rapid and limited express trains and some JR East buses. 

The Tohoku pass costs ¥20,000 for adults and ¥10,000 for children. It allows for travel within Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Fukushima, Yamagata, Akita, Iwate and Aomori. The fare costs the same regardless of where they are purchased.

The Nagano/Niigata pass costs ¥18,000 for adults and ¥9,000 for children. It covers Matsumoto and Hakuba. 

Visit East Japan Rail for more information or to book online.

Northern Tohoku’s Top 5 Spring Hikes

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