Discover Tohoku - Aoba Festival

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The Omiya Bonsai Village is a bonsai conservatory and museum located in Saitama. Established in 1925 by a group of professional bonsai gardeners who moved to Saitama from Tokyo after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake, the Omiya Bonsai Village believes that love for bonsai can lead to world peace. To that end, the Omiya Bonsai Village seeks to promote an international love of the art of bonsai through its creations. The village is home to six distinct bonsai gardens, each featuring a different appreciation of the bonsai art; some of them even offer regular lessons about bonsai to the community. A couple of the gardens are hundreds of years old, having moved to Omiya from Edo (Tokyo). Even though they are delightful to see, it is important to note that the gardens generally do not allow photographs. The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum is located within the bonsai village. It showcases the different styles of bonsai, or examples of their most memorable bonsai trees. The museum also offers descriptions of the history of bonsai, including explanations of the different tools of the trade.

Ashikaga Flower Park is located in Ashikaga City, which is on the border of Tochigi and Gunma Prefecture. It is a place where there is a wide of flowers planted on the grounds that bloom when they are in season. Inside the flower park is a wisteria tree that is over 100 years old. It is so large that there many beams to support the branches as it covers a wide area creating this umbrella effect. It is said that the tree dates back to about 1870.

Nikko is famous for the Toshogu Shrine, which holds the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the famous founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled for over 200 years (1603-1868). The original resting place for Tokugawa Ieyasu was much simpler in design that it is today. The construction was carried out in accordance to his father’s will by Ieyasu’s son, Hidetaba Tokugawa, in 1617. However, it was later expanded to its modern size by Ieyasu’s grandson, Tokugawa Iemitsu. The dozens of buildings were built with grandiose designs, unique with its brightly- colored carvings of animals and various types of images.

Nikko Toshogu Shrine is the iconic landmark of Nikko, and one of the most famous shrines in all Japan. Toshogu is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It enshrines Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of Japan's three Great Unifiers and the first shogun of the Edo period. Although shrine architecture is traditionally simple and unadorned, Toshogu is richly gilded and detailed in an opulent fashion - almost like a palace. Among the lavish decor of Toshogu is a carving of the Three Wise Monkeys ("See no Evil, Speak no Evil, Hear no Evil"), the Sozonozo Elephants (painted by an artist who had, allegedly, never seen an elephant), and the Sleeping Cat. Especially memorable parts of the shrine include the imposing majesty of its five-story pagoda, the magnificent grandeur of the Yomeimon entrance gate, and the stark contrast of Ieyasu's tomb. For a richer, more immersive experience, you can participate in a real Shinto ceremony for yourself, to receive the blessing of the kami (Shinto deities). The ceremony will be officiated by one of Toshogu Shrine's priests or miko (priestesses).

Lake Chuzenji is located in the mountains near Nikko at the foot of Mount Nantai and is beautiful around the autumn season. On the eastern side of the lake is a small hot spring town called Chuzenjiko Onsen. From mid to late October the nature around Lake Chuzenji is very attractive. It is around this time that the autumn colors of the trees reach their peak. Since Lake Chuzenji is a scenic body of water there is a hiking trail that goes around the entire area. It is also possible to enjoy the scenery by going on a sightseeing boat that departs from the onsen town.

Kegon Waterfall is listed as one of the three most beautiful falls in Japan along with Nachi Waterfall in Wakayama Prefecture and Fukuroda Waterfall in Ibaraki Prefecture. It is located in Nikko and is the most famous waterfall out of the many in the area. Kegon Waterfall is about 100 meters high and is the only exit for the waters of Lake Chuzenji to exit from. The best time to see the waterfall would be in the autumn season. The surrounding foliage of Kegon Waterfall painted in fall hues is a sight not to miss.

Ouchijuku is a preserved traditional Japanese village located in Fukushima prefecture. During the Edo period, Ouchijuku was one of the "post towns" along a route known as the Aizu-Nishi Kaido, that connected Aizu- Wakamatsu Castle with what is now Nikko. It offered rest and refreshment to weary travelers making the trip, whether they were noble samurai or traveling merchants. After the Meiji Restoration, the rest of Japan modernized, but Ouchijuku stayed locked in the past, and is now considered a protected part of Japanese history. Traveling there truly does make one feel as though they have stepped back in time, walking down the unpaved main street surrounded by wooden houses with thatched roofs, and no electric cables or power lines to be seen anywhere. Ouchi-juku goes out of its way to preserve its traditional ambience from its outward appearance to its food and souvenirs. You can enjoy local specialties like negi-soba - a soba noodle soup eaten with a large leek for a spoon. And no matter what season you go there, Ouchijuku is beautiful. But some seasons are more enticing than others; they have a Snow Festival in February and a Summer Festival in July.

Suehiro Sake Brewery was founded in 1850 and for 8 generations it has been family owned. The brewery is named after the founder Suehiro Shuzo. It is located in Aizuwakamatsu of the Aizu region in Fukushima. Their sake has won awards both in domestic and international markets on an annual basis. Yamahai is a traditional method that uses a slow open fermentation process and the Suehiro Sake Brewery utilizes this craft on their premium products. They are also the official sake supplier of the Toshogu shrine in Nikko. Their sake can be seen at some sumo and kabuki events for spectators to enjoy. Suehiro Sake Brewery offers tours through their facility while explaining the sake process. Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, a famed medical researcher, was a close friend of the owners of Suehiro and many items from him are displayed in the facility. The cafe in the brewery has desserts that incorporate sake into their recipes. There is a small museum attached to the building that features the largest private collection of old school film cameras in Japan, with over 500 different cameras in the collection.

Tsuruga Castle was an important stronghold in the Tohoku Region for the Tokugawa Shogunate. When it was first built in 1384 by Ashina Naomori it was called Kurokawa Castle. When the Ashina were defeated by the Date Clan the castle was put under Date Masamune, but was later given to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In 1592, the ruling lord of the building, Gamo Ujisato, redesigned the structure and renamed it to Tsuruga Castle. However, the local populace referred to the castle as either Aizu or Wakamatsu Castle. During the Edo Period the Aizu Clan used it as a base of operations for both administrative and military purposes. In 1868, it was the location for the famed Battle of Aizu during the Boshin War, where the Tsuruga Castle was besieged for a month by forces from Satsuma and Choshu domain. It was during this battle that the Byakkotai incident occurred in which 20 teenage boys believed their castle had fallen and committed ritual suicide. This was not the case at the time and the story is only known because one member of the group failed in their attempt to take their own life. The castle was destroyed after the Boshin War, but was later rebuilt out of concrete. Tsuruga Castle is one of the top 100 castles to visit for cherry blossom viewing.

Oyakuen Garden is a short walk from Tsuruga Castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu, in Fukushima Prefecture. The name of the garden means "Medicinal Herb Garden", and was initially designed in the 14th century, becoming a private garden for the feudal lord of Aizu. In the 17th century, the lord of the city, Hoshina Masatsune, cultivated medicinal herbs there, such as Korean ginseng, and encouraged his citizens to do so as well. Facilities in the garden include the Ochayagyoten teahouse, and other building for tea ceremony called Rakujutei. And though much of Aizu-Wakamatsu was devastated during the Boshin War (including the destruction of Tsuruga Castle), Oyakuen Garden escaped relatively unscathed, and medicinal herbs are still grown there to this day. Now there are hundreds of different medicinal plants that visitors to the garden can see. In that spirit of wellness, visitors can also enjoy a cup of tea at the teahouse, which sits on the edge of the pond. The garden is especially pretty in spring and early summer, when the foliage of the plants and trees are bright green, and various flowers open around the pond.

Aizu Bukeyashiki, or Aizu Samurai Residence was owned by the last principal retainer of the Aizu Domain, Saigo Tanomo. The wealth of Saigo Tanomo was great based on the size of his residence since it reflected his fief. This Aizu Bukeyashiki has 38 rooms where a few of them have dedicated functions ranging from a lavatory to tea room. The original house burned down in 1868 during the Boshin War. The home was able to be reconstructed to be exactly like the original because the blueprints of the residence survived. Saigo Tanomo’s family committed suicide on the grounds because they had received word that he died in battle. The wife failed in her attempt to take her own life at which time an unknown samurai entered their home. She begged the samurai to kill her and at her request he dealt the final blow. When the Aizu Bukeyashiki was reconstructed they made sure to make it Edo Period authentic. While traversing from room to another visitor can see mannequins placed and dressed in clothing representative of the Edo Period. It provides visual insight to the lifestyle inside the home before the Meiji Restoration. It is a large complex with plenty to see and experience.

The Bandaisan Gold Line is a nature sightseeing road in Fukushima Prefecture that connects Aizu with Bandai Kogen. The road runs up Mount Bandai, an active volcano and one of Japan's most famous mountains. At one time, Mount Bandai had a more conical, Fuji-like appearance (so much so that it is still sometimes called "Aizu-Fuji"), before an eruption in 1888 drastically altered its shape and buried 5 nearby villages. It also created gorgeous landscape that the Bandaisan Gold Line runs through. The Gold Line runs up the picturesque southwestern side of Mount Bandai before running down into the pretty Urabandai region, which was molded into its current shape by the 1888 eruption. The nature surrounding the mountain is beautiful in all seasons, though some times of the year are universally held to be prettier than others. The autumn season, in particular, is loved by travelers on the Bandaisan Gold Line, as the dense forest covering the slopes of the mountain bursts into vibrant orange and gold. Connected to the gold line is a fairly easy two hour hike along the Happodai Trail to the summit. It connects to other trails, including the beautiful Goshikinuma Walk, that display the spectacular landscape around Mount Bandai.

The Goshikinuma Nature Trail Walk is a hiking trail near Mount Bandai, an active stratovolcano in Fukushima Prefecture. In 1888, the mountain erupted, forever altering the surrounding landscape. One of the places it created is known as Goshikinuma - the "Five-Colored Ponds" - a scenic woodland region that contains some 30 different little lakes, ponds, and pools. True to the name, these ponds range the spectrum of clear turquoise to light green, and even can change colors in different seasons. The Goshikinuma Nature Trail explores this beautiful region, and is an easy trail of roughly four kilometers that travelers can enjoy in all seasons. The trail goes around the five main ponds: Bishamon-numa, Aka-numa, Ao-numa, Benten-numa, and Midoro-numa, as well as a few others. Bishamon- numa is especially popular as it is the largest of these pools, and has colorful carp swimming in the beautiful blue-green water. The other ponds across the nature trail each have their own distinct charms, from the beautiful blue of Benten-numa, to the volcanic minerals in Aka-numa and Midoro-numa that alter the color of the poolside plants.

The Taraibune Boat Ride is a known as a tub boat that was once extensively used to collect seaweed, shellfish and other marine life around Ogi. These wooden tubs were developed in Sado city during the Meiji Era. It was the choice marine vehicle to use because of its durability and low cost to make. Some are still used today, but not as much as before. The advantage of the taraibune was that it could easily make turns that were vital when fishing in rocky lagoons and small inlets. This was perfect for the geographical location of Ogi Port. Crafting the half barrel (hangiri) uses a rare skill, which is braiding of the hoops. It is usually made out of Japanese cedar and timber bamboo. These taraibune boats can only be found in the remote locations of Sado Island.

Shukunegi is a town on the coast of Sado Island. Initially settled to promote the trade of merchants passing through on the way to major ports in Japan, like Osaka. The discovery of gold and silver, and the establishment of the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine led to the expansion of Shukunegi into a prosperous shipbuilding and commercial hub, and around 500 people in 120 households lived in and supported the growth of the town as shipowners, carpenters, sailors, and other support businesses. Their houses were built tightly packed together and many of them were noticeably built with planks and nails of ships like those that were built in the town. These close-stacked houses are now preserved as an example of how people lived during the Edo and Meiji periods. With the eventual failure of the Sado Kinzan and the loss of nearby employment or economic opportunities, Shukunegi dwindled in a slow decline that continues to this day. Over time, it became the simple fishing and farming village it is today, with a much smaller population, lots of old abandoned buildings, and a memory of how big and important the town used to be.

The Sado Island Taiko Centre is located in Kodo Village on Sado Island, and is a facility that celebrates Sado Island's taiko drumming culture, offering hands-on taiko experiences for visitors to the facility. The centre is also the home of the Kodo Taiko Troupe, which has been responsible for increasing international attention on the art of Japanese taiko drumming Since its debut, Kodo has given over 6,500 performances across the world. They play heartfelt rhythms that people of all ages can appreciate, and it is their taiko philosophy that is celebrated by the Sado Island Taiko Centre. The drums at the Centre are all produced locally, using Sado Island zelkova wood. They even have a taiko drum there made from a 600 year-old zelkova tree! During the Taiko Experience, you will be able to watch a taiko demonstration given by one of the centre's taiko drummers, where they will play on taiko drums of various sizes. One of the most exciting is watching them play the "Odaiko", which is an especially large taiko drum with a deep, booming sound. Additionally, the centre has drums for visitors to try, so you can experience playing the taiko drum yourself, and learn some easy taiko rhythms.

Senkakuwan Bay, or "Senkaku Bay" is a stunning and picturesque bay on the northwestern coast of Sado Island. The bay is on the other side of the island from Sado's main Ryotsu Port. In appearance, the bay has been compared by some to Norway's Hardanger Fjord for its appearance. Its beautiful rough and rocky cliffs are considered by many to be one of Sado Island's most beautiful areas, and protected by Japan as a nature park. There are observation points around the bay, including a view from Senkaku Bay Ageshima Park, which has an observation deck offering a beautiful panoramic view. From mid-March to late November (the nice parts of the year), Glass-bottomed boats depart from the park out into the bay, taking passengers on short tours out to look at the beauty of the cliffs up close, and to view the marine life swimming in the bay. Another popular activity is buying shrimp crackers at the boat boarding area to feed the local seagulls, although locals warn to exercise caution, as the birds can get rather aggressive while people are doing this. Most visitors just go to admire the spectacular beauty of Senkakuwan, which is worth a stop on any visit to Sado Island.

The Toki no Mura Park is on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture. It's a nature park and conservation center created for the Japanese crested ibis, locally referred to as the "toki". The crested ibis is a beautiful large bird, roughly up to 30 inches long, with downy white feathers, a long black beak, and a vibrant, red-skinned face. These birds have long lived in Japan and China, but overhunting, winter starvation, habitat loss, and other causes had nearly driven the toki to total extinction. They were, in fact, extinct in Japan for a few years; the last wild toki had died in 2003. But in recent years, in cooperation with China (who still has a few toki flocks), Japan reintroduced crested ibises on Sado Island. And thanks to the efforts of the Sado Japanese Crested Ibis Preservation Center and the Toki no Mura park, the crested ibis is slowly returning to the wilds of Japan, so you might actually see some while touring Sado Island. At Toki no Mura, visitors can learn all about the crested ibis and Japan's efforts of conservation, and at nearby Toki Fureai Plaza, visitors can enjoy the opportunity to observe these dainty birds. In addition, the park has a souvenir shop that sells toki-related merchandise.

The Kitazawa Fuyusenkojo Remains are all that is left of an old ore flotation plant located on Sado Island. Sado Island was once known as the home of the Sado Kinzan Gold Mine, which was the largest excavator of gold and silver in the country. Kitazawa Fuyusenkojo was built to complement the mine, with facilities to refine the ore, using a process called froth flotation to remove the impurities. The facility was, at one time, processing tons of gold and silver ore per month. Eventually, the mine was depleted, and the facility was abandoned, though its buildings were not torn down. Now it is a crumbling ruin; its buildings covered over with moss and creeping plants, like a lost city in an adventure film or video game. With the look of the architecture, the ruins have been compared to a "castle in the sky". Buildings include the old ore flotation facility and the thickener facility, which was used to separate the water from minerals. Sometimes during the year, the ruins are illuminated with lights or projection mapping displays, but visitors at night are recommended to bring your own light if you travel there at night.

The Sado Kinzan Gold Mine is a depleted gold mine on Sado Island, in Niigata Prefecture. Through surface and placer mining, it would produce almost 400 kg of gold on a yearly basis, and was, in its day, the largest gold mining operation in Japan. There were also small amounts of silver and copper mined at the site. During the Edo Period (1603-1867) the mine served as a major funding source for the Tokugawa Shogunate who directly controlled Sado Island. Nowadays, Japan considers the Sado Kinzan Mine an important part of their cultural heritage. The mine is open to the public to enter with interesting displays and models on the operations back then. Close by is a museum with more displays on the history of the mine. While looking at the displays there is a real gold bar available for lifting. There are two walking courses that go through the mine. The first goes through a few tunnels that were made back in the Edo Period. The second course goes through the newer mines that existed from the Meiji Period. The Sado Kinzan Gold Mine is under consideration for inclusion on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites.

The origin of the fishing industry of Murakami is practically as old as the town itself. It was once a common sight in the homes of Murakami residents to hang salmon to dry (some residents still do this). After the end of WW2, interest in the city's salmon culture began to decline, and trends in Japan began to shift more towards Western foods and culture. Kikkawa Sennenzake was established to preserve the salmon culture of the city, and over the years since its establishment has brought renewed interest and increased international attention to Murakami salmon cuisine. Now the whole city takes Established in an old Murakami machiya townhouse, Kikkawa Sennenzake not only preserves local ways of preparing salmon, but is creating new dishes using Murakami cooking methods. Visiting there today, customers can discover over a hundred ways of preparing salmon as they browse the products around the shop, including their signature "Shiobiki-zake", or salted salmon, which is salmon that has been slowly dried by the cold sea air of Murakami for three weeks and seasoned with coarse salt.

Yamabushi refers to the mountain monks of the Shugendo folk religion in Japan. Shugendo practices are inspired by esoteric Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, and other local folk religions, usually involving physical and mental discipline through rigorous training and rituals, including standing under waterfalls or meditating on mountaintops. Mountains are an essential part of Shugendo. The Yamabushi monks of Mount Haguro offer an easy introduction to travelers looking to understand their ways, starting with a temple class where visitors are taught preparatory prayers or chants. The visitors then put on the traditional attire of the monks and walk up the mountain steps to Haguro-san Shrine while being encouraged to meditate and take in their surroundings. Near the summit, they stop at a building called “Saikan” for a healthy vegetarian lunch of monks’ food.

The monks of Mount Haguro offer visiting travelers a taste of traditional monk life while visiting their Saikan temple building, with a healthy vegetarian Shojin Ryori lunch. Shojin Ryori means “monks’ food” in Japanese, and is meant to represent the traditional fare which the Buddhist monks commonly eat in a temple. Since it is not made with meat, fish or other animal products, it can be freely enjoyed by vegetarians and vegans, and makes an ideal cuisine for visiting travelers looking for a taste of authentic Japan. Shojin Ryori is prepared according to Buddhist principles imported from China, using primarily vegetables, tofu, and soy products, as well as minimal additional seasoning, instead relying on the innate flavors of the vegetables themselves.

The Five-storied Pagoda, or Gojuto, is a National Historic site of Mount Haguro, in Yamagata Prefecture. The pagoda sits near the beginning of the path up to the top of the mountain, hidden within a forest of cedar trees, some of which are thought to be over a thousand years old. The pagoda was first built in 937 (though it has been rebuilt since), and is 29 meters (95 feet) tall. It is treasured as one of the oldest five-storied pagodas in Japan. The pagoda sits near the start of the mountain path leading up to Haguro shrine, and is one of the mountain’s most well- known features.

The Ken Domon Museum of Photography is a museum dedicated to the works of photographer Ken Domon. The museum is located in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, which was Domon's hometown. Domon became well known after World War 2 for his realist photos of post-war Japan. He had a knack for capturing fleeting moments through his camera lens that feels to viewers like a slice of real life back then and could not be reproduced. His photography focused on ordinary citizens, capturing the raw emotions they felt after the war. He took photos across Japan, but the images of post-atomic bomb Hiroshima and those of the children living in the poor mining town of Chikuho are considered some of his most emotionally powerful photographs. In addition to post-war themes, Domon also became well known for his photos of Buddhist temples, statues, and iconography, as he felt it was important for the Japanese people to maintain a connection to their traditional culture and history. Domon donated his entire collection of around 70,000 photos to his hometown, who built the museum in his memory. It was constructed by acclaimed Japanese architect Yoshio Taniguchi, who built it next to a peaceful forest landscape near Mount Chokai.

In the port city of Sakata, locals frequent the Sakata Seafood Market, or “Sakata Kaisen Ichiba” for the freshest seafood in town. Located right on the Mogami River, the market is near to the port. Caught daily in the nearby Sea of Japan, this store is a must-visit for travelers who love seafood. The market is divided into two distinct sections, with Seafood Market Honpo on the first floor and Seafood Restaurant Tobishima on the second floor. On the first floor, patrons can shop for fresh fish and other kinds of seafood prepared in a variety of ways. And on the second floor, seafood lovers savor mouthwatering dishes prepared with fresh fish directly stocked from the market below. While eating, visitors can enjoy a view of Sakata Port from a wooden deck on the second-floor terrace.

The Somaro Tea House has been a high-end establishment in Sakata since the 17th century. Originally known as Somaya, this exclusive tea house arose out of close ties to Kyoto during the Edo period due to the rice trade between the two cities. This trade agreement made Sakata the affluent culture center of the region, and the Somaro Tea House was established as high-class entertainment for the wealthy elite – merchants, government officials, and artisans. One import from the old imperial capital was geisha culture, and the Sakata Maiko (apprentice geisha) continue to entertain guests at Somaro to this day. A lunch performance is highly sought after, when guests enjoy tea and traditional cuisine while the maiko dance for the guests. Somaro is also a museum and gallery, displaying a collection of hina dolls of exceptional quality. Hina dolls are specially made with fine features and rich attire, meant to reflect imperial court life.

The Sankyo Warehouses were built during the Edo period to store the city’s most lucrative resource – their quality rice grown on the nearby Shonai Plains. Many of the warehouses are still in use to this day, although visitors love the area for its historical feel paired with an enchanting riverside locale. Two warehouses in the front of the complex have been converted into a souvenir shop that sells Sakata handicraft, while in the back of the row of 15 storehouses is the Historical Museum of Shonai Rice, which includes displays on the history of rice harvesting in the area, plus another group of displays detailing the culture and history of Sakata city.

The Mogami River is the chief river of Yamagata prefecture, winding its way through half the region before letting out into the Sea of Japan near Sakata. The river became famous by the pen of traveling poet Matsuo Basho, who composed an enduring haiku noting the strength and swiftness of the river. A riverboat line was opened and named the Basho line in his honor, taking travelers along the Mogami River Gorge. It passes through what is widely agreed to be the prettiest sections of the river, lined with gorgeous autumn-changing trees and waterfalls. While traveling on the river, the boatmen of the Basho line are known to regale their passengers with traditional river ballads, which has increased the fame and popularity of the Basho Line boat ride.

Risshakuji Temple is the temple complex atop Yamadera in Yamagata Prefecture. Some people refer to the temple simply as Yamadera temple. It is nationally designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty. It was founded in 860 by the priest Ennin as a temple of the Tendai Buddhist sect, and features a main hall constructed of beechwood, a treasure house full of sculptures and other treasures, and a repository for Buddhist sutras. The ascent to Risshakuji involves a climb of 1,000 stone steps through a dense cedar forest. The area around Risshakuji is famed for being a stop on the route of the traveling poet Matsuo Basho, who wrote a haiku highlighting the stillness of the local environment and the sound of the cicadas.

Matsushima Bay has been known as one of the top most scenic places in all of Japan for many years. Without a doubt the most popular and best way to see the bay is by boat cruises. There are many cruises available for visitors to ride on to experience one of Japan’s best scenic views.

The Matsushima Fish Market is a popular location for guests to enjoy local seafood specialties and shop for all of their seafood needs. Run by a captain who owns 7 large tuna fishing boats, visitors will find several kinds of fresh seafood being sold. As an indoor market, guests will find several stalls selling their products on the first floor, whether it be ingredients to cook with or live fish. Another popular aspect of the market, and Matsushima in general, are the Miyagi Oysters, known for their creamy and slightly nutty flavor. You will also find food vendors at the market, which serve these Miyagi Oysters as an all-you-can-eat treat for a low price. Because the water near Matsushima is rich with nutrients, their seafood is considered to be one of the highest quality in Japan. The market also holds tuna cutting shows every month as well as other events. Be sure to give the fresh tuna or the Miyagi Oysters a try, whether you prefer them raw, steamed, or fried, there is something for everyone. Even if you're not a fan of seafood, there are several other foods offered at the market including rice bowls, sushi, and even ramen.

One of the most distinguished temples of the Tohoku region is the Zuiganji Temple. The temple is so notable that it has been received as a national treasure in Japan; particularly special places are the main hall with golden sliding doors, the Kuri of the main hall, the “Gate of Honor”, and the “Inner gates” are some examples. Visitors going to the temple can also visit the museum called Seiryuden, also called the Zuiganji Art Museum, where many artifacts and some temple treasures are displayed, in particular a wooden statue of an armored Date Masamune.

Godaido serves as a symbol of Matsushima since it is a on an islet of the bay in Miyagi Prefecture, which is known for its cruises and natural scenery. Inside the temple itself are five statues that are presented to the public once every 33 years. The small island is connected a short, red bridge that gives the scenery a particularly attractive elegance to the temple’s surrounding environment. Admission to this temple is free, however it does close in the evenings.

The Sendai Aoba Festival is Sendai's second-largest festival (after Tanabata), and takes place in the city every May. It celebrates the history of the city and its famous founder, the legendary samurai daimyo Date Masamune. The Festival consist of two days - the Yoi Matsuri and the Hon Matsuri. The Yoi Matsuri is a sort of "pre-festival" event, featuring performances and competitions of a local dance called the "Sparrow Dance". Created to celebrate the completion of Aoba Castle, the Sparrow Dance, or "Suzume-Odori", features jumping and whirling movements accompanied by the spinning of hand-carried fans. The leaping and twirling fans represent the fluttering motions of sparrows. The next day is called the Hon- Matsuri, and the main event is a procession of massive parade floats called Yamaboko, which are accompanied by legions of men in samurai armor - spiritual successors to Date Masamune's faithful retainers. Many of the floats are connected to Masamune and the history of Sendai, though some also have references to Buddhism and Japanese Shinto mythology. The festival also features stalls cooking delicious grilled festival foods.

The Sendai Morning Market, or "Asaichi, is a permanent street market located in Sendai, on a narrow street near Sendai Station in the city's Aoba Ward. Despite being called a "morning market" the Asaichi is open all day. The market is also known as "Sendai's Kitchen", since it stocks seasonally fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, as well as a whole bunch of other cheap foods and ingredients. The fresh seafood in the market is sourced directly from Sendai Port, and a lot of the local fresh produce comes from nearby Yamagata. The morning market is the perfect place to browse and try food for cheap since it has, in addition to the produce markets, various little food shops and stalls that sell grilled meats, sushi, sweets and much more, including Sendai's famous beef tongue (gyuutan) dish. And although the market is a wonderland for foodie travelers, always being busy and bustling, the Morning Market is an excellent place for people watching, even if you don't need to buy anything. It's the perfect experience for finding a tasty snack as you observe the locals of Sendai on their shopping trips.

Sun Mall Ichibancho is a covered shopping arcade in Sendai. It is located about 5 minutes walking distance from Sendai Station. It connects to three other covered shopping arcades: Hapina Nakakecho, Clis Road, and Marble Road Omachi. Since the arcades are all covered, they are easy to visit in any weather. There are a broad variety of fashion boutiques, beauty salons, restaurants and cafes, and other specialty stores. It is a particularly excellent location for trying Sendai's signature dish: gyuutan (beef tongue). One especially notable section of Ichibancho is Iroha Yokocho, which is a narrow alley with a 70-year history, hiding over a hundred little shops that maintain a post-war, Showa-era decor. Ichibancho also has its own shrine - Nonoka Shrine, which, like many landmarks in Sendai, is connected to its founder, Date Masamune. Like the rest of Ichibancho, these shops and restaurants are widely varied. The arcade is often decorated for to celebrate local seasonal festivals. One of its more elaborately decorated times is during the annual Sendai Tanabata festival that occurs every August, when the arcade is adorned with enormous colored streamers.

The shinkansen (or "bullet train") is a type of high speed train that travels between most of the major cities in Japan. By taking the shinkansen, trips between destinations that might take almost a full day by car can be reached in a few hours. The bullet trains can run up to 320 kilometers per hour (close to 200 miles per hour), and are known to be generally on time, comfortable and safe.

Kairakuen was built in Mito in 1842 for one of the lords of the Mito Domain, Tokugawa Nariaki – member of the prestigious Tokugawa clan. This landscape garden, along with Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa and Korakuen Garden in Wakayama, is one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens. Unlike the other two gardens, Kairakuen – which means “a park to be enjoyed together” – was designated as a public park since it opened. The most popular feature of this garden is an exquisite forest of over a hundred varieties of plum tree, and the city hosts a plum blossom festival there every year.
The primary building on the property is the “Kobuntei” a traditional Japanese building that visitors can explore. The upper level has windows that offer a good view of the garden below.

Just north of Tokyo is Ibaraki Prefecture, home to Hitachi Seaside Park where the beautiful baby blue eye flowers bloom each spring. The hills full of more than a million baby blue eyes (Nemophila) match the bright blue skies on sunny days, making it a truly wonderful spring scene.