During the last summer holiday (Aug 2010), I have been to the Tohoku (northeast) region of Japan, including Miyagi(宮城県), Akita(秋田県), Iwate(岩手県) and Aomori(青森県). Although it was only a 5-Day trip, I could experience another side of Japan, which is filled with natural beauty and historical value.
Unlike other busy and popular cities in Japan (e.g: Tokyo, Osaka), people in the Tohoku region seem to have a slow-paced, leisurable lifestyle. Tourists can temporarily forget all the other tedious and annoying stuff in work and everyday live, and fully enjoy their holiday here!
The attractiveness of the Tohoku region also includes the beautiful sceneries of nature. The sceneries of the river, lake, hill and forest that I have visited are really fascinating and enchanting!
Here below are the places that I have visited!
1) 松島(Matsushima) @宮城県
There are more than 260 islands on the Matsushima Bay, where it is located in the central part of Miyagi prefecture. These islands are of different sizes and have their own uniqueness, and all the islands here have combined and created an amazing and stunning view, thus Matsushima is one of the three most beautiful sites in Japan!
2) 厳美渓(Genbikei Gorge) @岩手県
The river currents of the Iwai river(磐井川)has led to the erosion of the huge rocks, creating a 2km long Genbikei Gorge. The sceneries here are very ravishing and attractive. When spring has come, the cherry blossoms growing by the two sides of the gorge would create a breath-taking picture, which, for sure, would add more beauty to Genbikei Gorge !
3) 奥入瀬渓流(Oirase Stream) @青森県
Along the Oirase stream, you can see many waterfalls. The water there is clear and limpid, creating a beautiful and lovely scenery with the surrounding green forests.
You can walk along the path and enjoy different sceneries of Oirase stream in different seasons, and here is also a popular spot for taking great pictures and hiking!
4) 十和田湖(Lake Towada) @ 秋田/青森県
It is a large crater lake located at the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures. The wonderful views of the lake do attract a lot of tourists, in which you can enjoy the stunning sceneries either by taking a boat ride or walking along the shore!
I really appreciate how the Japanese government are promoting and conserving the natural beauty of Japan. It is great to see all the beautiful sceneries of nature during different seasons. For instance like the cherry blossoms in spring, green leaves in summer, red leaves in autumn and snow in winter. The four seasons have created different pictures in nature, in which people living in the cities can hardly observe such kind of views! I hope I can explore more natural beauty of Japan in the future, and I particularly want to visit Tohoku region again, as I believe that Tohoku region owns many of the amazing and stunning sceneries in Japan!
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History does not only reveal the past development of a country, but it also reveals the uniqueness of its culture and people. I love taking a walk freely in these spots filled with rich history, and I must say that the historical buildings and sites in Tohoku region are really impressive.
1) 五大堂(Godaido) @宮城県
Godaido is actually a Buddhist temple built on a small island near Matsushima. It is a representative site of Matsushima, which you can still enjoy the great sceneries of Matsushima while visiting Godaido.
2) 角館(Kakunodate) @秋田県
It is commonly known as “Little Kyoto” of Michinoku because there are a lot of residences of the old samurai, these residences have formed into a castle town, which this design has lasted for 380 years long. You can enter different residences of the samurai and observe the design of these old houses, some residences have transferred into an exhibition hall, where you can find some old pictures, goods and writings in the old times. And some residences become shops, where you can buy some souvenirs and food!
3) 仙台城(Sendai Castle) @宮城県
It is a castle built by the famous Japanese samurai of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, Date Masamune (伊達政宗). Now the castle has transferred into a park, known as the Aobayama park (青葉山公園), a bronze statue of Date Masamune is stood in the park for commemorating the achievement of this great leader.
I am not very familiar with the history of Japan, but I am fascinated by the rich history revealed by all the temples and historical sites in Japan! It is another way to explore and experience more about Japan, although someone may think that it is quite boring when it comes to something about history, I myself prefer to follow such a way to know more about a country. I am now planning to go to Kyoto, which I think it is a real place for tourists to learn about the history and experience the traditional side of Japan.
