Tohoku (meaning “the northeast”) comprises six townships in Honshu’s northern portion. Like the remaining portion of Japan, Tohoku is mountainous or steep. It was first settled between both the seventh and 9th century A.D., long after Japanese societies had established themselves in central and southern Japan.
Although the rock, metal, brick, petrochemical, wood, and oil refineries began expanding in the 1960s, Tohoku has long been known as Japan’s granary, supplying rice and other agricultural goods to Sendai and the Tokyo-Yokohama markets. Tohoku supplied 20% of the nation’s rice harvest. The climate, on the other hand, is rougher than other sections of Honshu, and paddy land can only produce one harvest annually.
The northern position of several of the continent’s valleys has resulted in a population increase. This settlement pattern, along with shores that do not encourage port developments, resulted in a considerably greater than usual reliance on land and railway traffic. Low spots in the central mountain range, thankfully, facilitate connectivity between lowlands on both sides of the range.
The islands of Matsushima Bay, Lake Towada, the Rikuchu Coastline National Park, and the Bandai-Asahi National Park have all become popular tourist destinations in the Tohoku region.
History
The territory was known as Azuma in legendary times and is matched to the region of Honshu inhabited mostly by native Emishi and Ainu. Traditionally, the territory was known as the Dewa and Michinoku territories, a word first used in Hitachi-no-Kuni Fudoki.
The term “Michinoku” has a lot of different meanings nowadays. Tohoku was first settled between both the 7th and 9th decades, long after Japanese civilizations had established themselves in central and southern Japan. The area has sustained a degree of independence from Kyoto at various times over the years, as it was the final holdout of the indigenous Emishi on Honshu and the location of several wars.
The Northern Fujiwara was a Japanese nobility household that governed the Tohoku valley according to their realm during the twelfth century. They maintained their autonomy from the Imperial Court in Kyoto thanks to the might of their warrior bands till Minamoto no Yoritomo defeated them in 1189.
Major Cities Of Tohoku
• Iwaki (population: 337,000)
• Kōriyama (population: 322,000)
• Aomori (population: 278,000)
• Yamagata (population: 249,000)
• Sendai (population: 1,091,000)
• Akita (population: 305,000)
• Morioka (population: 291,000)
• Hachinohe (population: 226,000)
Climate
Due to the greater influence of the Siberian High, the temperature is cooler than in other regions of Honshu, and croplands can only produce one crop each year. Tohoku’s Pacific coast, on the other hand, is much less icy than that of the region’s common image and has Japan’s minor periodic temperature fluctuations. The everyday mean temperature in Iwaki, for example, ranges from 3.0 °C (37.4 °F) in January to 23.9 °C (75.0 °F) in August.
Statics
Tohoku’s population reduction that started around the year 2000 has intensified, with previous lively Miyagi now included. Considering this, Sendai City has expanded, thanks in part to the resettlement of disaster-affected.
After such a population decline in the late 1950s, the demographic fall of Honshu’s three northerly provinces, Aomori, Iwate, and Akita, started in the 1980s. Until 1980, Fukushima District was the most populous, but currently, Miyagi seems to be the most populous and urbanized.
Best Places To Visit In The Tohoku Region
- Sendai
- Aomori
- Yamagata
- Akita
- Fukushima
- Morioka
- Hirosaki
- Towada
- Iwaki
Popular Destinations In The Tohoku Region
1. Kinkasan Island
Kinkasan Island is located on the eastern coast of Tohoku near Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture. Around 300 deer, 200 monkeys, and five humans live on the coast. You’ll feel an overwhelming spirituality whenever you come, owing to the eight chapels and other “power points” across the island where visitors worship for wellness and fortune.
Night users can readily stay for one day or even several days because the island is conveniently accessible by boats and has a resort on the island that basic considerations lodging and delicious food. If one prefers more of a struggle, he must climb Mount Koganeyama, the island’s tallest mountain, for a leisure trip.
The pyramid-shaped Mount Kinka peaks at 445 meters, the tallest mountain in Kinkasan, which covers 9.5 km2 (3.7 sq. mi) (1,460 ft.). It is accessible via boat trip from Ishinomaki. The island environment is magical, with deer roaming freely in and around the shrine grounds and monkeys in the woodland adding to the sense of adventure.
The Kinkasan deer, which are considered representatives of the gods by Shinto priests, is a must-see on any visit. An impossible to completely avoid rite is done on the first Sunday of October to assist in making male deer safe to be there. The shrine transforms the antler clippings into ornaments, which are sold as talismans to the devoted and as mementos to visitors.
A day trip to the island can be challenging due to its limited ferry timetable, thus it is advisable to book a place and spend a night at Koganeyama Shrine.
2. Koganayama Shrine
It is said that if one prays for three consecutive years at Koganeyama Shrine, they would become wealthy. Even though it’s their first trip, the accompanying stunning features and religious heritage will make them feel privileged.
The major attraction on Kinkasan Island and an official National Historic, Koganeyama Shrine sits atop imposing stone steps and welcomes tourists with a spare five-yen coin to drop into its prayer box. With far too many deer on the island, there are bound to be a few lounging around waiting for a good photo opportunity.
3. Karakuwa Peninsula
If you take a tour around the Karakuwa Peninsula it will reward you with breathtaking ocean vistas, a glimpse into regional history, and a dose of nature. On the peninsula, there was a good route called Miyagi Olle that leads you through woodland trails and along the coastline.
It’s the ideal site for a picnic while taking in the magnificent coastal beauty, with multiple rests stops along the way. Karakuwa’s name roughly translates to “China (particularly, Tang Dynasty) Mulberry” which has been used to describe the area since it was part of the bigger Kesen District in Mutsu County.
A Chinese sailboat crashed on the seashore, and in its cargo was a mulberry tree, according to legend. The tree was salvaged and replanted, and both the legend and the tree outlived and flourished throughout the region.
4. Naruko Onsen
Naruko Onsen is a village in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, containing Naruko Gorge, one of the most beautiful and popular autumnal natural vistas in the country. The peak time is late October, only when falling leaves rapidly spread throughout the valley.
Residents claim, however, that the vista is just as lovely in the “greenest” periods of spring and summer—perhaps even more so than in the spectacular icy winter’s cape. Naruko Gorge is a must-see for amateur and professional photographers and wildlife alike, as there are numerous walking trails in the vicinity.
The Naruko Hot Spring Villages are a collection of five villages with plentiful hot springs in the volcanically active area, including Naruko, East Naruko, Nakayamadaira, Kawatabi, and Onikbe. The springs are particularly popular with persons who are ill due to their purported healing effects. In the winter, there are many ski resorts in the area.
Naruko is one of several localities that proclaim to be the birthplace of the kokeshi, a tubular hardwood doll that is synonymous with Tohoku. In Naruko, the Japan Kokeshi Museum is situated, and over 80 artisans work long hours on the art.
There are 400 springs in the 1,000-year-old Naruko hot spring area. Naruko Onsen’s tiny town center welcomes guests with a variety of craft stores, eateries, and art museums. Many great hiking paths may be found in the neighboring highlands, which are especially beautiful in the autumn.
5. The Three Mountains Of Dewa
The Dewa Sanzan, popularly known as the “Three Mountains of Dewa,” is a Yamagata Prefecture territory with three spiritually significant mountain ranges. Mount Gassan symbolizes history, Mount Haguro depicts the current, and Mount Gassan shows potential (Mount Yudono).
Locals believe that by worshipping at the shrines at the summits of all three, you will be morally regenerated. Enlist the services of a local Yamabushi (Buddhist monk) guide to point out the important sights and Easter eggs throughout your tour for a truly Japanese experience. You’ll pass various shrines, pagodas, and engravings on your trip up, as well as monasteries in which you can rest and eat shojin ryori (vegetarian diet for monks).
Folk culture has been an important element of the Japanese people’s daily life over the millennia, notably in terms of the connection between religious beliefs and practices and spiritual hills. The tradition of mountain worshipping is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and has expanded all throughout the country’s past.
Almost each mountain range has had its devoted shrine at one time or another, with some drawing tens of thousands of worshippers each year. Sangaku shrine refers to a collection of complex phenomena that link religious activities and concepts to holy mountain ranges.
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Summing Up
Although the Tohoku region of Japan is often overshadowed by Tokyo and other famous destinations in the south, it is a place well worth exploring. With its stunning scenery, rich history, and warm people, Tohoku offers something for everyone. We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Tohoku and experience all that it has to offer.