Explore, Unwind, Connect: Discover Nature’s Wonders in Mogami
Explore nature’s wonders in the Mogami region of northeastern Japan on this 2-day, 1-night tour, including a riverboat cruise and trekking to an ancient forest.
Locations
Each prefecture, area, city and town all have their own unique characteristics. Explore each area's hidden wonders by its location here.
Yamagata Prefecture
Yamagata City / Murayama Region
As capital of the prefecture and home to Yamagata’s largest metropolitan population, Yamagata City has no shortage of activities, cuisine, nightlife, and lodging accommodations, as well as a variety of sightseeing and historic points of interest to keep visitors busy. The Murayama region includes Yamagata city and other cities and many of this region’s top sightseeing locations are found here.
Sakata, Tsuruoka / Shonai Region
Blessed with towering mountains, vast open plains, and long stretches of rich coastline in Tsuruoka city and a highly influential historic port with delicious seafood and historical, cultural gems in Sakata city, the Shonai Region has an absolute treasure trove of hidden gems to explore.
Okitama Region
The Okitama Region is an area of southern Yamagata, consisting of the municipalities and surrounding agricultural lands of the Okitama Basin, cradled to the south, east, west by vast mountain ranges. Okitama is replete with not only the quintessential scenic and culinary charms of the pastoral Japanese countryside, but also pristine wilderness, as shown in cities in the region like Nagai City.
Mogami Region
The north of Yamagata Prefecture also has stunning gems to be discovered.
Oishida Festival Matsuri
The small town of Oishida goes all out during their Oishida Matsuri, a summer festival featuring fireworks and exuberant traditional dance.
Visiting Ginzan Onsen in the Winter
Info on access to and lodging in Ginzan Onsen in winter, how to make reservations for the popular Twilight Bus tour, and more!
Niigata Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture
Stretching along the Sea of Japan for over three hundred kilometers, Niigata Prefecture feels a world away from the crowds and rush of Tokyo. And yet, it is accessible by bullet train from Tokyo in just a little over an hour. Niigata is probably best known for snow and sake, but is also home to lesser-known attractions that make a visit here a fascinating journey for those seeking deep experiences and memorable moments off the beaten path.
Other prefectures
The Tohoku Kizuna Festival
The Tohoku Kizuna Festival, a collaboration event combining the Tohoku region’s 6 most famous summer matsuri into one giant celebration!
Nakajimadai
Nakajimadai is a beautiful beech forest and wetland area featuring easy nature trails. It is located at the base of Mount Chokai in Akita.
Shiogama: The Sushi Capital of Japan
While Tokyo’s fish markets may be famous, the actual sushi capital of Japan lies far to the north in Miyagi prefecture, in the port town of Shiogama.
Zao Snow Monsters
Snow Monsters are synonomous with winter on Mount Zao—read on to find out how to access them, the best times to visit, and more!
Samurai Spirit Experience
Experience what it felt like to be a retainer of the castle town of the Sendai Date clan. You will have the opportunity to try out drawing a real sword, which is something you don’t usually get to do, and try out tea at the Zangetsu-tei teahouse, where you will experience the mindset of a samurai.
Guided sake & seasonal ingredient cuisine pairing with Sendai Izawa family head
A pairing dinner held by restaurant owner Yuka Izawa at Restaurant Shozan, owned by one of Sendai’s leading sake breweries. In a private space created by renovating a sake brewery in the old castle town, enjoy the restaurant’s unique pairings and a variety of unpasteurized sake that is hard to find on the market, as well as a special menu created just for this tour.