The Ultimate Summer Escape Route! Find the ultimate summer paradise in Tohoku, Japan!

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🤗 A refreshing and niche trip to the secret land of Aomori

Aomori Prefecture is located in the northernmost part of Honshu, Japan, across the sea from Hakodate, Hokkaido. In the summer, Aomori is the perfect secret getaway, and in addition to the ever-present Oirase Stream, there are many more hidden niche spots in Aomori that are worth visiting.

The Oirase Stream in Aomori Prefecture in the Tohoku region is known as the "world's most beautiful stream," and has been designated a National Special Scenic Spot and Natural Monument, along with Lake Towada.

The Oirase Stream consists of dense trees and ten waterfalls, and is known as a cherry blossom viewing spot in spring and lush and beautiful in summer.

Walking along a stream that stretches for about 14km, waterfalls and clear streams split rocks and woods, and along the way there are fresh greenery, splashing water droplets, the sound of crisp birdsong, and mosses floating on the water surface and vine-twisted rocks…

The waterways here are winding, beech, maple and other primeval forests are lush, retaining a pure and pristine natural landscape, and the waterfalls encountered from time to time along the way are even more fascinating, making you feel that your body and mind have been deeply healed by the greenery and the streams.

Even in the scorching hot months of July and August, the average temperature in this area is only 20 to 22 degrees, which is worthy of being a summer vacation spot.

1️⃣ Magnificent Lake Towada

Lake Towada is a two-fold volcanic lake formed by the eruption of the Towada Volcano, and is also the source of the Oirase Stream, which is called the "Mysterious Lake" because its water is so clear that it doesn't freeze over even in the cold winter months.

Surrounded by dense beech forests and the clear sound of birdsong, you can escape from the hustle and bustle of reality for a short while and soak up the natural beauty.

There are various ways to enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Towada.

Not only can you enjoy a close-up view of the lake from a kayak, but you can also take a tour boat and listen to the history and legends of Lake Towada as you look out over the scenery and listen to the staff on board.

2️⃣ Tashokan Paddy Field Earth Painting

Northeastern Japan is said to be the birthplace of Japanese rice, and also the birthplace of paddy art (paddy painting). This is a local tourist resource inspired by the Wheat Field Circle.

Every year since 1993, "Tashakan Village" in Aomori Prefecture has held the "Rice Paddy Art Festival," in which different colors and varieties of rice are used to grow amazing works of art on a 15,000-square-meter field, with a different theme each year.

Aomori Prefecture's "Paddy Art Festival" invites artists to design patterns and mark different areas in April, and villagers work together to plant seeds using different varieties of rice; the paddy grows in May, and the patterns gradually appear; and the best season for viewing the paddy art arrives in July of each year.

🤗 Visiting Iwate Prefecture, which has preserved Japan's original landscape

In the northeastern part of Honshu, Iwate Prefecture is rich in history and picturesque scenery, bringing together the best of Japan's traditional culture and natural beauty.

The sea and mountains make up the majestic and exquisite beauty of Iwate, and the little-known untouched landscape of Japan is waiting for you to unveil its mysteries. Embark on a journey to Iwate and experience a variety of untouched nature, culture, and the local people who live in symbiosis with nature.

1️⃣ Rafting Geibikei Gorge

Geibikei Gorge has been designated by the Japanese government as a "Natural Monument of Historic Sites and Places of Interest" (National Natural and Historic Sites) as the number one "Designated Sightseeing Spot" in Iwate Prefecture.

Geibikei Gorge is about two kilometers long, with cliffs on both sides of the valley reaching up to 50 meters high and 100 meters high. On both sides of the valley are "Fuji Rock", "Jangbu Rock", "Jinbi Rock", and "Mirror Rock", "Young Woman Rock", "Lion's Nose", "Fairy Belt Rock", "Geibikei Rock" and other strange rocks and stones on both sides of the valley.

In the heat of summer, you can cool off in Geibikei Gorge, with its fast-flowing water, colorful flowers, lush forests, waterfalls on both sides, and marvelous caves. ...…

🤗 Blue Sea, White Waves, Green Pines —Sendai Matsushima Bay

Sendai Matsushima, one of the "Three Views of Japan," is known for its turquoise sea, white waves, and green pines, and has been immortalized in waka (Japanese songs) through the ages, making it a place of elegance that has captivated the literati throughout the ages.

Matsuo Basho, a famous Japanese haiku master, praised Matsushima in "Oku no Hosomichi" as "the best view in Fuso, comparable to Dongting and West Lake".

There are four major scenic spots in Matsushima, namely, the "Magnificent Otakamori", the "Beautiful Toyama", the "Great Toyama", and the "Secluded Ogoya". The four major viewpoints are "The Magnificent Otakamori", "The Beautiful View of Mt. Standing at these four viewpoints, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the 260 islands in Songdo Bay.

Pine trees grow thickly on the small islands of Songdo Bay, and the calm waters of Songdo Bay are a beautiful contrast. In summer, a cruise on Songdo Bay is even more wonderful if it coincides with a sunrise or a sunset!

The Buddhist temple at Matsushima is connected to Honshu by a red bridge, and is designated as an important cultural asset because it is the oldest surviving building in Tohoku, the Momoyama building, which has a remarkable colorful appearance.

🤗 Tohoku's premier summer festival

1️⃣ Aomori Sandman Festival

The Aomori Sandman Festival, held from August 2 to 7 every year, is the hottest summer festival in Japan, and in 1980, it was recognized as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.

During the Sandman Festival, a lively atmosphere is brought to a climax by the Sandman lanterns depicting the characters of Sandman, the Sandman accompaniment of flutes and drums, people dressed in gorgeous yukatas and flower hats, and "jumping people" dancing with the words "lasela, lasera".

On the last day of the Aomori Sandman Festival, the lanterns that have won awards such as the "Sandman Grand Prize" are loaded onto a boat and paraded around the Aomori harbor. In the midst of the colorful fireworks, the heavy, illusory silhouettes of the lanterns stand in the darkness of the waves, majestic and magnificent.

2️⃣ Mountain Bike Parade: Goshogawara Tateyoshi Muta Festival

The Goshogawara Tachibuta Festival, along with the Aomori Sandman Festival and the Hirosaki Sandman Festival, are known as the three major sandman festivals in Aomori, and the attraction of the festival is the spectacle of the "Tachibuta" mountain car, which reaches a height of up to 20 meters, as it parades around the city.

Tachi-Syobudo Hall is the venue where you can see these prancing Tachi-Syobudos, which are four floors high and are a marvel to behold.

The showroom space runs from the first floor to the fourth floor, where Tachibana Budo stands, and you can walk around it and observe its craftsmanship and details from different angles.

In addition to visiting the tall Tateyoko Budo, you can watch and experience taiko drums and bayashi performances in this area, which is full of things to see and do.