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🇯🇵 Japan Region Guide · 2026

Tohoku — North main island

North main island · onsen · summer festivals · Main cities: Sendai · Aomori · Akita · Iwate

About Tohoku

The Tohoku region

North main island · onsen · summer festivals. Covers 6 prefectures · main cities: Sendai · Aomori · Akita · Iwate. One of Japan's 9 regions, with its own distinctive charm — culture, food, climate, and destinations that show you a side of Japan most travellers never see.

Prefectures · 6 in this region

All 6 prefectures in Tohoku

Every prefecture in the Tohoku region — we'll review them all · click for individual prefecture guides

Region 101

Tohoku at a glance

👥
Population
8.3 million
📐
Area
66,900 km²
🚄
Transit
Tohoku Shinkansen · JR East
🌸
Best season
Summer Jul-Aug (festivals) · autumn foliage
🍜
Signature food
Gyutan beef tongue · sake · wanko soba
🌡️
Weather
Summer 20-30°C · Winter -5 to 5°C
FAQ

FAQ · Tohoku travel

How many days for Tohoku?
5-7 days for 4 main prefectures · JR East Tohoku Pass good value
Why Tohoku?
Summer festivals (Nebuta/Sendai Tanabata/Akita Kanto in Aug) · best autumn foliage in Japan · quieter onsen than Hakone
English widely spoken?
Workable in Sendai · countryside needs Google Translate

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