Northern Honshu,
known as Tohoku, offers beautiful natural scenery
spawled over three national parks as well as many lesser-known cultural
and historical treasures. Sendai is a vibrant,
modern city, which houses the famous August Tanabata Star
Festival and gateway to the Tohoku region.
Nearby Matsushima enjoys a famously scenic bay.
The lovely city of Aizu-Wakamatsu is well known
for its lacquerware, historic Tsurugaoka Castle
and amazing Buke-yashiki samurai residence. The
volcanic landscapes of the adjacent Bandai-Asahi National
Park are popular among hikers, as is the dramatic Dewa
Sanzan area and Mount Zao, which in winter
is one of Japan’s best ski resorts. Historic Hiraizumi
is interesting for the fabulously ornate Chusonji Temple
and Hirosaki is an attractive castle town.
To the very north of Honshu, the amazing volcanic
crater of Lake Towada is encircled by the alpine
landscapes of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park,
also well known for its hot springs and ski resorts. Hokkaido
was for a long time Japan’s ‘Wild West’
and still has a distinct pioneer feel. The island is home to Japan's
only remaing indigenous Ainu people, and the remnants of their unique
culture are a major attraction. Vast parts of Hokkaido are protected
as National Parks: areas of amazing volcanic scenery,
‘bottomless’ crater lakes, hot springs and many mountain
and ski resorts. Furano, especially renowned for
its summer flower fields and winter skiing. In winter visitors flock
to see two of Hokkaido’s natural phenomena: ‘dancing’
cranes and hot-spring-bathing monkeys.
Sapporo, Hokkaido’s vibrant capital,
is well known for its excellent nightlife and the extraordinary
Snow Festival in February. To the south, the port
city of Hakodate was among the first of Japan’s
ports to open to foreign trade. Famous for its historic Goryokaku
Fort and lovely night views, the city displays a notable
Russian influence. |
