8 DAYS TOHOKU PRIVATE TOUR

Hiraizumi Town is located in Iwate Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan. In 2011, it was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site under the title "Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land." The Hiraizumi World Heritage consists of five sites in Hiraizumi Town: Chuson-ji Temple, Motsu-ji Temple, the ruins of Kanjizaio-in, the ruins of Muryoko-in, and Mt. Kinkeisan.Naruko Gorge is a grand canyon formed by the erosion of the Oya River, designated as a scenic spot in Miyagi Prefecture and located within Kurikoma National Park. The cliffs extend about 100 meters, with numerous bizarre rocks and trees growing from the rock formations, creating a majestic landscape. It is also one of the top autumn foliage viewing spots in the Tohoku region, with the autumn leaves adorning the gorge offering breathtaking views. Koiwai Farm has a history of over 120 years. Out of its total area of 3,000 hectares, a part is open to the public as the "Farm Park," where visitors can see natural landscapes, production sites, and important cultural properties. Hachimantai Aspite Line stretches 27 kilometers, crossing Iwate and Akita Prefectures and winding over the summit of Mt. Hachimantai. As you drive along this road, you’ll be greeted by blue lakes nestled in wild fir forests, showcasing Hachimantai’s unique scenery. Along the route, you can enjoy different natural landscapes in each season, such as the snow corridors formed by clear white snow in spring and the mountains covered with colorful leaves in autumn. The Hachimantai Jukai Line, starting from the summit of Mt. Hachimantai, is also an excellent driving route, where you can admire Ryofu Waterfall. Every year from late May to early June, a mysterious phenomenon called the "Dragon Eye of Hachimantai" can be observed at "Kagami Pond" near the summit of Hachimantai. This occurs when the snow that fell on Kagami Pond during winter melts in spring, forming a donut-like shape around the edges and center. This phenomenon, combined with the sunlight and the color of the sky, creates a unique sight. Near Kagami Pond, there is another pond called "Megane Pond," which shines with a bright green hue. Recently, it has been referred to as the "Tear of the Dragon" and is just as popular as the "Dragon Eye." Lake Towada straddles Towada City in Aomori Prefecture and Kosaka Town in Kazuno District, Akita Prefecture. Formed by the volcanic activity of Mount Towada about 200,000 years ago, it is a caldera lake ranking 12th in area among Japanese lakes and 3rd in maximum depth at 327 meters. The Oirase Gorge, flowing out from the lake, is also designated as a national special scenic spot and natural monument.The elementary school, which was closed in 1974, was restored and reborn as the "Memory of Kata Branch School" in 2004. It is now often used as a venue for events. The classrooms, items, and warm lighting inside are filled with a nostalgic atmosphere, perfectly preserving the appearance of that time. Taking photos here makes you feel as if you've stepped back into the scenes of those days. 

 Known for its mysterious blue stream and as a famous spot for fresh green foliage and autumn leaves, " Dakigaeri Gorge " was named because the narrow and steep mountain path was so difficult to pass that people had to embrace each other to get through. "Kakunodate" is located in Semboku City, in the eastern part of Akita Prefecture. Surrounded by the Tamagawa and Hinokinaigawa Rivers, and dense mountain ranges, it is a basin that still preserves many samurai residences (Bukeyashiki) and other buildings intact. With many valuable historical heritage sites, it is also known as "Little Kyoto of the North" and has been selected as one of Japan's Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings.Ginzan Onsen is filled with nostalgic scenery that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a time tunnel. The wooden onsen inns line both sides of the Ginzan River, and in the evening, the gas lamps light up, immediately creating an atmosphere reminiscent of old Japan, just like scenes from the movie "Spirited Away." This place is also famous as the filming location for the renowned drama series "Oshin." The best time for photography is on snowy nights, when the snow-covered streets and lights create a picturesque contrast.In the beautiful natural environment of Zao, over 100 foxes are freely roaming in the Zao Fox Village, where you can get up close and personal with these adorable creatures. In recent years, thanks to photos on social media, many foreign tourists have been attracted to visit Zao Fox Village. Especially from autumn to winter, the foxes' fur becomes the most fluffy and soft, making it the best season to capture their cute appearances. Sitting on the border of Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures, Mt. Zao is one of Tohoku's most prominent mountains. Within the mountain lies Okama Crater, a breathtaking caldera lake famous for its changes in color. The deep, water-filled crater is similar in shape (though not in size) to an “okama” cooking pot, thus giving the volcano its name. A combination of perfect winter weather and Zao's high altitude give birth to these monsters of the mountains. Cold air blowing from Siberia is trapped by the mountains running north to south through Tohoku. Water droplets in the air freeze onto the trees, creating towering monsters of snow and ice. While there are several places in the world to see this phenomenon, Zao is one of the largest.Nicchu Line Weeping Cherry Trees - The disused section of the former Japan National Railways Nichu Line, which was abandoned in 1984, has been transformed into a promenade. Starting from the entrance located a 5-minute walk west of Kitakata Station, the 3-kilometer-long path features approximately 1,000 weeping cherry trees, forming one of Japan's largest weeping cherry tree avenues. At the midpoint of the path, there is a display of the steam locomotive (SL) that used to run there, offering a beautiful collaboration with the weeping cherry blossoms. The cherry blossom tunnel is a perfect spot for photography.

Built on the remains of an underground quarry, the Oya History Museum allows visitors to understand the quarrying history of Oya stone, a specialty of Utsunomiya. The exhibition hall showcases materials related to the large-scale quarrying of Oya stone from the mid-Edo period to 1959, including transportation tools and the evolution of quarrying methods. The underground quarry covers an area of 20,000 square meters and is 30 meters deep, with the deepest point reaching 60 meters. The average temperature is only 8°C. Over time, approximately 10 million stones have been quarried, creating a space large enough to fit an entire baseball field. Besides exhibitions, the museum also hosts concerts, theatrical performances, Noh performances, and more, making it a versatile venue.One of the three largest Buddha statues in the world, Ushiku Daibutsu is said to be big enough to hold Nara Prefecture's Todaiji Buddha statue in its hand. Visit and climb this statue to take in amazing views of the area and learn about the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism.