Sightseeing in Japan - Tokyo north to Sendai

[SC Anteater]

Most of the guidebooks don't have much to say about the middle-northern part of Honshu. We will be traveling there next month and are looking for places to go - any suggestions? Our daughter lives near Fukushima so that area and around Sendai would be closest to her place. We won't have a car so wherever we go needs to be accessible by transit.

[halfnine]

Matsushima would be a logical choice.

[typical.investor]

Most of the guidebooks don't have much to say about the middle-northern part of Honshu. We will be traveling there next month and are looking for places to go - any suggestions? Our daughter lives near Fukushima so that area and around Sendai would be closest to her place. We won't have a car so wherever we go needs to be accessible by transit.

Did you try Japan-guide?

Sendai and Matsushima that halfnine recommended are both here under Miyagi:

https://www.japan-guide.com/list/e1206.html

They also have info on getting around

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5151.html

[AlohaBill]

When I lived in Japan, I really liked visiting Nikko. The final resting place of Tokugawa is very beautiful. I went in the spring time the first time and it was loaded with kids! The second time I went with my newlywed wife in the winter and we had the place to ourselves! Kegon falls were interesting also. We took the Love train from Ueno station. This was 44 years ago, but I can still remember how peaceful and silent the falling snow was.

[sperry8]

Most of the guidebooks don't have much to say about the middle-northern part of Honshu. We will be traveling there next month and are looking for places to go - any suggestions? Our daughter lives near Fukushima so that area and around Sendai would be closest to her place. We won't have a car so wherever we go needs to be accessible by transit.

Shirakawa-go. A must see

[VanGar+Goyle]

Most of the guidebooks don't have much to say about the middle-northern part of Honshu. We will be traveling there next month and are looking for places to go - any suggestions? Our daughter lives near Fukushima so that area and around Sendai would be closest to her place. We won't have a car so wherever we go needs to be accessible by transit.

I don't know what you are interested in, but if you like Japanese Gardens, then the Kanazawa Kenroku-en garden was different, and 福浦島 near Sendai was a great place for Jet Lag and spider webs.

[BrightEyes]

I spent most of my time in Japan north of Sendai , but an excursion or two to Morioka Handicraft Village was fun, with several workshops and shops demonstrating different crafts, including hand made cast iron, cookies, candy, and I forget what else. The cookies were tasty and they would show you how and let you create your own, holding a long handled mold over the heat source and telling you when to flip it over. And I got some wonderful cast iron cookware that I still use with joy and memories of watching craftsman at work making teapots and decorative ware as well as oven/ stovetop ware, In designs quite different than what Lodge makes.

I seem to remember baseball associated with Sendai…. I think there’s a professional team there? Baseball is very popular in Japan, but I don’t pay much attention to sports, so I don’t retain more knowledge than that.

It’s all quite lovely and interesting country side, so nice to see as you drive or take trains through. Hopefully you will be there for cherry blossom season. Every where is gorgeous then! If you like hot baths, and are not too shy/ modest or can get past that, visit an onsen, or a series of onsens. They can vary a lot, but I enjoyed every one I visited! It’s a very interesting cultural experience, as well.

Bright Eyes

[aboose]

Make sure to get beef tongue, the local specialty of Sendai. It's delicious grilled.

I miss Sendai. What a great and underrated part of Japan.

[Cyclesafe]

Try hoya 海鞘 in Sendai. Just don't look at it or smell it.

[sperry8]

There are also sake breweries in the area around Sendai. Be sure to do some sake tastings

[SC Anteater]

These are all great, thanks!

[SC Anteater]

Try hoya 海鞘 in Sendai. Just don't look at it or smell it.

OK, that warning is a little concerning! Why would I want to try something I shouldn't look at or smell?

[MarkBarb]

My family liked the Zaō Fox Village near Shiroishi.