This adventure tour offers an unforgettable journey through Tohoku, a rarely visited region of northern Japan where natural beauty and deep tradition come together. From Tokyo, travel by bullet train to Akita’s Kakunodate to explore samurai heritage before venturing into the mountains to meet the Matagi, Japan’s traditional hunters, who guide you along ancient forest trails and share their way of life.
Hike through pristine gorges and stay at rustic guesthouses and luxurious inns, enjoying mineral-rich hot springs, private baths, and exquisite kaiseki meals.
The tour continues with cycling around Hirosaki’s historic castle, kayaking across Lake Towada, and walking the UNESCO-listed forests of Shirakami-Sanchi.
Along the Michinoku Coastal Trail, discover dramatic cliffs, coastal shrines, and fishing villages, with opportunities for glamping, bonfires, and fresh seafood feasts.
Throughout, engage with local communities, hear moving stories of resilience from the 2011 tsunami, and experience the region’s rich flavors and warm hospitality before returning to Tokyo by bullet train.
Begin the journey by riding the shinkansen from Tokyo to Kakunodate, where the adventure unfolds on foot through the samurai district’s quiet streets and black-gated estates. Step inside the Ishiguro Samurai House to explore heirlooms and armour, then admire the Aoyagi House’s preserved architecture and museum displays.
Continue on to the Denshokan Museum for a hands-on encounter with kabazaiku, the cherry bark craft once practiced by samurai in peacetime.
End the day at the Kakunodate Budokan, donning traditional attire to train in the art of Iaido. Learn from the guidance of two masters on the intricacies of drawing, striking, and moving with the precision of a samurai. At the end test your skills and strike down the target dummy!
Begin the day boarding a private car on the Nanriku Line, traveling slowly through forested valleys and mountain ridges. The route passes quiet rural towns and deep countryside, with scenic views changing seasonally from autumn foliage to snow-covered peaks in winter.
At the mountain station, meet local Matagi guides, who are descendants of traditional mountain hunters who continue to practice sustainable living and harmony with the nature and surroundings.
Enjoy stories and information about their hunting tools, tracking methods, and the cultural philosophy centered on respect for the forest and its spirits.
After a hearty lunch you will set off on a hike with the Matagi guides along mountain trails they have known for generations.
Follow paths through the forest to a secluded riverside Matagi shrine used for prayer and guidance. Take a moment at the shrine, to learn about some unique rituals and customs, then continue the trail to complete the hike.
Enjoy a dip in the onsen baths and dinner to round out the day before the adventure continues.
Travel from Kanazawa into the mountains to visit the UNESCO heritage site of Shirakawa-go village. Traditional “gassho-zukuri” houses with thatched roofs stand like hands in prayer. Walk through the fairytale-like landscape, enter homes converted into museums, and immerse yourself in the sounds of the river and the natural surrounding beauty.
From Shirakawa-go continue on to Takayama Old Town, where narrow streets and wooden buildings bring Japan’s past to life. Browse the quaint shops, see local produce and handmade goods, and try Hida beef for a taste of regional cuisine.
In the evening, settle into a ryokan stay in Takayama, sleeping on tatami mats, relaxing in an onsen hot spring, and savoring a Kaiseki dinner prepared with fresh, local ingredients.
Depart Shin-Tamagawa Onsen Hotel along the scenic roads and head north toward Hirosaki City. During the colder months, you may stop en route for a short hike to Hachimantai Dragon’s Eye, a seasonal pond known for its emerald waters and shifting circular shape. The snow-covered trail and scenic views offer a quiet glimpse into the highland landscape.
Once you arrive in Hirosaki you can stretch your legs and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Explore the Tsugaru-han Neputa Village, filled with amazing cultural works. If you are interested, we can arrange various hands-on activities such as painting your own sake cup. A perfect one-of-a-kind souvenir before setting out on a cycling tour of the city.
Rent e-bikes and explore , pedaling past tree-lined streets and historic neighborhoods. The electric-powered assist makes it easy to cover more ground as you loop through local districts, stopping at small shops and scenic spots.
Hirosaki city has an official map of the different apple pies you can enjoy throughout the city, so why not indulge in their sweet delight!
Continue the ride toward Hirosaki Castle and Park, one of Japan’s best-preserved feudal-era castles. Explore the grounds, where black-and-white castle walls rise against the natural beauty of the surrounding park. In spring, the park transforms with thousands of cherry blossoms painting the broad paths and moats in their pink.
Leave Hirosaki in the morning for a half-day adventure into the UNESCO World Heritage forests of Shirakami Sanchi. Choose between gentle walks to spots like Aoike Pond, famous for its deep-blue water and quiet surroundings, or tackle the slightly longer trail toward the scenic Anmon Waterfalls, where forest paths lead past clear streams and lush beech trees. Breathe in the crisp mountain air, listen to the sound of birds and running water, and enjoy a peaceful connection with nature.
After the hike, make your way back toward Hirosaki, stopping at a local restaurant for a relaxed lunch. Savor simple regional dishes before returning to the city with the forest’s calm still in your mind.
Leave Hirosaki in the morning and drive to Towada Lake, a deep crater lake surrounded by forested hills and Mt. Towada. In the warmer seasons you can paddle by canoe or stand-up paddle boards, across its clear water or just enjoy the peaceful lakeside scenery.
Then enjoy your lunch near the lake before you head on to the trail in Oirase Gorge.
The Japanese have an expression ‘もりave Hirosaki in the morning and drive to Towada Lake, a deep crater lake surrounded by forested hills and Mt. Towada. In the warmer seasons you can paddle by canoe or stand-up paddle boards, across its clear water or just enjoy the peaceful lakeside scenery.
Then enjoy your lunch near the lake before you head on to the trail in Oirase Gorge.
The Japanese have an expression ‘Shinrin-Yoku’ (森林浴) which directly translates as forest bathing. Used to describe the times going for walks amongst the beautiful nature to revitalize your spirit and destress. Oirase Gorge provides the perfect opportunity to do so!
Follow along the winding river and streams, dotted with small waterfalls and moss-covered rocks and enjoy the beauty of this nature sanctuary.
After the hike, you will head to your accommodation in Hachinohe.
It’s time to enjoy the refreshing salty sea breeze. The first stop of the morning is Tatehana Morning Market. Situated in the harbor, the market is filled with around 300 stalls. Grab some delicious and fresh food you may have never tried before from the freshly caught seafood, snacks, and regional treats before we begin the trails of the day.
From Tatehana Market you will head to the start the Michinoku Coastal Trail head at Kabushima Shrine is nestled on a small island, famous for its hundreds of seagulls that float cover the roof, grounds and skies near the shrine.
Local legend holds that it’s good luck if a seagull blesses you with a little something from above. Should this happen, the shrine priest will offer you a charm, an emblem of that unique luck.
After Kabushima Shrine, continue your journey along the coast with stunning views of the rugged coastline, stopping at quiet beaches and scenic vistas along the way. Whether you’re a casual hiker or a nature lover, the trail is perfect for enjoying the serene coastal landscape at a relaxed pace.
Your goal line for the day will be Tanesashi Coast Camping Grounds.
Spend the night under the stars in the national park area on grasslands by the sea. Upgrade your experience with the glamping facilities for a more luxurious stay. Gather around the roaring bonfire, enjoy great food and drinks with the peaceful ambiance of the crashing waves and coast.
Tanesashi Coast has one of the most magical sunrises. The morning starts off with some mindfulness and meditation in the warm light of the sunrise.
Feast on a breakfast for kings before the next leg of the journey along the coastal trail headed for Fudai.
The trail takes approximately two hours. Stop and visit shrines along the way, enjoy lunch and then board a scenic coastal train. The train follows along the Sanriku Coast to Fudai.
Once you reach Fudai, your guide will show you around the charm of this town. All stores and locations are locally owned and run. No brand names or retail chain stores. A great chance to meet the locals who hand-make their own bread and sweets, grow their own crops and catch their own fish.
After the town walk in Fudai, you will be taken to your accommodation, where you can enjoy a hearty dinner and the onsen baths to soak your bones and fully rest.
(*Dependent on availability)
Enjoy the spectacular and fun experience of a Kagura performance. A quirky fun performance of Japanese folklore that often tries to involve the audience into the story! A fun and memorable way to engage with more of Japanese culture and traditions!
From Fudai, your guide will lead you along the trail through areas affected by the 2011 Great Earthquake and Tsunami. The path brings you up close with the scale of the disaster and its lasting impact on the region. Videos and photos cannot impose the true scale of the tsunami, but walking through these areas helps put it in perspective.
The coastal trail is dotted with hidden coves and secluded beaches, offering panoramic views of crashing waves against jagged rocks. You will have lunch at Tsukuehama Banya, a small valley surrounded by cliffs. Descending from the steeper cliff faces, you can enter into the valley which was ravaged by the tsunami. The area has been rebuilt, and the small colorful dwellings and fishing boats tell a story of the resilience of the people.
After lunch its time to test your ‘sea-legs’. Board on a Sappa boat, and ride out into the waters to see the coastline from another perspective. Glide through narrow inlets between the towering Sanriku Cliffs that rise up around you.
After returning to land and your day of hiking and exploration, it is time to unwind in the luxurious hotel in Taro. The nights festivities include a ‘kaiseki‘ meal, a traditional Japanese course meal filled with high quality fresh seafood.
From your room you can enjoy your private onsen and the surrounding views of the hills and ocean.
The morning starts with a rare chance to hear the stories and recounts of the event of 2011 from the hotel owner. Having being directly affected by the brunt of the tsunami, you will visit the site remains of the previous hotel that withstood the thrashing of the waves. The site is a powerful monument that now acts as a symbol of how the people in Tohoku have rallied together to rebuild and spread awareness.
From there, just a short walk from the hotel site are the massive three ton stones, that were carried by the force of the tsunami’s water.
We continue onto the main trail of the day. As you make your way along the trail enjoy
the especially captivating soundscapes of the coastal inlets. The shores in some areas are comprised of small stones that when the waves rush through these millions of stones and rocks create a beautiful sound that draws you in.
The trail winds past Sakiyama Blowhole. Catch your breath and watch the waves crash along the rock and send water launching more than 15 meters into the air.
Finally, the trail leads to the goal line at Jodogahama, a picturesque bay with stunning vistas.
Jodogahama Bay :
Morioka:
The final day starts at Jodogahama Beach with a sea kayak ride around the bay, gliding over waters while soaking in the stunning views of towering white rocks and lush green forests. Learn about the small shrine dedicated to Benten, the goddess of the sea, situated on a small island just off the coast, with its picturesque setting offering the perfect blend of spirituality and natural beauty.
Afterwards head over to enjoy a delicious lunch at the nearby restaurant before heading out on a hike on the coastal trail. For the gourmet adventurer they also offer the regional local dish of ‘bindon‘. Fresh seafood like urchin, salmon roe or scallops are served in a glass jar (called bin) and is poured over rice to make a donburi.
After lunch enjoy the vistas and scenery on a final hike on the trails around Jodogahama. See the bay from above while passing through tranquil forest paths.
Once you finish the last of the trail, you will head to Morioka Station, where you catch
the bullet train back to Tokyo and end your wonderful journey through Tohoku.
11 Nights
All domestic transport
Round-trip Bullet Train tickets included.
11 Breakfasts
12 Lunches
11 Dinners
Start to Finish Through-Guides
Admission Fees:
All admission fees are included.
Full travelers insurance from arrival until departure
(ANTA Inbound Travel Coverage)
Flights are not included.
The itinerary shown is a sample package itinerary.
It is flexible and we are happy to accommodate your requests and preferences.
The pricing indicated is listed as:
1 Adult in a group of 10.
Price is listed in off-season.
Adjustments to the number of participants may result in changes or modifications to the itinerary and/or estimates.
Please don’t hesitate to inquire further.
