・Validity & Price: 5 consecutive days – Adults 30,000 yen / Children 15,000 yen
・Coverage: All JR East lines (including local BRT routes), the Tokyo Monorail, Izu Kyuko Line, Aoimori Railway, IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway, Sendai Airport Line, limited express trains “Nikko,” “Kinugawa,” and “SPACIA Kinugawa” between JR East and Tobu Railway, Tobu Line local and rapid trains between Shimo-Imaichi–Tobu Nikko & Kinugawa Onsen (note 1), and JR buses within the area (excluding highway and some routes).
Note 1: Valid only on limited express trains running directly between JR and Tobu lines via Kurihashi–Shimo-Imaichi. Not valid on Tobu-only routes unless either departure or arrival is a JR station.

*Information based on the official website. Please confirm details there.

Why We Recommend It: This single pass covers nearly all shinkansen and train routes across the vast Tohoku region. Even with just 1–2 days of travel, it quickly pays for itself—use it strategically over 5 days and you could save tens of thousands of yen. A must-have for international travelers exploring Tohoku!

・Validity & Price: 1-day pass – Adults 630 yen / Children 320 yen
・Coverage: All routes on the “Loople Sendai” sightseeing bus
*Information based on the official website. Please confirm details there.

Why We Recommend It: The “Loople Sendai” is a sightseeing bus that connects major attractions around central Sendai, including Sendai Station, Zuihoden Mausoleum, Sendai Castle, the Miyagi Museum of Art, and the Sendai City Museum. If you’re planning a day of sightseeing in the city, this affordable and convenient pass is the perfect choice!

Tohoku consists of six prefectures—Miyagi, Fukushima, Yamagata, Iwate, Aomori, and Akita—each with its own airport. Among them, Sendai Airport (SDJ) in Miyagi Prefecture offers the most international flights and the easiest access.

Since the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area) can also be used for travel between Sendai Airport and the city center, it’s the perfect starting point for your first—or even second—Tohoku adventure.

If you’re traveling to Tohoku from Tokyo, the Tohoku Shinkansen is your best option. The ride takes about 1–3 hours depending on your destination, with the farthest stop—Shin-Aomori Station—around 3 hours and 10 minutes away. One-way fares start from around 17,000 yen, but if you have the JR East Pass (Tohoku Area), this cost is already included!

This sample itinerary centers around Sendai. After arriving at Sendai Airport, spend the first two days soaking in the charm of Ginzan Onsen, followed by visits to Matsushima and Sendai City on days two and three. Days four and five take you north to Aomori for the scenic Oirase Stream, then on day six head to Zao in Yamagata to see the famous frost-covered trees. On day seven, explore the historic Yamadera Temple, then discover Fukushima on day eight. The final day wraps up with a day trip around Sendai’s outskirts.

You’ll stay in about four to five different accommodations along the way, covering everything from history and nature to gourmet food, skiing, and hot springs—this trip has it all! Use this plan as a flexible reference and adjust it according to your interests or the validity of your travel passes. Now, let’s dive into your Tohoku adventure!

▶ Arrival at Sendai Airport: After landing in Japan, take a bus or train from Sendai Airport to Sendai Station, then transfer to a train and bus bound for Ginzan Onsen. The journey takes about 2–3 hours in total.

▶ Enjoy Ginzan Onsen: This charming hot spring town is lined with century-old wooden ryokan along a peaceful riverside, creating a nostalgic, picture-perfect scene. We recommend staying overnight at a local hot spring inn to fully soak in the relaxing and romantic atmosphere.

Recommended Stays in Ginzan Onsen

▶ Day Trip to Matsushima: Known as one of Japan’s “Three Most Scenic Views,” Matsushima captivates visitors with its breathtaking bay dotted with over 200 pine-covered islands. Enjoy a relaxing cruise for panoramic views, visit nearby attractions like Zuiganji Temple and Senshinan Teahouse, and don’t miss the chance to indulge in an all-you-can-eat grilled oyster feast!

▶ Stay in Central Sendai: Since the next day’s itinerary focuses on exploring Sendai City, we recommend booking a hotel in the downtown area. Staying near Sendai Station is especially convenient for sightseeing and for catching trains to other cities in the days ahead.

Recommended Hotels in Central Sendai

▶ Sendai City Sightseeing: Sendai was once ruled by the famous samurai lord Date Masamune, and many of the city’s landmarks are tied to his legacy. Visit Aoba Shrine, Zuihoden Mausoleum, Sendai Castle, and Osaki Hachimangu Shrine to experience the city’s deep historical charm and the spirit of the Date clan. We also recommend using the convenient Loople Sendai One-Day Pass to easily visit these key spots throughout the day.

▶ Oirase Stream: From Sendai, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Hachinohe Station, then transfer to a bus to reach the famous Oirase Stream—about a 2-hour journey in total. In winter, the scenery transforms into a breathtaking ink-painting landscape, with frozen waterfalls creating a magical view. As the area is mountainous, be sure to dress warmly and prepare for the cold.

▶ Overnight Near Hachinohe Station: After exploring Oirase Stream, head back to Hachinohe and stay at a hotel near the station. It’s the most convenient option for your next day’s trip to Lake Towada and makes traveling smooth and stress-free.

Recommended Hotels Near Hachinohe Station

▶ Lake Towada Day Trip: From Hachinohe Station, direct buses to Lake Towada take about 2 hours each way. As Japan’s third-deepest lake, it offers a serene, picturesque landscape that, together with Oirase Stream, is designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument. Make the most of your visit by taking a sightseeing cruise, visiting Towada Shrine for its unique water fortune-telling, and savoring local rainbow trout dishes.

▶ Other Must-See Spots in Aomori: If you have extra time and energy, take the Hakkoda Ropeway for a panoramic view of the snowy highlands or visit Hirosaki Castle to see its beautiful winter ice sculptures. Don’t miss the chance to experience the magical winter scenery of Aomori!

▶ Two Days in Zao Onsen: From Hachinohe Station, take the Shinkansen and local trains to Yamagata Station, then transfer to a bus to reach Zao Onsen—about a 3–4 hour journey. Ride the Zao Ropeway to see the famous “snow monsters” (frost-covered trees), hit the slopes at Zao Onsen Ski Resort for top-quality powder, and unwind in a soothing hot spring afterward. It’s one of the most unforgettable winter experiences in Tohoku!

Recommended Hotels near Zao

▶ Yamadera (Risshakuji Temple): After leaving Zao Onsen, return to Yamagata Station and take a 20-minute train ride to Yamadera Station. Officially named Risshakuji Temple, this mountainside temple offers a breathtaking view, especially in winter when it’s blanketed in snow. The serene atmosphere and stunning scenery make it one of Tohoku’s most iconic winter sights.

▶ Travel to Fukushima & Stay Near the Station: Since the next day’s plan includes sightseeing in Fukushima, head there after visiting Yamadera—about a 2.5-hour trip. We recommend staying near Koriyama Station or Aizu-Wakamatsu Station for convenience. If the distance feels a bit long, you can also opt to stay near Sendai Station instead; it’s only about an hour by train from Yamadera.

Recommended Hotels in Fukushima & Koriyama

Recommended Hotels in Fukushima & Aizu-Wakamatsu

▶ Aizu-Wakamatsu: Fukushima Prefecture is home to the largest number of sake breweries in Japan, and the Aizu region is especially famous for its pristine water and high-quality rice—ideal for sake brewing. In Aizu-Wakamatsu, you can tour several sake breweries offering tastings and local food pairings. The area is also known for its traditional Aizu lacquerware shops, perfect for finding elegant souvenirs to take home.

▶ Ouchi-juku: Along with Shirakawa-go and Kyoto’s Miyama, Ouchi-juku is one of Japan’s three famous thatched-roof villages. In winter, its snow-covered rooftops resemble a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Stroll through the charming streets lined with traditional craft shops, and don’t miss local specialties like negi soba (buckwheat noodles eaten with a leek instead of chopsticks) and Gohei-mochi rice skewers. To get there, take the Aizu Railway from Aizu-Wakamatsu to Yunokami Onsen Station, then transfer to a bus—about an hour in total.

For your final day, choose between a relaxing trip to Akiu Onsen or a fun visit to Miyagi Zao Fox Village. If your flight is earlier in the day, you can also spend some time shopping and dining around Sendai Station before heading to the airport—ending your 9-day Tohoku adventure on a perfect note!

▶ Akiu Onsen: One of Sendai’s most famous hot spring resorts, Akiu Onsen boasts over 1,500 years of history. Many facilities offer day-use hot springs, and nearby attractions include Akiu Great Falls and Rairaikyo Gorge. The area also features plenty of local restaurants, and it’s just a 40-minute trip from Sendai Station—ideal for a relaxing soak before your journey home.

▶ Miyagi Zao Fox Village: A beloved spot among international visitors, this unique sanctuary is home to over 100 foxes. In winter, their fluffy coats and playful movements through the snow make for irresistibly cute photos. Visitors can also experience feeding or even holding a fox under staff supervision—an unforgettable highlight of any Tohoku trip. Travel takes about 2 hours one way from Sendai, or roughly 1–2 hours from Fukushima.

▶ Explore Around Sendai Station: Before heading to the airport, take some time to stroll around Sendai Station. It’s the perfect place to pick up souvenirs and local specialties for friends and family back home—an ideal way to wrap up your unforgettable 9-day Tohoku trip!