The JR East Pass (Tohoku Area) covers travel across all six Tohoku prefectures, plus select areas in the Kanto Region. The 5-day pass costs 30,000 yen for adults and 15,000 yen for children.

JR East also offers a JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata area) for 27,500 yen for adults and 13,500 yen for children, valid across Niigata and Nagano, plus parts of the Kanto area.

Start at Tokyo Station and pick up your JR East Pass (Tohoku Area) by scanning your reservation at the ticket machine. Then head to the Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa platform.

Your first stop is Shin-Aomori Station in Aomori Prefecture. The Hayabusa ride from Tokyo Station takes about 3 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 20 minutes. Some trains continue to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, but both routes stop at Shin-Aomori, so you can get there without transfers.

Aomori Station has more dining and shopping options than Shin-Aomori. Without leaving the ticket gates, take the Hirosaki-bound JR Ou Line to Aomori Station (about 5 minutes).

Once you arrive, store your luggage in a station locker, then head out toward the city center.

For lunch, try Aomori Nokkedon at Aomori Gyosai Center, about 5 minutes away. Nokkedon is a rice bowl topped with seafood you choose, with options like tuna, salmon, shrimp, and octopus.

Even if you’re not familiar with the local language, the friendly market staff will gladly greet you with gestures, ensuring a memorable lunch regardless of any language barrier!

From Aomori Station, use your JR East Pass and take the JR Ou Main Line bound for Hirosaki or Odate (about 45 to 55 minutes).

Hirosaki is home to Hirosaki Castle, a historic site that has stood for nearly 200 years. While it is best known as one of Japan’s top cherry blossom spots, winter offers a very different atmosphere. Snow blankets the castle grounds, stone walls, and moats, creating a quiet, picture-perfect scene.

From Hirosaki Station, take the Hirosaki City Loop Bus (100 yen) for about 15 minutes to reach the park.

On clear days, Mt. Iwaki rises behind the castle grounds, its snow-covered peak forming a striking backdrop for winter photos.

In early February, Hirosaki Castle hosts a snow lantern festival that typically runs for several days. During the event, the castle grounds are illuminated with lanterns, snow sculptures, and softly lit pine trees.

The combination of historic architecture and winter lighting gives the area a distinctly atmospheric feel that’s quite different from the busy spring season.

From Hirosaki Station, board the Resort Shirakami, a special rapid train that runs along the JR Ou and Gono Lines. The ride to Wespa Tsubakiyama Station takes about 2.5 hours.

Please note that advanced reservations are required to ride in Car 2. To secure your spot, consult with the JR EAST Travel Service Center beforehand, located in major stations throughout Tokyo.

One of the highlights of this route is the scenery. The Gono Line runs directly along the Sea of Japan, offering uninterrupted coastal views that feel especially dramatic in winter.

At around 10:15 AM, the train stops at Senjojiki Station. Just outside the station is a rocky shoreline that was uplifted by an earthquake, forming a natural stone terrace.

You’ll have about 15 minutes to step off the train, walk along the rocks, and enjoy the wide-open sea views before continuing the journey.

At around 11:15 AM, a bus will arrive at Wespa Tsubakiyama Station. This unmanned station has only a platform, with the Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen shuttle bus stop right in front. The shuttle bus ride from here is about five minutes.

For lunch, indulge in the popular Fukaura Tuna Steak Donburi at the Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen restaurant. This area, called Fukaura, is located in Nishi-tsugaru, Aomori Prefecture, and is famous for its tuna. Fukaura boasts the largest tuna catch in the entire prefecture, rich in texture with just the right amount of fat.

After a satisfying meal, unwind in your room for a bit before heading off to the hot springs. The highlight of Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen is its open-air baths, positioned right along the edge of the Sea of Japan. The springs are particularly popular at sunset, with breathtaking views of the fiery sunset descending on the horizon.

For dinner, treat yourself to a delectable seafood buffet, then retire to bed early for a well-rested night.

On Day 3, travel from Aomori into Akita Prefecture. From Wespa Tsubakiyama Station, take the JR Gono Line Express Higashi-Noshiro to Higashi-Noshiro Station, a ride of about 1 hour. Transfer there to the Ou Line Limited Express Tsugaru No. 2 bound for Akita. The transfer time is around 15 minutes, allowing for a relaxed connection.

After about 1 hour, you’ll arrive at Akita Station. From here, board the Tokyo-bound Akita Shinkansen Komachi and continue on to Tazawako Station. All seats on the Komachi are reserved, so be sure to book in advance at a ticket machine or the Midori-no-Madoguchi at Akita Station.

For added convenience, the Tazawako Tourist Information Center “Folake” at Tazawako Station offers luggage storage for 500 yen per item, making it easy to explore hands-free.

From Tazawako Station, take the Ugo-Kotsu Bus for about 15 minutes to reach Lake Tazawa. Located in Semboku City, Akita Prefecture, Lake Tazawa is Japan’s deepest freshwater lake. In winter, snow often settles on the bronze statue of Tatsuko, the legendary figure associated with the lake, adding to the area’s serene atmosphere.

In recent years, Gozanoishi Shrine, located along the shore of Lake Tazawa, has become a popular photo spot. Its vermilion torii gate, often dusted with snow in winter, beautifully frames the lake, while the snow-covered shrine buildings create a calm, almost sacred atmosphere.

From Tazawako Station, the most budget-friendly way to reach the shrine is via the Tazawako Isshu-sen (circuit bus), though service may be limited depending on the time of day. Taxis are also readily available in front of the station and offer a convenient alternative.

Today’s destination is Nyuto Onsenkyo. To get there, take the Ugo-Kotsu Bus from Tazawakohan or Tazawako Station. Nyuto Onsenkyo’s biggest winter attraction is its open-air baths surrounded by glistening snow. The enchanting ambiance of this space is sure to warm you, body and soul.

Tsuru-no-yu stands as the oldest of springs in the entire onsen village, exuding a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of the olden days. One of the must-see attractions here is the row of thatched-roof houses, dating back to the time of the samurai, having stood the test of time for nearly 400 years.

On Day 4, depart Nyuto Onsenkyo and return to Tazawako Station. Around the station, you’ll find several restaurants serving well-known Akita specialties, including Inaniwa udon, soba, and ramen. It’s a convenient spot to enjoy a local lunch before continuing on to your next destination.

From Tazawako Station, take the Akita-bound Komachi for a 15-minute ride to Kakunodate Station. For added convenience, the Kakunodatecho Sight Seeing Information Center in Semboku City also offers luggage storage for 500 yen per item.

Kakunodate developed as a castle town under the Satake Kita family, part of Akita’s ruling Satake clan. More than 400 years later, the town’s samurai residences and their tall black wooden fences remain intact. While Kakunodate is famous for its weeping cherry trees in spring, winter reveals a different charm, with dark walls standing out sharply against the pristine white snow.

One of Kakunodate’s distinctive winter traditions is Hiburi Kamakura, also known as the fire-swinging festival. Held each year on February 14, the event features participants swinging flaming charcoal bales attached to ropes, creating a dramatic spectacle. The festivities take place at night at several locations around Kakunodate Town.

After the event, be mindful of train times. The last train from Kakunodate Station to Yokote Station departs at around 8 PM, so allow plenty of time to return to the station. From Kakunodate Station, take the Akita-bound Komachi to Omagari Station (about 10 minutes), then transfer to the JR Ou Line bound for Shinjo, Yuzawa, Innai, or Yokote. The total travel time to Yokote Station is about 20 minutes.

On the fifth and final day, head to Yokote City in Akita Prefecture for the Yokote Kamakura Festival, a traditional winter event held each year. Between February 15–16, charming snow huts called kamakura appear around Yokote Station and Yokote Park, creating a classic winter scene.

Since the festival atmosphere is at its best after dark, spend the daytime exploring Hokkori Yokocho, a food-stall alley featuring Yokote specialties, or stop by the Kamakura Winter Market to sample more local flavors and seasonal treats before the evening illuminations begin.

Yokote yakisoba is a local delicacy of Yokote. This delicious dish features thick yakisoba noodles stir-fried with cabbage and ground pork, topped with fried egg and drizzled with an irresistibly sweet sauce. There are plenty of restaurants in the area serving Yokote yakisoba, especially in front of the station.

To delve deeper into the history of Yokote’s kamakura, pay a visit to the Yokote City Fureai Center’s Kamakura Museum. Here, not only will you experience the permanent indoor display of snowy kamakura, you’ll also find a variety of specialty local products on sale. Take this opportunity to warm yourself up as you prepare for the nighttime festivities.

Night is the best time to experience Yokote’s kamakura. Each snow hut is softly illuminated from within, creating a warm, magical glow. Every area has its own highlights, from Yokote Park, where kamakura are set against the castle for a striking backdrop, to Janosaki River Beach, where dozens of small kamakura are arranged like a meteor shower. Between 5:40 PM and 9 PM, a shuttle bus service operates to help visitors move easily between the festival sites.

For the return journey, note that the last train from Yokote to Tokyo departs at around 8 PM. From Yokote Station, take the Akita-bound Ou Line to Omagari Station (about 15 minutes), then transfer to the Komachi Shinkansen bound for Tokyo Station. The total travel time is approximately 3.5 hours, offering a relaxed end to your winter journey through Tohoku.

This 4-night, 5-day winter itinerary takes you through northern Tohoku at its most atmospheric, from snow-covered castles in Aomori to glowing kamakura in Yokote. Along the way, enjoy scenic train journeys, regional cuisine, and relaxing hot springs, all set against a backdrop of deep winter scenery. It’s a well-balanced route that lets you experience Tohoku’s seasonal beauty at a comfortable pace.