Tohoku is located in northern Honshu and consists of six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Miyagi, Yamagata, and Fukushima. Because it covers such an extensive area, it's essential to choose transportation methods best suited to your destination and the areas you plan to explore.

Tohoku has a vast railway network, but sometimes it can be inconvenient for travelers due to the considerable distance between stations and tourist destinations. In such cases, buses can be a great option for efficient travel.

Our writer, who is well-acquainted with Tohoku, shares the highlights of the region along with information on cost-effective travel passes.

The All-You-Can-Ride Pass for the Aomori Shuttle de Route Bus (Nebutan-go) allows unlimited travel around Aomori city center and major tourist attractions.

Available in 1-day and 2-day options, the bus stops at key locations like Aomori Port Ferry Terminal, Prefectural Art Museum, and the Sannai-Maruyama Special Historical Site.

With a single bus fare costing 300 yen, the more you ride, the more cost-effective the becomes. It's highly recommended for those who want to explore the city itself.

Coverage Area: Aomori City
Cost:
1-day pass: adults 700 yen, children 350 yen　
2-day pass: adults 800 yen, children 400 yen
Where to purchase:
Tickets can be purchased on board the Nebutan-go, at the Aomori City Tourist Exchange Information Center at the east exit of Aomori Station, the Aomori Tourist Information Center on the 2nd floor of Shin-Aomori Station, the ASPAM 1st floor information desk, Hotel Aomori, Art Hotel Aomori, and at Seven-Eleven's multi-copy machines.

If you're planning a trip to Aomori City and its outskirts, the AOPASS 1-Day Ride Ticket can be a good option for you. This IC card-exclusive pass is available only on weekends (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays), and during specific periods (August 13th to 15th, December 29th to January 3rd).

With the 1-day ticket, you can ride Nebutan-go, Aomori City buses, and Aomori City Loop buses as many times as you want on the day of purchase, while the 2-day ticket is valid for the day of purchase and the following day. This pass is ideal for exploring Aomori city and its outskirts, including destinations like Mt. Hakkoda and Asamushi Onsen.

Coverage Areas: Aomori City, Hakkoda, Asamushi Onsen, etc.
Cost:
1-day pass: adults 1,000 yen, children 500 yen　
2-day pass: adults 1,500 yen, children 750 yen
Where to purchase:
AOPASS, Suica, and PASMO holders, please tell the bus driver that you wish to purchase an unlimited-ride ticket when you get off the bus.
If you do not have any of the above IC cards, please tell the bus driver you wish to purchase an AOPASS (2,000 yen) and the unlimited-ride pass you want when you get off the bus.

The Sannai-Maruyama Special Historical Site is a large settlement that dates back to around 5,900 to 4,200 years ago. It was discovered during a survey for the construction of a prefectural baseball stadium back in 1992. The site features reconstructed pit dwellings, raised-floor storehouses, and a three-tier symbolic pillar building.

You can find the Jomon Jiyukan Museum nearby, which exhibits materials and excavated items. The official website is available in English, Korean, and Chinese languages. You can access the website through tablets, where you can find explanations (in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and Thai) provided through video, images, and audio about the excavation period and more.

The Sendai Marugoto Pass is a two-day pass that allows unlimited travel on JR trains, subways, buses, Sendai Airport Transit, and Abukuma Express. It also comes with a coupon book for discounts at shops, tourist spots, and restaurants. The pass covers various transportation routes, enabling visits to places like Matsushima, Yamadera, Mitsui Outlet Park Sendai Port, and Akiu Onsen. There's also a digital option available.

Looking at the regular fares for a recommended two-day itinerary: Sendai Station Front to Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium (round trip: 1,020 yen), Sendai Station Front to Matsushima Coast (round trip: 1,660 yen), Matsushima Coast to Sendai Airport (one way: 1,000 yen), totaling 3,680 yen. The Sendai Marugoto Pass offers savings of nearly 1,000 yen, making it cost-effective for exploring Sendai and nearby attractions like Matsushima Coast, Akiu Onsen, and Shiroishi.

Coverage Areas: Sendai, Matsushima, Matsushima-kaigan, Yamadera, Shiroishi
Cost: Adults 2,720 yen, children 1,350 yen
Where to purchase: The "Sendai Marugoto Pass" and "Sendai Marugoto Pass Wide" are available at Midori-no madoguchi (ticket window), reserved-seat ticket machines, major travel agencies, and Sendai Airport Station ticket vending machines at major JR East stations, as well as on the TOHOKU MaaS website. However, foreign languages are not supported, and the purchase procedure is a bit complicated. If you do not know how to purchase the pass, we recommend that you purchase it at the ticket counter.

The Sendai Area Pass is a budget-friendly one-day pass for international tourists visiting Sendai, offering unlimited rides in a designated area. To buy it, tourists must hold a non-Japanese passport with a "Temporary Visitor" visa and be within 90 days of entering Japan. Passport checks at purchase ensure this deal is only for international visitors.

Coverage Areas: Sendai, Matsushima, Matsushima-kaigan, Yamadera, Shiroishi
Cost: Adults 1,320 yen, children 660 yen
Where to purchase: JR East Travel Service Center (2nd floor of JR Sendai Station)

Matsushima Coast, known as one of Japan's "Three Most Scenic Places (Nihon Sankei)," is famous for its beautiful coastal scenery. About 5,000 years ago, rising seawater transformed hills into around 260 picturesque islands. It's an ideal spot for sightseeing cruises. This area also connects to Date Masamune, the first lord of Sendai, with several historical sites like temples related to his family. Winter adds a unique charm, as the snow-covered islands and structures offer a stunning, seasonal beauty.

The Kita-Iwate Gurutto Pass is a 3-day, affordable pass for unlimited travel in one direction around Kita-Iwate, connecting various trains and buses. It includes travel on the IGR Iwate Galaxy Railway between Morioka and Kanazawa Onsen, JR Bus Tohoku from Ninohe to Kuji, Sanriku Railway from Kuji to Miyako, and Iwate Kita Bus from Miyako to Morioka. This pass is ideal for travelers looking to thoroughly explore Iwate, allowing them to hop on and off as much as they like along the way.

The recommended 3-day fare for the itinerary is: Morioka Station to Ninohe Station (2,000 yen), Ninohe Station to Kuji Station (2,410 yen), Kuji Station to Miyako Station (1,890 yen), Miyako Station to Morioka Station (1,980 yen), totaling 8,280 yen. ng the pass, travelers can save nearly 3,000 yen.

Coverage Area: Ninohe, Kuji, Morioka, Miyako
Cost: Adults 5,200 yen, children 2,600 yen
Where to purchase: Available online (in various languages)

If you want to explore Morioka city conveniently, there is also the Den Den Mushi One-Day Free Ride Ticket, a handy pass for the city center's Dendenmushi sightseeing loop bus.

Coverage Area: Central Morioka
Cost: Adults 350 yen, children 180 yen
Where to purchase: Morioka Station Information Center, Morioka Bus Center Ticket Office, Plaza Odette

Jodogahama is a beautiful coastal area in Miyako, often called "Paradise" because of its stunning scenery. The coast features sharp, white rhyolite rocks in unique shapes, making for a beautiful view. It looks amazing in summer and even more special under winter snow. Visitors can enjoy boat tours to see the scenic coastline up close.

The Downtown Sightseeing Bus One-Day Free Ride Ticket offers unlimited travel on the Haikara-san and Akabe buses around Aizu-Wakamatsu City. These buses visit the same stops but travel in opposite directions. Using this ticket can also get you discounts at certain tourist spots.

There's an option to buy a ticket that includes entry to three major attractions plus unlimited bus rides for the day. With single trips costing 210 yen, riding the bus three times or more saves money, making it a great choice for exploring Aizu's historical sites.

Coverage Area: Aizu-Wakamatsu City
Cost: Adults 600 yen, children 300 yen
Where to purchase:Tickets are available at the Aizu Bus Station Information Counter, the bus terminal in front of Wakamatsu Station, and at the Aizu Samurai MaaS and Transfer Guide (Jorudan). For more information, please refer to the MaaS Digital Ticket Purchase Method (available only in Japanese):

The Aizu Gurutto Card offers unlimited rides for two days on JR lines, Aizu Railway, Aizu Bus, Haikara-san, and Bandai Toto Bus within the entire Aizu area. Additionally, users can enjoy discounts and premium services at various tourist locations, accommodations, and restaurants. It's highly recommended for those who wish to explore not only Aizu-Wakamatsu but also the surrounding areas.

Coverage Area: Entire Aizu area
Cost: Adults 2,720 yen, children 1,360 yen
Where to purchase: The Aizu Gurutto Card is available in paper card version and digital version (TOHOKU MaaS or Samurai.MaaS) that can be used with a smartphone. The paper version can be received by exchanging an exchange ticket purchased at a convenience store terminal, travel agency counter, or other "exchange ticket sales point" for a main ticket at a "main ticket exchange point." For the digital version, please scan the QR code from the URL below, using the translation function of your mobile phone:

Tsurugajo Castle, first built in 1384 and originally known as Kurokawa Castle, was renamed by Lord Gamo Ujisato in 1593. It's famous for surviving a month-long siege during the Boshin War in 1868, proving its strength as a fortress. The castle is particularly striking in winter, when its red roof tiles contrast with the snow. These tiles are coated with an iron-rich glaze to prevent damage from the cold. For visitors interested in learning more, paid interpretation services are available through the International Exchange Association (phone: 0242-27-3703).

International tourists in Japan can take advantage of a great deal for traveling around the Tohoku region with a 2-day or 3-day pass for unlimited rides on highway buses. These passes, which you can buy online in English, cost 6,000 yen for two days and 8,000 yen for three days.

Traveling from Hirosaki in Aomori to Sendai in Miyagi by highway bus costs 5,700 yen one way, and although it's slower than the Shinkansen, it's much cheaper, especially if you plan to use the bus frequently. Look for buses that show they accept this pass. This option is perfect for those wanting to explore Tohoku's vast distances affordably.

Coverage Area: Entire Tohoku region
Cost:
2-day ticket 6,000 yen
3-day ticket 8,000 yen
Where to purchase: Available from the official webpage below

Ginzan Onsen is a charming hot spring town with traditional wooden inns along the Ginzan River. At night, gas lamps light up the streets, adding a nostalgic feel. In winter, these lamps and the snow create a magical atmosphere, turning the town into a winter wonderland. The inns feature colorful "kote-e" wall reliefs, and the sidewalks are decorated with snowflake patterns. Enjoy the unique beauty and atmosphere of Ginzan Onsen!

Within Tohoku's tourist spots, you'll find numerous places to delve into the region's history and culture. Local dishes including kiritanpo hot pot, beef tongue, and wanko soba are delicious, making it an ideal journey to fully experience Japan. Winter, blanketed in pristine white snow, offers a different charm from summer, with the monochromatic landscapes resembling ink paintings. When you go, be sure to take advantage of convenient passes to explore Tohoku, and immerse yourself in the traditions of Japan.

*Please note that the information in this article is accurate as of January 2024. For the latest updates, check official websites and sources.