Tohoku: Sendai, Yamagata, Akita & Aomori in 6 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary
Matsushima Bay, Yamadera’s thousand steps, Zao and Ginzan hot springs, Kakunodate’s samurai houses and Aomori’s Nebuta — Tohoku’s onsen and seasons.
JapanHot springsNatureBy trainWinter & snow
Length6 days / 5 nights
CitiesSendai, Matsushima, Yamagata, Ginzan Onsen, Kakunodate, Aomori
CurrencyJPY Japanese yen
Best time to goLate-April blossoms, August festivals, October foliage and Jan–Feb snow monsters; heavy snow can disrupt winter travel.
Day-by-day overview
Day 1 Arrive in SendaiDay 2 Matsushima × YamaderaDay 3 Zao × Ginzan OnsenDay 4 Kakunodate samurai townDay 5 AomoriDay 6 Furukawa Market × fly home
Day 1Arrive in Sendai
11:00🚗 Transport
Arrive at Sendai Airport
Type / No.Flight
LocationSendai Airport 🧭
Airport rail link to Sendai Station in ~25 min.
13:00🏨 Stay
14:00📍 Sight
16:00📍 Sight
Sendai Castle ruins & Date Masamune statue
Suggested time1 hr
TicketsFree
LocationSendai Castle Ruins 🧭
🌙 Night view
18:30🍽 Food
Day 2Matsushima × Yamadera
08:00🚗 Transport
JR Senseki Line to Matsushima-Kaigan
Type / No.Train
LocationMatsushima-Kaigan Station 🧭
About 40 minutes.
09:00📍 Sight
Matsushima Bay cruise, Zuigan-ji & Godaido
Suggested time2.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationZuigan-ji 🧭
One of Japan’s Three Great Views.
📸 Photo spot
12:00🍽 Food
13:30🚗 Transport
15:00📍 Sight
Yamadera (Risshaku-ji) — 1,000 steps
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationRisshaku-ji 🧭
About 1,000 steps; slippery with winter snow.
🚶 Lots of walking📸 Photo spot
18:00🏨 Stay
Stay at Zao Onsen or Yamagata (add yours)
Type / platformRyokan
Check-in / out15:00 / 10:00
LocationZao Onsen 🧭
Sulphur springs — take off silver jewellery.
♨️ Hot spring
Day 3Zao × Ginzan Onsen
09:00📍 Sight
Zao Ropeway: winter snow monsters / summer Okama crater
Suggested time2.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationZao Ropeway 🧭
Bitterly cold at the top; snow monsters peak Jan–Feb.
🌸 Seasonal
12:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformRyokan
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
12:30🍽 Food
14:00🚗 Transport
16:00📍 Sight
Ginzan Onsen’s gas-lit streets
Suggested time2 hrs
LocationGinzan Onsen 🧭
Winter evenings have crowd controls and may restrict day visitors — check notices first.
📸 Photo spot🌙 Night view⚠️ Heads-up
18:30🏨 Stay
Stay in or near Ginzan (add yours)
Type / platformRyokan
Check-in / out15:00 / 10:00
LocationGinzan Onsen 🧭
Ryokan here are few — book far ahead.
♨️ Hot spring
Day 4Kakunodate samurai town
08:30🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformRyokan
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
09:00🚗 Transport
Shinkansen to Kakunodate (change at Morioka)
Type / No.Train
LocationKakunodate Station 🧭
Several changes, about 4 hours — check timetables.
13:30🍽 Food
14:30📍 Sight
Kakunodate Samurai District
Suggested time2.5 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationKakunodate Samurai District 🧭
Weeping cherries in late April and autumn colour are stunning.
📸 Photo spot🌸 Seasonal
17:30🏨 Stay
Stay at Nyuto Onsen or Lake Tazawa (add yours)
Type / platformRyokan
Check-in / out15:00 / 10:00
LocationNyuto Onsen 🧭
Remote ryokan book out early; winter roads are snowy.
♨️ Hot spring
Day 5Aomori
08:30🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformRyokan
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
09:30🚗 Transport
Komachi to Morioka, then Hayabusa to Shin-Aomori
Type / No.Train
LocationShin-Aomori Station 🧭
About 2.5 hours.
13:00🏨 Stay
13:30📍 Sight
Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationNebuta Museum WA-RASSE 🧭
See the giant Nebuta floats any time of year.
📸 Photo spot
15:30📍 Sight
18:30🍽 Food
Day 6Furukawa Market × fly home
07:30🍽 Food
Build-your-own seafood bowl at Furukawa Market
MealBreakfast
LocationAomori Gyosai Center 🧭
Buy a ticket booklet and pick toppings at each stall; often closed Tuesdays.
🍜 Must-eat
09:30🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Double-check passports, power banks and valuables.
11:00🚗 Transport
Fly from Aomori or via Sendai
Type / No.Flight
LocationAomori Airport 🧭
Pick the airport that suits your flight.
🎟 Book these before you go
Nothing in this template strictly requires booking, but it’s still wise to check popular sights and restaurants early.
🌦 Monthly temperatures: Sendai, Matsushima, Yamagata, Ginzan Onsen, Kakunodate, Aomori
| City / month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sendai High / low | 5° -2° | 6° -2° | 10° 1° | 15° 5° | 20° 11° | 23° 16° | 27° 20° | 29° 22° | 25° 18° | 20° 12° | 14° 5° | 8° 0° |
| Yamagata & Zao High / low | 3° -4° | 4° -4° | 9° -1° | 16° 4° | 22° 9° | 25° 15° | 29° 19° | 30° 20° | 25° 16° | 19° 9° | 12° 3° | 6° -1° |
| Aomori & Akita High / low | 2° -4° | 3° -4° | 6° -1° | 13° 4° | 18° 9° | 22° 14° | 26° 19° | 28° 20° | 24° 16° | 18° 9° | 11° 3° | 5° -2° |
(typical averages — check the forecast before you go)
FAQ
How many days does Tohoku: Sendai, Yamagata, Akita & Aomori in 6 Days take?
It’s planned as 6 days / 5 nights with 31 stops (9 sights and 6 meals). Copy it and add or remove stops to suit your pace.
What should I book in advance?
Nothing in this template strictly requires booking, but it’s still wise to check popular sights and restaurants early.
How do I make this template my own?
Tap “Use this template”, enter a name and start date, and an editable copy is created. Add your flights and hotels, adjust times and stops, then export a PDF or image to share.
Make it your trip
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Note: opening hours, prices, timetables and entry rules change often — check official sources. This page offers general suggestions, not bookings or professional travel advice.