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On a current journey to Japan, a neighborhood advised me, “Tokyo just isn’t Japan…to know Japan you need to exit and discover.” And for those who’ve adopted this weblog for some time, you understand that getting off the crushed observe and exploring a hidden area places me in my completely happy place. It’s my favourite strategy to journey. Once I heard about Japan’s Tohoku area and the brand new Michinoku Coastal Path– I used to be intrigued as a result of I really like discovering new long-distance hikes. Abruptly, this little-known area in Japan was on my radar.
My journey to Tohoku was initially about mountain climbing a portion of the Michinoku Coastal Path. Nevertheless, I quickly found that Tohoku’s rugged coast provided way more than a mountain climbing journey. It was a land of resilient individuals, unimaginable seafood, and distinctive cultural experiences that I had by no means encountered earlier than. The area’s intimate really feel and the heat of its individuals made it a very distinctive vacation spot.
Japan’s Most Lovely Shoreline That You’ve By no means Heard Of
Paradise discovered can be paradise misplaced in tourism. Overtourism can occur rapidly, and it reaches a tipping level, and all of the sudden, you could have too many individuals all going to the identical locations. Making certain stability is essential. That’s why Japanese tourism hopes to create extra stability by build up tourism choices in lesser-visited areas like Tohoku. This is among the causes they created the Michinoku Coastal Path, which initially drew me there. I suppose which means it’s working.
Tohoku, a area recognized among the many Japanese however usually ignored by worldwide vacationers, is a hidden gem ready to be found. With its gorgeous Rias Coast, the one rugged shoreline in Japan, it gives essentially the most lovely shoreline within the nation, as acknowledged by Japan’s Tourism Board. This distinctive magnificence is a testomony to the area’s attract.
Whereas Tokyo and Kyoto could be the go-to spots for a lot of guests, Tohoku is a treasure trove ready to be explored by those that search journey and pure magnificence.
Tohoku Map
Since this text focuses on journey to the Tohoku East Coast, I’m specializing in the Miyagi, Iwate, and Aomori Prefectures. The coastal cities in these prefectures had been reachable by native trains and buses. This shoreline is named the Sanriku Coast – a dramatic, rocky shoreline with numerous bays, cliffs and coves that stretches for over 300 kilometers alongside the Pacific Coast of the Tohoku Area.
What Makes Tohoku Journey Distinctive
Tohoku’s rugged shoreline and low variety of vacationers are two of the issues that make touring there so nice. The third merchandise, although, is a bit distinctive. Home and worldwide guests go there as a result of the area suffered one among Japan’s most important pure disasters.
The March 11, 2011, Nice East Japan Earthquake and the following tsunami left a profound mark on the tranquil Tohoku area. Towering waves—some as excessive as 130 toes—surged as much as six miles inland, claiming roughly 20,000 lives and devastating communities. The aftermath of this tragedy required years of effort to clear the rubble and start therapeutic.
Rebuilding Tohoku After the Tsunami
Over a decade later, they rebuilt (typically relocating) the cities, created new warning techniques and constructed extra huge tsunami partitions. The Michinoku Coastal Path (MCT) is among the newest websites/experiences they made to assist the area rebuild emotionally, convey tourism again to the area, and, in flip, add to the economic system of a distressed space. A 1,000 km mountain climbing path means revitalization of the whole shoreline, new lodges, eating places, tourism experiences, and a rebuilt rail line to maneuver individuals alongside the coast.
I used to be stunned to study that even the visiting Japanese vacationers are taken with studying how the Tohoku area has been rebuilt. They rent tour guides to stroll them via sections of the path alongside the Rias Coast and train them concerning the tsunami. They use it as a studying expertise in order that the youthful technology is aware of what they need to and shouldn’t do throughout a catastrophe.
As I hiked alongside the MCT I heard tales of adults and kids alike who perished as a result of they had been following incorrect directions from others – though they possible knew higher and will have saved themselves. This was onerous to listen to – but in addition not shocking.
Japan is taken into account a collective society. They worth group concord, shared duties, and prioritizing the well-being of the neighborhood over particular person needs. There’s a hesitation to behave independently. This worth is deeply embedded in Japanese society, influencing conduct, decision-making, and responses to crises. On this case, it price individuals their lives.
Tendenko – A New Cultural Philosophy
The area is now being taught Tendenko. Tendenko is a Japanese idea that emphasizes particular person survival throughout disasters. It teaches that in moments of disaster, individuals ought to concentrate on saving themselves with out worrying about others, trusting that everybody will do the identical. This idea has gained prominence within the area’s post-disaster tradition, influencing conduct and responses to crises. It’s onerous to alter a tradition, however all over the place I went alongside the coast, I heard about Tendenko. It’s taught in faculties and talked about in houses, and also you’ll additionally find out about it for those who go to the area.
Tohoku Tsunami Memorials
A number of memorials commemorating the lives misplaced, the aftermath, and the rebuilding course of are dotted alongside the coast. It brings the whole catastrophe and the influence on the communities to life. You’d be amiss for those who visited the world and didn’t go to one of many a number of memorials to study extra and join with this space extra deeply. They’re lovely and shifting.
I like to recommend the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum in Rikuzentakata Metropolis. The constructing and grounds are somber however lovely, and the museum and employees had been phenomenal. See a chronological exhibit of artifacts and pictures documenting the catastrophe, and listen to guides speak about their private expertise on that fateful day. It additionally contains a big out of doors area the place you’ll be able to stroll and ruminate on the ability of nature. It’s also the house to the Miracle Lone Pine Tree – an homage to the one surviving tree of the whole Takata Pine Forest. It serves as an emblem of hope for the whole area.
The area has additionally chosen to honor the reminiscence of the day by leaving a number of buildings as they had been – mangled, twisted, and in rubble. As well as, as you journey across the space, you’ll additionally see excessive water strains marked on buildings. These markings function a grim reminder of the catastrophe’s scale and the acute water ranges reached.
Discovering a Journey Connection in Catastrophe
I do know this may increasingly not appear to be a typical place to journey to – however that’s why I beloved it. In truth – I felt nearer to the Tohoku area than every other in Japan as I traveled up the coast. I had heard concerning the tsunami in 2011. Nonetheless, I didn’t totally perceive it till I noticed and skilled the area myself. It was instructional and shifting, drawing me nearer to Japan basically.
That is no totally different than different well-liked journey locations -Hiroshima, Katrina Excursions, the ruins of Pompeii, and Chernobyl. That is all thought-about Catastrophe tourism – a subsection of Darkish tourism (Killing Fields in Cambodia, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Brazil slum tourism, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and so forth) . If it’s not for you, I perceive. I deal with it as a strategy to study extra concerning the individuals and tradition and take learnings from it that have an effect on how I take a look at and join with the world as a complete.
Tohoku Coast Experiences To not Miss
Not all the pieces in Tohoku is concerning the catastrophe – it’s only a small however significant a part of the area. There are nice conventional journey adventures and cultural experiences available alongside the coast! As I hiked a few of the finest components of the Michinoku Coastal Path, we additionally had an opportunity to expertise different actions alongside the Tohoku coast.
Tohoku journey offers one thing for anybody who enjoys the outside
Jodogahama Kayaking
Jodogahama Seashore is a must-stop in your Tohoku coastal travels. It’s a part of the Sanriku Fukko (reconstruction) Nationwide Park , which was created after the Nice East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami as a method to assist revitalize the area.
Cease on the Jodogahama customer middle, stroll the pathways alongside the seaside, and revel in this scenic space. It’s best recognized for its uncommon white rock formations; jagged volcanic rocks jutting out of the turquoise waters. The white pebble seaside is well-liked for locals to sunbathe and swim. I went kayaking in order that I might get a better take a look at the rock formations. You’ll be able to simply hire kayaks and SUPs and even go on a coastal boat journey from the seaside. And, in fact – there’s loads of mountain climbing across the seaside and customer middle. In truth, the MCT path goes proper alongside the seaside!
Deal with your self and keep on the completely situated, luxurious Jodogahama Park Lodge. Perched on high of the cliff above Miyako Bay, you will get an unimaginable view of the rocks and the seaside under. The lodging are conventional and glossy, the meals is scrumptious, and the onsen is the cherry on high! This was my favourite lodge throughout my time on the Tohoku Coast!
Eat at L’Oreole Tanohata
Chef Katsuyasu Ito, a French-trained chef who went to culinary college in Tokyo, is bringing high-quality eating to the Tohoku Coast at L’Oreole Tanohata. Positioned proper on the Michinoku Coastal Path, the superbly designed restaurant with all wooden accents is perched on the coast, giving it unimaginable views and a rugged really feel.
Watching Chef Ito create our multi-course lunch was like watching an artist at work. I really like open kitchens and I had a lot enjoyable watching the cooking and plating of every intricate domestically sourced dish. Chef Ito desires to teach guests and locals concerning the abundance of unimaginable meals that comes from this area. Every part he makes is domestically sourced. He additionally works with the native college lunch program, educating children on the area’s elements.
“If I need to be wealthy and generate profits, then I’d construct a restaurant in one of many large cities. However that’s not the rationale why I need to prepare dinner. I need to assist the neighborhood and convey individuals right here.”
Most of his friends come from out of city and keep to benefit from the wealthy bounty of the Tohoku Coast. One of many chef’s objectives is to guard the smaller communities in Japan as a result of, as he famous, everybody often leaves and strikes to large cities.
Like a “three-star restaurant” in a small European village, you’ll be able to get pleasure from a meal that makes essentially the most of native sources, together with the view from the window!
L’Oreole Tanohata
Glamping on the Tanesashi Coast
Go to sleep underneath the celebrities and get up to crashing waves. The Tanesashi Pure Garden is a uncommon coastal grassland the place lush inexperienced grass grows naturally proper as much as the sting of the Pacific Ocean. This mix of vibrant inexperienced fields and the deep blue sea creates a wide ranging, virtually surreal panorama. The garden is dotted with tents within the evenings as individuals are allowed to camp there.
You’ll be able to expertise tenting amongst different out of doors fanatics whereas additionally having fun with a little bit of pampering! Glamping experiences are additionally provided right here, full with a snug, heat cot and bedding and a chef who makes dinner and breakfast for you on the garden!
Study extra about reserving your tent right here.
Ebiking in Rikuzentakata Metropolis
This metropolis was rebuilt after the tsunami and pushed again from the coast. Nevertheless, they didn’t simply push it again; they created it on increased floor. Basically they created a disaster-resistant city by elevating the peak of the land they constructed on and shifting the residences to increased floor. Town and area had been one of many hardest hit alongside the coast.
Hire a bicycle or take part in a motorcycle tour that may be organized on the Rikuzentakata Bussan Middle related to the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum. It’s an effective way to get round this bike-friendly area. The tour will take you round a few of the tsunami destruction, however you’ll additionally cycle out into the countryside via quiet rice fields and out to the scenic coast.
Kessenuma Brewers Desk Sake Tasting Dinner
Get pleasure from a novel pairing dinner the place friends can study concerning the sake, native seasonal meals, and seafood. Style dishes made with seafood caught in Kesennuma. Every dish is accompanied by a choice of native sake from Otokoyama Honten, a neighborhood sake brewery, for a pairing distinctive to Kesennuma. You’ll be able to resolve to have the tasting dinner or dinner and an added tour of the sake brewery.
Tohoku Coast Excursions
Suppose I’ve swayed you to think about visiting the Tohoku coast, and you’re on the lookout for somebody to do the entire planning for you. In that case, you’ll need to take a look at a few of these excursions within the area.
Ottsworld Small Group Mountain climbing Tour
I’ve put many of those experiences into my small group tour that takes you alongside the highlights of the Michinoku Coastal Path. Meet locals, study concerning the tsunami, and actively discover the gorgeous Tohoku shoreline.
Oku Japan Self-Guided Mountain climbing Tour
This primarily covers the northern a part of the Tohoku coast and sticks primarily to mountain climbing the Michinoku Coastal Path. Nevertheless it contains most of the areas I coated above. They’ve curated the most effective components of this path, permitting you to stroll via essentially the most memorable areas earlier than persevering with onto the subsequent part by way of prepare, bus, and taxi.
Oku 7 Day Self Guided Mountain climbing Tour
Ottsworld Low cost –get 5% off any Oku Japan tour with code OTTSWORLD5
Tohoku Emotion Prepare Tour
If mountain climbing isn’t your jam, take a look at this day by day prepare tour alongside the Sanriku Coast. TOHOKU EMOTION runs on the Hachinohe Line (Hachinohe Station to Kuji Station), which runs proper alongside the coast. The prepare slows down on the most scenic spots in order that passengers can totally admire the surroundings. However better of all is, it is a foodie prepare. This restaurant prepare options an open kitchen the place you’ll be able to even watch the meals being ready. Get pleasure from a menu that includes native Tohoku meals whereas having fun with the coastal views.
Reserve a spot on Tohoku Emotion Prepare Tour
Find out how to Get to Tohoku
The simplest strategy to get to varied components of Tohoku is by prepare. The Shinkansen (bullet prepare) is my really useful method of touring from Tokyo. You will get a regional rail go that provides limitless journey within the Tohoku area on designated trains. The JR East Move contains Tokyo, the Tohoku area, and surrounding areas.
The JR East Move gives limitless rides on JR buses and trains touring on the JR strains Tohoku together with the Tohoku Shinkansen.
Try your choices for the JR East Move or Entire Japan passes for those who plan to journey to different areas.
Sendai metropolis in Miyagi prefecture is taken into account the main gateway to the Tohoku area. It gives simple connections to coastal cities by way of prepare or bus. It takes lower than 2 hours to get from Tokyo to Sendai. When you attain a serious metropolis like Sendai, you should utilize native trains or buses to entry smaller coastal cities alongside the shoreline
The Most Highly effective Wave in Tohoku
One of the crucial impactful cultural experiences I skilled in Tohoku was the ‘Tokhoku wave.’ This wave has completely nothing to do with the tsunami; it’s a easy wave goodbye. In Tohoku, it’s a cultural certainty that the lodge employees will come exterior and wave goodbye to you. Not solely the lodges however the tour guides, customer middle staff, restaurant homeowners, and typically the cooks – everybody within the hospitality subject will come out and bid you goodbye like I’ve by no means skilled earlier than.
This gesture is stuffed with gratitude and heat, usually carried out with such enthusiasm that it turns into a jubilant, two-handed movement. What stood out most was its exceptional persistence—it continues till you’re fully out of view!
The Tohoku wave will most definitely draw you even nearer to this area. The wave appears like a surge of pleasure carried via the air, embodying appreciation, a heat farewell, an invite to return, and a deep respect for others. It’s an prolonged goodbye of tsunami proportions. You’ll be able to’t assist however really feel the jubilance and gratitude they’re providing you with. You’ll be able to’t assist however need to come again and expertise the Tohoku coast once more.
