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Recommended neighboring tourist spots |
Inquiries
■ Matsushima Tourist Association
98-1, Aza-machiuchi, Matsushima, Matsushima-cho, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi-ken 981-0213 Japan
TEL：022-354-2618
■Matsushima-cho Sangyo Kanko-ka (Industry and Tourism Office)
10, Aza-Amachi, Takagi, Matsushima-cho, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi-ken 981-0215 Japan
TEL：022-354-5708
Guidance
Matsushima is known as one of the "Nihonsankei", or one of the three great views of Japan. It boasts amazing scenic beauty with over 260 islands in Matsushima Bay.
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Points of Interest (Seasonal)
■Spring---Zuiganji Temple Garyoubai, Japanese apricot trees in blossom (late April - early May); Byakui Kannon (the Goddess of Mercy) Festival (late April/ Saigyomodorinomatsu Park).
■Summer---Zuiganji Temple Todo (August 6-8); Toronagashi (floating lanterns); Fireworks display Festival (August 17); Zuiganji Temple Daisegakikai (memorial service for the dead) (August 16).
■Autumn---Kanranntei Tsukiminokai (moon watching party) (September); Nihonnsankei Matsushima Enyuchakai (tea party) (the first Sunday of October/ Matsushimakaigan Green Square); Matsushima Half-marathon (Health-Sports Day, October); Momiji (Scarlet leaves) lighting up (late October - middle November/ Zuiganji Entsuuin Temple,Kanrantei classic bower).
■Winter--- Matushima Oyster Festival 'the first Saturday and Sunday of February/ Matsushimakaigan Green Square)
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Access
From Sendai
JR (Japan Railway) Senseki Line --- from Sendai Sta. to Matsushimakaigan Sta. (about 25 min. by Express train)
JR Tohoku Honsen Line --- from Sendai Sta. to Matsushimakaigan Sta. (about 25 min.)
National Highway Route 45 --- about 1 hour
From Tokyo
Tohoku Shinkansen (Bullet train) --- from Tokyo Sta. to Sendai Sta.
Car --- about 5 hours
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Inquiries
■Kesennuma-shi Sangyou Kanko-ka (Industry and Tourism Office)
1-1-1, Yokamachi, Kesennuma-shi, Miyagi-ken 988-8501 Japan
TEL：0226-22-3438
Guidance
Located in the southern part of Rikuchukaigan National Park, Kesennuma is one of the world's largest fishing ports. Various kinds of fish and shellfish through all seasons can be found here. It is the first municipality in Japan that was declared as a slow-food city (opposite of fast-food) which provides shark-tail fins, bonito, tuna, sauries, and other seafood as crowd-pleasers. It is also full of scenic spots like Kesennuma Oshima at the bay entrance, Karakuwa, which is famous for the broken stone column, and Iwaizaki with its fountain rocks.
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Points of Interest (Seasonal)
■Spring--- Seashell gathering (March), Kesennuma Tsubaki marathon (April); Tokusenjo Tsutsujimatsuri Festival (May); camellias, whitebait and clams of Kesennuma Ooshima.
■Summer--- Kesennuma Minatomatsuri Festival (August); Odanohama bathing beach; Oisehama bathing beach; sea urchins, bonito, ascidians and sunfish.
■Autumn---Kesennuma Sanmamatsuri Festival (September); Kesennuma-Motoyoshi local products Festival (October); Iwaizaki Promenade Araishomatsuri Festival (November); Rias Oyster Festival (November); matsutake mushrooms, sauries, way-back bonito, salmon, and oysters.
■Winter--- Tenbata Festival (February);azara(slow-food), swordfish, abalone, and wakame (a kind of seaweed).
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Access
From Sendai
[via JR]
Tohoku Shinkansen --- from Sendai Sta. to Ichinoseki Sta. (28 min. by Hayate bullet train)
JR Oofunato Line --- from the Ichinoseki Sta. to the Kesennuma Sta. (75 min. by rapid train)
Limited express bus --- from Ichinoseki stop to Kesennuma stop (68 min.)
JR Kesennuma Line --- from Sendai Sta. to Kesennuma Sta. (128 min.)
[via car]
Tohoku Jidoshado Expressway --- from Sendai Miyagi I.C.(Interchange) to Ichinoseki I.C.
National Highway Route 284 --- (about 70 min.)
National Highway Route 45 --- via Sanriku Juukann Motorway (about 150 min.)
From Tokyo
[via JR]
Tohoku Shinkansen --- from Tokyo Sta. to Ichinoseki Sta. (135 min. by Hayate bullet train)
JR Oofunato Line --- from Ichinoseki Sta. to Kesennuma Sta. (75 min. by rapid train)
[via car]
Tohoku Jidoshado Expressway --- from Kawasaki JCT (Junction) to Ichinoseki I.C. (about 5 hours)
National Highway Route 284 --- (about 70 min.)
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Inquiries
■Hiraizumi Tourist Association
61-4, Aza-izumiya, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishihei-gun, Iwate-ken 029-4102 Japan
TEL：0191-46-2110
■Hiraizumi Tourist Office, Agri-Forestry and Industry and Commerce
45-2 Aza-Shirayama, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishihei-gun, Iwate-ken 029-4192
TEL：0191-46-5572
Guidance
Some 800 years back in the late era of Heian, Hiraizumi was equal to Hakata and Kyoto in scale. It is a place where the unique Buddhist culture flourished. Chusonji Temple is a treasure house of Heian works of art, including Konjikido (Golden Temple), designated as the first national treasure, and over 3,000 national treasures and important cultural assets. Furthermore, Mootuji Jodoteien Garden has been designated both as a special historic spot as well as a special scenic spot. In an effort to receive registration of World Heritage in 2008, Hiraizumi is actively promoting the preservation of its cultural assets and relevant projects.
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Points of Interest (Seasonal)
■Spring --- Avenue lined with cherry blossom trees (late April/ along the National Highway Route 4 to the tourists roads); Minamoto-Yoshitune-ko Azumakudari Gyoretu Parade of Haruno-Fujiwaramatsuri Festival (May 3); Motsuji Kyokusuinoen Party ( the fourth Sunday of May).
■Summer --- Iris Garden of Mootsuji Jodoteien Garden and verdurous Chusonji Temple; Panorama of Hiraizumi from Mt. Tabaine; Mootsuji Temple Iris Festival (June 20 - July 10); Hiraizumi Mizukakemikoshi, or portable water-sprinkling shrine parade ( the third Sunday of July); Chusonji Temple Maki-No drama (with a charge) (August 14); Hiraizumi Daimonji Festival (August 16).
■Autumn --- Autumnal tints with red leaves in Chusonji Temple precincts; Mootuji Temple Hagi (Japanese bush clover) Festival (September 15-30); Chusonji Temple precincts (October 20 - November 15).
■Winter --- New-Year visit to snow-clad Shinpukudo, Chusonji Temple Golden Temple and Mootuji Temple (January 1); Mootuji Temple Jogyodo Hatsuka Yomatsuri (night festival) (January 20); Chsonji Temple Setsubune (Welcome ritual for spring season) (February 2).
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Access
From Sendai
Tohoku Shinkansen --- from Sendai Sta. to Ichinoseki Sta. (28 min. by Hayate bullet train)
JR Tohoku Honsen Line --- from Ichinoseki Sta. to Hiraizumi Sta. (8 min.)
Tohoku Jidoshado Expressway --- from Sendai Miyagi I.C. to Hiraizumi Maesawa I.C. (99.4 km/ about 75 min.)
From Hiraizumi Maesawa I.C. go south down the National Highway Route 4 to Chusonji Temple about 3 km.
From Tokyo
Tohoku Shinkansen --- from Tokyo Sta. to Ichinoseki Sta. (135 min. by Hayate bullet train)
JR Tohoku Honsen Line --- from Ichinoseki Sta. to Hiraizumi Sta. (8 min.)
Tohoku Jidoshado Expressway --- from Urawa I.C. to Hiraizumi Maesawa I.C. (427 km. about 5 hours and 20 min.)
From Hiraizumi Maesawa I.C. go down to south of the National Highway Route 4 to Chosnji Temple about 3 km.
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Inquiries
■Fukushima Tourist Association
3-1, Goro-uchimachi, Fukushima-shi, Fukushima-ken 960-8601 Japan
TEL：024-525-3722
Guidance
Fukushima City, the capital of Fukushima-ken is the southern gate to the Tohoku Region. It is located in a typical basin surrounded by the Abukuma mountain region and the Azuma-Adatara mountain range. Thanks to its big seasonal change in temperature which creates a sharp seasonal difference in the climate, delicious fruits are available through out the year and it has a good reputation as a leading production center for pears (top production) and peaches (second top production) in the nation. Along the Fruit-line route, you can enjoy picking or gathering a variety of fruits. Fukishima City is also called the "flower country" because it is famous for many kinds of flowers in Togenkyo-Hanamiyama as well as one-hundred thousand skunk cabbages in the colonies of Niidanuma, one of the only three colonies in the nation of Kumagai-sou(Cypripedium japonicum). In addition, the alpine plants of Mt. Azuma are also famous. In the city there are three hot-spring resorts, Iizaka Onsen, Tsuchiyu Onsen, and Takayu Onsen, each with different hot-spring qualities and each with its own distinct atmosphere, which attracts a lot of visitors.
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Points of Interest (Seasonal)
■Spring --- Cherry blossoms of Hanamiyama; Fruit flowers of the Fruit-line; Skunk cabbages of Niidanuma; Tanemakizakura cherry blossoms of Jitokuji Temple; Weeping cherry blossoms of Daizoji Temple; Colonies of Cypripedium japonicum of Mizuhara; Photo Museum of Flowers; snow-walled corridor of Bandai Azuma Skyline route.
■Summer --- Hydrangeas of Ioji Temple; Hydrangeas of Doaikan Park; Irises of Jorakuen; Summer horse racing in Fukushima; Alpine Plants of Jododaira; the Witch's Eye "Goshikinuma" (Marsh); cherry picking; peach picking; Waraji (straw sandals) Festival; Fukushima Firework Desplay.
■Autumn --- Pear picking; grape picking; apple picking; scarlet-tinged leaves of the Bandai Azuma Skyline route; red leaves of Shinobumojizuri; red leaves of Kuroiwa-Kokuzoson; Fukushima-shi Old Private Residence Park; Autumn Festival of Fukushima Inarijinja Shrine; Iizaka Fervent Festival (one of the three great festivals of make-believe fighting).
■Winter --- Swans coming down the Abukuma River; hot springs; citrons of Shinobuyama; freeze-dried tofu (bean curd) of Tatsukoyama; Chimonanthus praecox of Hanamiyama; daybreak ritual visit to Shinobu-sanzan (three mountains); Uyama-gomori (ritual stay) at Kanazawa.
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Access
From Sendai
Tohoku Shinkansen --- from Sendai Sta. to Fukushima Sta. (25 min.)
Tohoku Expressway --- from Sendai Miyagi I.C. to Fukushima-Iizaka I.C. (70 km)
From Tokyo
Tohoku Shinkansen --- from Tokyo Sta. to Fukushima Sta. (90 min.)
Tohoku Expressway --- from Urawa I.C. to Fukushima-Iizaka I.C. (250 km)
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Inquiries
■Yamagata Tourist and Product Section, Commerce, Indusrty and Tourist Dept.
2-3-25, Hatago-cho, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata-ken 990-8540 Japan
TEL：023-641-1212
Guidance
Yamagata City is one of those cities in the nation gifted with tourist resorts such as Zao known for its grand nature and Juhyo (ice-clad trees), Yamadera Temple known for its long history of 1,100 years ever since it was built by Jikaku-Daishi (the founder and Buddhist mentor), and for famous Haiku (a Japanese poem of 17 syllables) by Matsuo Basho. Wonderful delicacies of the seasons are fostered by the climate and the city serves as a spiritual home for relaxation.
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Points of Interest (Seasonal)
■Spring --- Famous cherry blossom spot "Kajo Park, Yamagata Castle Remains"; Umamigasaki cherry blossom line route; spring time skiing at Zao hot spring ski area (available up to late April); Yamadera Basho Memorial Hall; Zao Warabenosato Hinaninngyo Rekishiten (the Girl's Festival of Dolls, Historical exhibition), one of the three great garden plant fairs in the nation "Yakushimasuri Uekiichi".
■Summer --- Cherry picking; Takase, the place of "Omoide Poroporo" (an animation movie); Buckwheat Flowers Festival at Nishi-zao; one of the four great festivals of Tohoku District "Yamagata Hanagasa Festival"; Yamagata Great Firework Display; Yamadera Hojuzan lighting-up event.
■Autumn --- The nation's largest Imoni-kai (cooked taro) Festival; Omoshiroyama Cosmos Berg; red leaves of Zao-Yamadera; Houretsu Shrine Festival; Traditional Cricket (one of the three great traditional crickets); Michinoku Kokeshi Doll Festival; Yamagata-shi Traditional Craft Product Festival.
■Winter --- Zao hot spring ski area; Snow-park Omoshiroyama ski area; Yamagata Hatsuichi (Fair); Zao Juhyou Festival; Zao Juhyo lighting-up event.
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Access
From Sendai
JR Senzan Line --- from Sendai Sta. to Yamagata Sta. (65 min. by rapid train)
Express bus --- from Sendai Sta. square to Yamagata Sta. square (about 65 min.)
Tohoku Jidohsado Expressway, Yamagata Jidoshado Expressway --- from Sendai Miyagi I.C. to Yamagata Zao I.C. (about 60 min.)
From Tokyo
Yamagata Shinkansen --- from Tokyo Sta. to Yamagata Sta. (2hours and 35 min.)
Express bus --- (about 5 hours and 50 min.)
Car --- (about 4 hours and 30 min.)
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