Tohoku 7 day itinerary with the JR Pass

• Day 1: Tokyo to Sendai. Walk Jozenji-dori and try gyutan.
• Day 2: Day trip to Matsushima bay, one of Japan's three great views.
• Day 3: Sendai to Hiraizumi for Chuson-ji temple, on to Morioka.
• Day 4: Morioka to Akita, JR Tazawako line.
• Day 5: Akita to Aomori, visit Hirosaki Castle.
• Day 6: Aomori, Nebuta museum and Sannai Maruyama ruins.
• Day 7: Aomori shinkansen back to Tokyo in 3 hours.

• Long shinkansen distances make the pass pay back quickly.
• Hayabusa shinkansen requires reserved seats, free to book with the pass.
• Five Tohoku JR limited express scenic trains run on the Gono and Tadami lines.
• Much lighter crowds than the Tokaido corridor.

Cherry blossoms peak in mid to late April, two weeks after Tokyo. Summer is festival season. Autumn colours from late October to early November are spectacular along the Oirase stream and around Yamadera. Winter brings deep snow and steaming onsen at Nyuto and Ginzan.