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On a latest journey to Japan, a neighborhood informed me, “Tokyo will not be Japan…to know Japan, it’s important to exit and discover.” And in the event you’ve adopted this weblog for some time, you already know that getting off the overwhelmed observe and exploring a hidden area places me in my blissful place. It’s my favourite method to journey. After 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. Instantly, this little-known area in Japan was on my radar.
My journey to Tohoku was initially about mountaineering a portion of the Michinoku Coastal Path. Nonetheless, I quickly found that Tohoku’s rugged coast provided far more than a mountaineering journey. It was a land of resilient folks, unbelievable 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 folks made it a really distinctive vacation spot.
Japan’s Most Lovely Shoreline That You’ve By no means Heard Of
Paradise discovered can also be paradise misplaced in tourism. Overtourism can occur shortly, and it reaches a tipping level, and all of the sudden, you may 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 increase 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 assume which means it’s working.
Tohoku, a area identified among the many Japanese however typically ignored by worldwide vacationers, is a hidden gem ready to be found. With its gorgeous Rias Coast, the one rugged shoreline in Japan, it provides probably the most stunning 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 often is 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.
Heading to Japan? Learn my cultural ideas for visiting Japan: What each first-time traveler ought to know
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 ft—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 (generally relocated) the cities, created new warning programs, 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 financial system of a distressed space. A 1,000 km mountaineering path means revitalization of the complete shoreline, new accommodations, eating places, tourism experiences, and a rebuilt rail line to maneuver folks alongside the coast.
I used to be shocked to study that even the visiting Japanese vacationers are curious about studying how the Tohoku area has been rebuilt. They rent tour guides to stroll them by means of sections of the path alongside the Rias Coast and educate 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 youngsters alike who perished as a result of they had been following incorrect directions from others – despite the fact that they probably knew higher and will have saved themselves. This was exhausting to listen to – but in addition not stunning.
Japan is taken into account a collective society. They worth group concord, shared obligations, and prioritizing the well-being of the neighborhood over particular person wishes. 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 folks 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, folks ought to give attention to 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 exhausting to alter a tradition, however in all places I went alongside the coast, I heard about Tendenko. It’s taught in colleges and talked about in properties, and also you’ll additionally find out about it in the event you 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 complete catastrophe and the impression on the communities to life. You’d be amiss in the event you 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 stunning and transferring.
I like to recommend the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum in Rikuzentakata Metropolis. The constructing and grounds are somber however stunning, and the museum and workers had been phenomenal. See a chronological exhibit of artifacts and images documenting the catastrophe, and listen to guides speak about their private expertise on that fateful day. It additionally consists of a big out of doors house the place you may stroll and ruminate on the facility of nature. It is usually the house to the Miracle Lone Pine Tree – an homage to the one surviving tree of the complete Takata Pine Forest. It serves as a logo of hope for the complete 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 traces 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 look like a typical place to journey to – however that’s why I liked 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 absolutely perceive it till I noticed and skilled the area myself. It was academic and transferring, drawing me nearer to Japan typically.
That is no completely different than different well-liked journey locations -Hiroshima, Katrina Excursions, the ruins of Pompeii, and Chornobyl. That is all thought of 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 method to study extra concerning the folks and tradition and take what I study from it, which impacts how I have a look at and join with the world as a complete.
Examine my 7 days of mountaineering and journey on the Michinoku Coastal Path and find out about what you may count on kind this new lengthy distance hike!
Tohoku Coast Experiences To not Miss
Not every part 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 among the finest elements 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 Seaside 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 approach 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 identified for its uncommon white rock formations and 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 may get a better have a look at the rock formations. You possibly can simply hire kayaks and SUPs and even go on a coastal boat trip from the seaside. And, after all – there’s loads of mountaineering 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 positioned, luxurious Jodogahama Park Lodge. Perched on prime of the cliff above Miyako Bay, you may get an unbelievable view of the rocks and the seaside beneath. The lodging are conventional and modern, the meals is scrumptious, and the onsen is the cherry on prime! 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 nice eating to the Tohoku Coast at L’Oreole Tanohata. Positioned proper on the Michinoku Coastal Path, the fantastically designed restaurant with all wooden accents is perched on the coast, giving it unbelievable 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 regionally sourced dish. Chef Ito needs to coach guests and locals concerning the abundance of unbelievable meals that comes from this area. Every little thing he makes is regionally sourced. He additionally works with the native college lunch program, educating children on the area’s components.
“If I wish to be wealthy and earn money, then I’d construct a restaurant in one of many massive cities. However that’s not the explanation why I wish to prepare dinner. I wish to assist the neighborhood and produce folks 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 normally leaves and strikes to massive cities.
Like a “three-star restaurant” in a small European village, you may take pleasure in a meal that makes probably the most of native assets, together with the view from the window!
L’Oreole Tanohata
Glamping on the Tanesashi Coast
Go to sleep below the celebs 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, nearly surreal panorama. The garden is dotted with tents within the evenings as individuals are allowed to camp there.
You possibly can expertise tenting amongst different out of doors lovers 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. Nonetheless, they didn’t simply push it again; they created it on greater floor. Basically, they created a disaster-resistant city by elevating the peak of the land they constructed on and transferring the residences to greater floor. The town and area had been one of many hardest hit alongside the coast.
Hire a bicycle or take part in a motorbike tour that may be organized on the Rikuzentakata Bussan Middle linked to the Iwate Tsunami Memorial Museum. It’s a good way to get round this bike-friendly area. The tour will take you round among the tsunami destruction, however you’ll additionally cycle out into the countryside by means of quiet rice fields and out to the scenic coast.
Kessenuma Brewers Desk Sake Tasting Dinner
Take pleasure in 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 number of native sake from Otokoyama Honten, a neighborhood sake brewery, for a pairing distinctive to Kesennuma. You possibly can resolve to have the tasting dinner or the dinner solely with an added tour of the sake brewery.
Tohoku Coast Excursions
Suppose I’ve swayed you to contemplate visiting the Tohoku coast, and you’re in search of somebody to do the entire planning for you. In that case, you’ll wish to try 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 attractive Tohoku shoreline.
Oku Japan Self-Guided Mountain climbing Tour
This primarily covers the northern a part of the Tohoku coast and sticks primarily to mountaineering the Michinoku Coastal Path. Nonetheless, it consists of most of the areas I coated above. They’ve curated the most effective elements of this path, permitting you to stroll by means of probably 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 mountaineering isn’t your jam, try this every 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 absolutely recognize the surroundings. However better of all, it is a foodie prepare. This restaurant prepare options an open kitchen the place you may even watch the meals being ready. Take pleasure in a menu that includes native Tohoku meals whereas having fun with the coastal views.
Reserve a spot on Tohoku Emotion Prepare Tour
Tips on how to Get to Tohoku
The simplest method to get to numerous elements of Tohoku is by prepare. The Shinkansen (bullet prepare) is my beneficial approach of touring from Tokyo. You will get a regional rail cross that provides limitless journey within the Tohoku area on designated trains. The JR East Go consists of Tokyo, the Tohoku area, and surrounding areas.
The JR East Go provides limitless rides on JR buses and trains touring on the JR traces Tohoku, together with the Tohoku Shinkansen.
Try your choices for the JR East Go or Entire Japan passes in the event you plan to journey to different areas.
Sendai metropolis in Miyagi prefecture is taken into account the key gateway to the Tohoku area. It provides straightforward 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 significant metropolis like Sendai, you should use 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 workers will come exterior and wave goodbye to you. Not solely the accommodations however the tour guides, customer middle workers, restaurant house owners, and generally the cooks – everybody within the hospitality area will come out and bid you goodbye like I’ve by no means skilled earlier than.
This gesture is full of gratitude and heat, typically 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 completely out of view!
The Tohoku wave will most actually draw you even nearer to this area. The wave seems like a surge of pleasure carried by means of 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 possibly can’t assist however really feel the jubilance and gratitude they’re supplying you with. You possibly can’t assist however wish to come again and expertise the Tohoku coast once more.
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