Sightseeing Tohoku in Dec, what can i see?

Hi folks ( � �� �)�
yup, you are seeing right. what can I see in Tohoku in Dec, under snow.

I have a few days leave that i need to use by end of year or it get forfeited. I plan to have ~10 days in Tohoku region.
I did some searching, and most of beautiful Tohoku are during spring and autumn, and winter is all about onsen and wintersports .Snow festivals however late in Feb =__=

My expectation: to see unique local culture, nature and structural building covered in snow, something like you get in Kyuto temples. A lil sports n onsen along the way is fine too.

*I have been to Osaka, Kyoto and Takayama in winter (feb) 4yrs ago.

I plan to utilize JR-east pass and willerbus as means of transportation. Are there occasions where snow got too heavy and the train service got suspended in Tohoku?

Your opinion and experience are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

There is quite a bit to do in Tohoku - even in winter. It really depends on the things you are interested in and what specifically you want to see. Personally, I think that Sendai is worth a day or so. Matsushima which is 30 mins from Sendai is also quite nice. Aizu Wakamatsu should also still be doable if the tourist bus is running.

Personally, I quite like Yamagata City and Yamadera temple - but not that you may not be able to visit the top of the temple if it's snowing too hard. Yamagata is also close to Zao Onsen which has onsens, the snow monsters (not fully ready in December) and some reasonable skiing.

There is not thatm much in the way of large and famous temples in the Tohoku region, with the three main locations being Hiraimizu (might be too snowy), Dewa Sanzen (too much snow) and Osorenzan (closed for winter).

I have never been myself - but I've heard fantastic things about Nyuto Onsen but it might be a bit hard to get there are book accommodation as not much English is spoken up in this location. I do have more suggestions - but they are mainly best visited in warmer weather

Nyuto Onsen isn't a problem with bookings http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3650.html (links are down the bottom). You can also go for a day trip if you like. We did that from Morioka. I'd particularly recommended using a rotenburo there. We used the mixed gender one at Ganiba Onsen and it was amazing.

I enjoyed Kakunodate, Aizu-Wakamatsu and Zao Onsen in the snow. Only 2 of the samurai houses are open in winter, but that's still fine. There's some nice sake on offer in Aizu-Wakamatsu, as well as a castle, samurai house and iimoriyama (if you like history http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7709.html).

Yamadera is wonderful, but as suggested you may need to skip it if it's too snowy. We went up the top in the month of Feb, so it is still doable in snow, but use your judgement and caution in doing so.

If you're into sake, you may be keen on visiting Niigata prefecture too. We've only been to Echigo Yuzawa but with more time available I'd definitely spend some sourcing more sake.

I've heard excellent things about Ginzan Onsen.

Hiraizumi is unlikely to be snowy.
If you take a look at a map of Japan, down the centre of Honshu there is a mountain range. The Japan Sea side (Yamagata, Akita and the west of Aomori) get heavy snow. The Pacific side (Iwate, Miyagi and the East of Aomori) get much less snow.

Depending on where, snow tends to start around mid Nov. so the later in Dec you go, the more likely you are to see good snow cover. If travel on a seishun 18 kippu is an option, some of the trainlines through the mountain are beautiful.

wow..
thanks for the responses guys (y).
will check out more on Lake Tazawa/Nyuto onsen, Hiraizumi and Aizu-Wakamatsu (oh i missed the station live feed few years back).

I did some searching of village style houses and found Kitakami folk village ( http://www.kitakami-kanko.jp/english/sightseeing.php?itemid=44 ). Is there other old village than this that gets as close as Shirakawago in Tohoku? (I've been to Shirakawago summer).

Do you guys have any recommendation on where i should check out on NewYear night & Hatsuhinode? prefer a place that has nice cultural stuff going on, but not overcrowded.

And i just realized the constraints of going places between 28Dec-4Jan ;__;

For a "Shirakawago feel" in Tohoku, go to Ouchijyuku.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7710.html
http://ouchi-juku.com/
http://shimogo.jp/sightseeing/oouchijuku/
http://town.shimogo.fukushima.jp/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/accessmap_...

31 and December 30 of three years ago, I went to Kitakata, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Ouchi juku.
The snow was piled up, but I was able to enjoy.
I've longitudinal Aomori January 2 to January 7 last year.
(Hachinohe not piled up too much) of snow had piled up, I enjoyed.
I did not go but, sukayu hot spring is doing even in winter.
In particular, Towada City Museum of Contemporary Art and sannai maruyama ruins was good.
This is information of the first sunrise of the year.
Please translate translation software.
http://www.rurubu.com/season/winter/oshogatsu/list_hinode.aspx?AC=1&p=...
http://www.rurubu.com/season/winter/oshogatsu/list_hinode.aspx?AC=1&p=...
http://www.mapple.net/sp_sunrise/list.asp?AREA=2

I have never been, but there is a custom Namahage that comes to New Year's Eve in Oga, Akita.
You can not experience Namahage of fact because around the ordinary house, but there seems to be experience facilities for tourists.
http://www.namahage.co.jp/namahagekan/english/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namahage

hi all..
thanks for the feedbacks.
i am back, and has secured my flight ticket to Tokyo :D
I will most likely start my journey from Tokyo heading up on 30th Dec, and I have until 12th Jan before return to Tokyo. So this more likely a NewYear+January trip up Tohoku. I will be using the JREast and 18kippu.
For new year, should I stop in Sendai for the lights illumination n new year(+hatsuhinode since its nearest to sea), or go up north straight to ShinAomori?
Im not into new year party, but interested with Hatsumode and Hatsuhinode culture.
Im trying to cram up everything you guys has suggested, but i need to plan my base stops to fully utilize Eastpass and 18kippu.

Sendai stop: plan to cover Sendai city, AizuWakamatsu, Ouchijuku, Yamagata city.
Im not sure yet for Hiraizumi base stop as it seems a little too far for a roundtrip from Sendai.
As for Aomori, im interested to check out the Tsugaru stove train. Is it worth it (i want to experience something unique, or at least take a photograph of it departing the station with chimney go choo-choo)? I have no other plan yet for Aomori. Maybe a stop in Akita.
Not sure yet how to fit NyutoOnsen and Morioka stop.
And if possible, i want to slot in SnowMonkey visit in Nagano too.
And i will put wintersport last, so in any case i got injured, it wont hamper my Tohoku trip.

Yes, it seems im kind of greedy lol

Thanks

( �L �� ` )�
so i have drafted an itinerary.

30 Dec
- JREastPass start
- depart Tokyo, sidevisit AizuWakamatsu, base Sendai. rest

31 Dec
- daytrip around Sendai. Night illumination. New Y Sendai

1 Jan
- not sure if i stay up overnight from new yr to morning and go to the sea to see sunrise.
- start 18kippu. daytrip Yamadera and maybe Yamagata city.

2 Jan
- an extra buffer day in Sendai. daytip

3 Jan
- Eastpass usage(2)
- Depart Sendai, sidestop Hiraizumi and Kitakami Michinoku Folklore Village.
- to Aomori base.

4 Jan
- 18Kippu usage(2)
- Aomori day trip. Tsugaru railway(?).

5 Jan
- Eastpass usage (3)
- depart Aomori. Daytrip Hirosaki
- night in Akita

6 Jan
- 18 kippu usage (3)
- Akita day trip. Oga etc

7 Jan
- Akita buffer day

8 Jan
- Eastpass usage (4)
- depart Akita, to Yudanaka,Nagano using ltd express. walk around Suzaka town

9 Jan
- Snow Monkey and onsen.Walk around small town

10 Jan
- Eastpass usage (5)
- off to Niigata.
- town day trip

11 Jan
- Wintersports in Niigata

12 Jan
- return to tokyo. (or nightbus on 11th)
*no more pass so use own money to take bus

a plan to have buffer days just in case bad weather, or discover interesting stuff so i can be flexi to shift forward/backward by plan.

I may need help on recommendation of ski slope/resort that is expected not crowded, easy access by public transport and are ok for beginners (im total noob si i dont want to hit ppl or got hit for being in the way :p ). I would consider somewhere between Akita to Nagano.
*There is a good offer for eastPass+GalaYuzawa but i bet it will be crowded so i plan to skip that.

Thanks