One-week itinerary in Tohoku on Autumn

Hi! I'm going for a solo trip to Tohoku in October. I'm planning to see the autumn foliage in Tohoku. Here's my itinerary plan:

Day 1 (25 Oct) - Trip to Tokyo
Day 2 (26 Oct) - Arrived at morning in Tokyo-Haneda, take shinkansen to Sendai
Day 3 (27 Oct) - Day trip to Matsushima (maybe continue to Ishinomaki to see its condition after tsunami)
Day 4 (28 Oct) - Day trip to Naruko Gorge or Yamadera (please give me suggestion which one's better)
Day 5 (29 Oct) - Train to Kakunodate, stay in Kakunodate or Akita
Day 6 (30 Oct) - Train to Aomori, travel around Aomori
Day 7 (31 Oct) - Day trip to Hirosaki
Day 8 (1 Nov) - Train to Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima Pref. Trip around Aizu and Ouchijuku. Stay in Aizu.
Day 9 (2 Nov) - Train to Tokyo.
Day 10 (3 Nov) - Back to home from Tokyo-Haneda

Can you give your opinion or maybe suggestion where should I go? Thank you.

Hi there.

I've tried to put together what I consider a better amalgamation on what I would do based on your locations and time.

Day 1 (25 Oct) - Trip to Tokyo
Day 2 (26 Oct) - Arrived at morning in Tokyo-Haneda, train to Hirosaki (this is your big travel day). Trust me, it will be worth it!

https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1313
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1318
Day 3 (27 Oct) - Lake Towada. This is one of the nicest locations in Tohoku/Japan for natural fall colours.

https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1307
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1310

Day 4 (28 Oct) - Kakunodate - one of the better samurai locations in Japan

https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-3270

Day 5 (29 Oct) - Sendai
Day 6 (30 Oct) - Sendai

Use Sendai as a base to visit Yamadera, Matsushima and even Hiraizumi

https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1005
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-896
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-897
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1019
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1021

Day 7 (31 Oct) - Aizu
Day 8 (1 Nov) - Aizu

The first half might be traveling a bit too quickly. Ouchiyuku is nice but nothing spectacular.

https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1028
https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1030

Urabandai is also within the near vacinity

https://www.japan-guide.com/community/mfedley/report-1290

Day 9 (2 Nov) - Train to Tokyo.
Day 10 (3 Nov) - Back to home from Tokyo-Haneda

Hi mfedley, thanks for your suggestions!

I have a question about your suggestion to Lake Towada. Is it really worth to visit from Aomori for a day trip? Because I'm planning to stay in Aomori and I'm afraid that the commute time will take too long for that.

Then, which one is better, Yamadera or Naruko Gorge?

I would not stay at Aomori. There is little to do there and I would stay at Lake Towada - specifically since it's on the way back. My plan has one trip up north, then you continually head south....