Nature & Outdoor Activities Route: Tohoku, Kanto & Okinawa

A 14-day itinerary from Tohoku through Tokyo to Okinawa, combining natural scenery, history, and regional culture. Explore green gorges, lakes, hot springs, and local cuisine in Tohoku; experience traditional culture and contemporary art in Tokyo; and enjoy Ryukyuan culture and marine activities in Okinawa. The route highlights the different ways summer is experienced across Japan.

 

Route

Tokyo → Miyagi → Iwate → Akita → Aomori → Tokyo → Okinawa

 

 

 

Days 1–2: Miyagi (2 nights)

Day 1

• Arrive at Haneda or Narita Airport and travel to Sendai by Shinkansen
• Zuihoden Mausoleum
• Jozenji Street
• Dinner featuring gyutan, grilled beef tongue

 

 

 

 

Day 2

• Matsushima Bay cruise
• Zuiganji Temple
• Try hand-grill sasa kamaboko fish cakes

 

 

 

Days 3–4: Iwate (2 nights)

Day 3

• Hiraizumi and Chusonji Temple
• Motsuji Temple
• Wanko soba noodle experience

 

 

 

Day 4

• Geibikei Gorge boat ride
• Genbikei Gorge
• Enjoy regional Maezawa beef

 

 

 

 

Days 5–6: Akita (2 nights)

Day 5

• Kakunodate Samurai District
• Visit a kabazaiku cherry-bark craft workshop
• Taste Kiritanpo hot pot

 

 

 

 

Day 6

• Lake Tazawa
• Hike through Dakigaeri Gorge
• Stay at Nyuto Onsenkyo

 

 

 

Day 7: Aomori (1 night)

Day 7

• Walk along Oirase Gorge
• Lake Towada 
• Try regional specialties such as Senbei-jiru, a local hot pot dish

Additional recommendations available in the seasonal itineraries

 

 

 

Days 8–9: Aomori and Tokyo (2 nights)

Day 8

• Furukawa Fish Market
• Nebuta Museum
• Fly from Aomori Airport to Haneda Airport
• Hama-rikyu Gardens
• Enjoy a Sumida River cruise on a traditional yakatabune boat while savoring a tempura dinner

Additional recommendations available in the seasonal itineraries

 

 

 

Day 9

• Meiji-jingu Shrine
• Experience Edo kiriko glass-cutting 
• teamLab Planets TOKYO DMM
• Visit several ramen shops

 

 

 

Days 10–14: Okinawa (4 nights)

Day 10

• Fly from Haneda Airport to Naha Airport
• Explore Kokusai-dori Street
• Traditional Ryukyuan cooking experience

 

 

 

Day 11

• Shurijo Castle Park
• Tsuboya Yachimun Street, known for traditional Okinawan pottery
• Ryukyu glassmaking experience

 

 

 

Day 12

• Yambaru National Park
• Mangrove kayaking
• Live performance of traditional Okinawan folk music 

 

 

 

Day 13

• Snorkeling in the Blue Cave
• Cape Maeda
• Sunset Beach

 

 

 

Day 14

• Departure from Naha Airport

 

Transportation Tips

• A combination of the Tohoku Shinkansen and domestic flights provides an efficient way to travel from Tokyo through Tohoku and onward to Okinawa.
• The Shinkansen is convenient for travel within Tohoku, while rental cars are useful for reaching