Far, far away from the bright neon lights of Japan’s big cities, discover a simple and pure Japanese way of life in Akita, deep in Japan’s northern reaches...

Ask any Japanese person, and they’ll tell you that Aomori, on the northernmost tip of Japan’s main island of Honshu, is most famous as Japan’s ‘apple prefecture’, but there is so much more than apples to Aomori…

The Tohoku region definitely takes the crown in the ranking of the most underrated areas of Japan. What many people don’t know is that’s where you will find some of the most incredible cherry blossom spots! Lower prices, less crowds and magnificent nature at your fingertips are one of the best things about Tohoku. We have ventured to every corner of Tohoku to find the best cherry blossoms and we have found something for everyone: samurai castles, magnificent mountains, cherry blossom tunnels...

Mett Jess Hallams who like many before her, came to Japan 'for just one year' and never really left. During her JET Programme placement in Fukushima, she fell in love with the local people, and now continues to promote it from Miyagi prefecture where she works in tourism. Jess shared with us her tips on exploring and tasting Tohoku (trust us, there is plenty of delicious food there). Read on to find out more about her adventures and training to become a sake sommelier!

Join freelance travel journalist James Clark as he talks us through his top 10 tips and tricks to unearthing the magic of the Michinoku Coastal Trail in Japan's Tohoku region!