Earlier this month JNTO invited Team GB diving sensation and Olympian Tom Daley on an adventure around Japan's beautiful Tohoku region to see, do and taste all that it has to offer! Tohoku bore the brunt of the devastating 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and has been at the centre of recovery and revitalisation efforts in the run up to Rugby World Cup 2019 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Tom waved goodbye to Sendai and boarded a northbound Shinkansen to Aomori, the capital of Honshu's northernmost prefecture of the same name. It wasn't long before Tom was whisked away for a rather special activity: joining in the festive fun at the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri! This and other nebuta festivals are famous for the enormous colourful floats (ねぶた, 'nebuta') often depicting historical or mythical figures. These floats, flanked by jubilant 'haneto' dancers, are carried about the streets to the instantly recognisable sound of taiko drums and flutes. Why not go one step further than watching the festivities by actually joining in? All you need is the appropriate costume and you're all set; you can find it in supermarkets and department stores across Aomori for only around ¥5000 (£35)! As for the dancing, it's easy! As Tom demonstrates, all you have to do is hop in time to the music! Be sure to rest your feet a little before the incredible fireworks display in the evening! If food is your number one priority then you're in luck here as there are a ton of food stalls serving a wide variety of delicious Japanese festival favourites, such as takoyaki, yakisoba, choco banana, 'kakigori' (shaved ice with flavoured syrup) and many, many more.
After working up an appetite, Tom made his way to the city's Furukawa Fish Market for a bowl of 'nokke-don', a rice bowl topped with the freshest and tastiest sashimi toppings of your choosing! Whether you want to try new toppings or gorge on your favourite, there's a super simple token system in place at the market: once you've spotted an ingredient you like at a marked stall, just pay with the stated number of tokens! Typically pricier ingredients such as 'uni' (sea urchin) will require an extra token or two, so if you're planning to go all out you might want to consider buying more tokens!
And relax! After a rather busy day, a quiet, cosy bed to lay the head is just what the doctor ordered. Situated in the forest close to the picturesque Oirase Stream is Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel. Its natural onsen hot spring baths are the perfect antidote after a long day out and about; alternatively, hop on the hotel shuttle bus or try one of the many organised outdoor activities such as stargazing or snow shoeing (winter only) for a sense of adventure in this remote paradise.
From Aomori, Tom boarded a Shinkansen south to Morioka, Iwate Prefecture for one final meal in Tohoku: wanko soba. Wanko soba is an Iwate specialty traditionally served in small bowls which are then refilled until you're full. In a move that would put his reputation as a foodie fundementalist on the line, Tom opted for a timed challenge—three minutes, to be exact—in which he would attempt to eat as many bowls as possible. Well, Tom fared an impressive 75 bowls! Think you can do better? We'd love to see you try!
Tom flew to Japan with Japan Airlines (JAL) and explored the Tohoku region with the help of InsideJapan Tours.
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