What is Tohoku region?
– AOMORI(青森)
– IWATE(岩手)
– MIYAGI(宮城)
– AKITA(秋田)
– YAMAGATA(山形)
– FUKUSHIMA(福島)
The Tohoku region consists of the above six prefectures and is home to approximately 8.7 million people.
Rice cultivation is flourishing, and one-fourth of Japan’s rice harvest is produced here.
Because of its high latitude, temperatures are cooler than in other parts of the country.
If you want to enjoy the great outdoors and snow festivals, this is the area for you.
Let’s take a look at the characteristics of each province!
AOMORI
Aomori is famous for the Nebuta Fstival, one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region, which is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
Dancers parade around the huge lanterns(=Nebuta), shouting and shouting as they parade.
Incidentally, Aomori City, the prefectural capital, is actually the snowiest city in the world.
IWATE
One of the best places to eat in Iwate Prefecture is Morioka cold noodles.
In addition to kimchi, toppings include eggs, beef, muscle, watermelon, and other types of toppings, depending on the restaurant!
There is another very famous food in Iwate. It is “wanko soba”.Soba refers to Japanese noodles; wanko refers here to bowls.
The waiter continues to fill the customer’s bowl with buckwheat noodles one after another as the customer finishes his or her meal.
The waiter continues to fill the bowl one after another until the customer is full and closes the lid.
MIYAGI
Beef tongue is a specialty of Miyagi Prefecture. If you visit Miyage, be sure to order the beef tongue set meal!
The standard set includes beef tongue, barley rice, overnight pickles, and tail soup.
In terms of sightseeing, a cruise on Matsushima Bay is very beautiful.
AKITA
One of the traditional cultures, “Namahage,” is passed down from generation to generation in Oga Oga City, Akita Prefecture.
The Namahage event is now held in most villages on the ecening of New Year’s Eve, December 31. It is believed to be an event to exprcise evil spirits in the house and pray for good health and a bountiful harvest.
Incidentally, Akita is famous for a food called kiritanpo nabe.
YAMAGATA
Yamagata is famous for its cherries.
The cherry picking season in Yamagata is from around early June to early July.Yamagata’s environment, surrounded by mountains and often with a dry rainy season, is very suitable for cherries, which are sensitive to rain.
In winter, you can see “juhyo” (tree ice) on a mountain called Zao.
FUKUSHIMA
Wakamatsu Castle is a famous sightseeing spot in Fukushima. It is famous for its red-tiled castle tower, a rarity in Japan.
Where would you like to go?
