Each time certainly one of my non-public journey planning shoppers asks me about visiting northern Japan, I briefly summarize how they will select (or moderately, how I might select) between Hokkaido or Tohoku.
“Tohoku,” I’ll clarify crudely, “is just like the surroundings of Hokkaido, with the tradition, historical past and structure of areas additional south in Honshu. Japan’s final candy spot, in some ways.”
Nevertheless, I’ll proceed, this doesn’t essentially imply that Tohoku is the “greater” choice. You should think about so many different components: The time of yr you propose to go to; the actions you wish to interact in; how lengthy it’s important to play with; and even whether or not you’re open to renting a automotive or not. Oh, and also you additionally must learn this text!
I Think about Tohoku and Hokkaido “Cousins”
I evaluate Hokkaido vs Tohoku rather a lot in my very own thoughts, and never simply in onboarding calls with shopper. That is typically for a similar cause: The 2 areas are proper subsequent to 1 one other; in methods each superficial and deep, they’ve rather a lot in widespread. There’s additionally another excuse private to me—specifically, that it was my first winter journey to Tohoku (in 2019) that largely counteracted my first winter journey to Hokkaido (which had taken place in 2015) and made me wish to take one other stab at it.
Ever since then, and in all seasons, I’ve discovered that I typically re-visit Tohoku shortly after visiting Hokkaido, or vice-versa. Whereas I typically favor the previous for some issues and the latter for others, I believe they’re each spectacular elements of Japan to go to—particularly for those who’ve spent a while within the nation and are good at noticing and appreciating subtleties. This appears like a cop-out, however I believe you must see each in some unspecified time in the future, for those who can.
Hokkaido
Methods to Examine Hokkaido with Tohoku
Getting there and round
Tohoku is residence to a number of stations with direct Shinkansen connections to Tokyo, together with Sendai, Morioka, Yamagata, Akita and Shin-Aomori Stations. Accessing Hokkaido, in contrast, requires taking a lot slower Restricted Categorical trains from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, the northernmost bullet prepare station in Japan. When you’re there, most Tohoku locations might be accessed through native trains; in all however a number of areas of Hokkaido (between and simply across the Sapporo-Asashikawa hall), a rental automotive is indispensable.
Panorama and climate
Each Hokkaido and Tohoku function cooler climates than Tokyo, with loads of snow within the winter, earlier autumn colours (and later cherry blossoms) and summers which can be at the least considerably milder. Panorama-wise, each areas are some mixture of mountains, volcanic lakes and dramatic (however largely non-swimmable coastlines); for me, probably the most spectacular pure options of every embrace Lake Towada, Matsushima Bay and Jodogahama Seaside in Tohoku, and the lavender fields of Furano and Rishiri and Rebun islands in (or, within the case of the islands, simply north of) Hokkaido.
Tradition (or lack thereof)
It’s not correct to say Hokkaido has no tradition—whether or not you eat your approach by way of Hakodate Morning Market, or go to the Upapoy Nationwide Ainu Museum in Shiaroi, you’ll be able to positively expertise cultural wonders in Hokkaido. The factor is, they’re simply a lot extra widespread in Tohoku, whether or not that’s in historic cities like Hiraizumi in Iwate prefecture, or Akita’s Samurai village of Kakunodate; or the Geisha district of Yamagata’s underrated Sakata port or Hachinohe, which along with all its pure magnificence is residence to certainly one of Japan’s oldest sake-making traditions.
Seasonal spectacles
Evaluating Tohoku or Hokkaido on this entrance yields a wealth of choices. As is the case with tradition, I’d say that Tohoku wins out over Hokkaido each on the subject of autumn colours and cherry blossoms—the aforementioned Lake Towada and superlative Hirosaki Fort are higher than any corresponding vacation spot in Hokkaido. One other seasonal “spectacle” the place Tohoku excels? Summer time matsuri—there are over half a dozen. Even for those who solely go to the best-known ones in Aomori and Akita, you’ll go away amazed. Hokkaido’s foremost singular seasonal enchantment, not surprisingly, is snowboarding in Niseko.
Meals
I references some meals earlier—specifically, Hakodate Morning Market and its controversial “dancing squid” bowls. Past this, nevertheless, each these areas of northern Japan are culinary powerhouses. A number of the dishes might sound random, similar to chilly reimen noodles (which are literally Korean-inspired) in Morioka, or Hokkaido milk ice cream, which can simply be the richest and most flavorful in your complete world. In different circumstances, well-known meals are extra basic staples, with Hokkaido specifically a tremendous hub for seafood like kani (crab) and uni (sea urchin). Over the Tsugaru Strait in Aomori, in the meantime, is one other seafood paradise (the Aomori Gyosai Heart), in addition to a wealthy heritage of apple cultivation, centered across the city of Kuroishi.
Tohoku
How Lengthy Ought to You Spend in Northern Japan?
Northern Japan is likely one of the most spread-out elements of the nation which, particularly in Hokkaido (the place not a single mile of Shinkansen monitor has been laid previous Hakodate), implies that it takes for much longer to get locations. Whereas a number of days might be sufficient to discover even massive cities and areas elsewhere in Japan, you actually need a minimal of 5-7 days to cowl even a modest quantity of floor in Tohoku or Hokkaido.
Echoing one thing I mentioned earlier, if you wish to evaluate Tohoku vs Hokkaido on this entrance, you must ask your self whether or not or not you might be comfy renting a automotive. This can be particularly useful in Hokkaido, and will let you see extra locations (and, importantly, to cowl floor extra effectively) irrespective of how lengthy you find yourself having. That is particularly the case for those who plan to discover locations between and round Sapporo and Asahikawa.
Different FAQ About Tohoku and Hokkaido
Which is best to go to, Hokkaido or Tohoku?
I typically advocate visiting Hokkaido if time in nature (and particularly snowboarding) is your precedence, whereas Tohoku tends to mix tradition and structure higher with its surroundings, which is admittedly additionally very spectacular. When you can, after all, I counsel visiting each of those superb elements of northern Japan.
Ought to I go to Aomori or Hakodate?
I personally discover Hakodate to be a way more compelling metropolis than Hakodate, although the image sophisticated for those who embrace locations accessible by day journey. It is because Aomori is residence to superb spots like volcanic Lake Towada, the historic metropolis of Hirosaki, the wild Shimokita Peninsula and underrated Hachinohe, to call only a few close by locations.
How can I get from Tohoku to Hokkaido?
Technically, you’ll be able to trip a Shinkansen Hayabusa prepare from Tohoku (main stations like Morioka and Shin-Aomori Stations) to Shin-Hokadate-Hokuto Station on Hokkaido island. For anyplace north of Hakodate, nevertheless, you’ll must switch to a a lot slower Restricted Categorical prepare.
The Backside Line
When deciding between Hokkaido or Tohoku, there isn’t any “incorrect” reply. Hokkaido is Japan’s nice (and, at the least in winter, white) north, with a few of Japan’s (and the world’s) finest snowboarding, and a bevy of actions and sights even for individuals with little interest in hitting the slopes. Tohoku, in the meantime, has extra typical Japanese tradition and structure, whether or not you’re working scared from the Namahage on Akita’s Oga Peninsula, or exploring uncrowded temples and shrines in Hiraizumi south of Morioka. Want personalised assist planning out the small print of your northern Japan journey? Fee a customized Japan itinerary at present!