Photo: JR East
travel

How to explore Northern Japan’s famous autumn colors for just ¥20,000

10 Comments

With international travel still a challenge, this autumn many are looking for ways to get out of major cities and head into nature to explore Japan’s famous fall foliage. The vibrant oranges, yellows and reds that cover the trees in the Tohoku area provide the perfect antidote to the daily grind.

For any international resident of Japan looking for a fall getaway on a dime, JR EAST has made it easy to head up north by offering a special pass focusing on Tohoku. The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) provides non-Japanese passport holders living in Japan the opportunity to travel anywhere on JR EAST lines including Shinkansen covered by the pass for 5 consecutive days for only ¥20,000! 

Tohoku is vast, spanning six prefectures, with something for every type of traveller: from famous temples to remote hikes in one of the region’s many national parks, relaxing onsen resorts, hearty cuisine and more.

Nature lovers can revel in the striking autumn colors at gorges such as Genbikei and Naruko, in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. History buffs will love taking a stroll back in time down the maple-lined streets of the samurai village of Kakunodate in Akita Prefecture, or experience one of Japan’s most famous temples, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Chusonji in Iwate Prefecture. Thanks to the pass, you can hop on and off trains to stop for soaks along the way at spots like Zao Onsen, a resort village with some of the country’s most sulphurous hot springs (and fantastic foliage viewing), in Yamagata Prefecture.

Looking out the window of the train between such destinations, from Tokyo all the way to the tip of Aomori, one is engulfed in the colors of the changing leaves along the way. 

For more details on the areas covered by the pass and purchasing options, please visit: JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area).

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10 Comments
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Or simply stay home and check out the sights from the many web cams around the country.

Leave no carbon footprint, save money, and see a lot more than you could in person. And no worry about Covid,,!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

...and watching someone else eat delicious freshly caught seafood on a Youtube video will be just as satisfying (and lower calorie) than eating it yourself!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Enjoy it ALL this season before the international crowds return next year!

Once there, take advantage of any free hotel or community provided bikes: walk them up and coast down. Watch out for others and especially, the near-sighted elderly.
0 ( +1 / -1 )

Travelled recently in Tohoku using one of these passes and it was an amazing experience. The passes represent excellent value for money, and Tohoku's beautiful scenery, fabulous onsen, delicious food and traditional crafts made for a relaxing and interesting holiday. Highly recommend Akita - Nyuto onsen, Kakunodate, Oga (home of the Namahage), the Matsushitagekijo in Akita city where you can meet Akita maiko and the Shirakami Buna tourist train.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Travelled recently in Tohoku using one of these passes and it was an amazing experience. The passes represent excellent value for money, and Tohoku's beautiful scenery, fabulous onsen, delicious food and traditional crafts made for a relaxing and interesting holiday. Highly recommend Akita - Nyuto onsen, Kakunodate, Oga (home of the Namahage), the Matsushitagekijo in Akita city where you can meet Akita maiko and the Shirakami Buna tourist train.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Travelled recently in Tohoku using one of these passes and it was an amazing experience. The passes represent excellent value for money, and Tohoku's beautiful scenery, fabulous onsen, delicious food and traditional crafts made for a relaxing and interesting holiday. Highly recommend Akita - Nyuto onsen, Kakunodate, Oga (home of the Namahage), the Matsushitagekijo in Akita city where you can meet Akita maiko and the Shirakami Buna tourist train.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Travelled recently in Tohoku using one of these passes and it was an amazing experience. The passes represent excellent value for money, and Tohoku's beautiful scenery, fabulous onsen, delicious food and traditional crafts made for a relaxing and interesting holiday. Highly recommend Akita - Nyuto onsen, Kakunodate, Oga (home of the Namahage), the Matsushitagekijo in Akita city where you can meet Akita maiko and the Shirakami Buna tourist train.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Travelled recently in Tohoku using one of these passes and it was an amazing experience. The passes represent excellent value for money, and Tohoku's beautiful scenery, fabulous onsen, delicious food and traditional crafts made for a relaxing and interesting holiday. Highly recommend Akita - Nyuto onsen, Kakunodate, Oga (home of the Namahage), the Matsushitagekijo in Akita city where you can meet Akita maiko and the Shirakami Buna tourist train.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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