つなげよう、日本 JR East Japan Pass

Due to the major earthquake and resulting tsunami in the Tohoku region of Japan, tourism has dropped off considerably to the area. Many people are concerned about the coastline damage, as well as the nuclear plant in Fukushima.

Many of the areas remain unaffected, especially in northern Tohoku. To boost tourism, JR East has offered a 1 day pass for a very reasonable price:

10,000 JPY for 1 day
Unlimited trains including Shinkansen and Limited Express trains.
Use period: 2011.6.11 - 6.20, and 2011.7.9 - 7.18
Seat reservations: 2 times


Advice! Get to the station early if you can't get seat reservations. We left from Tokyo Terminal, and by the time we hit Omiya (station 3 on the Tohoku line) people had to stand in the doorway areas).

On our trip we went to Hiraiizumi in Iwate-ken, which used to rival Kyoto as a cultural capital.

Takkoku no Iwaya

Genbikei Gorge

Motsuji Temple and Garden

Peaceful Gardens

A wish for a DS at Chusonji
Konjikido at Chusonji Temple; a beautiful national treasure that you can't take pictures of (its inside!!)

Our route went something like this starting from Ichinoseiki Station (serves the Tohoku Shinkansen Hayate and Yamabiko trains)
1) Mazda rent-a-car from the station (you can take buses but a car is a better idea in this area)
2) Genbike Gorge
3) Takkoku no Iwaya (temple built into a cave and a very old big buddah)
4) Motsuji (amazing garden)
5) Chusonji and Konjikido (many small shrines and a giant golden hall, a national treasure)

If you have time, stop in Sendai on the way back and try Gyutan or Cow Tongue at one of the many shops outside the Shinkansen gates!

Please support Tohoku! I plan on volunteering later this summer, perhaps that will be the next post...