Explore The Best Of Japan’s Tohoku Region On A Family Vacation That Combines Stunning Natural Wonders, Cultural Festivals, And Thrilling Wildlife Encounters With The Jr East Pass

Published on September 22, 2025

Japan‘s Tohoku region is simply a awesome spot for families, afloat of lively taste experiences, thrilling outdoor activities, and absorbing attractions that parents successful summation to kids tin appreciate. The area boasts earthy wonders, rich | history, and nan opportunity to meet section traditions and fauna. With nan JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), you tin easy observe Tohoku’s champion sights pinch Shinkansen and constricted definitive trains. This handbook spotlights family-friendly sites arsenic good arsenic a recommended 5-day, 4-night recreation plan, making it nan complete family vacation successful Japan’s Tohoku.

Family-Friendly Attractions successful Tohoku

1. Nebuta House Wa Rasse (Aomori Prefecture)

Aomori’s iconic Nebuta Festival comes live year-round astatine Nebuta House Wa Rasse. This interactive depository showcases life-sized Nebuta floats, allowing visitors to acquisition nan move tone of nan festival. Kids will emotion participating successful workshops wherever they tin create their ain miniature Nebuta floats, taking location a handmade souvenir.

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (September to April)
• Access: 3 hours via Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Aomori Station. The depository is simply a 1-minute locomotion from Aomori Station.

2. Aquamarine Fukushima (Fukushima Prefecture)

Fukushima’s Aquamarine Fukushima aquarium is simply a awesome spot for families to research nan ocean’s bounty. The monolithic “Shiome Sea” vessel features schools of food for illustration Pacific saury and sardines, offering an awe-inspiring spectacle. The aquarium besides boasts 1 of nan world’s largest touch pools, wherever kids tin interact pinch marine creatures for illustration starfish and oversea cucumbers, making it a nosy and acquisition experience.

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (late March to precocious November)
• Access: 2.5 hours from Tokyo Station to Izumi Station, past a section autobus to Aquamarine Fukushima.

3. Kosaka Railway Rail Park (Akita Prefecture)

For train enthusiasts, nan Kosaka Railway Rail Park successful Akita offers a unsocial experience. This erstwhile railway statement has been transformed into an interactive taxable park. Visitors tin thrust existent trains, pedal obstruction bikes, and acquisition a train driver simulator. It’s a must-visit for children who emotion trains and want to study much astir Japan’s obstruction system.

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed connected Wednesdays, aliases nan pursuing Thursday if Wednesday is simply a nationalist holiday)
• Access: 2 hours via Tohoku Shinkansen to Morioka Station, followed by a autobus to nan park.

4. Iwate Safari Park (Iwate Prefecture)

The Iwate Safari Park offers a thrilling safari acquisition wherever children tin observe animals for illustration lions, giraffes, and elephants successful a earthy environment. The safari autobus circuit gives an up-close position of these majestic creatures, making it an unforgettable family outing.

• Opening Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
• Access: 2 hours via Tohoku Shinkansen to Ichinoseki Station, past a taxi to nan park.

5. Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium (Miyagi Prefecture)

Located successful Miyagi, nan Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium features exhibits celebrating nan narration betwixt group and nan sea. Highlights see a elephantine vessel replicating nan waters of Tohoku, arsenic good arsenic dolphin and oversea lion performances. It’s a awesome spot for families to link pinch quality and bask marine life.

• Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
• Access: 1.5 hours via Tohoku Shinkansen to Sendai Station, followed by a 15-minute locomotion to nan aquarium.

The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area): A Convenient Way to Explore

The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) is an perfect recreation companion for exploring nan region. It allows unlimited rides connected nan Shinkansen and constricted definitive trains wrong eastbound Japan, including Tohoku, providing families pinch a comfortable and economical measurement to travel. The walk is disposable successful some 5-day and 10-day options, making it cleanable for elastic itineraries. Families tin bask nan convenience of reserved seating and nan expertise to easy research nan area without worrying astir transportation.

Sample 5-Day, 4-Night Family Itinerary pinch nan JR EAST PASS

Day 1: Tokyo → Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture

• Morning: Travel from Tokyo Station to Sendai Station via Tohoku Shinkansen.
• Afternoon: Visit nan Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium for dolphin shows and research nan aquarium’s monolithic tanks.
• Evening: Enjoy a accepted gyūtan (grilled beef tongue) meal and return a sightseeing circuit of Sendai connected nan Loople Sendai bus.
• Overnight: Stay successful Sendai.

Day 2: Sendai → Iwate Prefecture

• Morning: Travel from Sendai to Ichinoseki Station, past caput to Iwate Safari Park for an breathtaking safari adventure.
• Afternoon: Visit Morioka for its celebrated section acold noodles, Morioka Reimen.
• Evening: Overnight enactment successful Morioka.

Day 3: Morioka → Aomori Prefecture

• Morning: Travel to Aomori and research Nebuta House Wa Rasse, immersing yourself successful nan vibrancy of nan Nebuta Festival.
• Afternoon: Enjoy apple-themed delicacies and research Aomori city.
• Evening: Stay overnight successful Aomori.

Day 4: Aomori → Akita Prefecture

• Morning: Travel to Kosaka Railway Rail Park for a fun-filled time of interactive train experiences.
• Afternoon: Head to Akita city, bask sightseeing, and sensation section specialties for illustration kiritanpo (grilled atom skewers).
• Evening: Stay overnight successful Akita.

Day 5: Akita → Fukushima → Tokyo

• Morning: Travel from Akita to Fukushima, wherever you’ll sojourn Aquamarine Fukushima and interact pinch marine life.
• Afternoon: Return to Tokyo via Izumi Station connected nan JR Jōban Line.
• Evening: Arrive backmost successful Tokyo.

Tohoku is simply a concealed paradise for families pinch a operation of outdoor activities, acquisition excursions, and taste experiences. JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) is nan astir convenient intends to research this immense territory comfortably and economically. With your desire for wildlife, marine, aliases hands-on taste experiences, Tohoku guarantees unforgettable memories for families pinch children of each ages. This year, shape a family picnic successful Japan’s Tohoku area and make memories to past a lifetime!