🚄 Off-the-Beaten-Path Route from Tokyo to Gunma to Aomori to Akita 🚄

Northeast Japan is relatively less traveled compared to popular destinations like Kanto and Kansai, but honestly, the scenery is truly remarkable. Due to fewer tourists, it offers an exceptional travel experience! ⚠️ Attention: Given the vast span of the journey, it is highly recommended to purchase the JR Tohoku Pass, which covers 5 days and offers great value for two passes! 🌸 Highlights of the Itinerary: 🔷 I have posted notes on the attractions of each city in the overall itinerary; interested friends can check them out. 🔷 I particularly enjoyed the secret hot springs that are members of the Secret Onsen Protection Society; each one indeed has its unique characteristics. 🔷 The main stops include: Karuizawa: Filming location for "Quartet", the most European-like place in Japan. Kamata Onsen: Located in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, also visit Fukitare-no-taki. Ikaho Onsen: The stone-paved streets and the open-air bath at the mountaintop are indeed distinctive. Kamanaka Onsen: The bathhouse of Yubaba from "Spirited Away", and you can also visit the Fox Village for an intimate encounter with foxes. Shiroishi: Shiroishi Riverbank in spring, with a thousand cherry blossoms in one view, it's stunning. Sendai: The greenest city I've seen in Japan. Aomori: Across the sea from Hakodate, Hokkaido, with similarities, known for apples and Nebuta festivals. Hirosaki: An old castle town, former domain of the Tsugaru clan, with many ancient buildings, and you can see a volcano within the city. Odate: Hometown of the loyal dog Hachiko. Noshiro: The prototype of Shonan High School in "Slam Dunk". Kakunodate: A place dominated by samurai during the Edo period, known as Little Kyoto. Tazawako: The lake is so blue, it's unreal. 🏃 My Route Reference: ♨️ D1: Narita Airport - Tokyo - Karuizawa - Omiya - Takasaki - Numata - Kamata Onsen ♨️ D2: Kamata Onsen - Yorikoyama Park - Kannon-sama's Water - Takekoma Shrine - Osezawa River Cherry Blossoms - Fukitare-no-taki - Kamata Onsen ♨️ D3: Kamata Onsen - Numata (transfer) - Shibukawa (transfer) - Ikaho Onsen - Takasaki - Omiya - Shiroishi Zao - Kamanaka Onsen ♨️ D4: Kamanaka Onsen - Zao Fox Village - Shiroishi - Funaoka 'Shiroishi Riverbank Cherry Blossoms' - Shiroishi - Kamanaka Onsen #OffTheBeatenPath #TravelMemories