What is JR East Tohoku Pass?
JR East Tohoku Pass is one of the many train passes offered by JR East. JR is the railway company that covers most of the railways in Japan, and they offer several passes to travel conveniently. The JR East Tohoku pass costs 30.000 Yen (as of 2024) and gives you unlimited rides on all JR trains including Shinkansen in the Tohoku region for 5 consecutive days. A single return trip from Aomori can easily cost more than the pass itself. Therefore, the pass is a convenient choice! The easiest way to purchase the pass is to get it from Klook.
Who can use the JR East Tohoku Pass?
Any non-Japanese national can use the pass. This means that even foreigners living and working in Japan (residents) can still use the pass. In addition, you can easily purchase the pass on websites like Klook and exchange it later at selected stations. However, you will be requested to show your passport the first time you receive the pass at the station.
Best Itinerary to travel in Tohoku from Tokyo with JR East Tohoku Pass
I used the pass 2 times with two different itineraries and I have described both experiences on my blog and also on Youtube. For this reason, I will report below the best itineraries to travel to Tohoku with the JR East pass!
Itinerary 1
Day 1: Visit the charming village of Ginzan Onsen and stay in a ryokan in town or in nearby Tendo Onsen (and save a lot of money!). Ginzan Onsen is reachable by Yamagata shinkansen and bus from Oishida station.
Day 2: Take the Tohoku shinkansen to Hachinohe in Aomori to enjoy Japan’s biggest market, Kabushima Shrine and, awesome seafood in Miroku Yokocho!
Day 3: Visit Kuroishi in Aomori prefecture and spend a night at one of the most rustic and charming hot springs in Japan: Aoni Onsen. Here there is no electricity and no phone reception, perfect to relax and isolate yourself for a day! See my Aoni onsen blog to learn how to reach this wonderful destination.
Day 4: Take the Tohoku shinkansen to Aomori City and visit the Nebuta museum and the prehistoric museum. Alternatively, you can add 8.000 Yen and take the Shinkansen to Hakodate in Hokkaido. Here you can enjoy unique Hokkaido food, visit heritage buildings and, see one of the best night views in all of Japan!
Day 5: On the way back to Tokyo, stop at Sendai and walk around its many shotengai. After shopping you can dine at one of the many gourmet restaurants in the area. Lastly, make sure you get a Zunda shake before going back to the station!
Itinerary 2
Day 1: Take the shinkansen from tokyo to Fukushima and change to a local train to Aizu-Wakamatsu. Aizu is an old samurai city with a lot of history. Here you can spend an entire day visiting the castle, the buyashiki (residence of samurai), and the old district. Definitely worth visiting the nearby Ouchijuku, a preserved village famous for its heritage buildings and Japanese farm houses’ typical roofs.
Day 2: Visit Matsushima via Sendai (from here take the JR train to Matsushima Kaigan Station) and rent a private boat tour in the morning. In the afternoon move to the Unesco city of Hiraizumi where you will spend the rest of the day visiting heritage temples (including a golden one!). I strongly recommend renting a bicycle near the station to move within Hiraizumi.
Day 3: From Hiraizaumi take the shinkansen again to Morioka. Walk around Morioka town and try the famous 3 noodles of the city: Reimen, jajamen, and wanko soba. In the afternoon using the Akita shinkansen move to Kakunodate where you can visit samurai houses and revive the history of Japan. In conclusion, Kakunodate is also a great spot for Japanese red leaves in Autumn.
Day 4: Spend a relaxing day in one of the many rustic onsen in Akita prefecture. My recommended one is Nyuto Onsen Tsurunoyu, a hot spring with milky water secluded from anything on the top of a mountain. To get here stop at Tazawako on the Akita shinkansen, then take the bus to Nyuto Onsen.
Day 5: Take the OU line from Akita City to Aomori early in the morning to have lunch at the central market with a Nokkedon. This is a bowl of rice topped with sashimi of your choice from the various shops inside the market. Secondly, visit the Nebuta museum or the Prehistoric Archeological Museum in the afternoon. Finally, take the shinkansen and return to Tokyo to conclude your trip.
