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Gono Line, Shirakami-Sanchi & Ginzan Onsen Autumn Escape
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Tohoku Autumn Escape — 7 DaysAutumn7 days / 6 nights

Gono Line, Shirakami-Sanchi & Ginzan Onsen Autumn Escape

Ride the Gono Line, walk Shirakami’s beech forests, and soak at Ginzan Onsen.

Sendai · Aomori · Akita · Yamagata· Autumn leaves · Onsen · Railway

Multi-Day Tours

Gono Line, Shirakami-Sanchi & Ginzan Onsen Autumn Escape

A seven-day Tohoku journey of World Heritage landscapes, the Gono Line coastal railway, autumn color in the Shirakami mountains, and the lantern-lit streets of Ginzan Onsen—paired with carefully chosen ryokan and Tohoku wagyu.

JR Gono Line coastal railwayShirakami-Sanchi Twelve Lakes (World Heritage)Ginzan Onsen autumn scenerySelected hot-spring ryokanTohoku wagyu dining
Route
Sendai → Aomori → Ajigasawa → Oga → Akinomiya → Ginzan Onsen → Sendai
Travel style
Autumn leaves · Onsen · Railway

Multi-Day Tours

Itinerary

7 days / 6 nights · Sendai · Aomori · Akita · Yamagata

  1. 1

    Day 1

    Arrive Sendai / Sendai Airport / Sendai city

    After arriving in Sendai, transfer to the city and check in. To save time, the next day rides the shinkansen straight to central Aomori; large luggage is sent ahead by driver that evening.

    Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East

    Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East

    Open since 2017, an ideal base for exploring Tohoku. Inspired by the "six senses of Tohoku," it weaves anticipation, local character, sincerity, and a touch of the extraordinary into every stay.

    Sendai beef specialties

    Sendai beef specialties

    Sendai beef is prized as one of Tohoku's finest. Delicate marbling spreads like snowflakes; each bite is silky, layered with sweetness and umami.

    Sendai shopping streets

    Sendai shopping streets

    Sendai is Tohoku's largest city. Along Chuo-dori and Aoba-dori, shops line the streets with more than 3,000 restaurants of every style.

    Meals

    B · Not included

    L · Local specialties

    D · Sendai beef / beef tongue / yakiniku / Japanese cuisine

    Stay

    Hotel Metropolitan Sendai East / The Westin Sendai / similar

    Tips

    • The next day rides the shinkansen straight to central Aomori. Pack overnight clothes and essentials into a light bag for the train.
  2. 2

    Day 2

    Shinkansen (Sendai Station → Shin-Aomori Station) / Mt. Hakkoda or Joukura Bridge / Aomori city or Asamushi Onsen

    Ride the shinkansen to central Aomori without large luggage; bags are sent ahead by coach the night before.

    Tohoku & Hokkaido Shinkansen

    Tohoku & Hokkaido Shinkansen

    Running at up to 320 km/h since 2011. The long streamlined nose reduces tunnel pressure waves and noise for a smoother ride.

    Mt. Hakkoda

    Mt. Hakkoda

    A chain of dormant volcanoes across central Aomori. Marshes left by past eruptions, old-growth forest, and alpine plants change with the seasons. A ropeway ride is specially arranged.

    Joukura Bridge

    Joukura Bridge

    In Towada-Hachimantai National Park, Aomori. Spanning 360 meters, it feels like a floating viewing platform. Autumn maples light up birch and beech.

    ReLabo Medical Spa & Stay

    ReLabo Medical Spa & Stay

    Newly opened in 2024. Drawing on sixty years of medical and wellness research, it blends onsen, meditation, and refined dining to restore body and mind.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · Chef's selection / local specialties

    D · Japanese kaiseki at the hotel / specialty cuisine

    Stay

    ReLabo Medical Spa & Stay / Aomori hotel / Nambu-ya Kaisenkaku / similar

    Tips

    • If fully booked or the ropeway is suspended for force majeure, the plan may shift to Asamushi Aquarium, a refund, or another attraction.
    • ReLabo rooms are about 31 m² (for 2 guests); larger or triple rooms can be upgraded for an extra fee.
  3. 3

    Day 3

    Hirosaki Castle / Tsurunomai Bridge · Lake Tsugaru Fujimi / Takayama Inari Shrine / Ajigasawa Onsen

    Tour classic Tsugaru autumn sights and overnight at Ajigasawa Onsen.

    Hirosaki Castle

    Hirosaki Castle

    Built in the 17th century, it grew into a castle town. The old city center still keeps its historic character, in harmony with the Tsuchi River flowing through town.

    Tsurunomai Bridge · Lake Tsugaru Fujimi

    Tsurunomai Bridge · Lake Tsugaru Fujimi

    One of Aomori's most popular sights. A cypress arched bridge frames Mt. Iwaki; light and shadow create a striking atmosphere.

    Takayama Inari Shrine · Senbon Torii viewpoint

    Takayama Inari Shrine · Senbon Torii viewpoint

    Said to date from the Kamakura to Muromachi periods. Rows of "thousand torii" climb the hill in layers; from the upper terrace the view is spectacular.

    GRAND MER Sankaiso

    GRAND MER Sankaiso

    At the foot of Shirakami-Sanchi World Natural Heritage. Soak in fossil seawater onsen from 300,000 years ago and rest well for the next day.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · Yakiniku / regional specialties

    D · Japanese kaiseki at the hotel / Aomori creative cuisine

    Stay

    GRAND MER Sankaiso / ReLabo Medical Spa & Stay / similar

    Tips

    • GRAND MER Sankaiso: room type varies by departure date; renovated and non-renovated rooms of the same type are assigned by the hotel.
    • For triple occupancy, a standard Japanese-style room is arranged — please request at booking.
  4. 4

    Day 4

    Gono Line / Shirakami-Sanchi Twelve Lakes forest walk / Oga Peninsula or Akita city

    Ride the JR Gono Line (planned: Ajigasawa Station → Juniko Station, about 1.5–2 hours) and walk the World Heritage Twelve Lakes of Shirakami-Sanchi.

    JR Gono Line

    JR Gono Line

    Links Higashi-Noshiro Station in Akita with Kawabe Station in Aomori over 147.2 km. Running between World Natural Heritage and the scenic Sea of Japan, it is a hugely popular coastal railway.

    Shirakami-Sanchi Twelve Lakes · Aoike (Blue Pond)

    Shirakami-Sanchi Twelve Lakes · Aoike (Blue Pond)

    A pond as if blue ink were dropped into water. Clear depths reveal swaying tree shadows with a mystical air.

    Shirakami-Sanchi Twelve Lakes · Keitojoike

    Shirakami-Sanchi Twelve Lakes · Keitojoike

    Shaped like a cockscomb. Mirror-calm water reflects beech forest — a quiet forest walk.

    Shirakami-Sanchi Twelve Lakes · primeval beech forest

    Shirakami-Sanchi Twelve Lakes · primeval beech forest

    One of the world's largest primeval beech forests and Japan's first World Natural Heritage site (1993).

    Shirakami-Sanchi Twelve Lakes · Wakitsubo Pond

    Shirakami-Sanchi Twelve Lakes · Wakitsubo Pond

    Extremely clear water; light ripples across the surface in a beautiful display.

    Yamabito · oga

    Yamabito · oga

    Grand opening on May 18, 2025. Only 16 ocean-view rooms, each with a private onsen. Guided by a return-to-essentials philosophy; the restaurant features fresh Oga seafood.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · Regional specialties

    D · Oga seafood specialties / Japanese kaiseki

    Stay

    Yamabito · oga / Yui no Yado · Bettei Tsubaki / similar

    Tips

    • JR Gono Line: specific trains cannot be reserved by departure date; boarding points may change with weather.
    • Yamabito · oga: children under 13 cannot stay; actual rooms may be Western or Japanese-Western style, assigned by the hotel.
  5. 5

    Day 5

    Akita geisha performance or Kakunodate Little Kyoto / Dakigaeri Gorge · Kami-no-Iwa Bridge / Akinomiya Onsen

    Experience Akita culture and Dakigaeri Gorge autumn color; overnight in Akinomiya Onsen.

    Akita geisha performance

    Akita geisha performance

    Carrying on the glamorous tradition of Akita's Kawabata flower district, Akita maiko and geisha continue to evolve within a deep classical base.

    Kakunodate Little Kyoto · samurai residences

    Kakunodate Little Kyoto · samurai residences

    In eastern Akita, Kakunodate is known as the "Little Kyoto of Oshu." Autumn maples dance against the black earthen walls of samurai houses.

    Aoyagi House · Kakunodate Historical Village · matcha tasting

    Aoyagi House · Kakunodate Historical Village · matcha tasting

    Famous for its elegant yakui-mon gate, one of Kakunodate's most representative samurai residences. A 3,000-tsubo garden is picturesque in every season.

    Dakigaeri Gorge

    Dakigaeri Gorge

    Clear streams and towering rock walls, known for fresh greens and autumn leaves. A riverside walk of about 1.0–1.5 hours.

    Kami-no-Iwa Bridge

    Kami-no-Iwa Bridge

    A vermilion bridge spanning the blue gorge for 80 meters, with views of a V-shaped primeval forest valley.

    Yukemuri no Yado · Inazumi Onsen

    Yukemuri no Yado · Inazumi Onsen

    At the foot of Mt. Kurikoma, Akita's oldest onsen village. Every room has a private natural hot-spring bath.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · Local specialties

    D · Japanese kaiseki at the hotel

    Stay

    Yukemuri no Yado · Inazumi Onsen / Yamabito · yamado / similar

    Tips

    • Akita geisha performance: if fully booked or temporarily closed, a hotel geisha show or another site will be substituted.
    • Yukemuri no Yado · Inazumi Onsen: children under 12 cannot stay; special meal needs (e.g., vegetarian) cannot be accommodated.
  6. 6

    Day 6

    Naruko Gorge / unagi cuisine / Ginzan Onsen / Kaminoyama Onsen or Akayu Onsen

    Visit Naruko Gorge and Ginzan Onsen; overnight at a Kaminoyama or Akayu onsen ryokan.

    Naruko Gorge

    Naruko Gorge

    A great canyon carved by the Otani River, about 4.5 km long. Cliffs rise roughly 100 meters; designated a Miyagi Prefecture scenic spot.

    Unagi cuisine

    Unagi cuisine

    Century-old cooking craft — a fragrant, authentic unagi rice bowl in every bite.

    Ginzan Onsen

    Ginzan Onsen

    Steam rises from the Ginzan River as wooden ryokan line the stream like a secluded otherworld — calm and timeless.

    Meigetsuso

    Meigetsuso

    Views of the Zao range and Aizuki Hill. Twenty uniquely designed Japanese-style rooms, some with open-air onsen.

    Yamagata-za · Takinami

    Yamagata-za · Takinami

    Akayu Onsen has flowed for over 900 years. Only 19 rooms, each with a free-flowing open-air source bath.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · Unagi cuisine / chef's creative cuisine

    D · Japanese kaiseki / chef's creative cuisine

    Stay

    Meigetsuso / Kaminoyama Onsen · Koyo / Yamagata-za · Takinami / similar

    Tips

    • The unagi specialty restaurant cannot provide vegetarian or non-eel meals.
    • Onsen room layouts, fittings, and styles differ room by room and are assigned by the hotel.
    • Yamagata-za · Takinami: please call ahead for children under 10; there is no elevator.
  7. 7

    Day 7

    Leisure at the hotel / Akiu Falls / Sendai Airport / departure

    Enjoy hotel facilities at leisure in the morning, visit Akiu Falls, then transfer to Sendai Airport according to your return schedule.

    Akiu Falls

    Akiu Falls

    About 6 meters wide and 55 meters high — powerful and grand. The roar of water impresses in every season.

    Meals

    B · At the hotel

    L · Chef's selection / yakiniku

    D · In-flight / at leisure

    Stay

    End of tour