Tohoku has plenty of interesting places, such as places where nature remains, historical buildings, delicious foods and so on. You can enjoy autumn leaves in autumn. Of course, I want you to go to famous sightseeing spots and enjoy it. However, I would like to recommend various events held in Tohoku this time. This time I would like to introduce some of the recommended events to be held in October.
Traditional Festival
Omagari Fireworks Festival -Chapter in Fall ”Fireworks Theater -Full Bloom in Akita-“
Omagari Fireworks Festival is held in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture. It began in 1910 and is the 91st year this year.
It is known as a national fireworks competition to decide the best fireworks craftsperson in Japan. It is also a goal for fireworks craftspersons all over Japan because winners are awarded
a number of prizes by prime minister, and other ministers.
The most remarkable fireworks are “Wide Starmine” which are launched continuously. It takes a year to make them.
The theme is “Fireworks Theater -Full Bloom in Akita-“ this year.
We can watch many shows such as a festival of Akita, some shows by young craftspersons and fireworks musical “Lion King” and so on.
In addition, special extra-big fireworks color the autumn night beautifully.
This is a traditional competition with fireworks craftsperson’s pride and passion. It must be worth a look. Why do not you watch with your own eyes?
Schedule
October 14th, 2017 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Open; 4:30pm
- Rain or shine, If river water rises to riverbed, it will be postponed the next day.
Access & Address
30 minutes on foot from Omagari Station on the Akita Shinkansen
About 50 minutes by car from Akita Airport
About 10 minutes by car from “Omagari IC” on Akita Expressway
The riverbed of Omagari Hanabi Ohashi
Omagari Kanaya-cho, Daisen-city, Akita Pre.
longitude: 39.451569 latitude: 140.472943
Entrance Fee & Reservation
Free
Pay sheet; 1,000 Yen per person (sale only on October 14th, Elementary school students or older)
Official Website
Event to experience the traditional culture and know the history
Kaminoyama Onsen, National Scarecrow Festival
Source：flickr
The Scarecrow Festival is a historical autumn festival that represents Kaminoyama since 1971.
During the festival, there are over 500 scarecrows lined up in the venue.
Scarecrow is a doll made with bamboo and straw, to stand in the field to prevent birds and animals that would damage crops.
This year, many original scarecrows which is traditional ones and imitating a popular characters and sports players are collected at Tsukioka Park. This event is loved by every generation.
During the festival, some shops sell the local specialities in Kaminoyama. You can taste popular food in Yamagata like ‘Tama-Konnyaku’ and ‘Imo-ni’ at a food court.
You can also join daily events such as ‘National Screaming Competition’, ‘National Flying Shoe Competition ‘, ‘Standing on One Foot Competition ‘ and so on.
Schedule
September 30th – October 9th, 2017 9:00am – 5:00pm
Access & Address
Around 15 minutes on foot from Kaminoyama-Onsen Station on JR Line
Tsukioka Park (the north of Kaminoyama Castle)
2012, Horinouchi, Uonuma-city, Nigata Pre.
longitude: 37.242024 latitude: 138.928708
Entrance Fee & Reservation
Free
Cooperation fee for scarecrows; 100Yen per person
Official Website
Nanko Park, Suirakuen, Full moon viewing
Source：flickr
“Jugoya Tsukimi-kai” (Full moon viewing) will be held at the Japanese garden “Suiraku-en” in Nanko Park.
It is said that Nanko Park is the oldest park in Japan. It is built by Matsudaira Sadanobu, the lord of this area in the Edo Period and was designated as a national historic site and scenic spot in 1924.
There is a prefectural nature park around Nanko Park. Nanko is selected one of the greatest reservoirs in Japan.
You can see cherry trees, pine trees and maple trees there, and enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green in summer and snowy landscape. In October, it is time to enjoy beautiful autumn leaves.
Full moon viewing is a Japanese traditional event to see moon and have a small party. You can see about 500 bamboo lanterns and enjoy listening to music and tasting maccha and sweets there. Let’s take a walk through the beautiful Japanese garden.
Schedule
September 30th – October 1st, 2017
Open; from 5:30pm
Access & Address
Take the JR bus bound for Tanagura at Shin-Shirakawa Station on Tohoku Shinkansen and get off at Nanko Park. (It takes about 10 minutes.)
About 20 minutes by car from “Shirakawa IC” on Tohoku Expressway
Nanko Park, Suirakuen
45-1, Gorokuboyama, Shirakawa-city, Fukushima Pre.
longitude: 37.112294 latitude: 140.21814
Entrance Fee & Reservation
Please contact
Official Website
Event to enjoy the nature
Abukuma River Boat Tour – “Imo-ni boat” and Autumn leaves-
Source：丸森町観光案内所
You can enjoy beautiful and magnificent valley on Abukuma river boat tour.
Abukuma river is the second longest river in Tohoku and used to be an important transportation route until the beginning of the Showa era. In the Edo period, people carried bags of rice on that river. During the Meiji Period, it is used to carry timbers, charcoal and stones. Abukuma river boat tour is held to tell history to future generations.
You can ride a ‘Imo-ni boat’ from September 1st to November 30th. ‘Imo-ni’ is a traditional popular food in Miyagi prefecture. On the boat, you can enjoy the contrast of the red leaves on the rock and blue flow of the river, beautiful and magnificent valley created by the river and seasonal scenery eating Imo-ni.
After having enjoyed the boat ride, you can also participate in ‘Imo-ni Party’ held at Fudoson Park Campsite. It is also rich in nature and fresh air.
Why do not you spend a rich moment to feel the Autumn on the way to the Tohoku journey?
Schedule
September 1st – November 30th, 2017 8:30am – 5:00pm
Access & Address
About 15 minutes on foot from Marumori Station on Abukuma express Line
Abukuma River boat tour, Fudoson Park Campsite
12 Aza-shimotaki, Marumori-town, Miyagi Pre.
longitude: 37.922131 latitude: 140.76013
Entrance Free & Reservation
Boat tour (with boarding fare, Imo-ni and rice ball)
Adult; 2,000 Yen
Child; 1,400 Yen
Imo-ni party
1,900 Yen per person
Official Website
http://marumori.jp/spot/funakudari/
Rose Festival – Color the Autumn-
Source：Akita fan.com
Akita Prefectural Museum of Agricultural Science is a museum which you can learn about the past, present and future of agriculture in Akita prefecture.
It has various facilities including a large lawn area, an apple orchard, a rose garden, a tropical greenhouse and traditional house ‘magari-ya’. Many interesting classes and exhibitions are held there throughout the year. You can enjoy making soba, making herb candles and seeing bonsai display and so on.
This time the museum will hold an event “Rose Festival.”
About 100 kinds of autumn roses will be at their best and their color and fragrance are so gorgeous.
You may spend the perfect time for a leisurely autumn day with roses.
Schedule
September 23rd – October 15th , 2017 9:30am – 4:30pm
Access & Address
About 15 minutes by car from “Omagari Station” on JR Ouu main line
About 3 minutes by car from “Omagari IC” on Akita Expressway
About 2 minutes by car from “Yamane IC ” on Omagari West Road”
Akita Prefectural Museum of Agricultural Science
171-4 Aza-Nakazawa ,Uchiotomo, Daisen-city, Akita Pre.
longitude: 39.436767 latitude: 140.438767
Entrance Fee & Reservation
Free
Official Website
http://www.obako.or.jp/sun-agrin/
Event with Kids
Original Ikasama Race
Source：青森県観光情報サイト
“Ikasama Race” is famous for a strange race.
It is a race to compete as to who can make the squid quickly goal by pushing it with a stick.
Its course is 20m per lap and they use squid caught in Aomori.
Everyone can join it if you buy squid for 500 yen.
You can participate as a squid owner and vote by predicting which squid will swim fast.
In addition, you can bring home your squid even if you win or lose.
If you want, you can eat your squid as sashimi there. People staying at Shimofuro Onsen can also eat it at your hotel.
At first, “Ikasama Race” was held in Ginza, Tokyo to attract tourists to Shimofuro Onsen.
Let’s participate in a fun event and eat fresh squid.
Schedule
Every Friday and Saturday during Mid-July – 14th October, 2017
Meeting Time 4:30pm
Start 5:00pm
*In case of stormy weather, the race will be canceled because we can’t get squid.
Access & Address
Take the Shimokita-Kotsu bus bound for Sai at Shimokita Station on JR Ominato Line, and get off at Shimofuro. (It takes about 1hour and half.)
About 3 minutes on foot to Shimofuro fishing port.
Katsu-Ika Bichiku Center
127 Ooaza Shimofuro, Kazamaura-village, Shimokita-gun, Aomori Pre.
longitude: 41.468167 latitude: 141.092161
Entrance Fee & Reservation
Owner of squid; 600 Yen
Sakiika with a voting ticket; 100 Yen
Reservation by phone by 4pm on the day of the race
Official Website
Contemporary Art Event
Sendai Classic Festival
Source：せんくら2018
The Sendai Classic Festival (called “Senkura”) is a festival of classical music to be held every autumn.
In October 2006, it started with the desire to enjoy classical music with more people and make it more familiar to many people.
Many of performers are active in Japan or in the world. Some performers are winners of “Sendai International Music Competition” or who live in Sendai or who are related to Sendai.
The concert is very familiar because it has a talking time between performances.
It tells you charm of classical music in various angles with programs for everyone, from child to adult, and classical music lovers.
It has 45-minute performance and 60-minute performance.
87 concerts will be held at 4 halls on the subway line.
Some performances will be held outside in the city.
The concert halls and subway stations are filled with music for three days.
You should go to several performances to listen to your favorite music, or visit the performances while shopping. Let’s soak in classical music in Sendai.
Schedule
September 29th – October 1st, 2017 Time varies depending on the venue
Access & Address
3 minutes on foot from Asahigaoka Station
3 minutes on foot from “Subway Asahigaoka Station” bus stop
Hitachi Systems Hall Sendai 1st &2nd floor, Concert hall
3-27-5 Asahigaoka, Aoba-ku, Sendai-city, Miyagi Pre.
longitude: 38.296271 latitude: 140.885433
Entrance Fee & Reservation
45 minutes performance; 1,000 Yen (tax included)1
60 minutes performance; 1,500 Yen (tax included)/ 2,000 Yen (tax included)
*Over 3 years old has to pay the fee.
*If you will buy the ticket on the day of the concert, you have to pay extra charge 200 yen for adults (over high school students).
Official Website
Sports Event
41st Matsushima Half Marathon Race
Source：松島ハーフマラソン大会2018
It is the half marathon race to be held in scenic Matsushima.
The events are half marathon, 10 km, 5 km, and you can feel free to join it because you can choose it according to running power.
In addition to running, you can enjoy “Oyster soup” using oysters of Matsushima’s special products, and get Matsushima Half Marathon Original T – shirt as a souvenir to all.
Speaking of Matsushima, although it is one of Japan’s three scenic spots, Matsushima has over 260 large and small islands, and its beautiful scenery is attractive. Moreover, the spectacular view of the islands of Matsushima which you look out from the spot called “Shidaikan” is must-see.
There are not only the landscape but also many spots that make you feel history such as Zuigan-ji designated as a national treasure, Oshima written on Hyakunin Isshu, and Godaido, the oldest Momoyama architecture in the Tohoku region, built by Date Masamune.
Entries for marathon participants have already been closed, but if you do sightseeing and cheer the runners, you may get well.
Schedule
October 8th , 2017
Opening Ceremony 8:30am-9:00am
Start Time From 9:35 each type of race
Access & Address
About 10 minutes on foot from Matsushima Station on JR Tohoku Main Line
About 5 minutes on foot from Takajo Station on JR Senseki Line
Ground for Citizen
1-2, Isozaki Aza Hama, Matsushima-machi, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi Pre.
longitude: 38.378756 latitude: 141.070774
Entrance Fee & Reservation
Free
Entry fee
Adult(Half); 5,000 Yen
Adult(10km/5km); 4,500 Yen
High school student; 2,500 Yen
Official Website
5th Yamagata Marugoto Marathon
Source：山形まるごとマラソン
“Yamagata Marugoto Marathon” that celebrated the 5th this year will be held. It has been elected 100 nationwide running competitions for 4 consecutive years.
The start and finish points are at Yamagata-shi Sports Center.
The course setting includes the popular tourist sopts in the city such as the Domachi area where Yamagata casting originated, the castle ruins park “Kajyo Park” in the center of Yamagata-city, Nanoka town, the British brick building “Bunsho-kan”, and the Mamigasaki River where cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring,
One of the recommended sightseeing spots in the course is Kajyo Park.
At the time of the battle of Sekigahara, Naoe Kanetsugu, who was an old Uesugi family’s president, could not see the castle because it was hazy. That was why it was called “Ka-jyo.”
Also, you should visit Bunsho-kan, which is the turning point of the marathon.
It is the former prefectural office that was enforced in 1916 and has been designated as a National Important Cultural Heritage.
It is a historical Western architecture boasted by Yamagata which now plays a role as a place of culture. The admission is free.
Another thing you should see is “Nabetaro”.
The big pot that is actually used in “Japan’s best Imoni Festival” held in September every year is decorated there. You can cook 30,000 meals in this pot. Please take a memorial photo.
The entry for the marathon has already been closed, but why do not you visit the tourist spots and cheer for the runners?
Schedule
October 1st, 2017
Start time;
Half marathon; 9:05am (limited time; 2 hours 40 minutes)
5km; 8:25am (limited time; 40 minutes)
3km; 8:20am (limited time; 30 minutes)
Access & Address
About 5 minutes on foot from Uzenchitose Station on JR Sengoku Line
Tamagata-shi Sports Center
1, Ochiaimachi, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata Pre.
longitude: 38.282194 latitude: 140.347753
Entrance Fee & Reservation
Free
Entry already closed
Official Website
GASSAN RYUJIN MARATHON
Source：庄内町観光協会
“Gassan Ryujin Marathon” that gets familiar with nature and history will be held.
The marathon course makes a round trip along the Tachiyazawa river while seeing sacred mountain Mt. Gassan. In fact, the Tachiyazawa river was also chosen as one of the 100 most excellent natural water sources in Japan
Also, the Tanigawa river is one of the best clear rivers in Japan, with 113 sourses of water in Mt. Gassan gathering.
It is said that “Historical village, Kiyokawa”, which was the station of Mogamigawa-Shon, was piled up as the main entrance for praying the Dewasanzan mountrains.
The marathon events are half marathon, 10 km, 5 km, 3 km, 1.2 km with parent-child pair. It is also the charm of the Gassan Ryujin Marathon that we can join with our family.
At Gassan Ryujin Marathon, which cherishes the contact with the local residents, while enjoying the taste of autumn in Shonai, the most delicious rice village in Japan, at the start and finish points, “Gourmet Village “, you can also enjoy the taste of villages such as rice balls and Imoni (potato soup).
Unfortunately, although participants’ entries have ended, why not enjoy watching the marathon race while enjoying Yamagata’s nature and visiting sightseeing spots?
Schedule
October 8th, 2017
Start time; 8:45am Event to enjoy; 11:00am – 12:00pm
- It will be on even if it rains.
Access & Address
About 3 minutes by car from Kiyokawa Station on JR Rikusaisen Line
Kiyokawa Ground
1-1, Hanazaki, Kiyokawa, Shonai-machi, Yamagata Pre.
longitude: 35.660084 latitude: 139.733998
Entrance Fee & Reservation
Free watching
Entry
Adult; 4,000 Yen
High school student; 1,500 Yen
Under Junior high school student; 1,000 Yen
Parent-child pair; 2,500 Yen
*The application will be closed as soon as the number of participants reaches the limit.