Tohoku escape: Fall colors & samurai mystique

Finding Sublime

The thrill of the new is undeniable, but what if the “new” is actually very, very old? Itching for another trip, we looked for an unfamiliar destination that would expand our experience of Japanese beauty – both its natural abundance at the peak of autumn, and its rich regional culture and history. For that, we decided that Tohoku was a place we wanted to get to know. We knew we wanted to see some gorgeous fall leaves, but we had no idea how much we’d also enjoy a glimpse at samurai society and its architecture and artifacts. The food, meanwhile, was as delicious as we’d hoped for.

Thanks to a 5-day rail pass for the Tohoku region, we enjoyed stops in Morioka, Iwate (where Ono Sensaisho sells traditional hand-dyed Nambu stencil dyed pieces), Kakunodate (a town in Akita famous for its fascinating historic preservation district of samurai residences), Ichinoseki in Iwate (home to another samurai house, a historic sake brewery called Sekinoichi, and two nearby, destination-worthy World Heritage temples, Chusonji and Motsuji), and Hanamaki Onsen. Yes, we covered a lot of ground.

Tune in for a chat about our first adventure to Tohoku, which surely won’t be our last.

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ABOUT THE PODCAST

Finding Sublime is a mindful journey of discovery in Japan. It’s about slowing down to savor moments of everyday joy and carving out the time for calm, whether basking in nature, appreciating cultural gems, tasting Japanese tradition, or connecting with creative souls.

Japan has so much magic to offer. No matter where you’re from, we hope to inspire you and help you tap into your own sense of awe.

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