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【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku

Sendai / Tsuruoka / Zao / Yonezawa / Kitakata / Aize-Wakamatsu / Ouchi-juku / Inawashiro - With Private Vehicle & English-Speaking Guide

Spiritual Culture: Walk the ancient pilgrim paths of Dewa Sanzan with a Yamabushi monk and feel the stillness of sacred cedar forests. Samurai Heritage: Discover the refined spirit of Yonezawa’s samurai and artisans where bushido meets beauty. Nature & Onsen Retreat: Unwind in Zao’s volcanic onsen landscapes, where clouds and steam blur the line between heaven and earth. Timeless Villages: Step into Edo-period life in Aizu and Ouchi-juku, where tradition breathes quietly through thatched roofs. • Gastronomy & Craft: Experience the essence of Tohoku through sake, Shojin cuisine, lacquerware, and hands-on encounters with local masters.

  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku

Seasonal Hightlights

  • Spring – Cherry blossoms bloom around Aizu and the Mogami River.Fresh greenery and mountain air bring a sense of purification at Mt. Haguro.
  • Summer – Lush forests, Yamabushi rituals, and quiet temple paths invite spiritual connection.　Cool mountain evenings and local summer festivals enrich the journey.
  • Autumn – Golden leaves at Zao and Haguro, harvest flavors, and warm sake by the fire.　The perfect season for photography and reflective travel.
  • Winter – Snow-covered forests, candle-lit temples, and the mystical “snow monsters” of Zao.　A private retreat for those seeking silence and renewal.

Travel Itinerary

DAY City／Area Highlight Details & Experiences Accomodation Style Photo
DAY1 Sendai →
Tsuruoka
(Mt. Haguro, Dewa Sanzan)		 Begin your journey into Japan’s spiritual north – walk beneath towering cedars and feel the stillness of centuries.
  • Private car from Sendai (approx. 3.5 hrs). Stroll the sacred cedar avenue to Mt. Haguro’s Five-story Pagoda.Learn about Shugendo faith. Evening Shojin dinner at a tranquil retreat.
  • Culinary note:
    Shojin vegetarian cuisine, Shonai sake tasting
  • Optional:
    Morning prayer or Yamabushi meditation walk
 Heritage-style auberge / temple retreat Sendai →<br> Tsuruoka<br> (Mt. Haguro, Dewa Sanzan)
DAY2 【July–September】
Tsuruoka (Haguro & Yudonosan)		 Pilgrimage to the hidden shrine of Yudonosan — purification in the sacred season.
  • Drive ~1 hr to Yudonosan Shrine. Barefoot worship and purification ritual at the spring sanctuary. Return to Mt. Haguro for formal prayer at Sanjin Gosaiden. Quiet reflection in the cedar forest.
  • Culinary note:
    Local Shojin lunch,
  • Optional:
    Meditation walk, special prayer ceremony, calligraphy experience
 Heritage-style auberge / temple retreat 【July–September】<br> Tsuruoka (Haguro & Yudonosan)
DAY2 【Oct–Jun】
Tsuruoka		 Tsuruoka (Haguro & Zenpoji – Year-round)
  • Morning formal visit and blessing at Haguro’s Sanjin Gosaiden. Transfer to Zenpoji Temple for zazen (meditation) or shakyo (sutra copying).
  • Optional culinary workshop in Shonai’s UNESCO Gastronomy City: shojin/fermentation & umami. Cultural guide throughout.
 Heritage-style auberge / temple retreat 【Oct–Jun】<br> Tsuruoka
DAY3 Tsuruoka → Zao Scenic mountain route through the Asahi range.Mountain retreat and gastronomy — a day of pure relaxation in Zao’s volcanic landscapes and healing hot springs.
  • Drive via Zao Echo Line (approx. 2 hrs). View the emerald crater “Okama”. Late afternoon onsen relaxation, forest stroll, and wine-pairing dinner.
  • (Note: Access to Okama Crater is seasonal, generally late April – early November.)
  • Culinary note:
    tender Yamagata Wagyu, local lamb “Jingisukan,” and fresh wild vegetables.
  • Pair with Zao wines or craft beer for a refined taste of the region.
  • Optional:Scenic ropeway or short nature walk
 Luxury onsen ryokan (modern design) Tsuruoka → Zao
DAY4 Zao →Yonezawa A scenic journey through the heart of Yamagata — passing fruit orchards and vineyards around Kaminoyama — before discovering the refined samurai culture and craftsmanship of Yonezawa.
  • Scenic drive to Yonezawa (approx.1.5 hrs). Visit Uesugi Shrine and Museum in the early afternoon to explore the legacy of the Uesugi clan and the artistry of samurai culture. Join a candle-painting or woodcraft workshop. Stroll castle-town streets steeped in bushido spirit.
  • Culinary note:
    Yonezawa Wagyu tasting
  • Optional:
    Private tea ceremony or samurai etiquette experiencea or woodcraft workshop(Otaka Poppo)
 outique ryokan or heritage-style inn. Zao →Yonezawa
DAY5 Yonezawa →
Kitakata →
Aizu Wakamatsu		 A journey through the timeless warehouse town of Kitakata and onward to the samurai capital of Aizu-Wakamatsu — blending craftsmanship, culture, and castle-town heritage.
  • Driving south through quiet countryside(1h),stop in Kitakata, famed for its elegant kura (storehouses) and traditional architecture. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the historical district, explore a lacquerware or miso brewery workshop.
  • Continue to Aizu-Wakamatsu in the afternoon. Visit Tsuruga Castle and Aizu Bukeyashiki (Samurai Residence), tracing the story of the samurai who shaped Aizu’s spirit of loyalty and resilience.
  • Culinary Note:
    Kitakata ramen and Aizu-style kaiseki featuring miso and sake traditions.
  • Optional:
    Private tea ceremony, samurai attire experience, lacquerware or sake workshop, or Zen meditation in a temple.
 Boutique machiya-style inn / cultural ryokan Yonezawa →<br> Kitakata →<br> Aizu Wakamatsu
DAY6 Aizu →
Ouchi-juku →
Inawashiro →
Tokyo / Koriyama		 Walk through timeless Edo-era scenery – thatched-roof houses and nostalgic paths of Ouchi-juku.
  • Drive to Ouchi-juku (approx. 1.5 hrs). Stroll preserved streets and try soba-making or lacquer painting.
  • Optional short walk to the hilltop lookout for panoramic views of the village.
  • Continue to Koriyama Station for Shinkansen to Tokyo, or to Sendai Airport for your departure.
  • Culinary Note:
    Traditional Negi Soba in Ouchi-juku
 - Aizu →<br> Ouchi-juku →<br> Inawashiro →<br> Tokyo / Koriyama

Travel Itinerary

DAY1

City / Area
Sendai →
Tsuruoka
(Mt. Haguro, Dewa Sanzan)
Highlight
Begin your journey into Japan’s spiritual north – walk beneath towering cedars and feel the stillness of centuries.
Details & Experiences
  • Private car from Sendai (approx. 3.5 hrs). Stroll the sacred cedar avenue to Mt. Haguro’s Five-story Pagoda.Learn about Shugendo faith. Evening Shojin dinner at a tranquil retreat.
  • Culinary note:
    Shojin vegetarian cuisine, Shonai sake tasting
  • Optional:
    Morning prayer or Yamabushi meditation walk
Accomodation Style
Heritage-style auberge / temple retreat
Photo
Sendai →<br> Tsuruoka<br> (Mt. Haguro, Dewa Sanzan)

DAY2

City / Area
【July–September】
Tsuruoka (Haguro & Yudonosan)
Highlight
Pilgrimage to the hidden shrine of Yudonosan — purification in the sacred season.
Details & Experiences
  • Drive ~1 hr to Yudonosan Shrine. Barefoot worship and purification ritual at the spring sanctuary. Return to Mt. Haguro for formal prayer at Sanjin Gosaiden. Quiet reflection in the cedar forest.
  • Culinary note:
    Local Shojin lunch,
  • Optional:
    Meditation walk, special prayer ceremony, calligraphy experience
Accomodation Style
Heritage-style auberge / temple retreat
Photo
【July–September】<br> Tsuruoka (Haguro & Yudonosan)

DAY2

City / Area
【Oct–Jun】
Tsuruoka
Highlight
Tsuruoka (Haguro & Zenpoji – Year-round)
Details & Experiences
  • Morning formal visit and blessing at Haguro’s Sanjin Gosaiden. Transfer to Zenpoji Temple for zazen (meditation) or shakyo (sutra copying).
  • Optional culinary workshop in Shonai’s UNESCO Gastronomy City: shojin/fermentation & umami. Cultural guide throughout.
Accomodation Style
Heritage-style auberge / temple retreat
Photo
【Oct–Jun】<br> Tsuruoka

DAY3

City / Area
Tsuruoka → Zao
Highlight
Scenic mountain route through the Asahi range.Mountain retreat and gastronomy — a day of pure relaxation in Zao’s volcanic landscapes and healing hot springs.
Details & Experiences
  • Drive via Zao Echo Line (approx. 2 hrs). View the emerald crater “Okama”. Late afternoon onsen relaxation, forest stroll, and wine-pairing dinner.
  • (Note: Access to Okama Crater is seasonal, generally late April – early November.)
  • Culinary note:
    tender Yamagata Wagyu, local lamb “Jingisukan,” and fresh wild vegetables.
  • Pair with Zao wines or craft beer for a refined taste of the region.
  • Optional:Scenic ropeway or short nature walk
Accomodation Style
Luxury onsen ryokan (modern design)
Photo
Tsuruoka → Zao

DAY4

City / Area
Zao →Yonezawa
Highlight
A scenic journey through the heart of Yamagata — passing fruit orchards and vineyards around Kaminoyama — before discovering the refined samurai culture and craftsmanship of Yonezawa.
Details & Experiences
  • Scenic drive to Yonezawa (approx.1.5 hrs). Visit Uesugi Shrine and Museum in the early afternoon to explore the legacy of the Uesugi clan and the artistry of samurai culture. Join a candle-painting or woodcraft workshop. Stroll castle-town streets steeped in bushido spirit.
  • Culinary note:
    Yonezawa Wagyu tasting
  • Optional:
    Private tea ceremony or samurai etiquette experiencea or woodcraft workshop(Otaka Poppo)
Accomodation Style
outique ryokan or heritage-style inn.
Photo
Zao →Yonezawa

DAY5

City / Area
Yonezawa →
Kitakata →
Aizu Wakamatsu
Highlight
A journey through the timeless warehouse town of Kitakata and onward to the samurai capital of Aizu-Wakamatsu — blending craftsmanship, culture, and castle-town heritage.
Details & Experiences
  • Driving south through quiet countryside(1h),stop in Kitakata, famed for its elegant kura (storehouses) and traditional architecture. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the historical district, explore a lacquerware or miso brewery workshop.
  • Continue to Aizu-Wakamatsu in the afternoon. Visit Tsuruga Castle and Aizu Bukeyashiki (Samurai Residence), tracing the story of the samurai who shaped Aizu’s spirit of loyalty and resilience.
  • Culinary Note:
    Kitakata ramen and Aizu-style kaiseki featuring miso and sake traditions.
  • Optional:
    Private tea ceremony, samurai attire experience, lacquerware or sake workshop, or Zen meditation in a temple.
Accomodation Style
Boutique machiya-style inn / cultural ryokan
Photo
Yonezawa →<br> Kitakata →<br> Aizu Wakamatsu

DAY6

City / Area
Aizu →
Ouchi-juku →
Inawashiro →
Tokyo / Koriyama
Highlight
Walk through timeless Edo-era scenery – thatched-roof houses and nostalgic paths of Ouchi-juku.
Details & Experiences
  • Drive to Ouchi-juku (approx. 1.5 hrs). Stroll preserved streets and try soba-making or lacquer painting.
  • Optional short walk to the hilltop lookout for panoramic views of the village.
  • Continue to Koriyama Station for Shinkansen to Tokyo, or to Sendai Airport for your departure.
  • Culinary Note:
    Traditional Negi Soba in Ouchi-juku
Accomodation Style
-
Photo
Aizu →<br> Ouchi-juku →<br> Inawashiro →<br> Tokyo / Koriyama

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  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku
  • 【Echoes of the Sacred North】A Cultural and Spiritual Journey through the Sacred Landscapes of Southern Tohoku

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