Travelling by campervan offers a high degree of freedom and is particularly suitable for touring the nature-rich northern Tohoku region. This issue focuses on Aomori, Akita, Yamagata and Iwate prefectures and introduces some of the best locations.
1. Lake Towada, Aomori Prefecture.
Lake Towada is a caldera lake straddling Aomori and Akita prefectures, with its beautiful blue waters and surrounding mountains. It is particularly worth seeing in the spring when the lake is freshly green and in the autumn when the leaves turn red. There is also a well-maintained promenade around the lake, where you can take a leisurely stroll along the shores, making it an ideal spot to visit with a campervan.
- Recommended time: at sunset. The sunset on the lake is fantastic.
- Places to stay: Roadside Station ‘Oirase Romain Park’.
- Onsen information: Sourgayu Onsen, famous for its secluded hot springs.
- Local food and specialities: Towada bara-yaki (roasted bara).
- Roadside station to visit: Roadside Station Oirase.
2. Akita Prefecture, Oga Peninsula
The Oga Peninsula juts out into the Sea of Japan, with a magnificent coastline and complex rias coastline. It is particularly famous for the traditional Namahage event and is popular with tourists seeking a cultural experience. The views from Iridozaki and Kanpuyama are also not to be missed. Driving around these scenic spots is a pleasure that only a campervan can offer.
- Recommended time: early morning. The sunrise from the sea is spectacular.
- Places to stay: Roadside Station Oga.
- Hot springs nearby: Oga Onsen, sodium chloride spring.
- Local produce: grouper sushi, kiritanpo.
- Roadside station to visit: Roadside Station Oga.
3. Yamagata Prefecture, Ginzan Onsen
Ginzan Onsen is a hot spring resort full of Taisho period, with wooden inns lined up along the river, the scenery looking like a scene out of a film. In winter, the snowy landscape and gas lamps combine to create a magical atmosphere. It is a place where you can feel the passage of time as you stroll through the hot spring resort. It is recommended to visit with a campervan and spend a relaxing time in the hot springs.
- Recommended time of day: evening and night, when the cityscape is lit by gas lamps.
- Places to stay: Roadside Station Obanazawa.
- Hot springs nearby: Ginzan Onsen, with good old onsen ryokan (hot spring) inns.
- Local produce: Yamagata beef, soba (buckwheat noodles).
- Roadside station to visit: Roadside Station Obanazawa, with fresh produce.
4. Iwate Prefecture, Tono Area.
Tono is the setting of the folk tale Tono Monogatari (Tales of Tono), a region steeped in folk tales and legends. The original Japanese landscape has been preserved, with its wide expanses of countryside, old houses and windmills. Mysterious spots such as Kappa Fuchi are also dotted around the area, creating a mysterious atmosphere. It is a place where nature walks and historical exploration can be enjoyed, and is ideal for a relaxing trip with a campervan.
- Recommended time: daytime. Nature walks can be enjoyed.
- Places to stay: Tono Kaze no Oka Roadside Station.
- Hot springs nearby: Tono Onsen, ideal for relaxation.
- Local specialities: Genghis Khan, Wanko soba.
- Roadside station to visit: Tono Kaze no Oka Roadside Station.
5. Mt.Osore, Aomori Prefecture.
Mount Osorezan is known as a sacred site, a mysterious place with a desolate landscape and the smell of sulphur. It has long been worshipped as a place where the souls of the dead gather, and its unique atmosphere cannot be experienced anywhere else. With lakes and hot springs, the landscape is a fusion of nature and faith, making it worth a visit as a power spot. It is ideal for visiting with a campervan and spending some mystical time.
- Recommended time of day: daytime. Sightseeing with tranquillity.
- Roadside Station: Roadside Station Shimokita.
- Places to stay: Roadside Station Shimokita.
- Hot springs nearby: Osorezan Onsen, relax in the sulphur springs.
- Local specialities: salted squid and bamboo soup.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Spring to autumn (April-October) is ideal, with May-September offering the warmest weather for comfortable camping. Lake Towada’s fresh greenery (May) and autumn colors (mid-October to early November), Ginzan Onsen’s snowy landscapes (December-March), are seasonal highlights. Winter travel (October-April) requires winter tires and cold weather equipment due to potential snow and ice on mountain roads.
Lake Towada: Oirase Roman Park Roadside Station (24-hour access, restrooms & power available)
Oga Peninsula: Oga Roadside Station (hot spring facilities nearby, 24-hour parking)
Ginzan Onsen: Obanazawa Roadside Station (15-minute drive to hot spring village, fresh produce market)
Tono: Tono Kaze no Oka Roadside Station (windmill landmark, local specialty products)
Mount Osore: Shimokita Roadside Station (northernmost Honshu, abundant seafood)
Sourgayu Onsen (Lake Towada area): ¥1,000 adults, famous mixed-gender “thousand-person bath”
Oga Onsen: ¥800-1,200 adults, sodium chloride springs for silky smooth skin
Ginzan Onsen: ¥1,000-1,500 adults day-use, atmospheric wooden ryokan bathing
Tono Onsen: ¥500-800 adults, friendly local hot springs used by residents
Mount Osore Onsen: ¥500 adults, sulfur springs with fatigue recovery benefits
Lake Towada: Towada bara-yaki grilled beef, popular B-grade gourmet available at roadside stations
Oga Peninsula: Hatahata sushi & kiritanpo, regional specialties at local restaurants and roadside stations
Ginzan Onsen: Yamagata beef & ita-soba buckwheat noodles at hot spring village eateries
Tono: Genghis Khan grilled lamb & wanko soba, simple folkloric village cuisine
Mount Osore: Salted squid & keno-jiru vegetable soup, Shimokita Peninsula seafood & regional dishes
Recommended Route (4 nights/5 days): ①Mount Osore (Aomori) → ②Lake Towada → ③Tono → ④Ginzan Onsen → ⑤Oga Peninsula
Total Distance: Approximately 800km
Travel Times: Osore→Towada (3 hours), Towada→Tono (3.5 hours), Tono→Ginzan (2.5 hours), Ginzan→Oga (3 hours)
This leisurely route allows for overnight stays at each destination while exploring the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
Essential Items: Winter gear (snow chains, warm clothing even in summer evenings), rain gear, emergency food & water for mountain regions
Important Notes: Mountain areas have weak cell phone signals – carry paper maps. Gas stations close early in rural areas – check operating hours. Watch for wildlife (bears, deer) and secure food properly. Monitor weather forecasts closely and drive cautiously without rushing. The region’s natural beauty is best enjoyed with patience and respect for local conditions.
Travelling by campervan, you can enjoy the rich nature, historic hot springs and local specialities of the northern Tohoku region to the full.
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