Camping car trips have become a popular way to explore Japan, offering travelers freedom and a closer connection to nature. Tohoku, in particular, is a treasure trove of unique landscapes, traditions, and local foods you won’t find in Western countries. Let me introduce five must-visit spots in Tohoku, perfect for camping car adventurers, along with their regional delicacies.
1. Tsurunomai Bridge and Mt. Iwaki (Aomori Prefecture)
Difference from the West Tsurunomai Bridge, Japan’s longest wooden arch bridge, embodies traditional Japanese harmony with nature. In contrast to the stone or metal bridges of Europe, it offers a uniquely serene and spiritual aesthetic, with Mt. Iwaki as its majestic backdrop.
Tsurunomai Bridge and Mt. Iwaki
Experience Stroll across the elegant wooden bridge, taking in panoramic views of Mt. Iwaki. Cherry blossoms in spring or the snow-covered scenery in winter make this a picture-perfect destination.
Recommended Local Cuisine Hirosaki Apple Pie Aomori is famous for its apples, and its pies feature a perfect blend of flaky crust and fresh, tangy filling—a sweet treat not to miss.
Hirosaki Apple Pie
2. Geibikei Gorge (Iwate Prefecture)
Difference from the West Unlike rugged gorges in Europe designed for hiking, Geibikei offers a peaceful journey. Guests ride a traditional flat-bottomed boat rowed by a boatman who sings Japanese folk songs, creating a tranquil and cultural experience.
Geibikei Gorge
Experience Enjoy a 90-minute boat ride through the serene waters surrounded by towering cliffs. Try the local tradition of tossing a “lucky stone” into a rock crevice for good fortune—a charmingly unique activity.
Recommended Local Cuisine Maezawa Beef Grilled Steak Savor the juicy and tender Maezawa beef, one of Japan’s top beef brands. Grilled over charcoal, it delivers a smoky, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Maezawa Beef Sukiyaki bowl
3. Kakunodate (Akita Prefecture)
Difference from the West Kakunodate’s preserved samurai residences stand in stark contrast to medieval towns in Europe. Instead of stone castles, you’ll find elegant wooden homes and gardens that showcase Japan’s feudal history and connection to nature.
Samurai residence and cherry blossom
Experience Wander through the samurai district and visit historic homes open to the public. In spring, enjoy the spectacular cherry blossoms that line the streets and the Hinokinaigawa River.
Recommended Local Cuisine
Inaniwa Udon Made using a traditional hand-stretched technique, these smooth, silky noodles are refreshing when served cold and comforting when served hot.
4. Mt. Chokai and Mototaki Spring Waterfalls (Yamagata & Akita Prefectures)
Difference from the West Mt. Chokai, often called “Dewa Fuji,” resembles Mt. Fuji but is surrounded by sacred forests and mystical waterfalls. Western mountains typically lack this deep spiritual connection seen in Japan.
Experience Visit the Mototaki Spring Waterfalls, where crystal-clear underground water emerges into beautiful cascades. The lush green moss and soft mist create a serene and almost magical atmosphere.
Recommended Local Cuisine Hatahata Hot Pot with Shottsuru Sauce This hot pot features hatahata (sandfish) seasoned with “shottsuru,” a fermented fish sauce. The umami-rich broth delivers an authentic taste of the region.
Hatahata Hot Pot
5. Urabandai and Goshikinuma Ponds (Fukushima Prefecture)
Difference from the West While lakes in Europe often have uniform colors, Goshikinuma’s ponds are famous for their striking shades of green, blue, and even red, caused by volcanic minerals. This vibrant scenery is a uniquely Japanese natural phenomenon.
Goshikinuma pond
Experience Take an easy hike around the Goshikinuma Ponds, with each pond displaying a distinct color. For an even closer view, rent a small boat to glide over the serene waters.
Recommended Local Cuisine Sauce Katsu-don This hearty dish features thick, crispy pork cutlets drizzled with tangy sauce. It’s a satisfying local specialty, perfect for recharging after a day of exploration.
🏔️ Tohoku Camping Car Journey – FAQ
Tsurunomai Bridge, Japan’s longest wooden arch bridge, embodies traditional Japanese harmony with nature, contrasting with stone or metal bridges of Europe. It offers uniquely serene and spiritual aesthetic with Mt. Iwaki as majestic backdrop. Stroll across the elegant wooden bridge taking in panoramic mountain views, enjoying cherry blossoms in spring or snow-covered winter scenery for picture-perfect destinations. Aomori’s famous Hirosaki Apple Pie features perfect blend of flaky crust and fresh, tangy filling—a sweet treat showcasing the region’s apple cultivation heritage and Japanese pastry craftsmanship.
Unlike rugged European gorges designed for hiking, Geibikei offers peaceful journeys where guests ride traditional flat-bottomed boats rowed by boatmen who sing Japanese folk songs, creating tranquil cultural experiences. Enjoy 90-minute boat rides through serene waters surrounded by towering cliffs, including the local tradition of tossing “lucky stones” into rock crevices for good fortune—a charmingly unique activity. Savor juicy, tender Maezawa beef, one of Japan’s top beef brands, grilled over charcoal for smoky, melt-in-your-mouth experiences combining natural beauty with premium culinary traditions.
Kakunodate’s preserved samurai residences stand in stark contrast to European medieval towns. Instead of stone castles, you’ll find elegant wooden homes and gardens showcasing Japan’s feudal history and connection to nature. Wander through the samurai district visiting historic homes open to the public, enjoying spectacular spring cherry blossoms lining streets and Hinokinaigawa River. Experience traditional Inaniwa Udon made using hand-stretched techniques, creating smooth, silky noodles that are refreshing when served cold and comforting when hot, representing centuries of regional culinary craftsmanship and cultural heritage.
Mt. Chokai, often called “Dewa Fuji,” resembles Mt. Fuji but is surrounded by sacred forests and mystical waterfalls, featuring deep spiritual connections typically lacking in Western mountains. Visit Mototaki Spring Waterfalls where crystal-clear underground water emerges into beautiful cascades, with lush green moss and soft mist creating serene, almost magical atmospheres. Experience Hatahata Hot Pot with Shottsuru Sauce featuring sandfish seasoned with fermented fish sauce, delivering umami-rich broth that provides authentic regional taste combining mountain spirituality with coastal culinary traditions.
While European lakes often have uniform colors, Goshikinuma’s ponds are famous for striking shades of green, blue, and red caused by volcanic minerals—a uniquely Japanese natural phenomenon. Take easy hikes around the Goshikinuma Ponds with each pond displaying distinct colors, or rent small boats to glide over serene waters for closer views. Enjoy hearty Sauce Katsu-don featuring thick, crispy pork cutlets drizzled with tangy sauce—a satisfying local specialty perfect for recharging after exploration, showcasing Tohoku’s volcanic landscape beauty and regional comfort food traditions.
Traveling through Tohoku in a camping car allows full immersion in Japan’s unique nature, culture, and gastronomy unavailable in the West. From traditional wooden bridge aesthetics to spiritual mountain experiences, peaceful gorge journeys with folk songs, preserved samurai heritage, and volcanic mineral phenomena, each destination offers distinctly Japanese experiences. Utilizing RV parks and roadside stations enables savoring regional specialties like premium beef, handmade noodles, fermented seafood, and comfort foods that represent centuries of local culinary traditions, creating journeys unlike any other combining natural beauty, cultural depth, and authentic regional flavors.
Tips for Enjoying a Camping Car Journey in Tohoku
Traveling through Tohoku in a camping car allows you to fully immerse yourself in Japan’s unique nature, culture, and gastronomy. By utilizing RV parks and roadside stations, you can savor experiences that are truly unavailable in the West. Add Tohoku to your travel bucket list for a journey unlike any other!
I have always wanted to travel in a campervan and have moved from staying in a minivan to buying a campervan. I am currently doing a lot of research for the purchase of a campervan. I am still a new guide, but I will use this opportunity to learn more and share this information with you.
This column introduces basic knowledge and enjoyment related to campervans. This article is based on the knowledge and experience of working in the related industry and the points of view that have caught my attention, and is written while reconstructing it together with information obtained from various websites and AI. Please understand this in advance. If there is any incorrect knowledge or information, please point it out to us via the ‘Contact Us’ link.
