The Tohoku Region
The Tohoku Region is the northernmost region of the Japanese main island of Honshu and consists of six prefectures: Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, and Fukushima.
Up until between the 7th and 9th centuries, Tohoku remained a frontier untouched, home to the indigenous Emishi people. Eventually integrated due to imperial expansion with the rest of Japan, over the centuries, Tohoku has often stood apart from Kyoto’s influence, preserving its own rhythms, traditions, and spirit of independence—a character still felt in its culture today.
The Tohoku Region is one of the least visited regions of Japan, with less than 1% of all international visitors to Japan making the trip up north. However, despite its remote nature, there is so much to do and explore, and Expedition Japan is proud to call Tohoku our home, with our head office located in Yamagata City.
Hondoji sits at the entrance to the Rokujurigoe Kaidō and was once a prosperous temple town.
Explore Yamagata’s Poké Lids—unique Pokémon manhole covers celebrating local culture and promoting regional tourism. Have you caught them all?
The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival is Yamagata's biggest festival, and one of the four great festivals of the Tohoku region!
The Nagai Kurojishi Festival is the biggest and most important festival in Nagai, Yamagata and cannot be missed if you want to truly experience the city!
The Yamagata Hanagasa Festival is Yamagata's biggest festival, and one of the four great festivals of the Tohoku region!
Yamagata Safflower, also known as "Benibana" is the symbolic flower of Yamagata Prefecture and is ingrained deeply in Yamagata culture.
Jingisukan is a delicious Japanese lamb dish from Yamagata that gets its name from the great Mongolian Genghis Khan.
Built in 1877, The Bunshokan is the old prefectural capital of Yamagata and today it serves as a history museum in Yamagata City.
Once visited by poet Matsuo Basho, Yamadera is the collective name given to the thirty temples creviced into the ancient slopes of Mt. Hoju.
Located in Takahata City, Yamagata, Akutsu Hachiman Shrine is said to have brought victory in battle and a bountiful harvest to the region for centuries.
