The Only Guide You Need for the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
The Only Guide You Need for the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
Nazrul Buang
Published on 7 August 2024
Updated on 8 August 2024
Nature, Travel
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Japan has become a highly popular travel destination for all visitors around the world, and people have discovered that getting around Japan is easy and efficient thanks to its railway network.
There are many ways to enjoy travelling by rail around Japan, and one of them is with a rail pass. A rail pass is great for visitors making many train trips, as it often offers unlimited train rides for a fixed amount of time. One great example is the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), and this will be your best friend for your railway adventure around Eastern Japan!
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) is a convenient rail pass that you can use to travel around Tōhoku (東北), the region that is located on the eastern side of Japan between Kantō (関東) and Hokkaidō (北海道). It is priced at ¥30,000 per adult, and is valid for 5 consecutive days starting from the first day of use of your choice. During this period, you can enjoy unlimited rides on Shinkansen routes, JR East lines, some limited express trains and non-JR East lines in the area, such as the Tokyo Monorail and Izu-Kyūko Line.
What’s more, with the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), seat reservations are absolutely free! That means you can reserve the seats for all your rides on Shinkansen and limited express trains, and you can do as many times as you like during the 5-consecutive-day period. Reserving seats are highly recommended for pass holders, especially for train rides during peak seasons, to enjoy some peace of mind.
However, note that reservations are free only for seats in the Ordinary Car. For Green Car seats, you have to pay an additional Green Car charge.
Which areas are covered by the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)?
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) covers the Tohoku Region and parts of the Kantō Region, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, the Narita Express (N’EX) that runs between Narita International Airport and selected stations in Tokyo, and the Tokyo Monorail that runs between Tokyo-Haneda Airport and Hamamatsuchō Station in Tokyo.
On top of the Shinkansen routes mentioned above, there are other trains that you can ride with the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) to travel to popular destinations around other parts of Eastern Japan, such as:
Narita Express (N’EX), Narita Airport ⇔ major urban stations in Tokyo and neighbouring cities
Selected Joyful Trains such as the Resort Shirakami, Hinabi and more
Yamanote Line (山手線), inside the Tokyo Metropolitan Area with major train stations such as Tōkyō, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno and more
Popular destinations you can visit with the rail pass
The Tohoku Region is filled with beautiful destinations that attract visitors throughout the year. Home to many historical landmarks and natural attractions, visitors will be spoiled for choice on the spots they can visit especially with the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area).
Here are some historical landmarks and natural attractions that visitors can discover with the rail pass:
When it comes to Aomori Prefecture (青森県), one of the most prominent historical landmarks would be Hirosaki Castle (弘前城). A perennial favourite among visitors to the prefecture, the castle is the only one in Tohoku with an original castle keep.
One of the best times to visit Hirosaki Castle is spring, when the surrounding Hirosaki Park (弘前公園 Hirosaki-kōen) will be enveloped in cherry blossoms! There are up to 2,600 cherry blossom trees of 52 varieties altogether here, making it a cherry blossom paradise.
Hirosaki Castle (弘前城) Address: 1 Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori 036-8356 Nearest station: JR Hirosaki Station (弘前駅)
Want to explore Aomori Prefecture’s great outdoors? Then you have to visit Oirase Stream (奥入瀬渓流), a picturesque stream that connects to Lake Towada. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing hike along the stream, and even a pleasure cruise around the lake.
Oirase Stream (奥入瀬渓流) Nearest station: JR Hachinohe Station (八戸駅)
If you love scenic historical streets, then look no further than Kakunodate Samurai Residence Street (角館武家屋敷通り), which is also located in Semboku City in Akita Prefecture. The street features many preserved samurai houses, and is famous for its weeping cherry blossom trees that bloom in spring.
Kakunodate Samurai Residence Street (角館武家屋敷通り) Address: Higashi-katsurakucho, Omotemachi, Kakunodate-machi, Semboku-shi, Akita 014-0331 Nearest station: JR Kakunodate Station (角館駅)
Iwate Prefecture is the second-largest prefecture in Japan, and is home to some of the country’s most renowned historical landmarks. The town of Hiraizumi is one instance, as is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is home to the famous Chūsonji Temple (中尊寺) and Motsuji Temple (毛越寺), and autumn is one of the most popular seasons among visitors.
Chūsonji Temple (中尊寺) Address: Koromonoseki-202 Hiraizumi, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate 029-4102 Nearest station: JR Hiraizumi Station (平泉駅) or JR Ichinoseki Station (一ノ関駅)
Motsuji Temple (毛越寺) Address: Osawa-58, Hiraizumi, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate 029-402 Nearest station: JR Hiraizumi Station (平泉駅) or JR Ichinoseki Station (一ノ関駅)
To discover one of Iwate Prefecture’s most splendorous natural beauty, head to Geibikei Gorge (猊鼻渓), a famous gorge worth visiting any season. Whether for the lush greenery of the summer or the snow-white landscape of winter, the gorge is not to be missed by any visitor to the prefecture!
Geibikei Gorge (猊鼻渓) Address: Machi-467 Higashiyamacho Nagasaka, Ichinoseki, Iwate 029-0302 Nearest station: JR Geibikei Station (猊鼻渓駅)
Want to visit one of the “Three Great Views of Japan”? Then head over to Matsushima Bay (松島湾), with its numerous pine-covered islets that make the bay look like a beautiful painting from afar. The bay is just a short train ride away from Sendai, the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, making it the perfect choice for a day trip.
Matsushima Bay (松島湾) Nearest station: JR Matsushimakaigan Station (松島海岸駅)
Yamagata Prefecture is known for its mountainous terrain, and one of its most renowned historical landmarks is Yamadera (山寺), a temple perched on a steep mountainside overlooking the town below. Literally translated as “mountain temple”, Yamadera is not for the faint-hearted: there are over 1,000 steps between the start of the climbing trail and the temple itself. However, if you do complete the trail, you will be rewarded with a splendid aerial view of the town below.
Yamadera (山寺) Address: 4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata 999-3301 Nearest station: JR Yamadera Station (山寺駅)
Located in the western part of Fukushima Prefecture is Aizu-Wakamatsu (会津若松), a former castle town that is home to the majestic Tsuruga Castle (鶴ヶ城). Do you know what is special about this castle? It is the only one in Japan that has red roof tiles!
The castle is also situated in the centre of Tsuruga Castle Park, where there are over 1,000 cherry blossom trees, making it a popular cherry blossom viewing spot too!
Tsuruga Castle (鶴ヶ城) Address: 1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0873 Nearest station: JR Aizu-Wakamatsu Station (会津若松駅)
Final parting words
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) is your ticket to a railway adventure to the Tohoku Region in Eastern Japan, where many historical landmarks and natural attractions await. Whether it is during spring when cherry blossoms will be blooming, or in autumn when visitors will be greeted with warm-coloured foliage, the region is beautiful throughout the year, and the rail pass enables you to experience all of its beauty at one go!
Want to get the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)? You can do so from JAPAN RAIL CLUB! Simply click here and follow the steps to get your rail pass. See you in Tohoku soon!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Nazrul Buang
Nazrul has been travelling to Japan for more than 10 years. He also loves to lift very heavy stuff.
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The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area). | ©Julia Yee
The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area). | ©Julia Yee
