Unlock Sendai With Our Guide To Must-See Places!
Explore Sendai with the Unlock SENDAI campaign and find out what locations you can visit to make your trip to Tohoku a busy one.
Duties Of A Conductor And An Introduction To A Shinkansen’s Facilities
See what a conductor does on a Shinkansen, and get to understand the facilities onboard to make your journey a smooth one.
JR News: Welcome Suica Upcoming Features For A Greater Rail Travel Experience
With tourism to Japan back in full swing, there is never a better time to plan your first or a repeat trip to Japan. JR East has recently announced a road map of news and updated services for tourists visiting Tokyo and getting around by train. These services will be of great help in planning […]
Day Trips from Sendai: Oysters, Sea Breeze, and Serenity in Matsushima
Include Matsushima in your next itinerary to Japan! With its main sightseeing area easily accessible via a short walk from the station, it was easy to discover many of Matsushima’s treasures and delicious gourmet.
Freshness Explosion! The Best Places to get Japanese Seafood Ocean-to-table
If you’re keen on making the jump from sushi fan to aficionado, and want to travel the land in search of Japanese seafood so fresh it might as well have leaped from the ocean right onto your plate—then this article is for you!
Shinkansen Ins-And-Outs From A Real Driver
Find out how a Shinkansen is operated from the perspectives of the drivers themselves, who explain how they get you from place to place, safely and on time. Find also where along the Tohoku Shinkansen where you can witness the coupling and decoupling process that’s unique to services operated on the line.
5 Ways to Enjoy Winter Trips from Tokyo with a JR EAST PASS
Winter is a beautiful time to visit Eastern Japan! Here are 4 ways to enjoy winter trips from Tokyo with the JR EAST PASS!
Your Travel Guide To The Revised JR East Rail Passes
With the revision of JR EAST PASS prices in October 2023, find out how you can extract value from the passes with suggestions of a few places to visit in the respective areas coverd.
5 Exciting Fireworks Festivals in East Japan to Catch This Summer
East Japan, where major cities like Tokyo, Sendai, Nagano, and Yokohama are located, is home to many exciting displays of fireworks, many of which have been held and celebrated for decades (if not, centuries!).
JR News: Price Revision of JR East Rail Passes for Foreign Visitors (2023)
With effect from 1 October 2023, JR East will revise the prices of various rail passes for foreign visitors to Japan in accordance with the increasing inbound travel needs.
Food Fun-Ventures in Eastern Japan: Part 3
Last autumn, I was given the opportunity to embark on a whirlwind tour of the Tohoku Region (東北地方) and feast on its many delicacies along the way. Join me as I recount the many meals I had along the way as I travelled together with my colleague Carissa to nearly every prefecture to see what makes the food of Eastern Japan so much fun!
Sakura Forecast 2024: 7 Recommended Spots for Cherry Blossoms in Central & East Japan
Here are 7 of our recommended spots to view sakura trees in East Japan for 2024!
My Autumn Getaway to Naruko Gorge
Enjoy a quick autumn getaway to Naruko Gorge, which is located in Miyagi Prefecture in the Tohoku Region. The gorge is famous for its wonderful natural sight, especially in autumn.
Adventures of a Cat Lady: Frolicking on Cat Island Tashirojima
Attention all cat lovers! Tashirojima is a must-visit if you’re looking for a cat island around the Tohoku Region.
Food Fun-Ventures in Eastern Japan: Part 1
What’s visiting Japan without trying all the delicious local cuisines? Here are some of the must-try when visiting Eastern Japan!
Matsuri Museums: See Tohoku’s Summer Festivals Year-Round
Don’t worry if you can’t visit Japan during the exact dates of summer festivals, you can visit a matsuri museum, which are usually open year-round! Learn about and “experience” key elements of the actual festivals!
6 Exciting Festivals at the Tohoku Kizuna Festival
Experience the passion and energy of all six Tohoku summer festivals at once, at the Tohoku Kizuna Festival!
JR News: Tohoku Shinkansen Celebrates 40th Anniversary
The Tohoku Shinkansen, JR East’s oldest shinkansen line, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2022! Find out what special activities are taking place to commemorate this joyous milestone.
Rail Report: Gran Class, Japan’s Most Luxurious Bullet Train Experience
Find out what it’s like to ride on Gran Class, Japan’s most luxurious bullet train experience.
Celebrate Past, Present, and Future in SHINKANSEN YEAR 2022
Find out more about JR East’s 5 shinkansen lines and their upcoming anniversaries this SHINKANSEN YEAR 2022!
Shinkansen YEAR 2022: 4 Things to Know about JR East’s Shinkansen Trains
2022 is a special year for Shinkansen in Eastern Japan, as it celebrates their opening anniversaries. Learn more about their opening anniversaries and the ins and outs of operating the trains, from the different train cars to preparing food for ekiben.
Take a Tour of Tohoku: 7 Must-Try Activities
Discover 7 unique tours and experiences around Tohoku to make the best of your trip!
6 Trails to Hike and Explore around Miyagi
Check out six recommended hiking trails to blaze through and enjoy a fresh view on the resplendent natural beauty of Miyagi Prefecture!
8 Wonderful Winter Festivals to Check Out in Tohoku
Check out 8 wonderful winter festivals in Japan’s northeastern region of Tohoku!
JR News: JR East’s Spring 2022 Changes
A summary of major changes for spring 2022 for JR East.
Beyond The Brochure: JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is catered towards those who intend to both start and end their trip in Sapporo or Tohoku’s largest city Sendai, circling around various locales in Tohoku along the way. Let’s begin our 6-day trip with the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass!
JR News: 2 Next-Generation Shinkansen Trains to Look Forward To
Take a look at two of JR East’s next-generation train vehicles: ALFA-X and the E8 series on the Yamagata Shinkansen.
A Peek at Japan’s Most Luxurious Trains
Find out more about Japan’s most luxurious trains, which range from overnight cruise trains to sightseeing trains to speedy bullet trains!
JR East’s Luxury Cruise Train: Train Suite Shiki-shima
Take a look at what a journey onboard the Train Suite Shiki-shima, JR East’s luxury cruise train, is like!
Your Comprehensive Guide to Sendai, from the Best Sightseeing Spots to Local Foods
Planning to visit Sendai soon? Check out this comprehensive guide to the “City of Trees” to learn everything from attraction spots to local delicacies.
Journey along the Joban Line: Discover Ibaraki, Iwaki & more
Take a journey along the Joban Line through Ibaraki, Fukushima, and Miyagi prefectures, and discover fun places to visit and exciting activities to do!
14 Brilliant Architectures You Must See in Eastern Japan
Check out and appreciate examples of brilliant architecture found in Eastern Japan, from the prominent temples in Hiraizumi to the most iconic buildings right in the heart of Tokyo.
Summer Symphony: 7 Beautiful Blossoms to Enjoy in Summer
Did you know that there are many flowers to be enjoyed in Japan in summer? From lovely lavender, to cheery sunflowers, to elegant irises, check out 7 flowers to enjoy in summer!
Must-Visit Summer Festivals & Fireworks in Eastern Japan
Visiting Eastern Japan in summer? Check out these sizzling summer festivals and dazzling fireworks displays that are sure to leave lasting memories!
Exploring Tohoku’s Summer Splendour with JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
Check out how you can fully explore the Tohoku Region with the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) in just five days!
A Delightful Spring Trip to Southern Tohoku (Part 2)
Southern Tohoku is beautiful in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Come with us and explore Yamagata and Matsushima in the second of a 2-part series!
How to Be a “Sakura Master” For Your Next Spring Adventure
How well do you know your cherry blossoms (sakura)? Check out the knowledge that goes behind knowing about the iconic flowers the next time you travel to Japan in spring!
8 Ways to Enjoy Hitome Senbonzakura’s Cherrific Sakura
Come and explore 8 cherrific spots to revel in the beauty of the cherry blossoms at Hitome Senbonzakura, home to some of Miyagi Prefecture’s most beautiful sakura views.
The Cat’s out of the Bag: 4 Purrfect Places in Japan for Feline Lovers (Part 1)
Attention cat lovers heading to Japan, check out these 2 open-air places where you can meet free-roaming furry feline friends!
Beyond The Brochure: 5 Days of Spring with the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area)
In this edition of Beyond your The Brochure, here’s how you can zip through Tohoku while getting the chance to visit some of our most recommended cherry blossom spots using the JR EAST PASS!
Taberu Tohoku Tour (2021): Explore Northeast Japan Through Your Palates
Hot on the heels of JAPAN RAIL CAFE’s successful online travel fair (The Japan Rail Fair – A Virtual Trip to Japan) held in November 2020 is Taberu Tohoku Tour, a virtual voyage that transports one to the Tohoku Region in Northeast Japan. The first of its kind, this online series of webinars will feature […]
11 March 2011: The Day that Changed the Sanriku Coast and My Life
Do you remember where you were on 11 March 2011? It is a date that many Japanese people will never forget, and it is also the day when my life changed course. Learn how the event changed the Sanriku Coast and my life.
Sensational Sanriku: Reborn 10 Years After Japan’s Most Powerful Earthquake
11 March 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the 2011 Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
Go Loco for Sakura: At-track-tive Views of Trains and Cherry Blossoms
Love sakura season? The floral views are made even more captivating with passing trains, which provide a dynamic element, so check out these 9 spots where you can catch views of sakura and trains!
Sakura Series #1: Cherry Blossoms with Snowy Mountain Backdrops
Check out the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Eastern Japan in this four-part series, starting with those featuring snowy mountain backdrop.
JR News: Renewal of JR East Rail Passes, Easier to Use!
Find out about the new features and prices of the recently renewed JR East Rail Passes.
The Charms of Travelling by Trains, and Why Everyone Should Try it
Have you ever wondered if it is worth travelling by train in Japan? Join me as I explain why a railway trip around the country will be the best thing you will ever experience!
San-sational Sanriku Part 2: Supporting Recovery through Tourism
Explore some of the tourism recovery efforts that have been undertaken along the Sanriku Coast, as well as the scenery you can experience.
Explore Sendai and Beyond with HOTEL METROPOLITAN SENDAI & HOTEL METROPOLITAN SENDAI EAST
Stay at either one of the two HOTEL METROPOLITAN hotels in Sendai for a seamless and comfortable retreat, minutes away from Sendai Station.
A Fulfilling Autumn around Naruko Onsen
Enjoy a fulfilling autumn around Naruko Gorge, one of Miyagi Prefecture’s most scenic sites!