A surprising and untouched region less than three hours from Tokyo, Tohoku is blessed with astounding landscapes, delicious beef and fresh fruit across all seasons
Photos: Pamela Chow
Mention “winter wonderland” and images of Finland and Iceland would often come to mind — not so much Japan. Yet, only about two and a half hours by train from Tokyo, we found exactly where you’d imagine Santa Claus to live.
Leaving the clear blue skies behind, we zipped through the white fields and forests of Tohoku. Snow-coated pine trees rose up from the hills around us, veiled by a light winter mist. Arriving at our first stop, Takahata, we learned that we had brought with us the first and heaviest snowfall in Tohoku.
JR EAST Hotels
Hotel Folkloro Takahata
A quaint, humble and no-frills establishment linked to JR Takahata Station, Hotel Folkloro Takahata brings the warm and homely hospitality of the locals to you upon arrival. Perfect for winter is the small onsen (hot spring) bath here. At night, the façade glows, resembling a quiet European town home, and at dawn, you can be greeted with the view of fresh morning snow on the train tracks.
Hotel Folkloro Takahata, 999-2173 200 Oaza Yamazaki, Takahata-machi, Higashiokitama-gum, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, www.folkloro-takahata.com/en.
Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata
Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata is directly connected to JR Yamagata Station and Shopping Mall S-PAL Yamagata, offering both modern city suites as well as Japanese tatami-style rooms. The latter is ideal for large groups and comes with a private Japanese garden. Breakfast is served as a set. This hotel is well-connected to sightseeing spots, and has direct buses to Mount Zao from its doorstep.
Hotel Metropolitan Yamagata, 990-0039 1 Chome-1-1 Kasumi-cho, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, www.yamagatametropolitan.jp.
ADVERTISEMENTS