Summer Festivals in Tohoku, Hokkaido, and Chubu

Part 1: Sendai - Matsushima

Hello, Seally-go-round!

This review will share information about traveling to various cities in Japan during the summer festival season.

The trip took 6 full days to travel across 4 regions:

• Tohoku: (Sendai - Odate(Akita) - Hirosaki - Aomori)
• Hokkaido: (Sapporo - Noboribetsu - Asahikawa - Furano)
• Chubu : (Nagano -Matsumoto - Hotaka)
• Kanto : Tokyo (briefly, as a stopover, with a quick meal in Shibuya)

The trip took place in early August, when summer festivals are held throughout Japan. These festivals typically begin in late July and continue until mid-August. Major national festivals include the Gion Festival in Kyoto and the Nebuta Festival in Aomori. Additionally, summer fireworks displays are held in almost every region.

Therefore, late July to early August is an ideal time for those who enjoy festivals showcasing authentic Japanese culture. As someone who enjoys cultural tourism, I chose to visit Japan during the hot summer season (even hotter than Thailand). This trip will be divided into sections based on my personal travel style, as I went wherever I wanted, regardless of distance. I can assure you that the JR Pass I purchased was more than worth it, with at least 10 Shinkansen rides alone.

For ease of understanding, the trip is divided into 4 parts based on region:

Part 1: Sendai (Tanabata Festival, tasting Sendai's famous cuisine, staying in Matsushima, a seaside resort town)
Part 2: Noboribetsu - Sapporo - Asahikawa (Asahiyama Zoo) - Furano (Tomita Farm)
Part 3: Odate (Akita Dog Museum) - Hirosaki (Tambo Art rice field art in Inakadate) - Aomori (Nebuta Matsuri)
Part 4: Nagano - Staying in Matsumoto - Hotaka (Daio Wasabi Farm) Let's begin our epic summer festival adventure in Sendai!

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• 1 •

[ Traveling to Sendai ]

- Departing from Bkk Don Mueang to Narita -

The author chose to travel on a midnight flight, departing at midnight and arriving at 8:00 am, allowing for immediate sightseeing upon arrival. This decision was based on a previous trip where a daytime flight resulted in arriving at night, effectively wasting a day. For this trip, the author was fortunate to secure a promotional Air Asia ticket, with round-trip airfare costing 7,600 baht per person (including one checked bag each way), significantly reducing travel expenses.

Upon arrival, the author exchanged for a 7-day JR Pass. The pass was purchased during the Japan Tourism Fair in late June, but not at the event itself. Instead, it was purchased at the H.I.S branch in Pattaya, which offered the same promotional rate as the event, eliminating the need to travel to Bangkok. The price was approximately 9,200 baht, which, while more expensive than the airfare, is undoubtedly worth the investment.

The First Day's Destination: Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture

Our first stop on this trip is Matsushima, Miyagi Prefecture. To get there, we first need to travel to Sendai, as Matsushima is a coastal resort town located less than an hour away.

After exchanging our JR Pass, we boarded the N'EX train at Tokyo Station, which took approximately 40 minutes to reach Sendai.

Initially, we planned to stroll around Tokyo and grab some food. However, Tokyo Station was incredibly crowded and chaotic. Within 10 minutes of arriving, we felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of people and the bustling atmosphere. Therefore, we decided to head straight to Sendai.

Consequently, we rushed to catch the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Sendai.

Excited to finally ride the Shinkansen!

However, as it is a Limited Express, you must reserve a seat in advance if you want to sit. If you do not reserve a seat, you will have to stand all the way to the final destination, as the train does not stop frequently to pick up or drop off passengers. But don't worry, you can stand for just 2 hours! ^^'

We have arrived at Sendai.... the city's symbol

Coincidentally, I visited during the Tanabata Festival, also known as the Star Festival. The streets and various locations were adorned with colorful paper lanterns.
I managed to catch one of the summer festivals! 😁 Yay!

• 2 •

[ Sendai Tanabata Matsuri ]

The Star Festival

This trip took place during a week packed with Japanese summer festivals. In Sendai, the annual Tanabata Festival, a festival of stars held every year from August 6th to 8th, was in full swing.

During this festival, the city is adorned with large, colorful paper lanterns.

August 8th is a working day, and people in Sendai go to work as usual. However, events are also held in the city at the same time.

According to legend, the origin of this festival is the love story of a weaving princess and a cowherd from different stars. The sky king, Tentei, allowed them to meet, but when they fell in love, they neglected their work. As punishment, they were only allowed to meet once a year, on the 7th day of the 7th month.

During the festival, there are events, shops selling goods, and parades. Children also dress up in cute outfits and come to play.

Visitors during this period can enjoy taking photos with colorful paper lanterns throughout the city.

Including at Sendai Station.

During the festival, information can be obtained at the Tourist Information Center located in the plaza in front of Sendai Station. Information in English may be available.

Feeling peckish? Let's explore Sendai's culinary delights! No need to venture far, Sendai Station has it all. ^^ Feeling peckish? Let's explore Sendai's culinary delights! No need to venture far, Sendai Station has it all. ^^

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• 3 •
[ Sendai Cuisine ]

- Grilled Beef Tongue & Edamame -

The Sendai Station is quite large, with the station itself connected to a department store and walkways leading to other shopping centers. There are countless shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, making it possible to spend an entire day there.

For lunch, I decided to explore the restaurant area on the B1 floor of the S-Pal department store. This floor offers a wide variety of food options, from savory dishes to sweet treats and souvenirs. Feeling overwhelmed by the choices, I opted for a restaurant based on the appealing food models displayed outside.

Before diving into my meal, I learned that Sendai is famous for its grilled beef tongue (Gyu-Tan) and edamame. Determined to try the local specialties, I ordered a lunch set featuring grilled beef tongue, which was fortunately available at the restaurant I chose. In fact, most restaurants in the area offer this dish.

Price range: Approximately ¥1,300-1,400, served with rice and various side dishes.

Taste:

• The dish has a strong beefy flavor and aroma, reminiscent of beef offal. Those who dislike offal may not enjoy the smell, particularly when chewing.
• The texture is soft and springy, similar to marinated pork in a stir-fried dish. It's difficult to describe accurately, but it's worth trying if you're in Sendai.

Another popular dish:

• A simple yet popular menu item is sliced pork served on shredded cabbage with a garlic sauce.
• It's easy to eat and delicious, with a price range of ¥700-800 per set.

Delicious and easy to eat, no fuss. I love it with shredded cabbage.

The restaurant was bustling with office workers at lunchtime, but the food arrived quickly. The staff worked professionally, greeting customers, serving food, and clearing tables efficiently.

After a delicious meal, indulge in a sweet treat to cleanse your palate.
....On the B1 floor, you'll find a vast selection of delectable desserts and souvenirs. The sheer variety of options might leave you spoilt for choice, as every stall offers tempting treats.

That restaurant looks delicious, but I also want to try this one.

Sendai Souvenirs

Let's try another delicious item from Sendai. We just had grilled beef tongue, so now let's move on to 'edamame'. There's a shop selling edamame-based snacks right at the beginning of the street. It's a very prominent green shop.

I decided to try the store's best-selling menu item.

At first glance, I thought it was pudding, but it turned out to be mashed edamame with mochi.

The flavor is nutty with a hint of sweetness, but not unpleasantly green.

The soft, white mochi adds a chewy texture, creating an interesting contrast. It's worth a try! Priced around ¥300.

Feeling full! Time to move on, or I'll end up eating at every shop here. Everything looks so delicious and tempting!

But before reaching the station stairs, I stumbled upon Jupiter, a coffee bean shop. They offer a wide variety of beans from different origins at reasonable prices. Coffee lovers, be prepared to be amazed!

Choose the type you like, they will vacuum pack it for you, the smallest size is 200g.

Just arrived a few hours ago, got souvenirs, enough, let's go into the station and take a seat to Matsushima.

But when I went in, I couldn't help but see another good-looking dessert shop, and I was so easy to be curious and want to try it. The shop is very simple.
And what's cool is that it only sells one thing, so you don't have to waste time choosing. It's a cheese tart, the name of the shop is Bake.

I then joined the queue to buy one to try. It cost ¥216 (+tax).

Freshly baked bread, hot and delicious.

The flavor is rich and full of cheese. It is fragrant and delicious. Cheese lovers should not miss it.

However, the ability of seals to consume cheese is low. They can only eat up to 1 piece because it is greasy.

But it is really delicious. If you come across Bake Cheese Tart, you should try it.

The next restaurant is for dinner. After visiting Matsushima and checking in, we decided to go back to Sendai again because

At first, we were going to go to the fish auction, Cho-Dasen Kokubuncho, which we had seen on the 72-hour program of Ray McDonald.

It looked interesting, and we wanted to try our hand at fish auctioning.

(Click the link to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kxh1eqAbCg)

However, looking at the map, it was quite far from the station. Plus, considering the time it would take to get back to Matsushima, we were afraid it would be too late. So we decided to go to the B1 floor of S-Pal again. This time, we decided to try a ramen restaurant.

At noon, we walked past a ramen restaurant with a long line of people waiting. It must be good.

The ramen restaurant is called Menshu bo ramen chic house, but knowing the English name is not enough because the name on the front of the restaurant is in Japanese.

Let's just look at the picture of the front of the restaurant.

I saw a long queue during the day, so I was curious to see what was so good. In the evening, there was no queue, so I decided to try it.

The giant ramen bowl was bigger than I expected, so I also ordered an egg on rice for an additional 200 yen and another bowl with rice and gyoza for an additional 300 yen (a sucker for promotions, haha!).

But when it was served, I was blown away!

The chashu slices were as big as the mainland of China! How big can they get? Just one slice was enough to fill me up, and I ordered the chashu ramen, which comes with 4-5 slices. The taste was delicious, and I finished it with my eyes wide open and my stomach full.

He's so cool, he even brought rice and dumplings with him...oh my god!!!!

Another bowl of his own, huge and overflowing with ingredients. What's left isn't because it's not delicious, but because it's just too much.

Restaurant Recommendation:

If you're visiting Sendai Station and looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, head to the restaurant located on the B1F of S-Pal. They are open from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Edamame Treats:

For a unique snack, check out the edamame product store located before the ticket gates on the station. They offer edamame soft cream and edamame juice.

Edamame Milk:

The edamame milk, similar to soy milk, is not overly sweet and costs 200 yen per cup.

This storefront offers a convenient way to purchase snacks made from Japanese soybeans as souvenirs. You can buy them and hop on the train right away.

• Soft Cream Edamame: Delicious, with a soft cream texture and bits of green edamame. 280¥

There are many delicious ice cream parfaits and edamame desserts, all of which are truly tempting.

Location: The soybean milk and soft cream shop is located near the train ticket gate entrance.

Additionally, for those seeking souvenirs that are conveniently packaged for travel while still capturing the essence of Sendai's renowned cuisine, the minimart is an excellent option. It offers a wide variety of snacks flavored with grilled beef tongue and Japanese soybeans.

This concludes our report on the food at Sendai Station.

My body is about to explode...

Let's go sightseeing in Matsushima instead! ^^

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• 4 •

[ Matsushima, a relaxing resort town ]

How to get to Matsushima: Take the JR Senseki Line, a local train line, to its terminus, Ishinomaki.

The journey takes approximately 40 minutes and terminates at 'Matsushimakaigan' station.

We arrived in Matsushima at 3 pm. We will check into our accommodation first, leave our luggage, and then go for a walk.

Tonight, we have booked a room at the Breezbay Seaside Resort, which is not far from the train station and within walking distance. We dragged our luggage ourselves, but the path is a bit steep.

I will give you a tour of the hotel later and then take you sightseeing.

While strolling along the various points of Matsushima Bay is certainly an option, those who prefer a more leisurely pace can opt for cycling instead. (Bicycle rentals are available at the hotel free of charge.)

The view from the curve on the way down from the hotel is breathtaking. The numerous islands, large and small, are scattered across the sea, creating a stunning panorama.

Translation:

Cycling is a relaxing and effortless activity, especially during the cool hours after the sun has set. The atmosphere is simply delightful.

The town is incredibly peaceful and serene. The streets along Matsushima Bay are lined with various shops, restaurants, and souvenir stores.

Most shops in this area close early, around 5 pm, and typically open between 8:30 and 9 am.

As I mentioned, this city has a laid-back atmosphere.

Although it appears quiet, it attracts foreign tourists. However, I haven't encountered any Thai people since my arrival.

The main attraction of this area is the bay.

• Kanrantei Pavilion

This pavilion was once a place of relaxation for the daimyo who ruled Sendai. It is a small pavilion where you can enjoy a relaxing view of the bay. However, when I arrived, it was almost closing time, so I missed the opportunity to sit and enjoy tea, snacks, and the view. T_T What a pity....

He arrived only a few minutes late, which left me feeling slightly disappointed.

The housekeeper swept the gravel along the walkway smooth before closing it.

No worries, come back tomorrow morning.

• Godaido Shrine

Another viewpoint with a large wooden bridge to cross. It is believed that couples who hold hands while crossing the bridge will have a stronger relationship. 😍

A wooden shrine facing the Matsushima Bay.

This spot offers a panoramic view of the bay.

Near the pier

If you are interested in taking a boat trip to enjoy the view, you can visit the pier and book a boat trip from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Each trip lasts approximately 50 minutes.

Tickets are available for purchase at the waiting area, where tourist information is also provided. For inquiries about Matsushima sightseeing, please ask here.

(Includes a discount card for admission to the Sala Chomchan.)

This area also displays photos of the tsunami that struck in 2011. Although Matsushima is located near Sendai, it suffered only minor damage due to its unique geography. Comprised of over 300 islands, the archipelago acted as a natural barrier, mitigating the impact of the waves. Despite this protection, the floodwaters still reached a significant height, exceeding head level.

• The red bridge, Fukuura-bashi, leads to Fukuurajima Island, where there is a nature trail around the island.

There are seats for you to relax and enjoy the view. In other words, when you come to Matsushima, don't worry too much. Just think of it as a place to relax.

The cool evening light, with a gentle breeze.

Seagulls flying around, making me think I'm in Bang Pu. Too bad I didn't bring any pork crackling. 555

5. KANRANTEI: Enjoy Tea with a View of the Matsuura Bay at the Moon Viewing Pavilion

Kanrante, a pavilion overlooking the Matsuura Bay, offers a serene setting to enjoy a cup of tea while admiring the breathtaking views.

Kanrantei: A Scenic Pavilion Overlooking Matsushima Bay

Kanrantei, formerly a retreat for the daimyo of Sendai, offers breathtaking panoramic views of Matsushima Bay. This historic pavilion is now open to the public, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the scenic beauty of the area.

Admission is 200 yen per person. Arrive early at 8:30 am to be the first visitor of the day and enjoy a unique experience.

Note: A 100 yen discount coupon can be obtained at the tourist information center where tickets for boat tours of the bay are sold.

Open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Enjoy a set of green tea and Japanese sweets while taking in the stunning views. (Tea and sweets sets are served until approximately 4:00 PM, so don't be late!)

There are several sets of sweets to choose from, priced between 400-700¥.

The tea room isn't officially open yet, so the auntie hasn't swept the floor yet. Haha.

This room offers panoramic views of Matsushima Bay.

The two sets of mochi that the seals chose were zunda mochi, which is made with Japanese edamame and mochi.

For those who do not like to drink hot tea, ice will be added. However, because it is not sweet, it is more delicious to drink as hot tea.

Green tea set with red bean paste dessert

The tea room is exquisite, with a room at the back featuring stunning gold-leaf Japanese paintings.

Sipping tea with a view. I arrived in the morning, around 9 am. The sun was a bit strong, but the view was amazing! ^^
(In the summer here, the sun rises at 4 am. When I opened the curtains, it was already bright! ^^')

Immerse yourself in the authentic flavors of Japan.

This is an amazing experience. If you are visiting Matsushima, don't miss it! 😁

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• 6 •
[ Breezbay Seaside Resort Matsushima ]
A resort for the whole family to relax and enjoy.

Translation:

Next up is our accommodation in Matsushima. When choosing a hotel, we prioritized price, as we didn't want to spend a lot. Hotels near Matsushima start at around 4-5,000 baht. Those closer to the Red Bridge and the waterfront are more expensive, but offer more amenities, including food, recreation, and onsen baths. In short, staying in this city allows for true relaxation.

We found Breezbay Seaside Resort Matsushima on Agoda. The price for a double room with breakfast was 14,560 yen, or around 4,000 baht, payable upon arrival. This hotel is perfect for a relaxing getaway, especially for families. Although the name suggests it's by the sea, it's not directly on the beach, but offers a distant view of Matsushima Bay. The price for a room for two with breakfast is 14,560 yen, or around 4,000 baht. It also has an onsen, which is a great bonus.

The lobby area has a pleasant atmosphere.

Spacious and comfortable

A play area for children to sit and play. Even big kids will enjoy it! 555

Self-service coffee machine, drinking water, and snacks are available.

There is a table tennis room.

The onsen area features mixed-gender baths, with separate sections for men and women.

This will be switched between morning and evening to change the atmosphere (I think, haha).

This photo was taken late at night when there were no customers. I was the only one sitting there soaking.

The onsen changing room is equipped with everything you need, including dressing rooms, mirrors, hairdryers, and skin cream.

The water here is cloudy white.

Private rooms are available for couples or families, with two rooms and two styles to choose from:

Japanese style and Balinese style (Ubud room). The rooms can be rented from 6:00 AM and can be used for 30 minutes at a time. Reservations can be made at the schedule in front of the room.

The owner of this place seems to like the Balinese style, with Balinese music and decorations.
The otters used the UBUD room, a small pool where the whole family, parents and children, can soak together.

The room has a shower.

The double room is spacious and comfortable, with a clear separation between the bathroom and bedroom areas.

There are triangular pillows, which reminds me of a resort in Chiang Mai.

Bathroom

Let's change clothes, take a shower, and go out for a walk.
How are we going to get there? I'm too lazy to walk.

Then I saw two bicycles parked there, so I asked if I could rent them. The hotel staff said I could take them, no need to rent. Yay!
Let's cycle to Matsushima Bay (read the Matsushima Bay tour part above).

This accommodation includes breakfast, which is a Japanese-style buffet. The food is excellent. I really enjoy Japanese-style breakfasts.

Breakfast is served from 7 am to 10 am.

The Japanese family who came to relax also came down to have breakfast together.

The restaurant boasts stunning views of the Matsushima Bay.

The morning sun is strong and glaring, making my eyes sting. >_<

A complete and balanced breakfast. Now I understand why Japanese people are so healthy. ^^

The scrambled eggs here are incredibly delicious.

Another local delicacy is fish balls, known as 'Sasa Kamaboko'.

Similar to chikuwa, white, oval-shaped, like Ultraman's eyes 555

The taste is just so-so, our fish balls are much more delicious

Full and satisfied, ready for the long journey to Hokkaido. (The front desk staff was surprised that I was going to sleep in Sapporo tonight... (It was really surprising).

Checked out, paid for the damages, and the young man at the front desk drove me to Matsushimakaigan Station. It was great not having to walk there myself.

(This staff member did everything at the hotel, from checking in and out to taking me to my room, showing me the different rooms, and even taking me to another location. They were so lovely!)
I highly recommend it! If you're interested in staying in Matsushima, consider Breezbay Seaside Resort. The service is excellent, and it provides a truly relaxing atmosphere. The price is around 4,000 baht for 2 people for 1 night, including breakfast and an onsen. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.😃

Complete Sendai - Matsushima If you're looking for new travel destinations outside of Tokyo, Osaka, and Hokkaido, consider visiting this area on your own. It's easy to get to and not overly complicated.

**** However, this route is probably more suitable for those who enjoy peace and quiet, nature, and relaxation rather than those who are primarily interested in food or shopping. ^^

. . . See you again with the Summer Festival trip in Japan in Hokkaido next time! ^^

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