Unlimited relaxation index! Japan’s Tohoku region unveils its top 10 popular hidden gems, leaving netizens in awe of their stunning beauty

Tazawa Lake, known as “Akita’s No. 1 scenic spot,” displays varying shades of blue under sunlight, with mountain and sky reflections on the water creating a dreamy atmosphere. (Photo provided by HowToTrip)

After exploring Tokyo or Osaka, or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, Japan’s Tohoku region has become a new favorite among Japanophiles. A travel agency today released an online survey titled “So Beautiful It’ll Make You Cry: Where in Tohoku’s Hidden Gems Do You Want to Relax the Most?” Netizens voted for the top 10 most stress-relieving and rejuvenating spots in the region, attracting travelers eager to witness the breathtaking natural scenery and enjoy the local tranquility and leisure.

The Tohoku region boasts a diverse range of unique and beautiful landscapes, drawing many to visit. The results of the Tohoku Hidden Gems poll are in, with the top spot for relaxation going to the century-old “Ginzan Onsen Street.” This famous hot spring town served as the inspiration for the bathhouse in Studio Ghibli’s “Spirited Away,” sparking the enthusiasm of travelers on a pilgrimage to iconic anime locations.

Coming in second place is the “Oirase Gorge,” a dreamlike stream that has earned the title of the “most beautiful river in the world,” instantly coming to mind when one thinks of Japan’s Tohoku region. In third place is the “Nekoma Gorge,” where the contrast between the tranquil stream and towering cliffs creates a stunning effect, making visitors feel as if they’ve entered a landscape painting as boats slowly glide through the valley. The poetic and spiritual site “Yamadera Temple” in Yamagata, once visited by the famous poet Matsuo Bashō, ranks fourth. To reach the mountaintop, visitors must climb a thousand steps, and the panoramic view from above makes them feel embraced by heaven and earth, with the magnificent mountain scenery stretching out before them.

Reasons why netizens in Tohoku recommend these spots. (Photo provided by HowToTrip)

Securing fifth place is “Lake Towada,” a volcanic lake formed by an eruption 2,000 years ago, which forms a majestic and spectacular dreamlike scene alongside its steep cliffs. Travel writer Ogawa Keigetsu once praised it highly, saying, “If you must visit one mountain, make it Mount Fuji; if you must visit one lake, make it Lake Towada—both are absolutely unique in the world.” “Shore of Purity,” featuring white sandy beaches, white volcanic rocks, and red pine trees, presents a unique landscape that resembles a natural Japanese garden. Its strong Zen atmosphere has also won the favor of Tohoku’s spokesperson, Lin Chi-ling, earning it sixth place. Ranked seventh, “Kitayamazaki Coast” is known as the “Sea of the Alps,” with its dramatic cliffs rising over the ocean, earning the highest special A-rank coastal landscape designation in all of Japan.

“Tazawa Lake,” whose lake water changes to different shades of blue depending on sunlight, looks like a clear, pristine mirror on good weather days, reflecting the surrounding mountains and sky. Its dreamy quality earns it the title of “Akita’s No. 1 scenic spot,” ranking eighth. In ninth place is “Mount Zao Okama,” a crater lake where the turquoise waters shimmer brilliantly under sunlight, dazzling like a jewel and mystically like a pupil, thus earning the nickname “The Witch’s Eye.” The “Zao Fox Village,” the world’s only farm dedicated to raising foxes, ranks tenth. The super cute sight of fluffy foxes lifting their heads and giving humans gentle, slit-eyed gazes is incredibly heartwarming.

HowToTrip noted that the survey also allowed netizens to share why they find Tohoku so appealing. The most common reason was a longing for natural beauty, with many also wanting to visit filming locations from “Spirited Away.” Additionally, quite a few respondents mentioned that the lack of crowds and the opportunity for a relaxing trip were key reasons for wanting to visit Tohoku, while some simply wanted to explore a part of Japan they had never been to before.