Naruko is conveniently located for sightseeing in Tohoku
The Naruko-onsen-kyo Hot Spring Village is situated in the center of the Tohoku Region. It is close to the prefecture’s borders with Iwate, Akita, and Yamagata Prefectures, and over each mountain pass you can see a different landscape. It has good access to major tourist spots in the Tohoku Region, including Matsushima, Hiraizumi, and Yamadera, each taking about two hours to reach by train or car. How about making a one-day trip from Naruko to experience some of the other attractions of Tohoku?
1. Sendai
Sendai prospered as a wealthy castle town ruled by the Date family and is a major city with a population of more than 1 million, often fondly referred to as “The City of Trees.” It is a city where urban functions and nature are blended, and visitors can fully enjoy shopping and gourmet food. The tourist route to visit places associated with Date Masamune, including the ruins of Sendai Castle and the Zuihoden (mausoleum of Date Masamune) is also popular.
[Rail] JR Naruko Onsen Station >> JR Sendai Station 63 minutes
[Car] In front of JR Naruko Onsen Station >> Within Sendai City 78.8 km, 1 hour and 25 minutes
2. Matsushima
Matsushima is one of Three Great Views of Japan. Many small islands appear as if floating in the bay, and it is one of the major tourist spots in the Tohoku Region. There are many historically important buildings, including Zuiganji temple, built by the magnificent efforts of Date Masamune, Godaido temple and Entsuin temple. It is also recommended to take a sightseeing boat to view the glorious view so loved by Matsuo Basho from the sea.
[Rail] JR Naruko Onsen Station >> JR Matsushima Station 1 hour and 23 minutes
[Car] In front of Naruko Onsen Station >> Matsushima/Zuiganji 67.5 km, 1 hour and 32 minutes
Hiraizumi
Hiraizumi is a historical city where the Oshu Fujiwara family built the capital of gorgeous Buddhist culture in the Heian Period. The Chusonji Temple is known for the Konjikido Golden Hall, a National Treasure. The Motsuji Temple, whose wonderful garden simulates the Pure Land of the Buddhist afterlife, was registered as a World Heritage Site. Why not make a historical trip to Hiraizumi crossing over a 1000 years of time?
[Rail] JR Naruko Onsen Station >> JR Hiraizumi Station 1 hour and 57 minutes
[Car] In front of Naruko Onsen Station >> Hiraizumi/Chusonji Temple 85.5 km, 1 hour and 34 minutes
4. Yamadera
Rissyakuji Temple, known as “Yamadera” (Mountain Temple) was established by the Buddhist priest Jikaku Daishi in 860 and is a branch temple of Hieizan Enryakuji. It is also known for being visited by Matsuo Basho during the journey he described in Oku no Hosomichi. In the middle of the 1,015 stone steps up to the top built into the steep slopes of the mountain, there are a number of smaller temple buildings.
The cityscape under your eyes seen from the “Godaido” established near the summit is one of the main attractions.
[Rail] JR Naruko Onsen Station >> JR Yamadera Station 2 hours and 29 minutes
[Car] In front of JR Naruko Onsen Station >> Yamadera/Rissyakuji 78.1 km, 2 hours and 17 minutes
5. Yokote
Yokote is a central city in the southern part of Akita Prefecture that retains the atmosphere of its history as a castle town. In the Kamakura Festival in February, a typical winter event, a large number of kamakura (igloo) lit by the candles produce a quiet and fantastic scenery against the darkness. The local delicacies of “Yokote Yakisoba” and “Jumonji Chinese Noodles” are gourmet food that we recommend you to try.
[Rail] JR Naruko Onsen Station >> JR Yokote Station 2 hours and 36 minutes
[Car] In front of JR Naruko Onsen Station >> (via Tohoku Expressway) >> Within Yokote City 88.3 km, 2 hours and 17 minutes
