Kanaz Forest of Creation
On its vast green grounds, there are art museums, a glass studio, creative studio, and art-related store and restaurant from all over the country. The area is also dotted with ateliers of artists based here.
You get the chance to try your hand at pottery, glass art, fabric dyeing, bamboo crafts, and more!
Miketsukuni Wakasa Obama Food Culture Museum
Miketsukuni is a designated country presenting food such as salt and seafood to the Imperial Court in the old times, this facility introduces a history, culture, and food about Miketsukuni. In addition to the museum, there is also a kitchen studio, where visitors can join cooking class using local ingredients and processing by advance reservation.
They offer hands-on experiences inside, including making local foods like kamaboko (fish cake) and pressed mackerel sushi.
Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park
Chuzenji Lake was created 20,000 years ago from the eruption of Mt. Nantaisan. Diameter 25m, and maximum water depth 163m. Various seasonal flora awaits visitors. There is a hiking course around Chuzenji Lake. and visitors can enjoy a leisurely, great view of Mt. Nantaisan. It is chilly even during Summer, and was popular among foreigners as a place to escape the heat. Various villas of foreign nationals were made around here.
The Italian Embassy Villa Memorial Park lets you get close to Lake Chuzenji's beautiful natural scenery and learn about the area's history as an international summer retreat.
Shoji Hamada Memorial Mashiko Sankokan Museum
This museum utilizes the preserved home of Shoji Hamada, a legend who spread Mashiko ware around the world. In the spacious garden are 5 buildings including the oya-stone warehouse, a thatched roof house, and a climbing kiln. Each building features various exhibits in different environments.
Turns out this is a memorial museum for the founder of Mashiko pottery! The grounds are huge—if you love ceramics, this is a must-visit.
Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market
Shiogama Port boasts a major catch of tuna in Japan. Their catch of Bigeye tuna is the biggest in Japan. The freshly-caught fish in the nearby sea is brought to Shiogama Seafood Wholesale Market. When you step into the Market, spirited calls will greet you from different directions.
The most popular thing here is making your own seafood bowl with super fresh seafood you buy right in the market!
Nicholas Tower
Nicholas Tower was designated as a Japan Nightscape Heritage in 2020. It stands at the top of Asahikawa Santa Present Park, a ski slope at 330m above sea level. This is the symbol of the ski slope, opened to the public for a limited season.
This place has been chosen as a 'Lover's Sanctuary' in Japan! When I visited, I wrote a wish card and tied it to the 'Wishing Tree.' They say your wishes will come true if you do that.
Sanriku Fukko (reconstruction) National Park Nanbu
Sanriku Fukko National Park lies along the coastline from three prefectures, Miyagi, Iwate, and Aomori. The park combined with Rikuchu-kaigan National Park, Minamisanriku Kinkasan Quasi-National Park, and the others was named with wish of reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred in 2011 and with aim of transmission of the damages from one generation to the next.
This park was established after the devastating 3/11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It's also part of the recovery efforts for the Tohoku region.
Kanezaki Sasakama-kan
Kanezaki Sasakama-kan, adjacent to the factory, is an amusement facility with a sales booth and a restaurant.
They make fresh and tasty fish cakes every day! Plus, you can try fun activities like making your own fish cake with a mold or grilling your own fish cake. Super cool experience!
Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium
The largest aquarium in Tohoku Region near Sendai Port, which was opened in 2015 as “the aquarium to symbolize a recovery.” Creatures around Sanriku Coast and the world are displayed.
This is the biggest aquarium in Tohoku! No matter how many times I visit, I always have a great time here. Definitely worth enjoying to the fullest.
Senami Onsen
2km southwest from the heart of Murakami City, Senami Onsen is facing the Japan Sea with a dozen hot spring inns along the shore. It was found while test-digging for oil and the abundant sodium chloride source spring was opened in 1904. Since then, many have loved it as the hot spring with a beautiful sunset for more than 100 years. At the Funto Park where 95°C (203°F) “Heat Water” springs up, you can make boiled eggs in onsen.
The best thing about this hot spring is soaking in the bath while watching the sun set over the Sea of Japan. It's such a relaxing and beautiful experience. Highly recommended!