AOMORI

Ten years after one of Japan’s most deadly disasters, a region is reborn--and it is home to the best hiking trail you’ve never heard of.

Here’s an easy-to-follow itinerary for hiking the northernmost part of the Michinoku Coastal Trail, accessible to beginners and long-trailers alike.

Yet the sheer size of Tohoku means that there are still plenty of discoveries to be made. On this trip, I set out to explore some lesser-known wonders in Miyagi, Iwate, and Aomori Prefectures.

A 208.4 kilogram tuna fetches nearly ¥20.8 million at Toyosu Market's first auction of the year.

Aomori Prefecture wanted to boost the value and attractiveness of their fishery industry. And to them, there's apparently no better way than with wet, toned fishermen on trading cards.

Autumn colors at Tsutanuma Lake in northern Japan are enchanting visitors from all around.

The Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Japan is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the most interesting and beautiful rural towns in Japan. There are truly some hidden gems on this list!

Michinoku is an old name for the Tohoku region, and means "the end of the road." The Michinoku Coastal Trail in Tohoku is a 1,000+ kilometer walking route along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Japan's rustic north.