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My Tohoku Pacific Coast Travel Journal

Follow along with Wendell as he explores the Tohoku Pacific Coast from the northeastern city of Hachinohe all the way down to Sendai, marking his favorite sights along the way.

A Walk Through Sendai to Remember

Following the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and subsequent tsunami, the residents of Sendai are standing on their feet once again and ready to share the lessons they've learned about disaster prevention and preparation.

Hoof It to Soma-Nomaoi Festival in Fukushima

Head down to the Soma region of Fukushima to witness a thousand-year-old festival that's still a barrel of fun today.

Artist Onogawa's 1-Centimeter-Wide Origami

Naoki Onogawa is sending up a tribute to the survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami with his incredibly tiny origami prayer cranes.

Undiscovered Japan: Fukushima & Miyagi

While Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures were both badly hit by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, the region has now largely recovered, and is looking to see travelers flock in once again.

Take a Photo Trip to the Tohoku Sanriku Coast

Come along with us as we visit the Sanriku Coastal Area, a beautiful coastline in the northeastern part of Japan's largest island with breathtaking geographical variety.

Matsushima: The Shining Jewel of Miyagi

We're proud to present a guide to Matsushima, one of Japan's three most beautiful views, brought to you by our friends at Spoon & Tamago.

Discover Fruit & Fossils in Fukushima!

Welcoming visitors with open arms, Fukushima Prefecture offers strawberry picking, a fresh tomato theme park, and a fossil museum where you can try your hand at archaeology.

A Foodie's Guide to the Delicacies of Tohoku

How could one visit the Tohoku Pacific Coast without trying the seafood? Here's a rundown of the culinary delights to be on the lookout for while visiting the flavorful northeastern region of Japan.

Walk Tohoku's Historic Michinoku Coastal Trail

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.

Nuclear Fuel from Fukushima Daiichi #3 Removed

Tokyo Electric Power Company removes all 566 nuclear fuel rods from their No. 3 reactor at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi.

AAJ Adventures: Ryusendo Cave

We're back with another AAJ Adventure, this time in Iwaizumi Town in Iwate Prefecture, to check out one of the Three Great Limestone Caves in Japan.

Getting Back on Track With Disaster Prevention

Following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the Tohoku region sustained a substantial amount of damage from the tsunami. However, in a tremendous effort to educate the locals and visitors on prevention, Sanriku Railway is running a recovery train.

Tasting the Future of Tohoku

As the cities along the Tohoku Pacific Coast are debating the best ways to move forward with rebuilding and prevention, one thing is for sure: reconstruction has seen the seafood industry rebound, allowing lots of unique local flavors to make a comeback.

A Beacon of Light Shines at Arahama Elementary

When tragedy struck Japan on March 11, 2011, one elementary school in Sendai stood strong, becoming a symbol of hope for the entire nation.

Savor Seafood & Study Reconstruction in Miyagi

Each small town in Miyagi Prefecture has its own specialty seafood dishes and we were dying to try them during our visit. And while we were at it, we took a look at the incredible reconstruction efforts of Tohoku, making for a fascinating trip.

Hiking Japan’s Michinoku Coastal Trail: 2-Day Model Itinerary

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

Hungry in Aomori? Find Delicacies in Hachinohe

Harvests in Hachinohe are always abundant, with bountiful crops that are fresh and cheap. So it's no surprise that Hachinohe’s biggest selling point is the incredibly high-quality gourmet foods you can get at an affordable price.

Hiking Japan's Michinoku Coastal Trail: 4-Day Itinerary in Iwate

This section of Japan's 1,000-kilometer trail down the northern Pacific coast offers great hiking, spectacular views of the rugged coast and insights into the devastation caused by the 2011 tsunami.

AAJ Adventures: Kitayamazaki

While checking out a few other spots in Iwate Prefecture, we just had to see the sights from the observation decks of Kitayamazaki. And the views were truly breathtaking. We've got the video to prove it.

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