JR East Pass – If you’ve been excited to explore Japan while admiring the beauty of nature, Eastern Japan can be your option. There are many cities apart from Tokyo that will take your breath away!
Take Tohoku and Nagano, for example, they’re both located in Eastern Japan, and they could offer you the beauty of nature that varies in each season. Curious? Read this article until the end!
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Hop Around Eastern Japan is Now Easier with the JR East Pass!
Do you want to explore the charm of Japan in various spots? Fret not! There is an easy, practical, and simple way for you! Yup, you can explore various areas of East Japan with the JR East Pass.
JR Pass, or known as Japan Rail Pass, is a transportation service provided for international travelers. You can access various public transport such as JR Trains, Tokyo Monorail, JR Ferry, and many more.
There are many types of JR Pass available, as for travelers who wish to explore Eastern Japan, such as Nagano, Niigata, and Tohoku, the right choice would be JR East Pass!
This JR Pass can be used for unlimited rides for five consecutive days of exploring Eastern Japan.
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Explore Tohoku with the JR East Pass, Come Take a Look at These Exciting Activities!
Among one of available JR East Pass that you can choose is JR East Pass Tohoku Area! If you want to bathe in a traditional ambiance along with the beauty of nature, Tohoku is made for you. Divided into six prefectures, Tohoku consists of Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, and Yamagata,
1. Sakura’s Beauty in Hirosaki Park
Spring in Japan is indeed an awaited moment for all of us, and Hirosaki Park located in Aomori, is one of the mandatory spots for you to visit! In this 49-hectare park, you can find the iconic Hirosaki Castle with stunning architecture.
Sakura trees surround this castle, and it’s no wonder that travelers from all over the globe flock to this destination to witness the breathtaking spectacle of cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Not only during spring, but Hirosaki Park also holds a famous winter festival called Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival. Definitely, just as epic as the springtime!
Find out more about destinations with the best sakura view during spring in Japan by clicking on the link below!
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Address: 〒036-8356 Aomori, Hirosaki, Shimoshiroganecho, 1, Japan (Check on Google Maps)
2. Join the Excitement of the Omagari Fireworks Festival in Summer
Traveling to Japan in the summertime? Don’t miss out on a visit to Omagari, a city center located in Akita prefecture. This area is renowned for hosting the liveliest fireworks festival every year at the end of August.
This fireworks festival is held in the riverbed of the Omono River, near JR Omagari train station. It’s only a 25 minutes walk before you can see the vibrant color of fireworks!
Address: Omono River, Akita Prefecture, Japan
3. Zao Mountains for an Epic Skiing and Blissful Onsen Bathing
Venture to the border of Miyagi and Yamagata and discover Zao, a volcanic mountain range with breathtaking natural scenery encompassing crater lakes, wetlands, waterfalls, and shrines.
While there are plenty of exciting activities to try in Zao, the main tourist attraction would be catching a glimpse of the legendary snow monsters and hitting the slopes for some thrilling skiing action on Mount Zao.
Fret not even if you’re a beginner, as there are plenty of wide and safe skiing areas to explore. Plus, you can easily rent all the necessary equipment on-site!
After a thrilling day of skiing, indulge in a Japanese-style hot spring bath aka onsen. There are numerous options of private and public onsens to choose from. Take your pick from a variety of private and public onsen, and just imagine the pure bliss of relaxing in the hot waters while basking in the incredible views of Mount Zao. An experience that you simply cannot miss!
Address: Zaoonsen, Yamagata, 990-2301, Japan
Best Things to Do when Traveling to Nagano and Niigata!
You can utilize the JR East Pass category to explore various tourist destinations in the Kanto, Nagano, and Niigata regions by using various types of public transportation, such as Shinkansen bullet trains, limited express trains, and some non-JR trains in the Izu and Nikko areas.
1. Let’s Go to Jigokudani Monkey Park
Are you curious about the famous monkey park in Japan? Well, with the JR East Pass Nagano and Niigata, you can easily visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park!
Nestled in the Yamanouchi mountains in Nagano, specifically in the Onsen Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen areas, this place is often called Snow Monkey Park.
Here, you can see countless monkeys soaking in hot springs to warm themselves up. After all, these monkeys are the coolest primates around, as they’re the only ones that thrive in chilly climates.
It’s a unique sight you can only witness at Jigokudani Monkey Park, and don’t worry, these monkeys are very friendly!
Open hour: Every day, 9AM-4PM local time
Address: 6845 Hirao, Yamanochi, Shimotakai District, Nagano 381-0401, Japan (Google Maps)
2. A Zenko-ji Temple Tour to Explore Japan’s Most Important and Historical Shrine
Get ready for a journey back in time at Zenko-ji Temple, the must-visit historical temple in Nagano during spring! This temple has been standing for over 1,400 years and houses the sacred Hibutsu statue, the first Buddha statue brought to Japan. Unfortunately, the statue is not open to the public due to its sacredness.
But that’s not all, t-mates! The temple is surrounded by stunning Sakura trees that bloom beautifully during spring. You’ll feel like you turn it into a real-life postcard!
Open hour: Every day, sunrise to sunset (around 5AM to 5PM local time depending on season)
Address: 491 Naganomotoyoshichō, Nagano, 380-0851, Japan (Check on Google Maps)
3. Relax Your Body and Mind at Kusatsu Onsen
Exploring Japan would only be complete with experiencing the fun of soaking in a natural hot spring or onsen. One of the best onsens in Japan is located in Gunma Prefecture, and it’s called Kusatsu Onsen!
To get the whole onsen experience, head to Yubatake, a natural hot water source that cools down before visitors enjoy it. This place is so cool that it’s also a popular spot for taking Insta-worthy photos.
Don’t miss out on an even more immersive experience! Rotenburo Sainokawara, an open-air hot spring bath in the Kusatsu Onsen area, offers a vast lake and river surrounded by stunning natural scenery. You’ll feel like you’ve entered a dreamland of relaxation!
Address: Gunma Prefecture, Kanto, Honshu Island, Japan
4. Hunt for Unique Japanese Cuisine and Try Basashi Sashimi!
Have you ever heard of a Japanese dish called Basashi? This one-of-a-kind sashimi dish is actually made from horsemeat and is a specialty in Nagano.
But don’t be intimidated by the idea of eating horsemeat! Basashi is a healthy and delicious dish that is high in protein and low in fat. It’s typically served cold and even placed on a bed of ice to keep it fresh accompanied by soy sauce, garlic, and wasabi.
If you’re interested in trying Basashi, be sure to check out Shin Miyoshi, one of the most famous restaurants in Nagano. With over 100 years of history, this restaurant is a must-visit for any Basashi enthusiast.
Address: Chuo, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
Make Your Vacation to Eastern Japan Easier with the JR East Pass!
Ready for an adventure in Eastern Japan? From the bustling Tokyo to the serene mountains in Nagano, there’s so much to see and do!
Get yourself a JR East Pass and enjoy unlimited access to the JR East train lines. To find the best deals on JR Passes, just head to tiket.com and start planning your dream trip today!
To make your travel in Japan or other destinations more budget-friendly, remember to purchase your flight ticket to Japan and various To Do activities on tiket.com! Use the promo code BLOGTODO to explore fun and exciting adventures!
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*Information is valid at the time this article was written. Prices and other conditions may change at any time.
