Which means of transport to use dans le Tōhoku?

Organize your stay dans le Tōhoku

From the airport to the city centre From the airport to the city centre dans le Tōhoku

Airports all over Tōhoku. Each of the region's prefectures has at least one airport serving domestic routes to major Japanese cities. Most flights are operated by Japan Airlines (JAL) or All Nippon Airways (ANA), but some low-cost airlines, such as Jetstar or Peach, also offer discounted connections. From Tokyo, the plane is generally less convenient than the Shinkansen, which links all the region's major cities directly and quickly. The Haneda-Akita flight, for example, takes around 1 hour. On the other hand, from Osaka or other remote regions, flying becomes a more attractive option: allow around 1h30 for the flight between Osaka and Aomori.

Some airports are far from the prefectural capital. Such is the case of Iwate, located in Hanamaki, about 30 minutes by local train from Morioka.

Several Tōhoku airports are served by foreign airlines. For example, you can fly to Aomori from Seoul (Korean Air) and Taipei (Eva Air), or to Sendai from Hong Kong (Greater Bay Airlines) and Taipei (Starlux).

Arrival by train Arrival by train dans le Tōhoku

Convenient access. All the prefectural capitals of Tōhoku are served by Shinkansen from Tokyo. Cities like Sendai and Fukushima take a minimum of 1.5 hours and Akita a maximum of around 3 hours 45 minutes.

Several Shinkansen lines. Japan's Shinkansen trains vary according to line and destination. In the Tōhoku region, there are four lines: Tohoku Shinkansen, Akita Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen and Jōetsu Shinkansen. The trains also differ in design and color.

Good to know. Some Shinkansen stations are not always located in the city center. This is the case of Shin-Aomori, located about five minutes by local train from the heart of Aomori. Conversely, other stations have been set up in the countryside to serve small towns and facilitate regional travel. For example, Tazawako station (Akita) is just 15 minutes by bus from Lake Tazawa, providing rapid access to this natural site.

The name of the operator usually precedes the name of the station, when companies differ. Ticket prices vary according to operator and destination.

To simplify travel between the networks of different operators, we recommend using an IC Card. This rechargeable smart card, purchased with a ¥500 deposit, makes it easy to pay on most transport systems. The deposit is refundable by returning the card to the appropriate counter at the end of your stay. Today, it's also possible to download a digital version directly onto your smartphone via an app.

Arrival by boat Arrival by boat dans le Tōhoku

A few ports in Tōhoku provide connections between northern Honshu and the northern island of Hokkaido. You can reach, for example, Hakodate by ferry from Aomori, or Tomakomai from Hachinohe and Sendai. International cruisers can also call at some of the region's ports.

Public transport Public transport dans le Tōhoku

In Japan, train and subway ticket prices vary according to the distance travelled between the departure and arrival stations. Vending machines also offer an interface in English and other languages. In addition to the famous JR Pass, valid on JR and Shinkansen lines, there are many regional passes combining trains and other forms of transport. To find out more about these advantageous options, consult the operators' websites, tourist information centers or the "Getting around - Train Pass" section at the end of this guide. Locally, some city buses also offer day passes, such as the "Loop Sendai" in Sendai or the Haikara-san and Akabe Town buses in Aizu-Wakamatsu. Finally, 2 or 3-day passes enable long-distance bus travel across Tōhoku (excluding Niigata), via the "Tohoku Highway Bus" network.

Bike, scooters & co Bike, scooters & co dans le Tōhoku

Bicycles are a common means of transport in Japan, practical and enjoyable for exploring cities at your own pace. Self-access rental services are multiplying, but you can also rent a bike from tourist offices, hotels, agencies or specialized stores. Some destinations in Tōhoku lend themselves particularly well to two-wheeled excursions, such as Kakunodate and Lake Tazawa (Akita), Hirosaki (Aomori), Kesennuma (Miyagi) or Lake Inawashiro (Fukushima).

With a driver With a driver dans le Tōhoku

In Japan, it's perfectly possible to hail a cab on the street or wait for one at designated ranks, often located in front of railway stations. Online booking is also an option, although slightly more expensive. In the less touristy prefectures, however, cabs can be a rarity. Don't hesitate to consult local companies: some of them offer sightseeing tours. There are also fixed-fare cab services, such as Sendai Chuo Taxi, which offer transparently-priced journeys between two defined points. For example, a trip from the center of Sendai to Akiu Onsen costs around ¥5,200.

By car By car dans le Tōhoku

We don't recommend driving in big cities, where traffic jams are frequent and parking is both scarce and expensive. Especially as the rail network is highly developed. On the other hand, to explore the countryside or the most remote areas, car rental becomes a very practical option, and is even highly recommended. This is the case, for example, to reach the Oga peninsula (Akita) or the Shimokita peninsula (Aomori).

Accessibility Accessibility dans le Tōhoku

In major Japanese cities, sidewalks and station platforms are generally equipped with pedometer tiles. Most stations also have accessible elevators, with priority given to people with disabilities and parents with young children. Staff can provide assistance with moving around, and steps in stations where they are needed. If you have any questions or would like to arrange an escort, JR provides a helpline in English: ✆ +81 50-2016-1603. It is also advisable to book wheelchair-accessible cabs in advance, especially from airports. Outside the major cities, accessibility becomes more uncertain, particularly in mountainous areas, temples or shrines.

Tourist traps Tourist traps dans le Tōhoku

In Japan, the risk of stumbling across a fake cab is extremely low. To identify official vehicles, note that cabs and chauffeur-driven cars carry a green license plate with white lettering, a sign that they are authorized to operate on a commercial basis.