Tohoku: A Japan destination for all seasons

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Let’s face the facts. Japan is a popular place.

With close to 30 million international travelers heading there in 2018, tourists visiting traditional hotspots such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka during peak travel periods – say, cherry blossom season in the spring – will find themselves battling overwhelming crowds.

But the northern region of Tohoku remains surprisingly undertraveled in comparison, making it a fantastic destination any time of year.

Located at the tip of Japan’s main island of Honshu, Tohoku is made up of six prefectures: Aomori, Akita, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata, all of which are filled with dramatic landscapes, historical attractions and culinary delights.

Here’s a sample of some of the top Tohoku experiences on offer. For even more ideas, click through the above gallery.

Zao Onsen, where snow monsters roar

Skiing through Japan's 'snow monsters'

01:02 - Source: CNN

The Tohoku region gets some of the world’s biggest dumps of snowfall each winter, making it a great alternative to traditional ski resort destinations such as the wildly popular Hokkaido to the north.

One of the most foreigner-friendly destinations in the area, Zao Onsen in Yamagata prefecture is well-equipped to welcome powder hunters looking for some time on the slopes.

But the real reason to visit is to see Japan’s famed snow monsters – or “juhyo” in Japanese.

Every winter, as Siberian winds rush though the Zao Mountain Range, trees begin to collect thick, juicy layers of snow and ice. The trees freeze into fascinating humanesque forms.

To access the snow monsters, head for the Zao Onsen Ski Resort, which is spread over several peaks.

It’s a mid-sized facility that’s ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Zao’s longest downhill course is a 10-kilometer stretch that starts up at the snow monster observation area.

Zao Onsen snow monsters: Every winter, as Siberian winds rush though the Zao Mountain Range, trees begin to collect thick, juicy layers of snow and ice. The trees freeze into these fascinating forms, which have been dubbed "snow monsters."

Juicy juhyo: The snow monsters, called juhyo in Japan, sit at the top of the Zao Ski Resort and are accessible by cable car.

An unenviable job: View from the lookout point at the observation center. Men clean snow off the top of the cable car towers.

Analyze this: Much like staring into the clouds, part of the fun of exploring Zao's snow monsters includes playing the old "what do you see" game. Here, we see a wild cat roaring at a zombie as a large woman looks over it disapprovingly. You?

Stunning landscapes: As the cable car slides up the mountain, the trees become less recognizable.

Nightly illuminations: Every night until March 4, the Zao Snow Monsters are illuminated.

Small window: The best time to see the monsters is late January to early March, before the spring warmth seeps in.

Choose your adventure: Once at the top, visitors on foot can head out of the observation area to a roped-off section and roam freely among the snow monsters. Those planning to ski down the mountain head left to a separate trail that connects with Zao Ski Resort's other runs.

Increased interest: "Zao is definitely increasing in its popularity with foreigners," says Lyndell Keating, co-director of online powder ski guide Powderhounds.com.

Powder monster: A snowboarder cruises through the powder amidst the snow monsters at the Zao Onsen Ski Resort.

Wild weather: Clouds roll in over the landscape atop the Zao Ski Resort.

In awe: "If you haven't seen them before they can look pretty impressive and rather dramatic," says Keating of the snow monsters.

Zao after dark: Those searching for a party will be out of luck. Barring the odd small establishment like this, the nightlife in Zao Onsen is pretty sedate.

Public bath: This being an onsen (hot spring) town, the smell of sulfur is rich in the air -- a scent that can please or repel depending on individual tastes.

Healing waters: In addition to several public onsens, some hotels have their own in-house hot spring facilities.

Zao Onsen: The town adopts an eerie vibe after dark, when the huge poofs of hot spring steam rise out of the streams and drains -- some are even illuminated with great effect.

Not for beginners: Though most of the runs at Zao Ski Resort are ideal for beginners, the section that leads through the snow monsters at the top of the mountain is best reserved for experienced skiers.

Snow monsters of Zao, Japan

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The best time to see the monsters is late January to early March, before the spring warmth seeps in.

If you can’t make it in winter, there’s still plenty to see. For instance, the gorgeous Okama Crater Lake is surrounded by the three peaks of Tohoku’s Zao mountain range.

It was named after “kama,” a traditional iron pot that shares its shape, and can be visited in the summer months.

Akita, birthplace of Japan’s most beloved dog breed

Japan's adorable Akita dogs are famed for their loyalty.

Employed as everything from mascots and resort greeters to train station masters, Japan’s adorable Akita Inu dogs – which originally come from Tohoku’s Akita prefecture – have been charming the nation for decades.

The most famous Akita is Hachito, who was immortalized in film and has his own statue In Shibuya, Tokyo.

According to the legend, Hachito visited Shibuya station every single evening for a year to greet his caretaker after work. Sadly, one day his human friend died while on the job and did not return. Nevertheless, Hachito continued to visit the same spot every day for nine years.

How’s that for loyalty?

More recently, a band of Akita dogs was employed by a regional tourism body to create what might just be the strangest pop music video we’ve ever seen. (Check it out below.)

Want to meet some of these canine cuties in person? Head for Odate, Akita’s capital.

The Akita Dog Visitor Center at Odate Station is home to two honorary station masters, while the Akita Dog Museum offers a look at the history of these cute canines.

For more on the dogs – and where to meet them – visit the Akita Inu Tourism website.

Wanko soba: An all-you-can-eat noodle binge

This woman ate 300 bowls of noodles in 17 minutes

01:16 - Source: CNN

Only for the hungry, the wanko soba challenge is an all-you-can-eat buckwheat noodle binge unique to Japan’s Iwate prefecture.

Here’s how it goes: A server brings tiny bowls of noodles, laying them down one after another as quick as you can slurp them back.

As soon as you empty a bowl, she’ll swoop in to fill it with another mouthful, yelling “hai dan dan!”

There’s only one way to ebb the noodle flow – put a lid your wanko (bowl).

There are a few rules involved.

For starters, you have to eat continuously. You can’t take a break and digest your noodles then come back to the table for more.

We recommend trying it at the Azumaya Soba Shop in Morioka, Iwate’s capital.

There are four Morioka locations but the Ekimae branch is just a two-minute walk from the train station and has English-language menus.

For a full list of wanko soba restaurants, visit Japan-iwate.info/noodle/wanko.html.

Matsushima: Japan’s most scenic views

Matsushima, Japan: Matsushima, one of Japan's fabled three most scenic places, features more than 260 small, pine tree-covered islands.

Japan's oyster capital: In addition to the views, Matsushima is famous for its oysters. "Wild oysters were first discovered as a culinary delight and harvested from Matsushima Bay back in the 17th century," says Japanese culinary expert Hiroko Shimbo.

Matsushima Fish Market: One of the best places to sample these fine salt-water bivalve molluscs is at an all-you-can-eat oyster shack. The Matushima Fish Market has one in its parking lot, seen here on the left.

Funky little shack: Visitors pay upfront and are seated at a grilling table. Armed with a knife, diners slap on a glove and dive in, shucking then plucking the sweet, delicate meat from the shell with chopsticks.

Those views: Matsushima Bay has been the muse of many Japanese poets and artists through the ages, appearing in dozens of works.

Matsushima Bay Fish Market: Inside Matushima's small but substantial fish market, visitors will find a variety of food vendors in addition to packaged seafood items for those looking to take home souvenirs.

More than just oysters: Fish market visitors can order from a variety of vendors serving everything from ramen to sushi.

As fresh as it gets: When your meal is ready, staff will bring it up to the dining area on the second floor.

Oyster croquette burgers: If you're still not full, we recommend trying one of the market's famed oyster croquette burgers.

Matsushima Tourism Association Oyster Shack: A snow-covered mountain of discarded oyster shells sits in an empty lot outside the Matsushima Tourism Association Oyster Shack.

Scavenging for leftovers: In the waters nearby, swans and ducks wait for a chance to nibble on any leftovers that might get passed their way.

Winter hues: The cold winds leave their mark on the islands' pine trees, giving the area an eerier feel.

Kanejima (Bell Island): Located in the center of Matsushima Bay, this little island features four caverns, broken open by erosion. It's named not for its appearance but rather the sound it makes when it's hit by big waves.

Fishing nets: The bay is filled with oyster and wakame farms.

Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park: Don't care about oysters? Consider visiting Matsushima during cherry blossom season. According to the 2018 cherry blossom forecast, Miyagi prefecture will be blanketed in the beautiful blooms around April 10.

Summer hues: Matsushima's landscape is truly stunning in summer as well. Though visitors might miss out on oyster season, they'll get to experience bright, colorful scenes like this.