名所・史跡

From its "million-dollar" night views to its gorgeously kept 19th-century Western-style buildings, the port city of Hakodate has a lot to offer. There is one spot that visitors will not want to miss: a curious star-shaped structure carpeted with cherry trees that bloom magnificently in spring. It is hard to tell from ground level, but this structure was actually Japan's first Western-style fortification, completed in 1864. The fort was drafted by Takeda Ayasaburo, who probably referred to French texts in its construction. The five points (bastions) were designed to house cannon emplacements and prevent blind spots in the fort's defenses. Many similar fortifications, such as the Dutch Bourtange Fortress, remain in Europe today. During the Edo period (1603 - 1867), the reigning Tokugawa shogunate closed Japan’s ports to most of the outside world, withdrawing into more than 200 years of self-imposed isolation. This policy, called sakoku, came to an abrupt end in 1853 when American Admiral Matthew Perry arrived with a fleet of armed “black ships” into the bay off of Japan’s capital. A year later, with the signing of the Treaty of Kanagawa, Japan opened two ports to the rest of the world - Hakodate and Shimoda. As Japan entered into similar treaties with different nations, Hakodate saw more foreign ships come and go. Pressed to defend Japan’s ports against threats from abroad, the Tokugawa shogunate commissioned Fort Goryokaku. It took seven years to complete. Visitors can now also explore the fully restored Hakodate Magistrate's Office, a building once used to govern the area that stands within the fort premises. The full splendor of this fort can be viewed from the observation deck of the nearby 107-meter Goryokaku Tower.

A volcano located to the north of the Shimokita Peninsula in the northeast part of Aomori Prefecture. It is one of Japan’s ‘Three Holy Mountains’, and is considered to be the boundary between this life and the next.

Every spring, visitors flock to see the magnificent cherry trees surrounding Hirosaki Castle, especially during the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, held in late April to early May. The first cherry trees planted inside the castle compound are said to have been brought here from Kyoto in 1715, and over the centuries their numbers were increased to create the awe-inspiring panorama of 2,600 trees today. Hirosaki Castle was built in 1611 as the residence of the Tsugaru clan that ruled over the region bearing their name. Its original five-story main keep burned down after lightning struck the castle; the gleaming white three-story structure that visitors see now was built in 1810. As such, Hirosaki is the only castle in the Tohoku region with a surviving main keep from the Edo period (1603-1867). Its three guard towers and five castle gates also date back to this era. The keep presents a strikingly different appearance depending on which side it is viewed from: indeed, it almost seems to be a different castle. From the Gejobashi side, the keep is elegant with decorations including bay windows and gables, while from the Honmaru side, it is quite simple with no decorations at all. The greenish cast of the roof comes from its copper tiles, which have oxidized over the centuries.

青森県青森市にある縄文時代の大規模集落跡。「北海道・北東北の縄文遺跡群」として世界文化遺産に登録されている。

青森県から秋田県にまたがる山地帯。世界最大規模のブナの原生林が形成されている。屋久島と並び、日本初のユネスコ世界遺産に登録された。

岩手県平泉町にある天台宗の寺院。開基は平安時代末期に藤原清衡。「平泉―仏国土（浄土）を表す建築・庭園及び考古学的遺跡群―」の構成資産のひとつとして、世界遺産に登録されている。

Matsushima Bay and its 260 pine-covered islands are collectively considered one of the Three Views of Japan, spots chosen centuries ago for their striking beauty. Such is Matsushima’s appeal that even legendary haiku poet Matsuo Basho (1644 - 1694) was initially lost for words when he visited the area. The four recommended observation spots around Matsushima take some time to reach but offer differing panoramic vistas of the island-studded bay. Sightseeing cruises provide closer views from the water, and three of the islands are accessible via footbridges. Notable historical sites in Matsushima include Zuiganji Temple, the most important Zen temple in the Tohoku region. The temple was originally constructed in 828 but was rebuilt in the early 17th century by warlord Date Masamune (1567 - 1636), who assembled 130 master craftsmen from across Japan for the five-year project. Zuiganji’s main and kitchen buildings are National Treasures, and the temple museum features items such as Masamune’s samurai armor. Godaido Hall, which stands on a small island jutting into Matsushima Bay and has become a symbol of the area, houses five statues that are shown only during a special ceremony held every 33 years. The next occasion will be in 2039. The exterior is notable for the 12 zodiac animals carved into the wood, which are all the more precious because the seaside hall survived the tsunami of March 11, 2011. Much of Matsushima was spared significant damage thanks to the breakwater effect of the many islands in the bay. The waters of Matsushima are not just picturesque; they also are ideal for growing oysters. Many restaurants in the town serve oyster-based dishes, and oyster lunch cruises and a handful of all-you-can-eat oyster shacks operate during the winter months. The annual Matsushima Oyster Festival held in early February is a highlight for mollusk fans, but there is plenty of other local seafood to satisfy visitors year-round.

秋田県東部にある湖。奥羽山脈の山間にある周囲２０キロ程度の大きさで、中央部の深さは４２３メートルと、日本一の深さを誇る。

It is small wonder that Risshakuji Temple is popular with photographers: the breathtaking views from the place also known as “Yamadera” (literally “mountain temple” in Japanese) are among the finest in Japan. All of Mt. Hoshu is considered to be the temple’s grounds, and visitors will see many striking buildings large and small perched on the cliffs as they climb the 1,015 stone steps from the base of the mountain. At the top is Godaido Hall with an observation deck offering a magnificent panoramic view of the valley below. Risshakuji Temple was founded in 860 by the Buddhist priest Ennin (794-864). Its main Konponchudo Hall at the foot of the mountain holds “the eternal flame of Enryakuji,” an oil lantern that has been burning ever since it was brought here 1,200 years ago from Enryakuji, the head temple of the Tendai sect to which Risshakuji belongs. Such was the peace and stillness of the area that it inspired famous haiku poet Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) to write one of his most famous pieces: “Quietness: seeping into the rocks, the cicada’s voice.” Other memorable structures include the intricately carved Niomon gate and the Hiko Hall treasure house, which preserves the temple’s most prized works of Buddhist art and literature. The oldest building is the small red Nokyodo that houses transcriptions of Buddhist sutras.

福島県猪苗代町、磐梯町、北塩原村にまたがる、福島のシンボルとされる山。会津富士とも呼ばれる。

Famed for an intense, month-long siege by government forces during the Boshin Civil War in 1868, Tsuruga Castle holds a special place in Japanese history. The original castle was demolished in the early Meiji period (1868 ? 1912), but its replacement accurately replicates the appearance of the main tower, right down to its white walls and distinctive red roof tiles. Tsuruga Castle justified its reputation for being impregnable by holding out even when surrounded by 10,000 soldiers of the newly formed Meiji government and bombarded by about 2,500 shells in a single day. Eventually, the trapped forces loyal to the Tokugawa shogunate surrendered and the castle fell. A few years later, the badly damaged castle was demolished, although its stone walls were left in place. The main tower standing today is a reinforced-concrete replica built in 1965 based on documents including photos taken before the castle was torn down. In 2001, a turret and the nagaya long corridor connecting it to the main tower were reconstructed using techniques and methods from the Edo period (1603 ? 1867). Tsuruga Castle is the only one in Japan that has a main tower with red roof tiles. The replica initially had black tiles, but these were replaced in 2011 to recreate the original appearance. The red tiles, which once were quite common on Japanese castles, have an iron glaze that enables them to withstand the Tohoku region’s bitter winter cold. The main tower’s observation platform offers spectacular views of the surrounding area, including the many cherry trees that blossom each spring. While the original castle is no more, one of its Edo-period structures has survived. Before the castle was demolished, a small three-story building from the castle was relocated to nearby Amidaji Temple, where it still stands today.