Tohoku Awaits - Season 1

Get off the Tohoku Shinkansen at Hanamaki Station and step into the fantastic world of renowned children's author Kenji Miyazawa. Whether it be the cuisine or handmade crafts, you're sure to find something heartwarming even in Hanamaki's winter cold.

In this area blessed with sea food, sea urchins are the local pride. They are still harvested by freedivers. A local high school diver presents the aquarium that was rebuilt after the earthquake.

This show's guide Takahashi has 12 years of experience as a diver. He returned to his home turf of Miyagi Prefecture after the Great East Japan Earthquake to help with the recovery and opened a diving shop in Ishinomaki. He visits an unusual spot where you can dive in the fishery and that has oyster trap nets in Sanriku-oki, said to be one of the world's top 3 fisheries. Discover a park with a beautiful view and delicious cuisine with local fresh seafood.

Aizu is famous for delicious Japanese sake, so you don't want to miss the 170-year-old brewery. Their staff offers free tours with no reservations required. This episode's guide is Kawai, a hair stylist from Aizu Wakamatsu. He's a sake fan and you'll want to see the café with sake-flavored sweets and local delicacies that pair perfectly with sake. Plus, enjoy Aizu's charming lacquerware, cotton fabrics, and candles in an old-fashioned townscape that beckons you for a stroll through the past.

The guide to charming Towada is Urushidate, who works at City Hall to revitalize the city and encourage newcomers to move to town. Check out his early-morning canoe tour with mystical dawn scenery and teatime on the lake, the impressive Oirase Gorge with beautiful rapids and rocks, and a café with yummy sweets. And, he recommends the Towada Art Center, where the streets feature artwork for a truly immersive experience! Plus, enjoy works by the world-famous artist Yayoi Kusama.

Our guide is Colin Flinn, an American who moved to Akita Prefecture after falling in love with the area. Odate is famous as the hometown of the loyal dog in the movie Hachi: A Dog's Tale. At the Akita Dog Museum, Akita dog Yuki greets us at the reception desk. We even meet Akita dogs out for a walk, a delight for dog lovers. Colin recommends Odate Magewappa, a traditional craft that is used for popular obento boxes. Book your spot on a factory tour! And, enjoy Kiritampo rice sticks with miso or in a hot pot.

Our guide is Rihito Shibata, a snowboarder in the 8th grade. He zips down the slopes of Zao in Yamagata Prefecture, showing off powder snow that rivals Niseko in Hokkaido Prefecture! We take the lift to the mountain top and see the amazing landscape of frozen trees. The night-time illumination is mesmerizing (limited-time only). And, Zao's hot springs have a history stretching back 1,900 years. Enjoy the old-fashioned Japanese streetscape and find out about local delicacies and cool souvenirs.

Our guide is Shunsuke Oouchi, who works at a local shop. The first stop is Lake Inawashiro, Tohoku's biggest lake. It's famous for migrating swans in the winter, and the natural ice sculptures are perfect for your social media feed! And, Shunsuke recommends snow-harvested cabbage, which is extra sweet after ripening under the snow. Plus, take a 30-minute drive to Lake Hibara in Urabandai and enjoy snowmobiling on the frozen lake, ice fishing for wakasagi, hot springs, and more!

Sendai is famous for its ruler Date Masamune, a legendary warlord from the Sengoku era. This show's guide is Date Masamune himself, reborn some 400 years later! He leads the Oshu/Sendai Welcome Squad, Sendai's official hospitality group. His tour kicks off with the Sendai Castle Ruins overlooking the city and covers delicious food, cool souvenirs, and a bus that hits the city's tourist spots. Date Masamune's group puts on must-see performances for tourists, complete with a heroic soundtrack!