Hot springs, powder skiing and succulent seafood in Japan's northeast

If you’re planning a winter holiday in Japan and want to see centuries-old temples shrouded in blankets of snow, soak in steaming hot springs under the open sky, or satisfy your cravings for local Japanese seafood, then Tohoku has it all.

This northeastern region of mountains, rivers and seaside towns is somewhat off the beaten track for the regular tourist, yet just an hour or two away from Tokyo by shinkansen (bullet train).

Photo above: The Hiraizumi Chusonji temple complex is Japan’s first National Treasure and boasts 800-year-old Buddhist statues as well as the famous Konjiki-do or Golden Hall, which is completely covered by gold leaf and mother-of-pearl (not pictured).

Also, click here for our report on the travel situation in Tohoku.

Or if you're not a winter person, view some of our photos of Tohoku in the heat of summer.

The writer’s visit was sponsored by the Japanese Government (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization and the City of Sendai.