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The JR East service area has many tourist spots to enjoy nature, history and fine food. When traveling, we invite you to use the JR East Shinkansen and limited express trains.
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- Winter-Have Fun in the Snow
- Here we have put together some information on a number of places where you can enjoy the snow in Eastern Japan. Take a trip to Japan's snowy country.
Snow season: From early December
- Autumn-Foliage Special Feature
- In this autumn Special Feature, we have found the best places to view the colored leaves of autumn in Eastern Japan. Nature's autumn beauty in each location will hold you spellbound.
Peak viewing dates: Early October to late November
- Summer-Special Feature: Festivals
- In this special feature, we look at some representative summer festivals of Eastern Japan.
Festival season: Early to mid-August
- Spring-Enjoy Cherry Blossom Viewing
- With the mild weather, we recommend a trip to appreciate the beauty of cherry blossoms in spring.
Season: early April to early May
- Hot Springs (Onsen)
- Hot springs are popular in Japan as a place to soak in the hot water in a natural setting and enjoy wonderful food.
Season: all year round
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Special Recommendations
- GALA Yuzawa
- GALA Yuzawa is a ski and snowboard resort located in Niigata Prefecture only 77 minutes from Tokyo on the Joetsu Shinkansen.
Tokyo Area
- Nikko / Kinugawa
- With over 1,200 years of rich history Nikko is widely regarded as one of Japan's most sacred places.
- Izu
- Sandy beaches and warm weather keep people coming year round to the Izu Peninsula, a popular resort area located an hour and 40 minutes southwest of Tokyo by the Odoriko Limited Express.
- Mt. Fuji
- Mount Fuji soars to a height of 3,776 meters and the beautiful sight of this perpetually snow-capped peak has held people in awe for generations.
- Yokohama
- With a population of more than 3.67 million, Japan’s second largest city was transformed when the port was opened to the world in 1859 with the arrival of Perry’s “Black Ships.
Tohoku Area
- Aomori
- Located at the northern tip of Honshu, Aomori Prefecture has many popular tourist spots such as Hirosaki Castle with its renowned cherry blossoms, and Oirase Stream with its natural beauty in spring and brilliant tree colors in fall. Aomori is also famous for events such as the Nebuta Festival, a special summer attraction, and its snow-filled winter festival, as well as specialty products, particularly its apples.
- Sendai / Matsushima
- The largest city in the Tohoku region and known as the "City of Trees," Sendai coexists harmoniously with nature beginning with the Hirose River, wending its way among the downtown skyscrapers.
- Hiraizumi
- Hiraizumi was founded over 900 years ago as the seat of power in the North by the mighty Oshu Fujiwara clan.
- Aizu
- Surrounded by sites of natural beauty such as Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro, Aizu Wakamatsu has flourished for more than 600 years with the grand Tsuruga Castle at its heart.
- Shirakamisanchi
- The Shirakamisanchi region straddles the border of the Aomori and Akita prefectures, stretching across 1,300 square kilometers of mountainous terrain.
Joshinetsu Area
- Gunma :Kusatsu/Minakami
- Blessed with an abundance of famous hot springs, Gunma Prefecture is also known as Onsen Country.
- Niigata / Sado
- Bordered by the great Shinanogawa and Agano rivers, Niigata thrived both as a major maritime transportation hub as well as a center of cultural and gourmet growth.
- Karuizawa
- Introduced as a summer getaway in 1886 by a Canadian missionary, Karuizawa is a laid-back town with a unique culture.
- Shinshu (Nagano)
- Shinshu is the traditional name for Nagano Prefecture. With the easy access from Tokyo and the fame the 1998 Winter Olympics brought to Nagano, Shinshu is today a popular tourist draw for people from both within and outside Japan.
For unlimited travel on JR East Shinkansen and limited express trains, make sure you have your JR East Pass.
- JR East Passes can be purchased and exchanged at Narita and Haneda Airports.
- Advance purchases can be made online as well.
