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Route 40°North Latitude

Travel Guide - Quick Tips

Outline of Aomori Prefecture
Prefectural Office/1-1-1 Nagashima, Aomori City 030-8570
Phone:017-722-1111
Area/9,606k²
Population/1,436,657(2005)
Households/510,513
Number of cities, towns, and villages/10 cities, 22 towns, 8 villages
Aomori Prefecture is number one in Japan for its apple yield (477,330 tons) and its rape blossom field (200 hectares). It is number one in the world for the largest beech forest (World Heritage Site--12,627 hectares), longest undersea tunnel (Seikan Tunnel--53.85 km), and the longest row of cherry blossom trees (6,700 trees-20km).

Outline of Iwate Prefecture
Prefectural Office/10-1 Uchimaru, Morioka City, Iwate Pref. 020-8570
Phone:019-651-3111
Area/15,275k²
Population/1,430,331(31 March 1997)
Households/463,786
Number of cities, towns, and villages/13 cities, 16 towns, 6 villages
Iwate Prefecture is number one in Japan for the oldest stratified mountain (Mt. Hayachine); number of chief sake brewers (Nambutoji 1,422); amount of tofu consumed annually (per household 112 blocks); largest private general-purpose farm (Koiwai Farm 3,000 ha); and the largest wooden Kannon (Fukusenji 17 m, 2.5 t).

Outline of Akita Prefecture
Prefectural Office/4-1-1 Sanou, Akita City, Akita Pref. 010-8570
Phone:0188-60-1111
Area/11,613k²
Population/1,121,300(1 Oct 2007)
Households/395,822
Number of cities, towns and villages/13 cities, 9 towns, and 3 villages
Akita Prefecture is number one in Japan for the amount of sake consumed; rate of flow of a Hot Spring (Tamagawa Hot Springs 9,000/minute); deepest lake (Lake Tazawa 423.4 m); and the tallest Japanese cedar (in Futatsui Town 58 m). Akita also has the world's largest drum (Tsuzureko, 3.71 m in diameter, Takanosu Town).

Climate of northern Tohoku
The Ou Mountains run through the center of Northern Tohoku from north to south, dividing the region and creating distinctions in climate between the Pacific side and the Sea of Japan side. The differences in temperature between the northern and southern areas of the region are also great. In winter, seasonal winds from the north-west are dominant, bringing dry and fine weather to the Pacific side and a lot of snow to the Sea of Japan side. In summer, warm wind blows from the south, which warms the air; the daily high temperatures reach approximately 30°C and the climate is quite comfortable. The region is hardly touched by Japan's humid rainy season.

Coping with the Snow and Cold
In northern Tohoku, temperatures are low in the winter season from November to March and often drop below freezing in January and February. Snowfall increases from mid-December, and sometimes a foot (30 cm) of snow falls overnight. In such weather you should wear anti-slip boots and thick winter clothes such as down jackets. However, most buildings are heated and you can stay comfortable indoors.

Drinking Water
Northern Tohoku, blessed by abundant forests and clear rivers, is a place where ample spring water exists. This famous and high-quality water moistens the ground and enriches the soil, which contributes to the production of sake and fine agricultural products. Of course, ordinary tap water is perfectly safe to drink. In fact when compared to water consumed in large cities, the ordinary tap water of northern Tohoku seems like mineral water.

Northern Tohoku Dialects
Dialects and slang exist in every part of Japan, and this is amplified in the northern Tohoku region. The dialects here are a reflection of the down-to-earth and honest people living here.

Onsen (Hot Spring) Manners
Compared with the rest of the world, Japan has many hot springs that are popular among all generations, not only for healing but also for relaxing. In some countries people wear bathing suits in hot springs; however, bathing in Japan is done naked. Washing is done outside the bath, and once you are clean you may soak in the relaxing waters. Bring a towel with you to use as a wash cloth, but be careful not to dip it in the water. In traditional onsen resorts with "hidden" hot springs, there are sometimes larger baths for mixed bathing, but the same basic manners apply.

Local Bus Services
Along with the highway bus services that connect the main cities, all three prefectures are covered by networks of local bus services. Most terminus stops are located in the capital cities of each prefecture, but there are also many services that connect other towns and villages. However, service in smaller towns and villages is sometimes limited.

Credit Card
In major cities, most department stores and other shopping facilities accept credit cards. But in smaller towns and villages, the use of credit cards is limited and cash payment is the norm at small private shops. In bigger cities and towns, ATMs are available in many places such as department stores.