Tohoku Scenery: The Tohoku district of northern Honshu island is a major tourist destination in Japan, especially for its beautiful scenery. The rugged coastline is full of interesting and varied views. The vast mountain ranges offer panoramas with nothing human in sight. This photo was taken in the Shirakami Sanchi, a mountain range that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The ample rainfall in this remote area feeds many mountain streams and produces the pleasant greenery found everywhere.

Hachimantai National Park ｢八幡平国立公園」 is high in the mountains between Akita and Iwate prefectures, above Lake Tazawako. It's nothing like most people imagine Japan, but I love it. The road is closed in winter, and the park is one of the last places in the area to lose its snow. There is a lot of volcanic activity there, which means there are a lot of onsen, or hot springs. These onsen are a major tourist attraction in themselves.

　

This tree is near Tamagawa Onsen ｢玉川温泉」. This particular view was photographed in the fall, when the leaves were red. Tohoku in general is famous for its fall leaves, not unlike New England in the United States. Hachimantai is especially famous for its leaves, and attracts visitors from all over Japan every fall. This river runs through the park and is beautiful all year around, especially in the fall. Here are some other views of the same river. The light in the valley can create interesting effects that I only wish I were better at catching on film.