Tohoku travel guide
In Tohoku, the guides on this page cover Hiraizumi, its temples and the nearby Geibikei Gorge. What you need to decide is whether it deserves a stop at all, how long to stay, and whether you can add Geibikei without driving.
The Hiraizumi guide covers Chusonji and Motsuji, the Runrun loop bus and how to plan a short or longer visit from Sendai. To add the gorge, the Hiraizumi and Geibikei plan shows how the trains from Ichinoseki, the boat departures and the temple visits fit together without a car, along with the trains back. Read both if you are weighing a stop on the way north against a longer stay in the area.
Point at a highlighted prefecture to preview its guidesTap a highlighted prefecture to open its guides
- Guides available
- Coming later
Explore Tohoku
Things to do
Is Ginzan Onsen Worth It? Day Trip, Last Bus 18:21 (2026)
Worth it for the lamp-lit street. A Tokyo day trip works on the 06:12 Tsubasa and the 18:21 bus back; in winter 2026–2027 you book a shuttle from ¥1,000.
Hiraizumi Guide: Chusonji, Motsuji and How Long to Stay
Is Hiraizumi worth a stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen? Chusonji and Motsuji hours and fees, the Runrun loop bus, and planning a half or full day from Sendai.
Getting around
Hiraizumi and Geibikei Gorge in One Day Without a Car
Yes, by train from Ichinoseki: Geibikei's 8:30 boat first, Hiraizumi's temples after lunch. Ofunato Line times, boat hours by season and the trains back.
