On Sun, 02 May 2004 22:42:31 -0700, Gerry <222ggg@spam.really.sucks>
brought down from the Mount tablets inscribed:
 
"We're heading to Japan to explore the Tohoku/northern Honshu and
Tokyo
for a few weeks in May. This is the layout after perusing a few books.

>The day-trips from the multiple-night locations are pretty variable. 
>Usually we tend to avoid single-night stays in favor of 2-3 night
hangs
>in various areas.  this time we're at least starting with the intent
to
>cover more ground.  We'll see if it works.

>May 15 - Arrive Tokyo
>May 16 - Be lazy in Shinjuku
>May 17 - Omiya / Aizu-Wakamatsu
>May 18 - Sendai; day trips to Matsushima/Yamagata
>May 19 - Sendai
>May 20 - Hiraizumi

I think spending less time in Sendai and adding a leisure,
old-fashioned boat trip through spectacular Gibikei Gorge near
Hiraizumi would more enjoyable.

>May 21 - Morioka; day trips Tazawako, Kakunodate

You might want to take a tour of the 300-yr old sake brewery in
Kakunodate after visiting the old samurai district.

"If you've got some spare time during your stay at Kakunodate, visit
Suzuki Shuzoten (tel 0187/56-2121, fax 56-2124, info@hideyoshi.co.jp
), a sake brewery that's been in operation for more than 300 years.
The brewery is famous for its award-winning Hideyoshi brand, which
prides itself on using crystal-clear water from the neighbouring
mountains. Call ahead to set up a tour (in Japanese, but the staff say
they'll do their best with foreign guests) which includes samplings of
their concoctions, a small one-room museum of random Japanese and
Chinese artefacts and a view of the stunning garden. To get out here,
take the JR train a few stops on the Tazawako line towards Omagi, to
Ugo Nagano station; the brewery is only a three-minute walk west of
the station, or a fifteen-minute drive from Kakunodate on Routes 46
and 105. For a detailed map and directions, pick up a brochure at the
information centre in Kakunodate." station.

>May 22 - Morioka; day trip to Tono
>May 23 - Towada-ko or Hirosaki or Aomori
>May 24 - Somewhere on the way back to Tokyo, maybe the west coast?
>May 25-30 - Tokyo