Discover Autumn In Tohoku With This 5D4N Itinerary For Your Future Japan Trip

Note: This article was written by Azalia, a Malaysian living in Japan. 

Want to visit Japan but not a fan of the busy cities? Want to retreat into Japan’s peaceful mountains and experience the red, orange, and yellow autumn leaves? We got you covered with this 5D4N Muslim-friendly itinerary to discover the treasure land of Tohoku, Japan.

Getting Around

The cities in Japan are mainly connected through train/subway lines. However, for the more mountainous areas like Tohoku, having a car to get around is recommended.

If you are from Malaysia, you will need the international driving permit to rent a car in Japan. This permit is easily obtainable from the Road Transport Department (JPJ) office for RM150.  You can reserve a car in advance before your trip and pick it up once you arrive. Most Japan car rental companies now have brochures in English! You can check out the Tohoku Rent-a-Car guidelines here for more information.

#HHWT Tip: You can get the Tohoku Expressway Pass for unlimited use of highways in the Tohoku area for a fixed price! Find out more here.

Day 1

From Tokyo to Sendai (95min)

• Sendai is the largest city in Tohoku and is located in Miyagi prefecture. From Tokyo, it takes only 95 minutes on the Hayabusa Tohoku Shinkansen to reach Sendai.

Arrival in Sendai

• Welcome to Sendai, the City of Trees and the main gateway into the Tohoku region. Pick up your rented car after arriving at the station, and off you go!

Rokuchonome Farm Natural Buffet Restaurant (1h)

• Your first stop is a 15-minute drive away from Sendai Station.
• Rokuchonome Farm is a buffet-style restaurant which serves dishes using fresh and organic vegetables according to each season.

• Admission costs JPY1,830 for adults (aged 13 and above), JPY1,610 senior (aged 65 and above), JPY1,170 for children (aged 7-12), JPY730 for toddlers (aged 3-6), JPY330 (aged 2 and below).
• #HHWT Tip: The restaurant can also make special arrangements for Muslim-friendly dishes for your group if you reserve in advance.

• This egg and cheese lasagna was specially prepared by the restaurant during our visit!
• Muslims guests are advised to make an advanced reservation.
• Halal Status: Muslim-friendly. Since this restaurant is buffet style, non-halal dishes will be served alongside other foods. Do note that utensils are not separated for halal and non-halal food. We recommend that you dine here at your own discretion.

Sendai City Agriculture and Horticulture Center (2h)

• Your next stop, the Sendai City Agriculture and Horticulture Center, is just a 5-minute drive away from the restaurant!

• Enjoy the beauty of more than 1200 roses with 200 species of them.
• #HHWT Tip: If you want to see the roses in full bloom, the best season to visit is in Spring!

Fruit Picking

• You can also experience fruit-picking at the center. According to season, you can pick blueberries, figs, grapes and even tomatoes. For autumn, the fruit in season is apples!

• The apples are huge and deliciously sweet! During our visit, we got to pick the GunmaMei-getsu apple, a hybrid of Gunma prefecture’s Akagi and Fuji apples.

Visit Majumder Foods (30m)

• Forgot to pack some extra snacks from home for your trip? Fear not as Sendai is home to Majumder Foods, a local halal grocery store. From the city center, it is a 35-minute drive away.

• This grocery store sells halal foods from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and many more. Stock up on your favourite instant noodles or maybe purchase a bottle of ABC Kicap Manis to bring along for the next few days!
• The store also operates a nearby halal tandoori restaurant.
• Halal Status: Muslim-owned
• P.S. Find out more about the Muslim-friendy amenities in Tohoku here.

Check in to Hotel Metropolitan Sendai

• Check in to your hotel for the night: Hotel Metropolitan Sendai!
• We stayed in their standard double room and it’s more spacious than many other Japanese hotels.
• The location is really convenient as it’s just a 1-minute walk from the JR Sendai Station West exit.

Dinner at Serenity (1-2h)

• Their halal-certified restaurant, Serenity, provides halal meals for breakfast (JPY2,400), lunch (JPY3,600), and dinner (JPY6,000)! Do make sure to place a reservation at least 2 days before your stay.
• #HHWT Tip: Serenity offers Western-style cuisines for their dishes. If you prefer Japanese-style meals, you can opt for Hayase Japanese Restaurant which is also halal-certified. The set meals at Hayase are JPY3,000 for breakfast, JPY4,000 for lunch and JPY10,000 for dinner.

• The dinner was superb! For the main course, you can choose between a tenderloin steak with teriyaki sauce or lamb roast beans and tomato stew with mustard.

Day 2

Breakfast at Serenity (1h)

• Ohayou gozaimasu! It is going to be a long day ahead so head down for breakfast at Serenity to fill up for the journey.
• Our breakfast consisted of green salad, omelette and chicken sausage, vegetable soup, and rice. Yummy!
• Halal Status: Offers a halal-certified menu where the dishes for these meals are prepared with halal ingredients using separate utensils and cookware.

Matsushima Sightseeing Boat (1h)

• Grab your bags and head over to Shiogama Marine Gate for the Matsushima Sightseeing Boat!
• The Shiogama Marine Gate is a 35-minute drive away.

• The sightseeing boat offers 2 courses – Basho and Masamune. The Basho course takes about 50 minutes and will take you straight to Matsushima! Find out more on their website.
• The price for the sightseeing boat from Shiogama to Matsushima is JPY1,500 for adults and JPY750 for children.

• Matsushima Bay is home to over 200 small islands covered by pine trees, with a unique history. It is among the top 3 of Japan’s most scenic views.
• #HHWT Tip: It can get pretty cold especially during autumn. Make sure you bundle up nice and warm for the ride!

• Grab this chance to pass by Kaneshima island, iconic for the naturally formed gaps which are said to make bell-like sounds when the wind blows through them.

Zuigan-ji Temple (1-2h)

• Our first stop at Matsushima is Zuiganji Temple which was originally established in 828AD.
• Zuiganji temple is home to national treasures like the main hall, Kuri (kitchen) and the hallway which connects the main hall and the kitchen.
• You can also browse original wall paintings during the Edo period and a statue of legendary samurai ruler Date Masamune.
• Admission costs JPY700 for adults and JPY400 for children.

• The view of this temple is especially stunning in autumn with colourful leaves welcoming visitors.
• #HHWT Tip: There are also free English tours available on Sundays between 10AM and 3PM. More information here.

Quick Snack at Matsukama Matsushima Kamaboko Honpo (30m)

• Located just a 5-minute walk outside Zuiganji temple is the famous Matsushima Kamaboko Honpo shop.

• You can experience making your own sasakamaboko (white-fleshed fish cake) which is famous in Miyagi Prefecture! It is shaped in the form of a bamboo leaf (sasa) to represent the family crest of the Date clan which ruled Miyagi and Iwate prefectures during the Edo Period.
• The grilled skin of the sasakamaboko is crunchy and the flesh tasted deliciously salty!
• Halal Status: Muslim-friendly. The sasakamaboko stick does not contain animal-derived ingredients or alcohol. However, the establishment also sells alcohol and other goods that may contain non-halal-certified ingredients. We recommend that you dine at your discretion.

Lunch at Date-na BBQ MATSU (1h)

• A trip to Matsushima would not be complete without tasting its wonderful oysters! Due to its strategic location, Matsushima Bay produces a bountiful number of oysters. At Date-na BBQ MATSU, you can enjoy fresh oysters caught directly from where they are farmed.

• For JPY2,000 you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat grilled oyster buffet for 40 minutes!
• Compared to Hiroshima oysters which I’ve tasted before, the oysters in Matsushima are smaller but juicier and tangy.
• #HHWT Tip: If you are not used to eating plain grilled oysters, consider bringing your own soy sauce!
• Halal Status: Matsu offers a grilled oyster buffet. Please note that Matsu also serves non-halal food and alcoholic beverages. However, based on our checks, the oysters served are grilled in special cooking containers that are designated specifically for oysters only. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.

Tea-time at Kanrantei Tea House (30m)

• To wash down all those oysters, visit the historical and serene Kanrantei tea house.
• This traditional tea house was originally located in Kyoto and gifted by Toyotomi-Hideyoshi, the Lord of Fushimi Castle to Date Masamune, the Feudal Lord of Sendai. The tea house was taken apart, then shipped to Matsushima and rebuilt to where it stands today.

• Admission costs JPY200 for adults, JPY150 for adolescents, and JPY100 for children
• You can also purchase matcha tea and dessert sets while you “view ripples on the water” (the meaning of Kanrantei!)

• The Zunda mocha, Namagashi, and Kabocha cake are all made with plant-based ingredients.
• #HHWT Tip: You can also opt to order coffee or apple juice for JPY300 if matcha is not your cup of tea (pun intended ?).

Leisure time at Matsushima Rikyu (1h)

• Walk along the coastline in front of Kanrantei Tea House to reach this new attraction on Matsushima.
• There are restaurants, retail stores, and even a palace garden where visitors can enjoy a variety of activities.

• Cherish the breathtaking view of Matsushima bay from the rooftop area!
• Entrance to the palace garden and rooftop area will cost JPY600 for adults and JPY300 for children.
• #HHWT Tip: Matsushima Rikyu also offers workshops and bicycle rentals (JPY600 for 2 hours). More information here.

• Drop by Chaya Kanemon Souvenir Store to taste their signature Kanemon soft serve ice cream, made from rich milk and sprinkled with green tea powder.
• Disclaimer: Chaya Kanemon Souvenir store also sells other products which may contain non-halal-certified ingredients. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.

Evening Drive to Motsuji Temple in Iwate(1-2h)

• It is time to bid farewell to Matsushima and Miyagi prefecture and make your way to Motsuji Temple in Iwate prefecture. Take the Tohoku expressway to Hiraizumi which is a 90-minute drive away.

• Motsuji Temple was founded in Kasho Era (850). Even though most of the temples were lost to fires, the remains have been designated a historical site and special place of scenic beauty

• The iconic Dejima and Chichu Tateishi (cape and standing stone) represent the spirit of the Motsuji Temple gardens. Admission costs JPY500 for adults, JPY300 for high school students (aged 16-18) and JPY100 for primary and secondary students (age 7-15).

 Chuson-ji Temple Autumn Light Up (1-2h)

• Take a 15-minute walk over to Chuson-ji Temple to enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage
• This World Heritage Site is most famous for its Konjikido, or Golden Hall. The interior and exterior walls, along with the ceiling of the Konjikido are entirely covered in gold leaf.

• During autumn, the surrounding of Chuson-ji Temple will light up for a scenic view.
• Entrance costs JPY800 for adults, JPY500 for high school students (aged 16-18), JPY300 for secondary students (aged 13-15) and primary students (aged 7-12).
• #HHWT Tip: English audio guides are available for rent in the Chuson-ji Sankozo Museum for JPY500. The Hiraizumi Interpreters and Guides Association can also provide English tours upon reservation.

Check in to Hotel Musashibo

• Time to check in to Hiraizumi Hotel Musashibo! This traditional Japanese-style ryokan is just a 5-minute drive away from Chuson-ji Temple.
• The rooms are spacious and come with an attached bathroom and toilet. Due to peak season, our stay cost JPY17,000 per night.

• They also provide yukatas and a simple amenity set.
• #HHWT Tip: If you are feeling worn out from all the walking, you can visit their relaxation spa for a quick foot massage for JPY1,000 for 10 minutes.

Dinner at Hotel Musashibo

• Hotel Musashibo can provide Muslim-friendly meals upon request. However, be sure to let them know in advance.
• For dinner, we enjoyed a fully vegetarian spread consisting of fresh vegetables and wild plants harvested from the nearby Kitakami Mountains.
• Though the portions are small, they are very filling! They will also provide additional dishes throughout the dinner including soba noodles and dessert.

Day 3

Breakfast at Hotel Musashibo

• During breakfast, you can choose either rice or porridge to go along with the set meal which is also fully vegetarian for Muslim guests.
• We enjoyed this breakfast which had autumn vegetables like eggplants and a delicious mochi dipped with blueberry sauce.
• Halal Status: Muslim-friendly (the meals exclude Japanese condiments used in cooking that contain alcohol such as mirin or sake and feature primarily locally grown vegetables and seafood). Do note that alcoholic beverages and other non-halal meals are also served at the hotel. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.

Quick Stop at Hiraizumi Rest House for Souvenirs (30m)

• Before leaving Hiraizumi, don’t forget to drop by their souvenir store which is located just opposite of the Chuson-ji Temple Gate.

• A famous treat you can get is the Junkin (or pure gold) castella cakes which represents the gold leaf of the Konjikido. Free from animal and alcohol ingredients!
• #HHWT Tip: There is a prayer room available at the Hiraizumi Rest House that Muslim visitors can use! The room is equipped with prayer mats and also a space for ablution.

• To use the room, enquire at the office of the rest house which is located just opposite of the souvenir store. You can also call or email the establishment in advance. Find out more here.
• Check out the Muslim-friendly amenities in Tohoku here.

Experience the Autumn Leaves at Geibi Gorge (1-2h)

• From Hiraizumi, head over to Geibi Gorge which is a 25-minute drive away.

• Geibi Gorge, or Geibikei is a gorge which offers traditional boat rides where visitors can absorb the scenic beauty of nature which differs according to each season.
• The fare for the boat tours costs JPY1,800 for adults, JPY900 for children (6-12 years old) and JPY200 for infants.

• The boatman uses a pole to manoeuvre through the river and will also sing traditional songs for you!
• The first half of the boat ride is 20 minutes, and visitors can embark off the boat to walk deeper within the gorge.
• #HHWT Tip: If you visit in the wintertime, you will get the chance to ride in their Kotatsu Boat, which is a specially heated type of table for you to snuggle under while watching the view covered in snow!

Lunch and Prayers at Higashiyama Kanko Hotel (1h)

• Just a stone’s throw away from the Geibikei dock is the Higashiyama Kanko Hotel which provides Muslim-friendly meals. For more Muslim-friendly information in Geibikei, check out their website.

• On our visit, we were served with seafood hotpot, crunchy tempura, and the local specialty ayu (sweetfish). Please be sure to book your Muslim-friendly meals at least 4 days before your visit. You can find out more about it here.
• Halal status: Higashiyama Kanko Hotel can prepare Muslim-friendly meals that use only vegetarian and/or seafood ingredients as well as halal-certified seasonings. Please note that the restaurant also serves non-halal food as well as alcoholic beverages. We recommend you to dine at your own discretion.

• The Higashiyama Kanko Hotel also has a musollah with a convenient ablution space. What I liked most about it is that the rooms are properly separated so that men and women can pray comfortably.
• #HHWT Tip: Guests who stay overnight at the hotel can use the prayer space for 24 hours. For visitors, it is open from 8AM to 5PM (April – November), and 9AM to 4PM (December-March).

Experience Kokeshi Doll Painting in Naruko (1-2h)

• Next, take a pit stop at Miyagi and experience painting your own Kokeshi Doll at the Iwashita Kokeshita Museum in Naruko.
• By car, it should take about an hour and fifty minutes to reach from Geibi Gorge.
• Kokeshi dolls started as a children’s toy in the Tohoku region before growing in popularity as it became a common souvenir sold at onsen or hot springs in the Naruko area.

• At the museum, you can also paint your very own kokeshi doll to take home as a souvenir!
• During my visit, I chose to paint the pen stand doll. The sensei will kindly teach you how to properly paint a traditional kokeshi doll.

• Once you are done painting, hand it over to the kokeshi craftsman and he will wax your creation to shiny perfection!
• #HHWT Tip: The slots for kokeshi doll painting can fill up pretty fast so we recommend you make a reservation prior by visiting their website.

Enjoy the nostalgic splendour of Ginzan Hot Spring (1h)

• Time to get back on the road and pay a visit to the famous Ginzan Hot Spring in Yamagata Prefecture. From Naruko, it should take about 50 minutes to reach by car.

• The Ginzan Hot Spring is located in Obanazawa City, Yamagata. It is popular for the traditional-styled ryokans that line up along the river. It also gained traction as the setting for the NHK TV series “Oshin.”

• There are footbaths alongside the river where you can relax and soak up the surrounding atmosphere.
• #HHWT Tip: We recommend visiting in the early evening just before sunset where the streets and bridges are illuminated with gas lights.

Check in to Tendo Hotel

• From Ginzan Hot Spring, head over to your accommodation for the night, Tendo Hotel which is a 50-minute drive away.

• The rooms at Tendo Hotel are mainly Japanese-style rooms with futon beds. I stayed in their Japanese-style superior room which was very spacious and warm!
• #HHWT Tip: Prices of ryokans depend on their peak season. If the area is not in season, you can expect a cheaper price than usual. A one night stay inclusive of dinner and breakfast at Tendo Hotel was JPY13,000 per person during our visit.

Dinner at Tendo Hotel

• For dinner, we had the Muslim-friendly meal prepared by Tendo Hotel. Contact the hotel in advance so they can make the necessary preparations.
• Our meal consisted of fresh seasonal produce from Yamagata Prefecture which included salmon, tofu, and juicy mushrooms.

• We were also served crispy vegetable tempura and Japanese mushroom rice!
• Halal Status: Muslim-friendly (the meals exclude Japanese condiments used in cooking that contain alcohol such as mirin or sake and feature primarily locally grown vegetables and seafood). Do note that alcoholic beverages and other non-halal meals are also served at the hotel. We recommend you to dine at your own discretion.

Day 4

Breakfast at Tendo Hotel

• Head down to the breakfast hall for a healthy meal of grilled salmon, scrambled eggs, fresh vegetables, and fruit yoghurt.

• The breakfast hall also has a buffet spread where you can choose either bread, rice, or porridge to complement your set meal. Based on our checks, the miso soup offered at the spread is also free of animal-derived ingredients and alcohol.

Hike up the 1,000 Steps of Yamadera Temple (2.5h)

• It is time to marvel at the splendour of autumn leaves at Yamadera Temple. It’s a short 15-minute drive from Tendo Hotel.

• Magnificent autumn leaves welcomed us at the gate of Yamadera Temple!
• Admission costs JPY300 for adults and JPY200 for children.

• As you climb up the 1,000 steps, you will be greeted with various temples and scenic views of the mountain.

• Make your way to the Godaido Hall, which an observation deck where you can enjoy the best view of the valley below.
• #HHWT Tip: Please be sure to warm up before your climb as it can get quite steep. If you are unable to hike, there are still many shops and restaurants that you can enjoy around the area.

Make your own Soba Noodles for Lunch at Tendo Tower (3h)

• For lunch, head over to the shogi piece-shaped building, Tendo Tower! It takes about 20 minutes to reach there by car.

• If you can’t guess from the shape already, Tendo city is famous for their production of shogi (Japanese-style chess) pieces.

• At Tendo Tower, you can experience how to make soba-noodles or buckwheat noodles!
• The workshop costs JPY1,537 per person.

• You can slice your noodles as thick or as thin as you want, according to preference. After you have finished, the staff will take them away to be cooked.

• Once they are done cooking, the staff will serve you your hand-made soba noodles in a shogi-shaped plate. You can also choose to add on tempura to compliment your meal.
• Halal Status: The tempura, dashi, and dipping sauce provided at Tendo Tower are Muslim-friendly and do not contain any alcohol or animal-derived ingredients. Do note that alcoholic beverages and other non-halal meals are also served at the establishment. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.
• #HHWT Tip: You can enquire about using a section of the workshop space to pray once you’ve finished the workshop.

 Experience Safflower Dyeing

• After lunch and prayers, it is time to try another Tendo specialty activity which is safflower dyeing.

• Safflower or benibana is the designated prefectural flower of Yamagata and is very popular in the area.
• During the workshop, you can make your own handkerchief patterns by soaking them in safflower dye.

• Rubber bands are used to tie knots and hold chopsticks of different sizes together. The cloth is then soaked into the safflower dye for 10 minutes. Once completed, you can take the handkerchief home as a souvenir!
• The safflower dyeing workshop costs JPY1,573 per person and will require a 2-day advanced booking.
• Check out the website for more details!

Visit the Zao-yaki Manpugama Pottery Studio (1.5h)

• From Tendo Tower, drive an hour and 20 minutes to reach Zao-yaki Manpugama Pottery Studio by car.

• The Zao-yaki Manpugama Pottery Studio is a gallery and workshop for pottery works made from Zao soil.
• The studio is known for their signature Zao-style pottery works which took 10 years to perfect!

• The studio offers multiple workshops which range from JPY2,900 to JPY4,900 per person.

Check in to Sansa-tei Hotel

• Just a 2-minute drive away is Sansa-tei Hotel, your final ryokan for the trip.

• All the rooms are Japanese-style with futon beds and equipped with a bathroom.
• Although it was nearly 1 degree Celsius outside, the room was especially warm and cozy!
• #HHWT Tip: You can borrow shogi boards from the front desk and enjoy a game with your family or friends while enjoying the view of the Zao Mountains outside your window!

Dinner at Sansa-tei

• Dinner at Sansa-tei was a luxurious Muslim-friendly seafood spread that had more than 4 different types of fish! The Muslim-friendly meals can be prepared for guests through advanced booking.
• I also got the chance to try the famous fugu or pufferfish which was soft and delicious. Since fugu can be poisonous when not properly prepared, chefs in Japan must earn a license to prepare them!

• Halal Status: Muslim-friendly (the meals exclude Japanese condiments used in cooking that contain alcohol such as mirin or sake and feature primarily locally grown vegetables and seafood). Do note that alcoholic beverages and other non-halal meals are also served at the hotel. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.

Day 5

Breakfast at Sansa-tei Hotel

• The breakfast meal is Muslim-friendly and mostly consists of vegetables and fish.
• Each table receives a basket of eggs where you can choose to crack one open to have with rice or make your own tamago-yaki in the ceramic hotpot!
• A one-night package with dinner and breakfast at Sansa-tei cost JPY13,000.

Make your own cheese at Zao Heartland Farm (45min)

• From Sansa-tei, take a short 5-minute drive to Zao Heartland Farm.

• Zao Heartland is a spacious farm littered with cows, sheep, and goats grazing on its 100-hectare area of farmland.
• The farm offers workshops on making butter, cheese, and ice-cream!

• We got the chance to make our very own cottage cheese which can then be enjoyed on the spot with crackers!

• Among the best-selling products at the farm is Molk, which is basically the whey that is produced in the cheese making process. The sweetness of the whey combined with cream cheese gives it a deliciously refreshing taste.
• This product does not contain any animal-derived ingredients or alcohol making it a Muslim-friendly treat.

Visit Shiroishi Castle (1h)

• From Zao, head towards Shiroishi Castle which is a 30-minute drive away.

• Shiroishi was the castle of the Katakura clan. The original castle was dismantled during the Meiji Restoration, but it was later restored faithfully in the Heisei period.
• #HHWT Tip: There is a museum located just outside the castle gate which provides lockers and bicycle rentals if you feel like cycling around the area.

• Inside the castle, there is an area where you can try on the armour of the legendary Date Masamune! The price for wearing the full armour is JPY2,000. You can also opt to only wear only the top half of the armour for JPY500.
• Don’t be fooled! Although the replica armour is made of plastic and aluminium, it is much heavier than it looks. There are also armour sets available for children.

Lunch at Dashiro -NIBO- (1h)

• Now it is time to return to Sendai to enjoy a Muslim-friendly lunch at Dashiro -NIBO-. From Shiroishi Castle the restaurant is a 45-minute drive away.

• Dashiro -NIBO- currently offers two Muslim-friendly flavours, salt-based ramen or soy sauce-based ramen. Both are priced at JPY950 per bowl.

• I chose the soy sauce-based ramen and was not disappointed! The taste was refreshing, especially with the dash of lemon. For their Southeast Asian customers, they also provide chili powder for the extra kick they know we love.
• Halal Status: Muslim-friendly meals that use halal certified ingredients as well as halal-certified seasonings. Please note that the restaurant also serves non-halal food as well as alcoholic beverages, hence we recommend that you dine at your own discretion.

Do your prayers at the Sendai Islamic Culture Center (1h)

• Take a 30-minute drive to Sendai Islamic Culture Center or Sendai Mosque.

• The Sendai mosque was built in 2007 and is home to the Islamic Cultural Centre of Sendai (ICCS).

• The mosque is spacious and has ample space in both the men and women praying areas.

Return to Sendai Station and Pick Up Bento for Dinner

• Return your rental car and make your way towards Sendai Station to pick up your bento for dinner.

• Gyutan bento or beef tongue lunch box is a famous delicacy in Miyagi prefecture. The best part is that lunch-box maker giant Kobayasahi has made a halal version for Muslim visitors!
• To purchase the lunch box, order in advance by dropping by their store located at Sendai Station or email them here.
• Halal Status: The Halal beef tongue lunch box of Kobayashi Co., Ltd. uses beef tongue procured from an Australian factory with Halal certification, and does not contain alcohol or pig-derived ingredients, which are prohibited by Islamic rules, in terms of ingredients and seasonings.

• Now that you’re all set, it is time to bid farewell to the treasure land of Japan, Tohoku.

Driving through the mountains was a wonderful experience and really enabled me to soak up the natural beauty of Japan’s scenic landscape. I’m so glad that more establishments are offering Muslim-friendly options, even in the countryside. So, if you feel like taking a road trip into nature, then mark Tohoku as your next travel destination in Japan!

This article is brought to you by Tohoku Tourism Promotion Organization.