Its plains and river basins support thriving rice cultivation: one quarter of all Japan's rice is produced here. Also grown are apples, cherries, and other fruits. Fishing flourishes, too--the port of Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture is known for bountiful catches. And in many places, traditional artifacts are still made.

Many tourists visit the region, which is liberally covered by natural Japanese beech and oak forests and has a beautiful coastline. There are three great summer festivals--the Nebuta Festival in Aomori, the Kanto Festival in Akita and the Tanabata Festival in Sendai, Miyagi--which attract a large number of tourists.

Map of the Tohoku region

Photo courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.