u/Oasis_Mii

After my post about not finding something close to Morioka to do I was blown away with so many recommendations. What I thought will be a quick trip to a small town turned out to be one of the most fun days I had in my travels in Japan.

I came to Shizukuishi for a nice stroll around Gosho Lake so I stopped by the Tourist Information Center for a short explanation and a copy of the map. Instead I was interviewed by the lovely staff and they helped me plan my whole day! I traveled around the lake, took gorgeous photos, ate a delicious ramen at a yakiniku restaurant (it's a thing, apparently) and climbed the Nanatsumori Observatory for a breathtaking view.

I know for sure that Shizukuishi had more for me to do and see but alas I was short on time and will have to come back again one day. As the one that recommended this place to me said - it is a hidden gem.

Edit: btw I stayed at the Guest House Bamboo in Morioka - I can't recommend this place enough! The owners are some of the nicest people I've met in Japan!

As I was planning my trip to Sendai I saw people sauggesting setting Morioka as my next destination. Booked a hostel for two nights, took a bus and visited the tourist information center as I do with every other place I go to. To my surprise, there's close to nothing to do within two hours drive from Morioka, be it by train, bus or shinkansen.

Now I know that it's on me for not doing a further research on my own before coming here, but there's no way that a city that is surrounded by nature has no public transportation to any park or trail, right? The lady in the information center really had to dig stuff out to find me day trips out of the city. I don't have a car and tomorrow I go to the Hachimantai Dragon Eye, but there gotta be something closer, right?

Hey, I'm going to be traveling to Sendai tomorrow and after seeing some of the things people recommended to do in the area I was wondering how much time do I really want to stay there. I was planning on going there for a week (six nights, maybe more) because my brother told me it's his favorite place in Japan and that I should check it out. I don't mind spending there even more time. I'm planning on going to museums, doing day trips and sightseeing. I love hiking and it looks like there are plenty of trails. Is seven days enough? Should I stay in Sendai for those six nights and do day trips or should I move from town to town? Thank you!

A little edit: what is the next destination after Sendai I should take day trips from?

Hey hey, I'm 33 and I've been traveling in Japan for the last few weeks. Seeing all the beautiful, cute and funny illustrations that accompany every piece of media and information in Japan really inspired me to work as an illustrator and I want to do so in Japan.

I'm an artist, I've been drawing daily and posting it on social media so I even have quite a crowd around my art and that gives me the confidence of trying working as an illustrator. I have a history of working as a designer so that adds to it.

Are there any illustrators or artists here that could give me a few tips?

By the way, I know a little Japanes and I'm planning on honing it first by getting a student visa and studying it officially.

Thanks in advance!