As the region is the largest rice producer in Japan, you can enjoy a variety of good sake, Japanese rice wine, here in Tohoku. In addition, the region is surrounded by fertile fishing grounds, and many fishing harbors, including some of the best seaports in Japan that are renowned for their top-level catches and fresh seafood, are located in the region. You really must try superb sushi made of sea food from Sanriku. On top of seafood, you can enjoy many other tasty products in Tohoku, an absolute cornucopia of food.
For example, in terms of the growing area of fruit in Tohoku, in order of acreage, there are apples, followed by cherries, grapes, pears, and peaches. All the same, Tohoku, producing a variety of fruits, is "the kingdom of fruit."

As to apples, the region produces 80% of the national yield, and for cherries and pears, over 80% of the amount produced across the country. Naturally, they are the signature agricultural products of Aomori and Yamagata prefectures. Also, with Fukushima as the leading prefecture, the whole region produces 30% of the national peach yield, and Yamagata and Niigata prefectures together produce 20% of the national grape yield.

The annual average temperature of capital cities of Tohoku prefectures is 11.8°C. To put in perspective, the average temperature of London is 9.7°C. Paris, 10.6°C, and New York, 12.4°C. The average temperature of Tokyo is 15.6°C, relatively higher than other major cities in the world. As you can see, the average temperature of Tohoku is close to those of the world’s major cities. In that sense, the region is an area bestowed with comfortable and livable environment.

Source: "Chronological Scientific Tables 2005", The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan)

International sister city agreements are established between cities throughout the world for goodwill and cultural exchange. With globalization, the number of sister cities in Tohoku continues to increase, and the total number of international cities with which cities in Tohoku prefectures have sister city relationships now stands at 215. By prefecture, Miyagi has the greatest number with 39 sister cities. Other prefectures also have more than 20 sister cities. Their friendship partner cities are mainly in the USA, Australia and Canada, but in Europe, there are also 8 each in Germany and Italy, and 7 each in France and Austria.

Source: "Council of Local Authorities for International Relations"(As of February 28, 2006).