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Discover Nature and Culture in Japan’s Tohoku: Family-Friendly Highlights A Perfect 5-Day, 4-Night Journey for Families

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TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 September 2025 – The Tohoku region of Japan is a perfect destination for family trips. It is full of exciting experiences for children and activities that parents and kids can enjoy together. With the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), you can travel conveniently and affordably on Shinkansen and limited express trains across Tohoku, making it easy to explore the region’s attractions efficiently. In this guide, we introduce recommended family-friendly spots along with a sample 5-day, 4-night travel itinerary ideal for a family vacation.

■ Family-Friendly Highlights

① Nebuta House Wa Rasse (Aomori Prefecture)

An interactive facility where visitors can experience the vibrant Nebuta Festival, which colors Aomori’s summer, all year round. Life-sized Nebuta floats are on permanent display, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the festival’s atmosphere. You can also join a craft workshop to make your own miniature Nebuta, creating a memorable keepsake together with your children.

Opening Hours: 9:00–18:00 (September–April)

Access (from Tokyo Station):

  • Shin-Aomori Station: Approx. 3 hours by Tohoku Shinkansen
  • Nebuta House Wa Rasse: 1 minute on foot from Aomori Station via the JR Ōu Main Line

②:Aquamarine Fukushima (Fukushima Prefecture)

Aquamarine Fukushima (Fukushima Prefecture)

An aquarium where visitors can experience the rich bounty of the Pacific Ocean. In the massive “Shiome Sea” tank, schools of Pacific saury and sardines swimming together create an overwhelming spectacle. At the 4,500 m² touch pool, one of the largest in the world, children can play barefoot in the water and interact with sea creatures such as starfish and sea cucumbers—sure to bring smiles and excitement to their faces.

Opening Hours: 9:00–17:30 (late March to late November)

Access (from Tokyo Station):

  • Izumi Station: Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes by JR Jōban Line Hitachi or Tokiwa Limited Express
  • From Izumi Station South Exit bus stop, take the Izumi–Onahama Line local bus
  • Aquamarine Fukushima: Get off at Aeon Mall Iwaki Onahama bus stop, then approx. 5 minutes on foot

⓷:Kosaka Railway Rail Park (Akita Prefecture)

Kosaka Railway Rail Park (Akita Prefecture)

An interactive theme park that repurposes a former railway line. Visitors can ride actual trains, enjoy sightseeing trolleys running on the old tracks, try rail bikes that you pedal yourself, and even experience a simulator that lets you feel like a real train driver. It’s the perfect spot for children who love trains.

Opening Hours: 9:00–17:00 (※)

  • Last entry: 16:30
  • Closed: Every Wednesday (if Wednesday is a national holiday, closed the following Thursday)
  • Rail bikes operate only on weekends and holidays
  • Sightseeing trolleys operate every day except Tuesdays

For details, please check the website below:
https://stayakita.com/th/things-to-do/things-to-do-460

Access (from Tokyo Station):

  • Morioka Station: Approx. 2 hours by Tohoku Shinkansen
  • Towada-Minami Station: Approx. 2 hours by JR Hanawa Line
  • From Towada-Minami Station, take the Shuhoku Bus bound for Kosaka
  • Kosaka Railway Rail Park: Get off at Kosaka Elementary School bus stop, then approx. 2 minutes on foot

⓸:Iwate Safari Park (Iwate Prefecture)

Iwate Safari Park (Iwate Prefecture)

A safari park where visitors can observe animals from around the world—such as lions, giraffes, and elephants—up close. Riding the safari bus to see these powerful animals creates an unforgettable experience for children.

Opening Hours: 9:30–17:00

Access (from Tokyo Station):

  • Ichinoseki Station: Approx. 2 hours by Tohoku Shinkansen
  • Hanaizumi Station: Approx. 15 minutes by JR Tohoku Main Line
  • Iwate Safari Park: Approx. 20 minutes by taxi from Hanaizumi Station

⓹:Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium (Miyagi Prefecture)

Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium (Miyagi Prefecture)

An aquarium themed around the “connection between the sea and people, and between water and people.” The massive main tank that recreates the seas of Tohoku and the dolphin and sea lion performance show are absolute highlights. The facility is full of exhibits that parents and children can enjoy together.

Opening Hours: 9:00–17:30

Access (from Tokyo Station):

  • Sendai Station: Approx. 1 hour 30 minutes by Tohoku Shinkansen
  • Get off at Nakano-Sakae Station via JR Senseki Line
  • Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium: Approx. 15 minutes on foot from Nakano-Sakae Station

Recommended Rail Pass for Traveling Around Tohoku
With the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), you can explore these tourist attractions freely and at great value. The JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) is a rail pass designed for international travelers, perfect for touring and extended stays in Japan’s Tohoku region. Depending on the length of your trip, you can choose between a 5-day or 10-day pass.

During the validity period, you can enjoy unlimited rides in reserved ordinary car seats on Shinkansen and limited express trains within the designated areas of eastern Japan, including Tohoku. This makes family trips—where travel can be a big challenge, much more comfortable and affordable, ensuring an unforgettable journey.

For more details, please visit the official JR East website:
https://www.jreast.co.jp/th/multi/pass/eastpass_t.html

■ Family Travel Model Itinerary with the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) (5 Days, 4 Nights)
The Tohoku region covers a vast area, but with the JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), you can ride reserved seats on Shinkansen and limited express trains as many times as you like, making it easy and worry-free to travel efficiently—even on a family trip.Here, we introduce a sample 5-day, 4-night itinerary using the 5-day JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area), designed to help families fully enjoy a grand tour of Tohoku.

Day 1: Tokyo → Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture

  • Travel from Tokyo Station to Sendai Station in Miyagi via the Tohoku Shinkansen
  • Morning: Enjoy the dolphin show and giant tanks at Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium
  • Afternoon: Explore Sendai city—have a gyūtan (grilled beef tongue) lunch and tour the city on the Loople Sendai sightseeing bus
  • Overnight stay in Sendai

Day 2: Sendai, Miyagi → Iwate Prefecture

  • Travel from Sendai Station to Ichinoseki Station by Tohoku Shinkansen
  • Morning: From Ichinoseki, head to Iwate Safari Park to see lions, giraffes, and elephants up close, and experience the great outdoors as a family
  • Afternoon: Travel from Ichinoseki to Morioka Station. In the evening, enjoy local specialties such as Morioka Reimen (cold noodles)
  • Overnight stay in Morioka

Day 3: Morioka, Iwate → Aomori Prefecture

  • Travel from Morioka Station to Shin-Aomori Station by Tohoku Shinkansen
  • Morning: Visit Nebuta House Wa Rasse to experience the excitement of the Nebuta Festival and its massive floats
  • Afternoon: Explore Aomori city and indulge in apple-themed sweets and local delicacies
  • Overnight stay in Aomori

Day 4: Aomori Prefecture → Akita Prefecture

  • Travel from Aomori Station to Ōdate Station by JR Ōu Main Line
  • Continue from Ōdate Station to Towada-Minami Station via JR Hanawa Line
  • Morning: Enjoy hands-on railway experiences at the Kosaka Railway Rail Park
  • Afternoon: Travel to Akita city, go sightseeing, and savor kiritanpo (grilled rice skewers)
  • Overnight stay in Akita

Day 5: Akita Prefecture → Fukushima Prefecture → Tokyo

  • Travel from Akita Station to Sendai Station via the Akita Shinkansen
  • Transfer to the JR Jōban Line Hitachi or Tokiwa Limited Express and head to Izumi Station
  • Afternoon: Visit Aquamarine Fukushima, where children can explore the wonders of the ocean
  • Return from Izumi Station to Tokyo Station by Limited Express Hitachi

The Tohoku region of Japan is full of attractions that children will love, from animals and aquariums to hands-on cultural experiences. This year, make unforgettable memories by setting out on a family trip to Tohoku.

Hashtag: #Tohoku #JREast

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VinFast honored for investor relations excellence at the Asian Excellence Awards 2026

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 July 2026 At the Asian Excellence Awards 2026 ceremony held in Hong Kong, VinFast was recognized with three prestigious awards, including Best Investor Relations Company and two individual honors. The achievement underscores VinFast’s growing stature and capabilities as a global electric vehicle company listed on Nasdaq.

The Asian Excellence Awards is one of Asia’s most prestigious accolades in the fields of corporate governance, ESG, and investor relations. Organized annually by Corporate Governance Asia since 2011, the awards are recognized for their rigorous evaluation standards and stringent selection criteria.

This year, VinFast received recognition in three major categories: Best Investor Relations Company, Asia’s Best CFO awarded to Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, and Best Investor Relations Professional awarded to Ms. Amandae Baey.

VinFast was the only Vietnamese company recognized at the 2026 awards. Other recipients this year were leading corporations from several key Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

In the Best Investor Relations Company category, VinFast was highly regarded for its transparency in information disclosure, its ability to maintain regular engagement with investors and analysts, and the effectiveness of its communication and outreach initiatives with financial communities.

For the Asia’s Best CFO award, the organizers recognized the critical role of corporate finance leaders in maintaining strong financial foundations, developing effective capital-raising strategies, and navigating market volatility. The award honors CFOs who demonstrate exceptional leadership in guiding their companies toward stable and sustainable growth across varying economic conditions.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Chief Financial Officer of VinFast, said: “This series of recognitions at the Asian Excellence Awards 2026 is a meaningful acknowledgment of VinFast’s journey in building a global enterprise founded on advanced and sustainable governance standards. VinFast will continue to strengthen governance capabilities, enhance transparency, and foster open dialogue with stakeholders to build long-term trust in international markets.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh has served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of VinFast Auto Ltd since 2024. Having joined Vingroup in 2020, she brings extensive knowledge of the Company’s operations through her leadership experience across multiple functions, including finance, manufacturing, and supply chain management. She is a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and a Certified Practising Accountant of CPA Australia.

Ms. Amandae Baey has served as Vice President of Investor Relations at VinFast since 2024, where she leads the Company’s global investor engagement, analyst relations, and capital markets positioning. She is a CFA charterholder.

The awards highlight VinFast’s increasing integration into global capital markets and reaffirm its commitment to adopting international governance standards, enhancing disclosure quality, and strengthening engagement with shareholders and investors through a professional, proactive, and sustainable approach.

Over the past year alone, VinFast has received dozens of prestigious international awards spanning investment and finance, corporate communications, electric mobility, technology, design, and sustainability. Notable recognitions include the “Outstanding Innovation in Sustainable Electric Mobility” and “Remarkable Contribution to Energy Independence” awards at the CNN Indonesia Awards; the “Best Value Car of the Year” award at the Autocar India Awards 2026; ranking 101st in TIME magazine’s “Asia-Pacific’s Best Companies of 2025” list; and six awards at the APAC Effie Awards.

Hashtag: #VinFast #AsianExcellenceAwards #InvestorRelations

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Corporate Governance Asia

Corporate Governance Asia is Asia’s leading publication covering corporate governance, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), investor relations, and sustainability. Since its launch in 2002, it has become a trusted source of insights and analysis for corporate leaders, investors, regulators, and financial professionals across the region.

The Asian Excellence Awards, organized annually by Corporate Governance Asia since 2011, recognize outstanding companies and business leaders across Asia for excellence in corporate governance, ESG practices, and investor relations.

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Hong Kong Hosts Lions International Convention for the Third Time

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Over Ten Thousand International Delegates Gather in Hong Kong Confirming City’s Status as World’s Meeting Place

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 July 2026 – The Hong Kong Tourism Board is proud to support the 108th Lions International Convention 2026 in Hong Kong. Having previously hosted the convention in 1992 and 2005, Hong Kong has once again been chosen by Lions Clubs International as the venue for its flagship event, attracting around 17,000 delegates from across the globe. Hong Kong has thus become one of the very few cities among more than 200 Lions member countries and regions worldwide to have secured hosting rights three times. This underscores Hong Kong’s status and appeal as the Events Capital of Asia and the World’s Meeting Place.

The opening ceremony was attended by more than 10,000 representatives from Lions Clubs worldwide.

Hosting Same High-Profile Event for the Third Time Cements Hong Kong’s Title as Asia’s World City

HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam said, “HKTB is delighted to partner with the Lions Clubs International District 303 Hong Kong and Macao, China, to bring this Convention to Hong Kong for the third time. Its return affirms Hong Kong’s position as the World’s Meeting Place and a top-of-mind destination for MICE tourism. It also showcases Hong Kong’s integrated strengths in world-class MICE infrastructure, global aviation connectivity, diverse and distinctive tourism offerings, and quality hospitality services. These are the key factors in attracting international MICE events and encouraging business travellers to return time and again. We extend our warmest welcome to Lions from around the world and, together with our industry partners, have curated exclusive itineraries and experiences to encourage delegates to stay longer and discover the unique appeal that can be found only in Hong Kong.”

HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam delivered the opening remarks at the 108th Lions International Convention, held at AsiaWorld-Expo.
HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam delivered the opening remarks at the 108th Lions International Convention, held at AsiaWorld-Expo.

Lions Clubs International is one of the world’s largest service organisations, with more than 1.4 million members and around 50,000 district clubs across over 200 countries and regions. Since 1917, the organisation has supported communities worldwide through a wide range of social service and community aid initiatives.

Lions International Convention 2026 Honorary Chairman and Past International President Dr Tam Wing-kun said, “Hong Kong is an international metropolis where Eastern and Western cultures converge. With its well-developed professional services and comprehensive MICE infrastructure, Hong Kong is an ideal host for this international mega event. I am delighted that the Convention has returned to Hong Kong. This year’s edition will provide Lions from all corners of the world with a broad and diverse platform to explore the future development of international services. Delegates will also be able to experience first-hand Hong Kong’s world-class cuisine and rich cultural appeal. I am confident they will be the best ambassadors possible when they return home, telling the good stories of Hong Kong to the world.”

Lions Attempt Tai Chai World Record in Hong Kong
The 108th Lions International Convention is being held for five consecutive days from 3 to 7 July at AsiaWorld-Expo. To celebrate its return to Hong Kong and promote traditional Chinese culture, the organiser will attempt to set a world record with thousands of international Lions practising Tai Chi simultaneously. The activity aims to promote exercise for all and deepen participants’ understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals, creating a meaningful finale to the convention.

HKTB Teams Up with the Trade to Offer Unforgettable Cultural Tourism Experiences

As a supporting organisation of the 108th Lions International Convention, HKTB has teamed up with the local travel trade and major attractions to curate a series of exclusive tourism itineraries and offerings for convention delegates. These include transport offers, attraction tickets and shopping mall discounts, gift redemptions, and theme park deals to encourage delegates to stay in Hong Kong after the convention and explore more of the city’s diverse culture, cuisine, and unique tourism appeal.
HKTB will continue to bring more influential large-scale international MICE events to Hong Kong, further strengthening the city’s competitiveness and appeal as world-class, top-of-mind destination for both business and leisure tourism.

Hashtag: #MEHK #MeetingsandExhibitionsHongKong #HongKong #MICE #Lions #LionsInternationalConvention2026


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The VinFast VF 8 and the New Priorities of EV Ownership

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DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 July 2026 – Today’s EV buyers are looking beyond range and horsepower. They want an ownership experience that is just as reassuring as the vehicle itself, and that is where the VinFast VF 8 makes a strong case.

Just a few years ago, conversations surrounding EV buying were dominated by battery size, driving range and acceleration. Those things still matter today, but they are no longer the whole story. As EVs move into the mainstream, buyer priorities are shifting toward practical, long-term considerations, including the post-purchase experience, charging convenience, straightforward servicing, and the enduring reliability of the brand. These factors increasingly shape purchasing decisions, and they also provide a useful lens through which to look at the VinFast VF 8, an all-electric mid-size SUV.

Designed by the legendary Italian design house Pininfarina, the all-electric D-segment SUV combines clean, modern styling with the practicality expected of a family vehicle. It delivers up to 493 km of NEDC driving range, produces up to 402 horsepower through a dual-motor AWD system, and comes equipped with Level 2 driver assistance technologies, a 15.6-inch infotainment display, and a spacious cabin designed for everyday comfort. In the UAE, buyers also benefit from a 10-year vehicle warranty, a 10-year unlimited-mileage battery warranty, alongside 24/7 roadside assistance and five years of free maintenance up to 100,000 km.

While the VF 8 already has plenty to offer on paper, the real challenge is making ownership feel effortless once the excitement of the purchase has passed. Recognizing that, VinFast has invested heavily in the ecosystem that supports its vehicles.

Earlier this year, the company signed agreements with 29 international aftersales partners as part of a broader plan to expand its global service network to more than 1,100 workshops across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia during 2026. The company is also rolling out customer support initiatives such as software updates, battery inspections, and technical support throughout the ownership journey.

In the UAE specifically, VinFast works with Al Tayer Motors to provide local aftersales support while continuing to strengthen its regional service network through experienced local partners. In March, the company signed an MoU with PlusX Electric, a DEWA-approved charging provider, to extend support beyond the dealership network. The plan includes portable charging pods, on-demand mobile charging, and emergency roadside charging services. The goal is to reduce downtime and eliminate the awkward scenario of running low on charge far from a plug.

“VinFast is committed to building a long-term and comprehensive EV ecosystem in the UAE, one that gives customers confidence not only in the quality and performance of our electric vehicles, but also in the reliability and accessibility of the supporting infrastructure,” one executive of VinFast Middle East said in a press release.

The Middle East is entering an important stage of its EV journey, with governments investing in cleaner mobility and consumers enjoying more choices than ever before. As the market evolves, delivering a competitive vehicle is only part of the equation, while making ownership straightforward is becoming just as important. The VinFast VF 8 reflects that shift, pairing the features of a modern electric SUV with growing investments in charging, aftersales support, and customer service.

Hashtag: #VinFast #EV

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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