Hello! Getting ready for your trip to Japan, especially to cities like Tokyo, Sendai, Yamagata, and Akita sounds exciting. Here are some useful travel tips for your journey.

Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit these places in Japan is during the spring (late March to May), when cherry blossoms are blooming, and autumn (September to November), when leaves change color. The weather during these periods is generally mild and beautiful.

Route and Accessibility:
Your initial destination would be Tokyo. You'll most likely arrive via Narita Airport. From there, you can use the well-connected Japanese rail system to reach Sendai, Yamagata, and Akita respectively. Japan has an extremely efficient public transportation system.

Accommodation and Booking:
All the cities you're visiting have accommodations ranging from luxury hotels to budget hostels. It's recommended to book your accommodations in advance, especially during cherry blossom and autumn leaf season. Websites such as Booking.com and Agoda can be helpful.

Clothing and Essentials:
Depending on the season, pack accordingly. Light clothing in the summer, warm clothing for the winter, and something in between for spring and autumn. Also, don't forget to carry a good quality umbrella as sudden rains can occur. Comfortable shoes for walking are also essential as cities like Tokyo require a lot of walking and commuting.

Health and Safety:
Japan is generally a safe country to travel with low crime rates. However, basic precautions like keeping personal and important possessions securely are always necessary. Japan has strict rules about medication so, if you're carrying any type of drugs, make sure they’re allowed in Japan.

Local Etiquette and Respect:
The Japanese give high importance to manners and protocol. Remember to bow when greeting, avoid eating while walking in public, be quiet on public transport, and always remove your shoes before entering someone’s home or traditional restaurants. Also, tipping is not customary in Japan.