aomori tourist spot

Aomori City (�X) in Aomori Prefecture is the northernmost prefectural capital city on Honshu, Japan's main island. This port town used to be the main departure point to Hokkaido via ferry ; and, although it remains the main port for car ferries, the opening of the Seikan Undersea Railway Tunnel and the advent of cheap flights have reduced ridership and many travelers now bypass the city altogether. Today Aomori is best known for its spectacular Nebuta Matsuri summer festival.

Top attractions in Aomori

Nebuta Matsuri ••

Furukawa Fish Market •

Nebuta Warasse

Hakkodamaru Ship

Museum of Art

Auga Fish Market

Towada •

Shimokita Hanto •

Hirosaki •

Getting there and around.

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Aomori city, hotels around aomori.

Aomori Bucket List: Top 10 Things to Do in Aomori, Japan's Northern Nature Paradise!

What are some of the best things to do in Aomori Prefecture ? Located at the northern tip of Japan's main island of Honshu, Aomori is surrounded by beautiful seas on three sides and covered in large swathes of forests . The changing scenery as the seasons come and go makes the area an especially inviting tourist destination. As one of the largest producers of agricultural products and seafood in Japan, there's plenty of gourmet choices within the prefecture too. On top of that, there are historically rich castles and towns, and traditional festivals dating back to the Nara period from over a thousand years ago; there's just so much waiting to be discovered in Aomori . With scenery, food, and culture to enjoy, we'll be introducing the ten best things to do in Aomori as recommended by locals.

In Aomori Prefecture, the food and scenery are shaped by the seasons

1. see japan’s world-famous cherry blossoms at hirosaki, 2. dance as a “haneto” at aomori's nebuta festival, 3. immerse yourself in the music of the shamisen, 4. heal yourself amidst the autumn foliage and hot springs of tsutanuma, 5. taste the best apples in japan, 6. taste and compare different apple pies, 7. encounter snow monsters, 8. make your own unique rice bowl at “nokke-don”, 9. find aomori souvenirs at a-factory, 10. make a quick visit to hakodate via the hokkaido shinkansen, definitely make a trip to amazing aomori.

When speaking of Aomori , images of frosty winters and heavy snow probably come to mind. There’s more than just winter though; the transition between Aomori ’s seasons can be clearly felt, from the cherry blossoms in spring , lush greenery in summer , red foliage in autumn , and of course, snow in winter , allowing you to feel the beauty of nature right by your side. With such a considerable variation in temperature throughout the seasons , many crops and seafood produced from Aomori are especially sweet and tasty as they store fat and sugars to survive the harsh conditions, resulting in exceptionally high-quality food products. From foods that you’ll never get to taste anywhere else, to scenery that you’ll miss in the blink of an eye, new adventures, discoveries, and other things to do in Aomori are waiting for you.

Hirosaki Park is one of the three top cherry blossom viewing spots in Japan, and visitors flock here from all over the world to see them. It boasts a vast number of flowers, as the pruning from apple trees, which are cultivated in Aomori , are used as part of the specially formulated fertilizer for the cherry blossoms. It is, of course, a given that you have to see the fluffy and voluminous flowers, but be sure not to miss the sight of the flower petals flowing down the moat too, a view known as "hanaikada" or "flower rug," as it blankets the water surface in a carpet of pink. Besides these, you can see weeping cherry blossoms around Hirosaki Castle , along with Japan's oldest Yoshino cherry tree, the sakura tunnel along the west of the moat, and even a cherry blossom light-up. With so many sights to see, the cherry blossoms of Hirosaki Park are not to be missed.

• Address 1, Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori, 036-8256 View Map
• Nearest Station Chuohirosaki Station （Konan Tetsudo-owani Line） 15 minutes by car
• Phone Number 0172-33-8739

The Nebuta Matsuri is a festival held in August in Aomori City every year, and is famous as one of the three great festivals of the Tohoku region. Experiencing this festival in person should be on all lists of things to do in Aomori . The so-called "Nebuta" are giant lanterns in the shapes of dolls and other objects which are paraded down the streets, and over 2.5 million people from all over the world come to see it every year. Besides the Nebuta, be sure not to miss out on the "Haneto," dancers who dress up in flashy outfits and chant "rasserah" as they go down the streets. And it's not just the locals, but tourists and visitors can also dress up and wait along the course of the Haneto, and join in freely. As the music of the Obayashi accompaniment plays, why not experience the festival first hand by joining in the dance as well?

• Address Aomori Chamber of Commerce Hall 4F, 1-2-18 Shinmachi, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, 030-0801 View Map
• Nearest Station Aomori Station （Ou Line / Tsugaru Line / Aoimori Tetsudo） 3 minutes on foot
• Phone Number 017-723-7211

The shamisen, which can create beautiful sounds when struck sharply, yet produce otherworldly tones too. Said to be pioneered by blind traveling performers from the Tsugaru area, shamisen music is now played live at events and festivals everywhere, and the traditional sound of this instrument creates a unique atmosphere wherever it is played. Though there are set melodies and phrases, the composition can be arranged and improvised to showcase your own style, and one draw of this instrument is in how the same song can sound vastly different when played by different people. In the restaurants and izakayas of Hirosaki City, you can hear the performances of veterans of the art as well, so why not drop in and revel in the music with a glass of alcohol in your hand?

In the Oirase area of Towada City, is one brilliant marshland ringed by the Seven Swamps of Tsuta and a scenic lake called Tsutanuma. The surroundings have sightseeing facilities and are especially popular amongst visitors in autumn . Covered naturally in beech trees, the sight of the red leaves reflecting in the still water at sunrise is stunning. The fiery crimson view is breathtakingly beautiful, and on windless days, it almost feels as though time has stopped. In the surrounding area is the Tsuta Onsen , one of the top hundred hot springs in Japan, and getting to enjoy both the view and hot springs together is highly recommended.

• Address Tsutanoyu, Okuse, Towada-shi, Aomori-ken, 034-0301

Phone number: 0176-24-3006 (Towada Oirase Tourism Organization)

Aomori Prefecture ’s claim to fame is as the producer of the best apples in Japan. In Aomori , Hirosaki City itself is responsible for producing one-third of all delicious Aomori apples . It is the single largest producer of apples in Japan, which are known for their intense sweetness and delightful crunch. The four seasons can be felt distinctly in Hirosaki , with cool summers with stable temperatures, leading to a sharp drop in temperature once autumn arrives. The large temperature difference causes the sugar content and crunchiness of the apples to increase. The sight of lush green trees leaning heavily with bright red fruit is also a beautiful sight to behold, making for strolls along farm ways an enjoyable way to pass the time.

Though apples are indeed delicious when eaten as-is, desserts such as apple pie are popular as well. In Hirosaki City, there are many shops where you can get a taste of apple pie, and you can partake in sweets and desserts as you stroll down the street. Snackwalking is definitely one of the most fun things to do in Aomori ! Each shop has its own version of apple pie, with various tightly controlled flavor profiles, from the strength of the cinnamon and acidity to the texture and flavor, and there are even guide maps for them. Regardless of which you choose, they’ll be deliciously fitting for the city of apples. Many cafés that offer apple pie have a charming atmosphere as well, so do enjoy your desserts in a sweet and cute café setting!

Aomori City is known worldwide as one of the cities with the heaviest snowfall in the world, and it is common for it to snow for days on end in winter . The 18 mountains which form the volcanic complex called the Hakkōda Mountains have their trees covered in snow and ice, resulting in frozen tree formations called "snow monsters." An artwork done by nature that appears amidst the extreme frost of winter , getting to see these structures sparkle in the sunlight on sunny days, is a blessing in itself. As it's easily accessible from Sanroku station via ropeway, it's easy to visit for first-timers. Some many locals and visitors ski or snowboard down the mountains while enjoying the frozen trees too.

At the "Nokke-don Information Center" in Aomori city, you can try making one of their signature dishes, the "nokke-don." The system requires you to buy food tickets, before heading to the market to pick your own ocean-fresh fish, which is arranged on a bowl of piping hot rice to complete your dish. The market has three alleys, for a total of thirty shops offering different cuts of tuna such as otoro and akami, along with scallops and prawns, allowing you to exchange your tickets for food items that you want to have with your rice bowl. As you can pick as much of your favorite toppings as you like, this really is the only place in the world where you can create your own unique "my-best don."

• Address 1-11-16, Furukawa, Aomori-shi, Aomori-ken, 030-0862
• Phone Number 017-763-0085

Just one minute away from Aomori Station by foot, is A-FACTORY, a Marche-style market and complex featuring cider made in-house from Aomori ’s apples, and other delicious snacks and treats from all over the prefecture. As the market gathers famous foods and produce throughout Aomori Prefecture , there’s everything from regular staples to rare and hard-to-get items available, and this is one place where you can efficiently hunt for your perfect souvenir. Besides the market, you can try cider that has been fermented in in-house fermenters from the tasting machines on the second floor, for a small fee. Food and dessert made using produce from Aomori are available as well, making this place a popular one amongst visitors.

• Address 1-4-2, Yanakawa, Aomori-shi, Aomori-ken, 038-0012
• Phone Number 017-752-1890

After the Hokkaido Shinkansen was opened in 2016, a trip from Aomori Station to Shin- Hakodate -Hokuto Station can take as little as 57 minutes, making it conveniently accessible. From the seafood bowls available near Hakodate Station to the landmark Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse composed of four buildings in the Hakodate Bay area, there are events and shopping there that can make for an enjoyable day trip. At night, you can ride the ropeway up Mount Hakodate to see the splendid night scenery of Hakodate . After you’ve had your fill of fun in Aomori , taking a small side trip by shinkansen via the Seikan Tunnel is recommended too.

From nature to food to festivals, there’s something new to be discovered in Aomori every time, but indeed, the one thing that keeps tourists coming back is the people. Many people try their best to communicate to foreign visitors through gestures and body language despite not knowing a lick of English, and the kindness of the locals are the real gems of your memories of your trip. Recently, there have been many more tourist information centers and signages available in English, so you can rest easy even if it’s your first time in Japan. Aomori awaits you!

• Area Aomori, Hirosaki And Hachinohe
• Category Other Sightseeing

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AOMORI Guide

Aomori is located at the northernmost part of Honshu main island of Japan, and hence its climate is relatively cooler than other regions of Honshu. Nonetheless, it has four distinguishing seasons and thanks to that, it is the largest apple-producing prefecture in Japan, producing huge and juicy apples with a nice balance of sweetness and firmness. Aomori is also famous for its abundant nature including renowned cherry blossoms spots in Spring as well as summertime Nebuta Festival.

01. Tatehana Wharf Morning Market

02. Tsuru-no-Mai Bridge

03. Aomori Nebuta Festival

04. Cherry Blossoms in Hirosaki Park

Tatehana Wharf Morning Market

One of the largest morning markets in Aomori and Japan takes place along the harbor here every early Sunday morning. Stretching nearly 800 meters long, it is lined with over 300 stores and attracts tens of thousands of people weekly. Here, you can kick-start your day with a wide variety of shopping and fresh local food. View on Map

FIND OUT MORE

You can enjoy some of Aomori’s finest foods at the Tatehana Wharf Morning Market, like the “sea urchin rice bowl" made with local sea urchin, and "Senbei-jiru“, a local Aomori dish of rice crackers dipped in soup. Near the morning market, you can also find "Hasshoku Center“, a fresh fish marketplace where you can taste fresh seafood hauled straight from the fishing port.

Tsuru-no-Mai Bridge

The longest wooden bridge in Japan just happens to span Tsugaru Fujimi Lake, the largest man-made lake right here in Aomori Prefecture. (Bridge length: 300m) Famous as one of the best sunrise spots in Tohoku, the lake surface, lit golden by the morning sun, contrasts beautifully with the silhouettes of the surrounding mountains. Some say its also a must-visit for those who want to live a long, healthy life as well… View on Map

The Crane Nature Park is located near the Tsuru-no-Mai Bridge, where you can interact with Japan’s majestic red-crowned cranes. Some other facilities to enjoy authentic Aomori culture near the Tsuru-no-Mai Bridge would be the Tachineputa no Yakata, the starting point of Aomori's famed Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival, and the photogenic Senbon Torii (Thousand Torii Gate) - lined pathway of the Takayama Inari Shrine.

Aomori Nebuta Festival

Massive, lighted lanterns of fearsome warriors and mythical beings paraded on floats and flanked by enthusiastic dancers: The Nebuta Festival is one of the three major festivals in the Tohoku region. The festival, held in various places in Aomori Prefecture between July and August, attracts more than 2 million people every year. Its sheer grandiosity was what deservingly designated it as a national cultural asset in 1980. View on Map

Even outside of the festival season, you can still enjoy the Nebuta Festival all year round at Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse. Here, you can learn about the history of the Nebuta and see up-close the delicate work put into bringing these intricate lanterns to life. Fun fact: the Nebuta Festival in Aomori, the Kanto Festival in Akita Prefecture and the Tanabata Festival in Sendai make up the three great festivals of Tohoku.

Cherry Blossoms in Hirosaki Park

The contrast between the Hirosaki Castle and the cherry blossoms is definitely a sight to see. About 2,600 cherry trees of 52 species, including weeping cherry trees and double-flowered cherry trees, bloom here. And come Cherry Bloom Festival time, fantastical nighttime illuminations give them an extra magical touch. This, plus the famed cherry blossom tunnel at the west moat, as well as the oldest Somei-Yoshino cherry tree in Japan (aging well over a 100 years old!) are what earned this park a place as one of the 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots. View on Map

In winter, the Hirosaki Castle also hosts the Snow Festival, where creative snow sculptures and mini snow huts are lit up with lanterns. The glowing candlelit sceneries at this time delights around 200,000 loyal visitors every year. Besides Aomori, other places to enjoy cherry blossoms in Tohoku would be the "Kitakami Tenshochi" in Iwate and the "Kakunodate Samurai Residence" in Akita.

Let's have a look at other Tohoku region!

• Aomori Guide: Things to do, Place to go, Famous Food,

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What is Aomori?

Centuries-old stories of samurai at Kakunodate and the remains of millennia-old archaeological sites including the likes of Isedotai invite history buffs to delve into Aomori’s fascinating history. As the most northern prefecture on the Japanese mainland, Aomori enjoys a cooler climate, which makes it a welcome escape from the southern cities for combining castles, art galleries, and summer festivals with the great outdoors.

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Getting Around

Take advantage of the unlimited JR Pass and head to mainland Japan's most northerly prefecture on the famed Japanese bullet train. The most direct way into Aomori is via the Tohoku Shinkansen, which will have you speeding into Hachinohe, Shichinohe-Towada, or Shin-Aomori in around three hours.

How to get to Aomori Airport

How to get to aomori.

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Destinations

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Aomori Starts Here

An Aomori travel guide is much more useful than you might imagine. Aomori, far from simply being one of Japan’s most underrated cities, is also a captivating and diverse prefecture.

The “tip” of Japan’s Honshu island where it meets Hokkaido , Aomori is home to captivating castles, towering mountains, multi-hued rice fields and enchanting scenery, both inland and coastal. Plus, on account of Aomori’s relatively remote location, there really aren’t too many tourists there.

No matter where in Aomori is on your list or when you plan to travel, take the time to read through this guide, if only to get inspired.

Where to Stay in Aomori

Once again, this is an Aomori itinerary in a broad sense—I don’t (necessarily) recommend that you stay only in Aomori. At the same time, Aomori city is a good place to base yourself, being connected by Shinkansen to Hachinohe and limited express train to Hirosaki; it has more hotels available than both those cities combined.

At the same time, Aomori-ken is in general not a part of Japan where the hotels are going to wow you. There are some exceptions—one, really: KAI Tsugaru just south of Hirosaki—but in general, hotels here are pretty utilitarian, from chain outlets like Daiwa Roynet in Hachinohe to the Hotel JAL City Aomori in Aomori city.

Places to Visit in Aomori

Aomori city.

Aomori is not Japan’s most interesting city, but there are many interesting things about it, from summer’s annual Aomori Nebuta Matsuri festival, to the crazy amount of snow that falls in winter. No matter what part of the year you visit, meanwhile, the strange, pyramidal ASPAM Building will captivate you as you pass it.

Hirosaki Castle

Another essential part of any Aomori travel blog is Hirosaki Castle , located about 45 minutes south of Aomori city on the JR Ou Line. While most famous for the “petal moat” phenomenon that occurs during cherry blossom season , this castle is interesting any time of year you can come here, including during winter’s snow lantern festival.

TIP: I highly recommend exploring Hirosaki beyond its castle, if you’re so inclined. I’ve even written an entire article about things to do in Hirosaki !

Hachinohe is a city that it literally took me years to appreciate. My favorite place in the city is probably the seaside Kabushima Shrine just southeast of town by local train, although I also love eating my way through Hasshoku Center and going way back in time at Ne-jo Castle , not to be confused with the more popular Nijo Castle in Kyoto.

Lake Towada, Oirase Stream and Sukayu Onsen

I’m planning to visit both of these places this autumn, and will hopefully be updating my Aomori itinerary with stunning pictures of both decked out in red, yellow and orange. The truth, however, is that no matter when you end up making it to Lake Towada and Oirase Stream (even in the middle of winter), rural Aomori prefecture is nothing to sneeze at.

TIP: If you’re craving an onsen experience, consider stopping at the superlative Sukayu Onsen on the way to or from Lake Towada or Oirase Stream (they’re on the same bus route).

Other Aomori destinations

Speaking of the middle of winter, Mt. Hakkoda is where you’ll want to travel if you skiing is a top priority when you visit Aomori. Coming in summer? Enjoy the fact that temperatures in northern Tohoku are cooler than they are in the rest of Japan, and the fact that you can partake in the harvest of famous Aomori apples almost anywhere in the prefecture, but especially in the foothills of Mt. Iwaki .

Is Aomori Worth Visiting?

Aomori city may or may not be worth visiting. If you can come during the Nebuta Matsuri Festival in August, or during the winter amid truly otherworldly amounts of snow, it can be a unique, captivating destination. In other times of the year, however, it’s largely a stopping off point for more exciting destinations on your Aomori itinerary.

Indeed, Aomori prefecture is absolutely worth visiting—and all year. Spend spring amid the sakura of Hirosaki Castle, summer picking apples at farms, autumn enjoying colors at Lake Towada and winter on the ski slopes of Mt. Hakkoda. No matter what type of traveler you are, or what generally compels you to visit Japan, Aomori has something for you.

Other FAQ About Visiting Aomori

What is aomori known for.

Aomori is known as being Japan’s most prolific producer, for the annual Nebuta Matsuri festival and for Hirosaki Castle’s famous “petal moat.” To a lesser extent, it’s also known for the crazy amount of snow that falls there during winter, and for impressive displays of autumn color.

How do you get around Aomori?

Within Aomori city I usually just walk; the city is too compact to justify learning its bus system. Within the prefecture, I use a mix of local JR lines, the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen , tourist buses and some local buses when necessary.

How long does it take from Tokyo to Aomori?

It takes about 3 hours to travel from Tokyo to Aomori via the Shinkansen Hayabusa , Japan’s fastest bullet train. You can also fly nonstop from Haneda Airport to Aomori, which takes around an hour and then requires a 40-minute limousine bus ride to reach Aomori city.

The Bottom Line

I hope you’ve found this Aomori travel guide helpful, whether you explore manifold destinations like Hirosaki and Hachinohe , or simply spend a day in Aomori city en route to Hokkaido. Although not Japan’s top destination in terms of visitor numbers, Aomori nonetheless sits at the physical pinnacle of mainland Japan—I hope you’ll make the climb, for whatever reason compels you. Want to make sure your trip to Aomori is one for the record books? Commission a custom Japan itinerary —and let me sweat the details.

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Aomori City

Discover markets, temples, museums, and historical sites, things to do in aomori city.

Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse

Sannai Maruyama Site

Aomori Museum of Art

About aomori city.

Aomori City is the capital of Aomori prefecture, and offers much to see and do, especially along the coastline with Aomori Bay.

Aomori's Nebuta Warasse Museum invites visitors to learn about the history of nebuta festival floats, while at the adjacent A-Factory, visitors can go shopping or sample some local foods.

To get a panoramic view of the area, the observatory deck at the nearby ASPAM building offers superb 360-degree views of Aomori, with the first floor shops also offering local treats and souvenirs to buy.

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Just two minutes from Aomori Station in Japan's Tohoku region, Iroha Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, offering good v..

Hotel Crown Palais, Aomori

Enjoy the excellent hospitality of the friendly staff at Hotel Crown Palais in Aomori, situated right in the heart of Aomori C..

Latest Aomori City Reports

The wonders of Aomori Prefecture are easily accessible courtesy of Aomori Airport. Located just over 12 kilometers from the city..

Aomori's Nebuta Festival is one of Japan's most iconic summer festivals. If The Nebuta WaRasse Museum allows you to explore..

The Sannai Maruyama Historical Site offers the chance to step back in time and see reconstructions of dwellings dating back to the..

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