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- About the Aomori Region
Aomori Prefecture is located at the northern tip of Honshu with the Pacific Ocean to the east, Tsugaru Strait and Mutsu Bay to the north, and the Sea of Japan to the west. Hokkaido lies just north of Aomori on the other side of the Tsugaru Strait. Aomori's abundant nature, rich history, and four beautiful distinct seasons make it a fascinating place. It takes approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes* to reach Shin-Aomori Station from Tokyo on the Tohoku Shinkansen "Hayate". *Shortest time for Tokyo bound trains.
After a harsh winter, spring is the season when plants sprout and flowers bloom. The stunning cherry blossoms found at Hirosaki Castle and along Kanchogai-dori in Towada City as well as the beautiful nanohana (rape blossoms) in Yokohama-Town are a must see.
Hirosaki Castle was built during the Edo Period. From the end of April to the beginning of May, people flock to the castle since it is a well-known location for cherry blossom viewing in Japan.
Directions: Take a JR Ou Line train to Hirosaki Station. From the station, take the 100 yen bus to the castle. (bus ride duration: approx. 15 min.)
Held in May, this event takes place in Yokohama-Town, Aomori Prefecture. The town offers a total of 1,210,000 square meters of nanohana fields for visitors to enjoy.
Directions: Take a JR Ominato Line train to Mutsu-Yokohama Station.
165 pine trees and 156 cherry trees form the four rows of trees found along Towada City Kanchogai-dori, which is 1.1 kilometers long and 36 meters wide. In the spring, the fallen cherry blossoms transform the ground into a gorgeous pink carpet.
Directions: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shichinohe-Towada Station. From the station, take a bus to Kanchogai-dori. (bus ride duration: approx. 40 min.)
Please click here for up to date sightseeing information for the Tohoku region (which includes Aomori Prefecture).
Summer is the time for festivals in Aomori. Traditional Nebuta festivals, which feature gigantic lanterns carried on floats, are held in various areas of Aomori, including Aomori City. Summer is also the best season for enjoying outdoor activities at beaches, in the mountains, and at other locations.
The annual Aomori Nebuta Festival is held August 2–7 in Aomori City. The highlight of the festival is the parading of the floats called nebuta, which are gigantic lanterns in the shape of samurai warriors.
Directions: Take a JR Ou Line train to Aomori Station. The festival venue is a 10 min. walk from the station.
This annual event is held August 4–8 in Goshogawara City and is one of the three largest Nebuta festivals in Aomori Prefecture. The main attractions of this event are the giant floats which range as high as 20 meters.
Directions: Take a JR Gono Line train to Goshogawara Station. The festival venue is a 5 min. walk from the station.
Shirakami Mountains is a vast mountain range which straddles Aomori and Akita Prefectures. The area has the largest beech tree forest in East Asia and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can enjoy trekking in the mountains from spring to summer.
Directions: Take a train to any station on the JR Gono Line.
Please click here for up to date sightseeing information for the Tohoku region (which includes Aomori Prefecture).
Autumn is Aomori's rich harvest season. Various types of agricultural produce are harvested in autumn, including the region's famous apples. There are several locations around Aomori where visitors can view breathtaking autumn leaves. Please come to Aomori during autumn and enjoy hiking and strolling in nature.
Lake Towada is a caldera lake which sits on top of a 400 meter high mountain in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Visitors can take a one hour ride on the sightseeing boat which is highly recommended in autumn while the leaves are transforming into beautiful colors.
Directions: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Hachinohe Station. From the station, take a bus to Lake Towada. (bus ride duration: approx. 2 hrs. 20 min.)
The waters of Oirase Gorge flow from Lake Towada. There is a 14 kilometer nature trail which runs along the gorge. This is just the place for walking while enjoying the woods. Many tourists flock to the area to see the autumn leaves.
Directions: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Hachinohe Station. From the station, take a bus to Oirase Gorge. (bus ride duration: approx. 1 hr. 30 min.)
Otherwise known as "Mount Fuji of Tsugaru", Mt. Iwaki is the highest mountain in Aomori Prefecture and has been worshiped through the ages. From August to the end of November, visitors can enjoy apple picking in the orchards around Mt. Iwaki.
Directions: Take a JR Ou Line train to Hirosaki Station. From the station, take a bus to Hachigome on Mt. Iwaki. (bus ride duration: approx. 90 min.)
Please click here for up to date sightseeing information for the Tohoku region (which includes Aomori Prefecture).
Visitors can easily have enjoyable experiences in the snow during snow festivals since Aomori receives a large amount of snowfall and has several winter resorts that feature powder snow for skiing. Enjoy winter in Aomori by relaxing in a hot spring and looking at the snow covered landscape.
The historic Sukayu Onsen is located in the highlands 800 meters above the base of Mt. Hakkoda. It is known for its bathing house called the Sen-nin-buro (1,000 person bath) which is around 260 square meters. Visitors can enjoy the milky white hot spring water that flows naturally from its source.
Directions: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori Station. From the station, take a bus to Sukayu Onsen. (bus ride duration: approx. 90 min.)
Snow festivals are held throughout Aomori Prefecture during the month of February. Among these is the Hirosaki Castle Yuki-doro Festival (Snow Lantern Festival) which features 500 snow lanterns and snow sculptures of various shapes and sizes that bring guests to an ethereal world.
Directions: Take a JR Ou Line train to Hirosaki Station. From the station, take the 100 yen bus to the castle. (bus ride duration: approx. 15 min.)
Mt. Hakkoda is located in the southern part of Aomori City. The ropeway from the bottom of the mountain offers visitors magnificent views all year round—the frost covered trees of winter, the wetlands of summer where alpine plants bloom, and the foliage of autumn.
Directions: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori Station. From the station, take a bus to Mt. Hakkoda. (bus ride duration: approx. 60 min.)
Please click here for up to date sightseeing information for the Tohoku region (which includes Aomori Prefecture).
Blessed with seas, mountains, and abundant nature, Aomori Prefecture is full of wonderful foods for you to enjoy. Please savor some of the region’s fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and local dishes that are rich in flavor.
Aomori Prefecture is proud of being Japan's largest apple producer. The region features around 50 different types of apples, including Fuji apples which are known for their fine balance of sweetness and tartness. Aomori also offers many apple products such as apple juice and sweets.
Oma Maguro (tuna) is considered to be the “cream of the crop” even among gourmets. The fish can be enjoyed as sushi, sashimi, in Maguro Don (tuna served over rice), and many other ways. In addition to maguro, Aomori Prefecture has many other types of seafood to offer, such as scallops, flounder, and squid.
Jappa soup features ingredients such as the body, internal organs, and head from a codfish which are simmered with vegetables, tofu, etc., and flavored with miso (soybean paste). This soup is eaten by fisherman in order to warm up from the harsh winters of the Tsugaru region.
Prepared on a teppan (hot plate), Towada Barayaki consists of stir-fried beef flank and a generous amount of stir-fried onions flavored in a salty-sweet sauce using a soy sauce base. This is a famous dish of Towada City and a favorite among the locals.
Since the beginning of the Meiji Period, Hirosaki City has embraced Western culture. The city offers many French restaurants—from relaxed brasseries to well-known traditional French restaurants.
Please click here for up to date sightseeing information for the Tohoku region (which includes Aomori Prefecture).
Photo for illustrative purposes only
Introducing A-FACTORY, a complex comprising a factory that produces apple cider made with Aomori apples, and a market providing regional food products. It was newly opened right on the waterfront next to Aomori Station to coincide with the opening of the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori Station. Visitors are able to enjoy dishes and sweets that are made from and feature regionally produced ingredients. Please come and experience A-FACTORY for yourself!
Open from 9 am to 9 pm (there are some shops with different opening hours)
A-FACTORY is a one minute walk from JR Aomori Station
The JR East Pass is an economical and flexible rail pass for travel around Eastern Japan. It is valid for travel on all the 72 lines of JR East: 5 Shinkansen Super Express lines and 67 conventional lines. Since it is valid for travel on all JR East lines, the JR East Pass can also be used on the N'EX for direct access from Narita Airport to Tokyo, and the Tokyo Monorail, which runs between Haneda Airport and the central Tokyo. The JR East Pass is flexible, available in configurations that meet your itinerary needs: 5-day, 10-day, and a Flexible 4-day.
* When using GranClass accommodations, please pay the separate express and GranClass charges that apply.
Please click here for more information on the JR East Pass.