Aomori Prefecture is home to tourist attractions such as the Shirakami Mountains, Mount Osorezan, and Oshima Island; sightseeing events such as the Aomori Nebuta Festival, Hirosaki Sakura Festival, and Hachinohe Sanja Grand Festival; and local gourmet specialties such as apple pie, Nakayoshi, and French cuisine.
Many people may have only the strongest image of Aomori Prefecture as a snowy and apple-producing region. However, Aomori Prefecture is rich in nature, hosting the Shirakami Mountains, which have been designated a World Natural Heritage site, and is a land where spring, summer, fall, and winter can be enjoyed.
Aomori is home to ski resorts such as Yaketsuyama Ski Resort, Shichinohe Ski Resort, and Owani Onsen Ski Resort, where you can enjoy both skiing and hot springs. There are also famous festivals, and the festivals held at Lake Towada, Hirosaki Castle, and Hachinohe are considered the three major winter festivals in Aomori Prefecture. The Snow Lantern Festival at Hirosaki Castle, where the castle tower and old pine trees are lit up to create a fantastic scene, will be held 38 times in 2014. The festival at Lake Towada is a popular festival where visitors can enjoy winter fireworks and scenery covered in snow and ice. Hachinohe Enburi in Hachinohe is one of the five major snow festivals in Michinoku, where visitors can enjoy folk entertainment.
Aomori is also home to many hot springs, such as Aoni Onsen, Asamushi Onsenkyo, Sangayu Onsen, Towadako Onsenkyo, Onyu Onsen, Shimoburo Onsenkyo, Michinoku Fukasawa Onsen, Itadome Onsen, and Momosawa Onsen, where you can enjoy hot springs in the winter scenery.
Winter is not the only season for sightseeing in Aomori Prefecture. Hirosaki Castle, where the Snow Lantern Festival is held in winter, is also famous for its cherry blossoms and attracts many tourists during the cherry blossom season. Summer in northern Japan may not seem like the most popular time to visit, but Hirosaki City Apple Park offers a variety of events where visitors can enjoy the experience of apple harvesting. Aomori also has beaches such as Ajigasawa Beach, where you can enjoy the northern summer to the fullest.
Aomori Prefecture is also known for its food. Aomori's abundant marine products can be enjoyed raw, and typical Aomori winter dishes that warm the body from the inside out, such as jappa-jiru (cod stewed with vegetables and seasoned with salt and miso), and keno-jiru, a local Tsugaru dish of vegetables such as radish, carrot, burdock, deep-fried tofu, and frozen tofu stewed in miso, are also a pleasure to enjoy on a trip to Aomori Prefecture. Aomori Prefecture is also famous for its B-class gourmet food. Aomori is also rich in B-class gourmet foods, such as Hachinohe Towada bara-yaki (bara-yaki), scallops with miso paste, and more.
Hirosaki Park is a beautiful urban park located in Shimoshiraganecho, in the heart of Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. Built around the former site of Hirosaki Castle, the historic stronghold of the Tsugaru clan, the park is now internationally known as one of Japan's finest destinations for cherry...»
Shirakami Sanchi is a vast mountainous region stretching across Aomori and Akita Prefectures in northern Japan. In December 1993, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, together with Yakushima, becoming one of Japan's first natural World Heritage sites. The area was recognized in...»
Hirosaki Castle is a beautiful hilltop castle located in the center of Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, in northern Japan. Built on a small hill approximately 50 meters above sea level, the castle once served as the political, economic, and military center of the Tsugaru domain. For much of the Ed...»
Aoiike Blue Pond is one of the famous lakes of Juniko, a group of lakes and ponds located within the Shirakami Sanchi World Natural Heritage area in northern Japan. Striking for its vivid cobalt-blue water, Aoiike is surrounded by ancient beech forests and peaceful mountains, creating a landscape th...»
Oirase Stream is one of Japan's most spectacular natural landscapes, flowing through Towada-Hachimantai National Park in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. The stream is the only river that flows out of Lake Towada and winds for approximately 14 kilometers through a lush mountain valley. With crystal-...»
Osorezan Bodaiji Temple is a historic temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism in Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture. Together with Mount Hiei and Mount Koya, Osorezan is traditionally regarded as one of Japan's Three Sacred Sites. According to tradition, the temple was founded in 862, when the Buddhis...»
Tsuru-no-Mai Bridge is one of the most distinctive wooden bridges in northern Japan. Located in Tsuruta Town, Aomori Prefecture, the bridge stretches for approximately 300 meters across Tsugaru Fujimi Lake, also known as Mawari-zeki Great Reservoir. Known as Japan’s longest wooden triple-arch bridg...»
A Group of Mysterious Lakes Surrounded by Ancient Forests Juniko, or the “Twelve Lakes,” is a beautiful group of lakes and ponds located in the Shirakami Mountains in western Aomori Prefecture. Despite its name, the area actually contains 33 lakes and ponds. Surrounded by mountains rising to more t...»
A Sacred Place Associated with the World of the Dead Osorezan is a sacred mountain in Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture, and is regarded as one of Japan's Three Sacred Places, together with Mount Hiei and Mount Koya. The name Osorezan refers not to a single mountain, but to the volcanic caldera area su...»
A Spectacular Encounter with Giant Festival Floats Tachineputa Museum is a cultural facility in Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture, dedicated to the spectacular Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival, held every August. The museum permanently displays enormous festival floats, allowing visitors to exper...»
A Northern Japanese Mountain Range Shaped by Nature Mount Hakkoda is a spectacular mountain region extending across the southern part of Aomori City in northern Japan. Rather than being a single mountain, Hakkoda refers to a group of volcanic peaks, with Mount Odake (Hakkoda Odake), rising to appro...»
Aomori Nebuta Festival is one of Japan’s most spectacular summer festivals, held every year in Aomori City from August 2 to 7. Along with the Sendai Tanabata Festival and Akita Kanto Festival, it is considered one of the Three Great Festivals of Tohoku. In 1980, the festival was designated a Nationa...»
Hotokegaura is one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in northern Japan. Located on the western coast of the Shimokita Peninsula in Sai Village, Aomori Prefecture, this dramatic coastline is famous for its enormous pale green and white rock formations stretching for approximately 2 kilometer...»
Lake Towada is one of northern Japan’s most spectacular natural destinations. Located on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures, the lake lies at the heart of Towada-Hachimantai National Park and is surrounded by mountains, forests, cliffs, and pristine waterways. Situated at an elevation ...»
Kabushima Shrine stands on Kabushima Island in Same, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. The small island is famous as one of Japan’s most important breeding grounds for black-tailed gulls, which are designated as a National Natural Monument. Here, a historic shrine and a thriving seabird colony exis...»
Omazaki Cape is located at the northernmost tip of the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture and is famous as the northernmost point of Japan’s main island, Honshu. Standing at the edge of the Tsugaru Strait, visitors can look across the sea toward Hokkaido on clear days. The cape is a particula...»
Hirosaki City is a historic and culturally rich city in western Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan. Once the castle town of the Hirosaki Domain during the Edo period, the city developed into an important center of politics, culture, education, and commerce in the Tsugaru region. Today, Hirosaki is b...»
Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen is a famous hot spring resort in Henashi, Fukaura Town, in western Aomori Prefecture. Perched beside the Sea of Japan, it is renowned for its spectacular ocean views and its unique outdoor baths built directly beside the rocky coastline. The experience is especially memor...»
Komaki Onsen is a historic hot spring resort in Misawa, Aomori Prefecture. Once one of the largest hot spring resorts in the prefecture, it has entered a new chapter as Hoshino Resorts Aomoriya. Today, Aomoriya offers much more than a traditional hot spring stay. Guests can experience the culture, ...»
A Sacred Island Where Nature and Faith Come Together Kabushima Island, located in Same Town, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, is a unique destination where wildlife, nature, history, and religious tradition come together. The island is famous as one of Japan's important breeding grounds for blac...»
Osorezan Onsen is a unique hot spring located within the grounds of Entsuji Temple at Osorezan in Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture. Surrounded by volcanic landscapes, sulfurous fumes, and the spiritual atmosphere of one of northern Japan's most important sacred sites, the hot spring offers an experienc...»
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the most celebrated spring events in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Held every year in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, the festival brings together historic architecture, thousands of cherry trees, traditional culture, local food, and beautiful spri...»
Hirosaki Neputa Festival is one of the most spectacular traditional summer festivals in Aomori Prefecture and one of the four major festivals of Hirosaki City, alongside the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival, and Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern F...»
Tsugaru Fujimi Lake is a large artificial lake in Tsuruta Town, Kitatsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture. Its official name is Mawarizeki O-ike Pond, and it was originally created as an agricultural reservoir. Today, however, the lake is also one of the area's most attractive scenic destinations. Wi...»
Hakkoda Ropeway is one of the best ways to experience the magnificent natural scenery of the Hakkoda Mountains in Aomori Prefecture. Located in the northern part of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, the ropeway provides easy access to the mountains without requiring a strenuous climb. The Hakkoda M...»
Hachinohe Sansha Taisai is one of the most spectacular traditional festivals in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Held every year from July 31 to August 4 in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, the festival has a history of approximately 300 years. The festival is designated as an Important Intan...»
Tsugaru-han Neputa Village is a cultural tourism facility in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, where visitors can experience the traditional culture of the Tsugaru region in one place. The facility is especially known for its exhibitions related to the Hirosaki Neputa Festival, one of the most impor...»
Goshogawara Tachineputa is one of the most spectacular summer festivals in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan. Held every year in Goshogawara City, the festival is known for its enormous illuminated floats, powerful music, and energetic chants. Along with the Aomori Nebuta Festival and the Hirosaki ...»
Sukayu Onsen is one of the most famous hot spring destinations in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan. Located in the mountains south of Aomori City and surrounded by the pristine nature of the Hakkoda Mountains, this historic hot spring is renowned for its distinctive mineral-rich waters, traditional...»
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival is one of the most enchanting winter events in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan. Held every year in mid-February at Hirosaki Park, the festival transforms the historic castle grounds into a magical winter landscape filled with snow lanterns, mini...»
Mount Iwaki is a magnificent volcano located across Hirosaki City and Ajigasawa Town in Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan. Rising to 1,625 meters, it is the highest mountain in Aomori Prefecture and is affectionately known as “Tsugaru Fuji” because of its elegant, symmetrical appearance. Mount Iwak...»
Takayama Inari Shrine is one of the most distinctive Inari shrines in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. Located in Ushigata-cho, Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture, the shrine stands on a small hill approximately 22 meters above sea level and has long been revered as a sacred place associated with a...»
Hachinohe City is a major port city in eastern Aomori Prefecture and the central city of the southern Aomori region. With a population second only to Aomori City within the prefecture, Hachinohe has developed as an important center of commerce, transportation, industry, and culture. The city has a ...»
Aomori Prefectural Misawa Aviation & Science Museum is a large museum in Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture, dedicated to aviation, science, and space exploration. Opened on August 8, 2003, the museum has become a popular destination for both aviation enthusiasts and families visiting northern Japan...»
Hasshoku Center is one of the most popular food destinations in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. Since opening in 1980, this enormous market-style commercial complex has been loved by local residents as the “kitchen of Hachinohe”. Today, it is also a popular attraction for visitors from across Jap...»
Fujita Memorial Garden is a spacious Japanese garden located in Kami-Shiroganecho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. Covering approximately 21,800 square meters, it is one of the largest gardens in the Tohoku region. The garden is especially attractive for its harmonious combination of traditional ...»
Tanesashi Coast is a spectacular coastal landscape in the easternmost part of Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean. Stretching for approximately 12 kilometers, the coastline forms part of the Sanriku Fukkō National Park and was designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by the Japane...»
The Kitakanegasawa Ginkgo Tree is one of the largest and most impressive ginkgo trees in Japan. Located in Kitakanegasawa, Fukaura Town, Aomori Prefecture, this enormous tree has long fascinated visitors with its extraordinary size, beautiful seasonal appearance, and deep connection with local relig...»
Iwakiyama Shrine is one of the most important spiritual and cultural sites in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture. Located in Hyakuzawa, Hirosaki City, at the southeastern foot of Mount Iwaki, the shrine has been deeply connected with the lives and beliefs of local people for centuries. Mount I...»
Fukaura Town is a scenic coastal town in Nishitsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture, where the rugged beauty of the Shirakami Mountains meets the Sea of Japan. Surrounded by ancient beech forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, and a dramatic coastline, Fukaura is one of the best places in western Aomori t...»
The Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival is one of the four major seasonal festivals of Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. Held every autumn in Hirosaki Park, the festival celebrates the brilliant colors of chrysanthemums and autumn foliage against the historic setting of Hirosaki Cast...»
Choshi Otaki Waterfall is the largest and one of the best-known waterfalls along the main stream of the Oirase River in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. The Oirase River flows from Lake Towada and has carved a beautiful gorge over countless years, creating a landscape of clear water, moss-covered roc...»
Kuroishi Hot Spring Resort is a collective name for several historic hot spring areas located in the mountainous outskirts of Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture. Surrounded by forests and mountains, the resort area preserves a traditional Japanese hot spring culture that has been closely connected wit...»
Anmon Waterfalls are a spectacular series of three waterfalls located in Nishimeya Village, Aomori Prefecture. The waterfalls are formed along the Anmon River in the Shirakami Mountains, an area renowned for its vast beech forests and pristine natural environment. Surrounded by steep rock walls, mo...»
Momiji Mountain, located in Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture, is a scenic destination famous for its brilliant autumn foliage. The name “Momiji” means autumn maple leaves in Japanese, and the mountain lives up to its name when its forests are transformed into vivid shades of red, orange, and yellow....»
Tsuta Seven Lakes is a group of beautiful forest ponds located around Tsuta Onsen at the foot of the southern Hakkoda Mountains in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. The seven ponds are Tsutanuma, Kagaminuma, Tsukinuma, Naganuma, Suganuma, Hyotannuma, and Akanuma. Surrounded by rich natural forests wi...»
Saruka Park is a scenic park in Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture, located next to the historic Saruka Shrine. Covering approximately 6.3 hectares, the park combines beautiful ponds, seasonal flowers, traditional Japanese gardens, and relaxing recreational facilities. The park is centered around two...»
Hirosaki City Apple Park is one of the most distinctive attractions in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, a city widely known as one of Japan’s major apple-producing regions. The spacious park covers approximately 9.7 hectares and is home to around 2,300 apple trees representing about 80 varieties. Visit...»
Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum “Shayokan” is the former family home of Osamu Dazai, one of Japan’s most celebrated modern writers. Located in Kanagi, Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture, the building is now open to the public as a museum dedicated to Dazai and his family. Completed in 1907, the grand ...»
Tsuruta Town is located in Kitatsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture, in the heart of the Tsugaru Plain. Surrounded by fertile farmland and beautiful natural scenery, the town has developed a rich agricultural culture centered on fruit growing. The area is particularly famous for Steuben grapes, a sw...»