Aomori 3-Day Itinerary: Art, Culture, and Awe-Inspiring Nature in Honshu’s Northernmost Prefecture

What is Aomori?

Aomori Prefecture is located at the northernmost tip of Japan’s main island of Honshu. It faces the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Sea of Japan to the west, and is adjacent to Iwate and Akita Prefectures. To the north, it is separated from Hokkaido by the Tsugaru Strait. The region features diverse natural landscapes, including the towering Ou Mountains, the Shirakami Mountains, the Tsugaru Peninsula, and the Shimokita Peninsula. 

These geographic features significantly influence the local climate, resulting in notable weather variations within the prefecture, with an annual average temperature of 11.0°C. In winter, the western Tsugaru area often experiences heavy snowfall, while the eastern Pacific coast tends to enjoy clear and dry weather.

Aomori is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, such as the Shirakami Mountains and the famous Oirase Stream. Summer is the liveliest season, with traditional festivals like the Nebuta Festival (August 2 - 7), and the Hachinohe Sansha Taisai (July 31 - August 4) attracting many visitors. Additionally, Aomori is famous for its rich hot spring resources, including the renowned Sukayu Onsen and Asamushi Onsen, providing excellent relaxation experiences for visitors. 

The prefecture is also a major food producer in Japan, known for its apples, garlic, nagaimo yam, scallops, and Oma tuna. These high-quality ingredients form the foundation of Aomori's delicious local cuisine. In terms of history and culture, Aomori preserves numerous Jomon period archaeological sites, such as the Sannai-Maruyama Historical Site, and maintains traditional crafts like Tsugaru-nuri lacquerware and Nanbu-Sakiori, showcasing its rich historical and cultural heritage.

How to Get to Aomori

The gateway cities of Aomori Prefecture are Aomori, Hirosaki, and Hachinohe. Flying is the quickest and most convenient way to get there, with a flight from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Aomori taking just 1 hour and 20 minutes. The prefecture is served by two airports: Misawa Airport in the south and Aomori Airport in the Tsugaru region. Alternatively, the Tohoku Shinkansen offers direct service from Tokyo Station, reaching Hachinohe Station in about 2 hours and 45 minutes, and Shin-Aomori Station in around 3 hours.

Day 1: History and Culture in Hirosaki City

Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle)

Hirosaki Station to Hirosaki Park: Approx. 15-minute bus ride or 10-minute drive

Hirosaki Castle is located within Hirosaki Park in Hirosaki City. It was planned in 1603 by Tamenobu Tsugaru, who unified the Tsugaru region, with construction beginning in 1610 under the second lord, Nobuhira Tsugaru and completed the following year. From that time, Hirosaki Castle served as the residence of the Tsugaru clan and was the political center of the Tsugaru Domain for 260 years until the abolition of the domains.

Hirosaki Castle has been designated as a National Historical Site, measuring approximately 600 meters wide from east to west and about 1,000 meters long from north to south, covering a total area of about 50 hectares. The existing main keep, three turrets, and five gates have been designated as Important Cultural Properties. Be sure to visit the Hirosaki Castle Information Center to learn more about the history of this iconic castle and to purchase some exclusive souvenirs!

Hirosaki Park is also renowned for its cherry blossom and has been selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots. From mid-April to early May, around 2,600 cherry trees in 52 varieties bloom throughout the park. Each year, the "Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival” offers visitors a chance to enjoy the blossoms with various activities such as a tunnel of cherry blossoms. If you plan to visit Hirosaki City in the spring, joining this private full-day cherry blossom tour is highly recommended. It is designed for nature lovers, and the tour includes a guided stroll around Hirosaki, where you will see different species of cherry trees in full bloom.

Tsugaru-han Neputa Village

Hirosaki Park to Tsugaru-han Neputa Village: Approx.5-minute drive or 6-minute walk

Aomori’s Nebuta Festival, famous throughout Japan, is broadly divided into three types: Nebuta Festival (such as the one in Aomori City), Neputa Festival (like the one in Hirosaki City), and the Tachineputa Festival (held in Goshogawara City). 

The Neputa Festival held in Hirosaki City is held annually from August 1 to 7, filling the summer night skies of Tsugaru with vibrant colors. The festival features around 80 fan-shaped Neputa floats of varying sizes, adorned with vivid and bold warrior scenes often inspired by "The Records of the Three Kingdoms" and "Water Margin.” These floats parade through the city accompanied by rhythmic chants. It is said that the Neputa originated to drive away drowsiness that came during the hot and busy farming season, with villagers coming together to cleanse the disasters and evil spirits. With a history spanning over 300 years, it was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1980.

To learn more about the Hirosaki Neputa Festival, you can visit the Tsugaru-han Neputa Village. The facility showcases a large 10-meter-tall Neputa float, where you can also observe the internal framework. There are occasional live performances of flutes and taiko drums, and you can even try your hand at playing the drums. In addition to Neputa, the facility offers a view of the crafting process of Tsugaru Nishiki-e painting and Tsugaru lacquerware, making it a place where you can fully experience the charm of Tsugaru.

Fujita Memorial Park

Tsugaru-han Neputa Village to Fujita Memorial Park: Approx. 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk

This garden was originally owned by Keichi Fujita, the first president of the Japan Chamber of Commerce. When he built his residence in 1919, he commissioned a gardener from Tokyo to design this Edo-style garden. Spanning approximately 21,800 square meters, it is one of the largest gardens in the Tohoku region.

The garden is divided into two sections, an elevated area and a lower area, separated by a 13-meter-high cliff. The elevated area features a borrowing scenery-style garden and includes registered tangible cultural properties such as the Western-style building, the Japanese House, and the Archaeology Museum, with views of Mount Iwaki. The lower area is centered around a pond and features a pond strolling garden, where visitors can enjoy views of the pond, clusters of irises, azaleas, and other plants, as well as waterfalls and Yatsuhashi bridges. During the cherry blossom season, the garden attracts many visitors who come to admire the stunning weeping cherry trees.

Spend the Night at Asamushi Onsen

Fujita Memorial Park to Asamushi Onsen (Tsubaki Kan): Approx. 1 hour and 5-minute drive; approx. 8-minute walk from Asamushi Onsen Station

Asamushi Onsen, a renowned “ryokan” inn in Aomori with a history spanning over 1,200 years, has been referred to as the "Atami of Tohoku" or the "Hidden Retreat of Aomori." This hot spring is situated at the base of the Natsudomari Peninsula, forming a key part of the Asamushi-Natsudomari Prefectural Natural Park.

The hot spring water here is colorless, odorless, and gentle on the skin. If you are planning a trip to Asamushi Onsen, consider staying at Tsubakikan, a ryokan with over 400 years of history. This historic hotel was once visited by Emperor Meiji during his tour of the Tohoku region. The ryokan is home to nine natural hot springs named “Tsubaki no Yu” (meaning Camellia Hot Spring). It also holds the distinction of being the first hot spring ryokan in Aomori Prefecture approved for drinking the hot spring water.

After extensive renovations, Tsubakikan reopened in April 2024 with beautifully refurbished guest rooms. The ryokan has also created a special gallery near the reception, where guests can leisurely enjoy the works of Shiko Munakata, the Aomori-born world-famous printmaker.

Day 2: Art and Heritage in Aomori

Aomori Museum of Art

Asamushi Onsen (Tsubakikan) to Aomori Museum of Art: Approx. 35-minute drive; approx. 20-minute bus ride from JR Aomori Station

The design of the Aomori Museum of Art was inspired by the nearby "Sannai-Maruyama Historical Site," an excavation site of a settlement from the Jomon period (between c. 14,000 and 300 BC). The ground is geometrically cut, resembling the trenches of the excavation site, and is covered with a white brick structure above. The underside of this structure also reveals an uneven surface, with the upward ridges of the ground and the downward ridges of the structure casually interlocking like a set of misaligned teeth. 

The museum features innovative architecture designed by Jun Aoki, symbols and signage created by Atsushi Kikuchi, and staff uniforms from the fashion brand " minä perhonen". It houses a collection of works by highly unique and individualistic artists with connections to Aomori Prefecture, including the renowned printmaker artist Shiko Munakata, the globally acclaimed contemporary artist Yoshitomo Nara, and Toru Narita, a sculptor and special effects art director known for designing “kaiju” (monsters) like those in Ultraman.

The most famous exhibit in the museum is arguably Yoshitomo Nara’s "Aomori Ken (Aomori Dog)," an 8.5-meter-high and 6.7-meter-wide sculpture. This massive sculpture towers over viewers, its expression shifting with the seasons, and is lovingly embraced by visitors as the symbol of the museum.

Sannai-Maruyama Historical Site

Aomori Museum of Art to Sannai-Maruyama Historical Site: Approx. 2-minute drive or 7-minute walk; approx. 20-minute bus ride from JR Aomori Station

The Sannai-Maruyama Historical Site, the remains of an extensive settlement from the early to middle Jomon period (c. 3900 to 2200 BCE), was discovered during official excavations that began in 1992. In July 2021, the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan."

Located on the edge of a gently sloping hill extending from the Hakkoda Mountain Range, the site sits on a coastal terrace along the Okidate River at an elevation of about 20 meters. It is situated in a region rich in aquatic resources, with a vast deciduous broadleaf forest in the background. Excavations have uncovered numerous structures, including pit dwellings, raised-floor buildings, mounds, and burial sites with pits and jars. In addition, a wealth of artifacts have been discovered, such as pottery, stone tools, wooden objects, and items made from bone and antlers. All these significant findings provide insight into ancient lifestyles, the characteristics of large central settlements, and the variety of rituals and ceremonies practiced during that time.

To learn more about the life of Jomon people, the Sannai Maruyama Site Center comprises a site area where visitors can view reconstructed features such as 15 pit dwellings plus a large pit dwelling, three raised-floor structures, and a large post-built structure. It also includes the "Sanmaru Museum," where visitors can learn about Jomon life through exhibits and interactive experiences.

Nebuta Museum WA RASSE

Sannai-Maruyama Historical Site to Nebuta Museum WA RASSE: Approx. 15-minute drive; approx. 1-minute walk from Aomori Station

The Aomori Nebuta Festival is one of the three major festivals of the Tohoku region and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan. Every year, more than 20 large Nebuta floats are created, and during the festival, these majestic floats parade through the streets, accompanied by "Haneto" dancers performing alongside them while chanting "Rassera, Rassera." Unlike the fan-shaped Neputa floats in Hirosaki City, the Nebuta floats in Aomori City typically feature framework-based construction that gives them a distinctive three-dimensional form.

If you want to learn more about the Aomori Nebuta Festival, you can visit this museum, which offers an immersive experience of the Aomori Nebuta Festival’s history and charm throughout the year. The museum showcases some of the large Nebuta floats that appear in the festival, as well as touchable Nebuta components and masks that reflect the characteristics of the creators.

Additionally, in the Nebuta Hall, a 400-inch large screen displays dynamic scenes of the Nebuta floats in action. Here, you can explore the production techniques, stylistic developments, and thematic change of Nebuta, gaining a deeper understanding of the festival’s history and appeal. Read this article to discover more about Hiroo Takenami, the seventh Nebuta master, for more insight into the captivating world of Aomori’s grand floats. You can find his works displayed in the museum as well!

For a personalized sightseeing experience in Aomori City, consider booking this fully customizable private tour. With an English-speaking guide, you can explore the city at your own pace, tailoring your itinerary to your specific interests, whether they include culture, history, cuisine, nature, or special events.

Spend the Night at Dormy Inn Honhachinohe

Nebuta Museum WA RASSE to Dormy Inn Honhachinohe: Approx. 1 hour and 35-minute drive; approx. 11-minute walk from Hon-Hachinohe Station

After exploring Aomori City, why not continue your journey to Honhachinohe City and discover another side of Aomori? We recommend staying at Dormy Inn Honhachinohe. The hotel is conveniently located just an 11-minute walk from JR Hachinohe Line’s Hon-Hachinohe Station and a 15-minute drive from the Hachinohe IC on the Hachinohe Expressway.

The hotel offers Dormy Inn’s signature services, including a rich local breakfast, a spacious bathhouse with an onsen-like experience, and clean, comfortable rooms to ensure a pleasant stay. The natural hot spring bathhouse "Nambu no Yu" on the 13th floor features separate areas for men and women, with both indoor and outdoor baths using natural spring water drawn from 800 meters underground. The outdoor hot spring offers breathtaking views, especially at night, where you can overlook the entire city of Hachinohe. After enjoying the hot spring, the hotel’s comfortable beds will lull you into a deep sleep, replenishing your energy for the next day’s activities.

In the morning, don’t miss the hotel’s breakfast, featuring Japanese and Western dishes, including the locally beloved “Hachinohe Senbei-Jiru.” This dish is made with a broth of meat, fish, vegetables, and mushrooms, paired with specially made senbei crackers designed specifically for the soup.

Day 3: Feast on Bountiful Seafood in Hachinohe

Mutsuminato Morning Market

Dormy Inn Honhachinohe to Mutsuminato Morning Market: Approx. 10-minute drive; approx. 1-minute walk from Mutsu-Minato Station

In front of JR Hachinohe Line's Mutsu-Minato Station, the area has long been known as the "Kitchen of Hachinohe" by locals, centered around the Hachinohe City Fish and Vegetable Retail Market. The morning market held here on weekdays and Saturdays, starting at 3 am, is bustling with restaurant buyers, local residents, and tourists.

Be sure to try the local specialty "nokke-don" breakfast, where you can assemble your own custom meal by selecting fresh seafood and prepared dishes from the market and nearby shops. Enjoying this unique breakfast while soaking in the lively market atmosphere is truly a one-of-a-kind experience! Start by picking out various fresh sashimi, such as sea urchin, squid, and tuna, along with prepared dishes available at shops inside and around the market.

After selecting your dishes, head to the canteen of Hachinohe City Fish and Vegetable Retail Market, where you can order a breakfast set with rice and miso soup. Once your dishes, rice, and miso soup are ready, you can assemble your original set meal. You can even turn your meal into a unique seafood bowl by placing all your selected ingredients on top of the rice.

We also recommend taking this tour, where a guide familiar with the local market will help you make the most of your time at the market while enjoying a delicious breakfast!

Adventure Awaits in Honshu’s Northernmost Prefecture

As your 3-day adventure in Aomori comes to an end, you will have uncovered the many treasures of this northern gem. You’ve delved into its rich traditions, admired its artistic heritage, and savored its diverse culinary delights. From the elegant Hirosaki Castle to the lively Nebuta Festival, from the Jomon-era archaeological wonders to the soothing hot springs, Aomori has unveiled the true essence of Japan's Tohoku region. Departing with a deep appreciation for its natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historical significance, you leave Aomori with treasured memories and a longing to return and explore even more of this enchanting prefecture.