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Many people visiting the Tohoku region of Japan choose to visit Aomori to experience the charm of the Japanese countryside. Located at the northernmost tip of Honshu, Aomori boasts four distinct seasons, rich natural landscapes and cultural features, and must-see attractions such as Hirosaki Park and Oirase Stream. It also features the unique Nebuta Festival, a summer festival exclusive to Aomori, and in winter, visitors can enjoy hot springs and snowscapes.

1. Aomori Nebuta House
If you're planning a trip to Aomori in August, you absolutely can't miss the Aomori Nebuta Festival, the summer festival of Aomori. Even if you can't attend the festival, you can still visit the Aomori Nebuta House to learn about the history of the Nebuta. The Nebuta House also displays a giant Nebuta that was actually used in the festival, and visitors can experience dancing to the rhythm of taiko drums and playing instruments used in the festival – making it one of Aomori's must-see attractions.

Aomori Nebuta House
Address: 1-1-1 Yanagawa, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Access: 2-minute walk from JR Aomori Station
Opening hours: May to August 09:00 - 19:00, last admission 18:30; September to April 09:00 - 18:00, last admission 17:00
Ticket price: 620 yen

2. Oirase Stream
"Oirase Gorge" is located in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, in the Tohoku region. It's a stream surrounded by a primeval forest, with a 14-kilometer-long walking trail along its banks (from "Konokuchi" on the shore of Lake Towada to "Yakeyama"). From one spot, you can enjoy spectacular waterfalls and beautiful, clear streams. The surrounding area boasts excellent road and walking trail facilities, and it's easily accessible from the city. With its different appearances in each season, it has become a popular natural tourist destination.

Oirase stream
Address: 183 Okase Tochikubo, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
Transportation: From JR Aomori Station, take a JR bus to "Oirase Keiryukan" stop. / From JR Aomori Station or Hachinohe Station, take a JR bus for about 1 hour and get off at the "Yakiyama" stop.

3. Lake Towada
Lake Towada, located between Towada City in southern Aomori Prefecture and Kosaka Town in Akita Prefecture, boasts a beautiful, pristine, and somewhat mysterious lake landscape. It is a double-crater lake formed by volcanic activity. Lake Towada is the 12th largest lake in Japan and the third deepest, reaching 327 meters. Visitors can take a sightseeing boat tour around the lake.

Lake Towada
Address: Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
Transportation methods:
1. JR Bus Tohoku "MIZUUMI" (みずうみ号) - journey time approximately 3 hours.
2. Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo and get off at JR Hachido Station. Then transfer to the JR Bus Tohoku "OIRASE" (おいらせ号). The journey takes about 2 hours.
Business Hours: All day

4. Hirosaki Castle
Hirosaki Castle is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, voted by the Japanese as one of the "world's most beautiful sights you absolutely must visit before you die." The castle's banks are lined with cherry trees, and during the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival held annually from late April to early May, visitors can take a boat through this "cherry blossom tunnel." At night, they can enjoy the stunning nighttime cherry blossoms and the beautiful scenery of the "flower rafts" on the outer moat. In addition, the popular autumn festival "Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival" is held annually from October to November within the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden, attracting many visitors.

Hirosaki Castle
Address : 1 Shimoshirogane-cho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
Transportation methods :
1. From JR Shin-Aomori Station or Aomori Station, go to Hirosaki Station.
2. Alternatively, take the JR Okumoto Line and transfer to the Resort Shirakami Rapid Sightseeing Train, which runs between Aomori Station and Akita Station.
Business hours : 9:00-17:00

5 : Shirakami Mountain Range
The Shirakami Mountains are one of the many primeval forests in the world that have ever existed. These beech forests, which have been growing here for 8,000 years, are part of a mountain range that stretches across southwestern Aomori and northwestern Akita prefectures. In 1993, the mountains were designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. The area offers a variety of hiking and mountaineering routes, including the famous Anmon Falls Trail and the Shirakami-dake Trail, which are suitable for hikers of all levels.

Shirakami Mountain Range
Address : Nakatsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture
Transportation methods :
1. From Aomori City: Take the JR Ou Main Line to Hirosaki Station, then transfer to the Gono Line to the Shirakami Sanji Entrance in Nishimeya Village. Alternatively, take a bus to famous attractions such as Anmon Falls.
2. From Akita City: Take the JR Ou Main Line to Noshiro Station, then transfer to a bus to the Shirakami Sanji entrance in Fujisato Town.
Opening hours (opening hours vary by visitor center and trail; the following are general guidelines):
Shirakami Mountain Visitor Center: 8:30-17:00 (May be extended in summer, some centers closed in winter).
Hidden Gate Waterfall Trail: Mid-April to late November (subject to weather conditions).
Admission: Free
Entry into the core protected area: Prior permit application is required, but there are no additional fees.
Hidden Gate Waterfall Trail: Usually free, but parking fees apply.
Shirakami Mountain Visitor Center: Admission is free, but there may be a charge for certain guided tours.

6. Hakkoda Ropeway
If you want to enjoy the natural scenery of Aomori but don't want to hike, consider taking the Hakkoda Ropeway. You can admire the magnificent natural beauty of the Hakkoda mountain range while riding the ropeway. Hakkoda is lush and green in spring, bursting with alpine vegetation in summer, ablaze with autumn colors in autumn, and a pristine white landscape with spectacular ice-covered trees in winter. Late September to mid-October is the best time to see the autumn foliage. Furthermore, from late November to early May, it's a paradise for skiers, offering a five-month ski season where you can enjoy the breathtaking ice-covered trees while skiing.

Hakkoda Ropeway
Address: 1-12 Arakawa Hansizawa, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Access: From JR Aomori Station or Towada Lake Station, take a JR bus for approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours and get off at the Hakkoda Ropeway stop. (※Timetables may vary in summer and winter)

7. Hakkoda Mountain Ice Tree
Mount Hakkoda offers different scenery throughout the year. In winter, the "Hakkoda Mountain Ice Trees" form, a must-see natural spectacle, with the best time to view them being February. Since heavy snow covers most of the mountain area in winter, it's essential to prepare for the cold before your trip. Additionally, in winter, you can also take the Hakkoda Ropeway to the summit for a 360-degree panoramic view of the stunning ice tree formations.

8. Tsuru no Mai Bridge (Tsuru no Mai Bridge)
Tsuru no Mai Bridge is a magnificent wooden bridge built from cypress trees grown in Aomori Prefecture. Spanning 300 meters, it is Japan's longest wooden triple-arch bridge. The bridge spans the two banks of Lake Tsugaru-Fujimi, where the majestic silhouette of Mount Iwaki is reflected in the water, creating a picturesque scene. It gained fame after being featured in a popular Japanese television commercial. Especially at sunset, the bridge and lake are bathed in the reddish-orange hues of the sky, creating a dreamlike atmosphere and making it a must-visit for photographers and tourists alike.

Crane Dance Bridge
Address: Tsuruta-cho, Tsuruta-cho, Kitatsufu-gun, Aomori Prefecture, Osawa
Access: Approximately 10 minutes by taxi or car from JR Mutsu Tsuruta Station.

9. Sanouchi-Maruyama Ruins
The Sannai Maruyama Site is one of the largest Jomon period settlement sites in Japan and was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2021. Since 1992, archaeological excavations at the site have uncovered pit dwellings, adult and children's graves, storage pits, and other remains closely related to daily life, showcasing the unique culture and lifestyle of the Jomon period.

The site houses the "Jomon Freedom Museum," which offers visitors a rich collection of exhibits and interactive experiences, providing insights into daily life during the Jomon period. In addition, the park recreates 15 earthen houses, one large earthen house, three high-rise buildings, and one magnificent large columned structure, making it a must-visit for travelers interested in history and culture. It allows visitors to feel as if they have traveled back in time and experienced firsthand the ancient civilization of thousands of years ago.

Sanouchi Maruyama Ruins
Address: 305 Ozanai Maruyama, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Transportation: From JR Aomori Station, take a city bus for about 30 minutes and get off at the "Minai Maruyama Ruins" stop.

10: Takayama Inari Shrine
Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine is a well-known tourist attraction, but Aomori also boasts Takayama Inari Shrine, both famous for their numerous, extending vermilion torii gates, creating a mystical passage to another world. Takayama Inari Shrine offers different captivating views in each season: cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, and a blanket of snow in winter, adding a touch of serene beauty. No matter when you visit, it's an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts and definitely worth exploring for any traveler who loves taking pictures.

Takayama Inari Shrine
Address: 147-1 Washinozawa, Ushigata-cho, Aomori Prefecture City
Transportation: Take a bus from JR Goshogawara Station, get off at the "Takayama Shrine Entrance" stop, and then take a taxi for about 5 minutes.