Top 10 Things To See And Do In Aomori

Set in the northernmost Honshu, Japan’s main island, Aomori is known for its mountainous landscape, lush greenery, and wild street festivals. With four distinct seasons, unique events and outdoor activities, there’s no end of attractions to keep travelers busy. We take a look at the most fun and fascinating in the area.

See the Nebuta Matsuri

Attracting more visitors than any other nebuta festival in Japan, this epic summer festival runs for six days straight at the beginning of August. Nebuta are enormous paper floats modeled after ancient warriors; the floats are carried through the town surrounded by dancers dressed in traditional uniforms and chanting in the local dialect. Visitors are not only welcome but encouraged to dive in and participate in the festivities.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BI2Ro20h3oW/

Check out the Nebuta Warasse Museum

1. Create your own seafood dish at Furukawa fish market

Market, Japanese

While there is certainly no shortage of fish markets in Japan, what makes Furukawa unique is that it allows guests to construct their own donburi (rice bowl topped with fish or meat) with items from different vendors at the market. Shoppers buy tickets in sets of five or ten (each ticket costs about $1) and exchange them for various items throughout the market. Simply make your request, exchange the appropriate number of tickets, and the vendor will add it to your rice bowl.

Tour the Sannai Maruyama archaeological site

Discovered accidentally during the construction of a baseball stadium, excavations have turned up structures, homes, and artefacts from Japan’s Jomon era that are roughly 5,000 years old. The tour, which is available in English as well as Japanese, gives visitors a window into one of the ancient civilizations of Japan.

Achieve enlightenment at the Buddhist temple atop Mt. Osore

Located at the summit of Mt. Osore, this holy shrine was built in honor of Jiso Bosatsu, mythical Japanese deity and protector of the youth. Traditionally, people visit the site to mourn the death of a child or to attempt to communicate with the spirits of the dead. Whatever your reason for visiting, the area is considered one of the most peaceful and beautiful locations in Aomori.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRK2HvgBIcD/

2. Drink beer at Kadare Yokocho

Popular among university students and the after-work crowd, this small indoor alleyway is home to several tiny izakaya and restaurants. It’s an ideal spot for travelers in search of cheap eats and a place to get acquainted with the locals.

Drink more beer at Miroku Yokocho

This narrow alleyway located in the center of Hachinohe city features over 25 food stalls, bars, and izakaya. The stalls have a lively, open atmosphere and offer various types of seafood, grilled meats, and snacks, making it a popular destination for tourists as well as locals. This is a great place for travelers hoping to chat to some of the local residents.

3. Go apple-picking

Park

For those looking for a more wholesome way to spend an afternoon, check out the Apple Park in Hirosaki city. Open August to November, customers are free to pick as many apples as they can carry. This is a great choice for families or anyone looking to get outside without breaking the bank (2kg (4.4lbs) of apples will cost you only about US$2.00.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/9JTQTUlWOz/?taken-at=265590661

Ride the Hakkoda Ropeway

Travelers who want to Aomori’s scenic mountain views without actually having to hike can take the Hakkoda Ropeway to the top of Tamoyachidake, one of the multiple peaks of Mt. Hakkoda. The best time to visit is during the fall when the leaves change color.

Board the Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship Hakkodamaru

Until the Seikan Tunnel opened in 1988, ferries were the main mode of transportation between Honshu and Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. Today, ferries are used sparingly, with most travelers opting for the convenience of the railway tunnel. After completing its final voyage in 1988, the Hakkodamaru ferry was docked at Aomori port and converted into a museum to serve as a reminder of the days before the tunnel was built. The ship is now open to the public and takes visitors on a self-guided tour through the cabins, top deck, and engine room.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMoMgxkj8Ru/

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.