An Aomori travel guide is much more useful than you might imagine. Aomori, far from simply being one of Japan’s most underrated cities, is also a captivating and diverse prefecture.
The “tip” of Japan’s Honshu island where it meets Hokkaido, Aomori is home to captivating castles, towering mountains, multi-hued rice fields and enchanting scenery, both inland and coastal. Plus, on account of Aomori’s relatively remote location, there really aren’t too many tourists there.
No matter where in Aomori is on your list or when you plan to travel, take the time to read through my Aomori itinerary, if only to get inspired.
Where to Stay in Aomori
As you’re executing this Aomori travel guide, there are really two approaches you can take to Aomori hotels. For travelers who either want to focus on urban destinations (Aomori City; Hirosaki; Hachinohe), or who don’t plan on renting a car, Aomori City is the best place to stay. I personally love the newly-built Daiwa Roynet Aomori Hotel, though the ReLabo Medical Spa & Stay is a slightly higher end option in a similarly excellent location.
If you’ll have your own set of wheels, meanwhile, and want to focus on more scenic aspects of Aomori, where to stay shifts in a much more rural direction. Hotel Jogakura is high-luxury, and situates you well for exploring the Lake Towada area (even if somewhere like the Towada Prince Hotel is even more on the nose for this); the simple Yadoya Tsubaki ryokan in Asamushi Onsen makes a great gateway to the Shimokita Peninsula.
The Best Things to Do in Aomori Prefecture
Get your bearings in Aomori City
Aomori City is not Japan’s most interesting, but there are many worthwhile things to see there. These include summer’s annual Aomori Nebuta Matsuri festival and, by contrast, the crazy amount of snow that falls in winter. No matter what part of the year you visit, meanwhile, the strange, pyramidal ASPAM Building will captivate you as you pass it. Note that if you aren’t in town for the festival, you can visit Nebuta Museum WA RASSE to see the floats; stop at the nearby A-FACTORY for apple-themed treats.
See seasonal spectacles at Hirosaki Castle
Another essential example of what to do in Aomori is Hirosaki Castle, located about 45 minutes south of Aomori City on the JR Ou Line. While most famous for the “petal moat” phenomenon that occurs during cherry blossom season, this castle is interesting any time of year you can come here, including during winter’s snow lantern festival. Cross the street to Fujita Memorial Garden, meanwhile, for seasonal beauty, and a warming lunch of curry made with locally-grown apples.
TIP: I highly recommend exploring Hirosaki beyond its castle, if you’re so inclined. I’ve even written an entire article about things to do in Hirosaki!
Give Hachinohe a chance
Hachinohe is a city that it literally took me years to appreciate. My favorite place in the city is probably the seaside Kabushima Shrine just outside of town by local train, although I also love eating my way through Hasshoku Center and going way back in time at Nejō castle, not to be confused with the more popular Nijo Castle in Kyoto. The shidarezakura here (at Ne-jō, this is) are way better than the ordinary somei yoshino of Nijo-jō.
Peer down into Lake Towada’s cavernous caldera
My last couple of trips to Aomori have taken place in autumn, which is why there’s a bit more color within my Aomori itinerary. The truth, however, is that no matter when you end up making it to Lake Towada and Oirase Stream (even in the middle of winter), rural Aomori prefecture is nothing to sneeze at. Plus, if you’re coming there from Hirosaki, you can stop en route in Kuroishi to visit orchards producing Aomori’s famous apples (with Mt. Iwaki towering in the distance), or at Mt. Hakkoda in the winter to see its “snow monsters.”
TIP: If you’re craving an onsen experience, consider stopping at the superlative Sukayu Onsen on the way to or from Lake Towada or Oirase Stream (they’re on the same bus route).
Go to hell—literally—at Osorezan Bodai-ji
Looking for things to do in Aomori that are literally out of this world? Your best bet is Osorezan Bodai-ji temple, on the underrated Shimokita Peninsula just past the city of Mutsu. Note that if you want to go here, it’s really best to have your own set of wheels; the temple closes each year for the winter on October 31, which happens to be my favorite day to go (the autumn colors are amazing!).
Is Aomori Worth Visiting?
Aomori City may or may not be worth visiting. If you can come during the Nebuta Matsuri Festival in August, or during the winter amid truly otherworldly amounts of snow, it can be a unique, captivating destination. In other times of the year, however, it’s largely a stopping off point for more exciting destinations on your Aomori itinerary, although a seafood breakfast at the Aomori Gyosai Center is always worthwhile!
Indeed, Aomori prefecture is absolutely worth visiting—and all year. Spend spring amid the sakura of Hirosaki Castle (or the “weeping” cherry trees of Nejou Castle in Hachinohe), summer picking apples at farms in Kuroishi, autumn enjoying colors at Lake Towada and winter on the ski slopes (and with the “snow monsters”) of Mt. Hakkoda. No matter what type of traveler you are, or what generally compels you to visit Japan, Aomori has something for you.
Other FAQ About Visiting Aomori
What is Aomori known for?
Aomori is known as being Japan’s most prolific apple producer, for the annual Nebuta Matsuri festival and for Hirosaki Castle’s famous “petal moat.” To a lesser extent, it’s also known for the crazy amount of snow that falls here during winter, and for impressive displays of autumn color, especially at and around Lake Towada.
How do you get around Aomori?
Within Aomori City I usually just walk; the city is too compact to justify learning its bus system. Within the prefecture, I use a mix of local JR Lines, the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen, tourist buses and some local buses when necessary, though renting a car is of course the most flexible option.
How long does it take from Tokyo to Aomori?
It takes about 3 hours to travel from Tokyo to Aomori via the Shinkansen Hayabusa, Japan’s fastest bullet train. You can also fly nonstop from Haneda Airport to Aomori Airport, which takes around an hour and then requires a 40-minute limousine bus ride to reach Aomori city. If you’re bound for Hachinohe, meanwhile, Misawa Airport might be a smarter option.
The Bottom Line
I hope you’ve found my Aomori itinerary helpful, whether you explore manifold destinations like Hirosaki and Hachinohe, or simply spend a day in Aomori City en route to Hokkaido. Although not Japan’s top destination in terms of visitor numbers, Aomori-ken nonetheless sits at the physical pinnacle of mainland Honshu—I hope you’ll make the climb, for whatever reason compels you. Want to make sure your trip to Aomori is one for the record books? Commission a custom Japan itinerary—and let me sweat the details.
