Top 10 Tourist Attractions & Best Things to Do in Aomori, Japan

The access to the Aomori prefecture from Tokyo has improved due to the opening of the Tohoku Bullet-train line. Having said that, I believe that few people have been to the Aomori prefecture on holiday. I’m introducing 10 carefully selected spots for sightseeing where you can enjoy the attraction of the Aomori prefecture not only for people who have already been but also for ones who are planning to visit there!

1. The sightseeing spot where you can see the ruins from the Jomon period

You can have a glance at the life in the Japanese Jomon period in the [Sannai Maruyama Archaeological Site]. The Sannai Maruyama Archaeological Site is a trace of a community in the Jomon period which existed from 5500 ~ 4000 years ago and you can see the site of the pit dwellings. As a lot of experience events have been held for individuals, you can join the excavation at the ruins or can try to make a clay figure.

There is an exhibition of accessories at that time and you can increase your imagination about the people’s life from the remains as well as the exhibits. If you go to Aomori on holiday, I recommend you should drop in at the ruins from the Jomon period which you can hardly see in your daily life.

2. This is the place where you can learn about the roots of the Aomori Nebuta Festival! [Nebuta-no-ie Wa-Rasse]

Speaking of Aomori, I believe that many people recall [Nebuta Festival]. If you go to Aomori on holiday at the time of the Nebuta Festival, you can get the feeling of excitement in your skin and you will want to imprint it in your memory, won’t you?

However, you can see the large size Nebuta closely even when it is not the time of the Nebuta Festival. That’s in the [Nebuta-no-ie, Wa-Rasse]. In the Nebuta museum on the 2nd floor, you can not only see the exhibits of Nebuta but also can learn about the process of forming Nebuta. Let’s go there and learn about the culture of the Aomori Nebuta!

3. If you want to enjoy the Aomori local ingredients and the local sake, this is the right place to go! [Hachinoheyataimura Mirokuyokocho]

The [Hachinoheyataimura Mirokuyokocho] was established in order to vitalize the area in accordance with the opening of the Bullet-train Hachinohe station. It is the sightseeing spot where you can enjoy
the various ways of cooking and sake, focused on the local ingredients. You will want to taste the dishes, using the local ingredients, as you have gone all the way to Aomori, won’t you?

For such people, I would like to introduce the [Hachinoheyataimura Mirokuyokocho]. You can enjoy skewered chicken, oden (Japanese dish containing a number of ingredients cooked in a special broth) and fresh seaweed. Of course, there are many shops where you can enjoy the local sake! Please enjoy the Aomori gourmet at the Hachinoheyataimura Mirokuyokocho which satisfies your stomach as well as your heart.

4. This place is full of tourist attractions! If you want to learn about Aomori! [Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center, Aspam]

Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center, Aspam will grant your wish to learn more about the charm of Aomori at one place. Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center, Aspam is a sightseeing spot where you can learn about its industry, its local entertainment and its local speciality widely. Needless to say, at the exhibition of Nebuta of the Nebuta Festival, there is the Aomori local selection which was specially selected by the staff member. You can come across some unique items as souvenirs.

From the observation deck at 51m above the sea level, you can command the Aomori town area, the Shimokita as well as the Tsugaru peninsulas and even Hokkaido on a fine day. You can feel plenty of the charm of Aomori at the Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center, Aspam. Please pop in there.

5. The place where you can experience Mother Nature Enjoy the changes of the seasons. [Hakkoda Ropeway)

Needless to say, the Hakkoda Ropeway from where you can command the magnificent scenery has been operating throughout the year. It has also an important role when people are trekking or skiing in winter. You can enjoy skiing to the full on a few 7-km-long slopes from the Ropeway Sancho (peak) Koen (park) station as a base.

In summer time, it is popular as the gateway for the trekking course and many sightseers gather. The changing colours in autumn are beautiful, no wonder. Riding on the Hakkoda Ropeway which you can enjoy yourself throughout all seasons, why don’t you come and feel the charm of Aomori which shows different faces depending on the season?

6. If you would like to have a new experience or to appreciate modern art… [Towada-city Modern Art Center]

Even people who hardly visit an art museum or are unfamiliar with art, can enjoy the modern art at the Towada-city Art Center without any sense of hesitation. The permanent exhibits have the Japanese art works to start with which are famous worldwide and the works from 33 artists who have been playing their important roles all over the world. It’s highly recommended for visiting. It has the concept to offer a place to experience new things through the art exhibits.

You are allowed to touch the exhibits on the Art Space, so you can feel the arts very closely. When you visit Aomori, why don’t you drop in at the Towada-city Art Center?

7. The place where you can taste the fresh ingredients in Aomori [Hasshoku Center]

It is of course nice to enjoy the fresh food at a restaurant in Aomori, but you would like to cook them by yourself, wouldn’t you? For such cooking lovers, [Hasshoku Center] is recommended. In the lively market, Hasshoku Center, the shops which deal with fresh fish, dried delicacy, fresh fruits, sweets and alcoholic drinks are close together. Especially, visit the fresh fish monger who has the substantial fish to sell.

There is the place to cook and taste those fresh ingredients in the Hasshoku Center without waiting for cooking at your own house. The place is called [Shichirin-mura]. You can use the place for ￥300 per adult for 2 hours. You can grill freshly bought fish or meat on the Shichirin (portable clay cooking stove) provided. The Hasshoku Center where you can enjoy the fresh ingredients on the spot is an essential place to visit on your trip to Aomori on holiday.

8. About 2,600 cherry trees are the highlight! The standard place for the Aomori sightseeing! [Hirosaki Koen (park)]

The [Hirosaki park] which is famous for the Hirosaki Cherry-blossom Festival is located in the middle of the Hirosaki-city. It is one of the greatest parks which is proud of the land of 150,000-tsubo
(495,000㎡). The ruins of a castle which has been opened to the public as a park is in this Hirosaki Park, so you can feel plenty of history, starting with the Hirosaki Castle. In the Hirosaki Park, about 2,600 cherry trees have been planted and the magnificent view of cherry blossoms at their peak is simply amazing.

In early August every year, the Hirosaki Nebuta Festival which has been registered as an important intangible folk-cultural property is held and attracts many tourists. The cherry blossoms, Nebuta and the Hirosaki Park where you can feel the history of Aomori, are all wonderful features for sightseeing.

9. The sightseeing spot which you can feel Aomori with your 5 senses [Aomori Prefectural Museum of Art]

The [Aomori Prefectural Museum of Art] is the place where you can enjoy not only the art works but also films and plays in Aomori. There is a hall for a concert, so you can come into contact with the wider arts. Many works from the artists who are connected with Aomori have been exhibited. There are many works which you can only appreciate in Aomori.

At the attached café, the original café menu with the ingredients produced in Aomori has been offered. After coming into contact with the art in Aomori, you can relax and enjoy foods from Aomori straight away. Your 5 senses will enjoy Aomori at the Aomori Prefectural Museum of Art.

10. This is the place to visit with a child! You can enjoy the dolphin show!
[Aomori Prefectural Asamushi Aquarium]

The highly recommended place for your Aomori sightseeing with your child is the [Aomori Prefectural Asamushi Aquarium]. Apart from the dolphins, they have been exhibiting some unusual clear water fish. The dolphin show is held in the dolphin pool which holds 700 tons of water. You can watch the dolphins’ dynamic show all the year around.

There is also a touch-corner where you can observe an asteroid and a sea anemone with your hands. It is doubtless that especially small children will be pleased! At the gift shop, a lot of Aomori Prefectural Asamushi Aquarium original goods have been sold, so you can buy something for your friend! It is a sightseeing spot where you can enjoy everything with your family.

Let’s go to the recommended sightseeing spots in Aomori!

This time, I have introduced 10 sightseeing spots in Aomori. What was your impression?
There are various places from the spot which is related to the famous Nebuta Festival to the place where you can enjoy all the fresh ingredients. Aomori has become convenient to get to in accordance with the opening of the Tohoku Bullet-train. Please refer to this article and fully appreciate the charm of Aomori! I’m sure you will have a wonderful trip which will remain in your memory for a long time.