Aomori Prefecture

The northernmost prefecture on Honshu, where the Oirase Stream, Lake Towada, and the Nebuta Festival show the nature and passion of the north.

Aomori Prefecture is at the northern tip of Honshu, surrounded by sea on three sides and facing Hokkaido across the Tsugaru Strait. The Oirase Stream and Lake Towada are signature natural landscapes of Tohoku, Mt. Hakkoda offers snow monsters (juhyo) and snowy scenery, the beech primeval forest of the Shirakami Mountains is a World Heritage site, and Hirosaki Castle is famous for its cherry blossoms. The Aomori Nebuta Festival in August is spectacular, and the prefecture is among Japan's top apple producers. Cherry blossoms in spring, festivals in summer, autumn foliage, and winter snow scenes each have their own appeal. The Tohoku Shinkansen runs directly to Shin-Aomori, and there is also Aomori Airport.

Destinations

• Aomori & Oirase

Itineraries

• Heading North by Shinkansen: Tokyo, Aomori, Hakodate & Sapporo – Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo through the Seikan Tunnel, exploring Oirase, Hakodate, Toya, Noboribetsu, Sapporo, and O…
• Classic Tohoku Rail Traverse – Head north from Sendai along the Shinkansen line, connecting Matsushima, Hiraizumi, Morioka, Kakunodate, Hirosaki, and…
• North Tohoku Lakes, Gorges & Onsen Road Trip – A scenic drive from Aomori through Hakkoda, Oirase, Lake Towada, and Hachimantai to Lake Tazawa and Morioka.
• Akita & Aomori Sea of Japan Coastal Drive – Drive from Akita to the Oga Peninsula, then follow the scenic Gonosen coast through Juniko and Hirosaki to Aomori.
• Tohoku Winter Snow, Juhyo & Onsen Rail Journey – A winter rail journey connecting Ginzan's snowy nights, Zao's snow monsters, Nyuto's rustic hot springs, and Hirosaki's…
• Grand Tohoku Six-Prefecture Rail Loop – Depart from Tokyo and loop through all six prefectures of Tohoku, exploring both the Pacific and Sea of Japan coasts.