Things to do in  Aomori Prefecture

Japan’s elegant tiered castles with solid stone walls rising from a moat are an iconic sight, but there are few remaining today that weren’t rebuilt in the 20th century: Hirosaki Castle is one of them. It’s especially renowned for its spring cherry blossoms, and people come from all over the Tohoku region to witness the annual delight.

The annual Nebuta Matsuri is a major festival in Aomori, but if you’re visiting the northern city outside of early August, you can see the Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse instead. Learn about the colorful festival’s historical and cultural significance, watch footage and listen to music, and admire several full-size floats that have participated.

Japan has a long history and visitors may get accustomed to seeing temples and palaces dating back a few hundred years. But Aomori’s Sannai-Maruyama Site is truly ancient: the archaeological site is a well-preserved village from the Jomon period, 13,000 to 300 BC. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and fascinating for anyone interested in ancient civilizations.

Flowing from Lake Towada in Aomori’s Towada-Hachimantai National Park, the Oirase Gorge is a popular destination for hiking, biking, and spending time in nature, especially in the fall season. Tohoku in general is known for its autumn foliage, and the Oirase Gorge is a top spot thanks to the contrast between the green moss and the blaze of leaves.

Located near an ancient Jomon period archaeological site, the modern Aomori Museum of Art was designed to resemble that site. Although it’s made of stone and concrete, part of the museum is built underground in trenches, like the Sannai-Maruyama Site. The similarities stop when you step inside. The museum exhibits contemporary art, from Marc Chagall paintings to cartoonish pop art.

Spanning the Jogakura Stream in Aomori Prefecture’s Towada-Hachimantai National Park, the 1,181-foot (360-meter) Jogakura Bridge is Japan’s longest arch bridge. As well as the impressive engineering, visitors come to admire the spectacular views across the Hakkoda Mountains and Mt. Iwaki. The views are especially impressive in fall, when the foliage turns red and orange.

Aomori Contemporary Art Centre, part of Aomori Public University, is an architecturally innovative space for making and appreciating art. Designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Tadao Ando and opened in 2001, the center is set within woodland and follows the concept of unseen architecture, blending into the environment. Art and architecture-loving travelers will enjoy visiting this serene place.

Hakkoda Ropeway is a year-round attraction that transports visitors to ski slopes and mountain hiking trails atop Mt. Hakkoda. The ski season lasts a long time in this northern part of Honshu, while short and longer hiking trails provide lovely mountain views from the top of the ropeway throughout summer. Indoor and outdoor viewing decks provide season-appropriate lookouts.

Utou-jinja, Aomori City’s guardian Shinto shrine, is believed to be around 1,200 years old, predating the city itself. Visitors can stroll through the peaceful grounds, which feature traditional gardens, a red torii gate, a pond, historical artifacts, and stones inscribed with Japanese poetry. Utou-jinja is associated with 20th-century woodblock artist Shiko Munakata; you can see some of his works.

The annual Tachineputa Matsuri Festival in Goshogawara City is one of Tohoku’s largest summer festivals, held in early August. If you’re traveling to the region at any other time of year, check out the Tachineputa no Yakata (Tachineputa Museum) instead. The enormous paper tachineputa floats are an impressive sight and an off-the-beaten-path highlight of travel to the Aomori Prefecture.

In Aomori Prefecture’s chilly climate, the steaming waters of volcanic Jigokunuma Pond are quite a contrast, especially when surrounded by fiery red and orange fall leaves. “Jigoku” means hell in Japanese, and travelers with a sensitive nose might agree the sulfur fumes make this an unappealing place. However, it’s naturally beautiful, and you can take a dip in the warm waters.

Lovers of quirky contemporary art shouldn’t miss the Towada Art Center, devised in the 2000s to revitalize the small, often-overlooked city of Towada in northern Honshu’s Aomori Prefecture. Now, alongside Towada’s mountains, lake, and autumn leaves, the Art Center is one of the provincial city’s star attractions and worth a detour while traveling through Aomori.