Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Aomori, Japan
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover the sights, culture, and history of Aomori on this comprehensive private tour of the city. Your itinerary can be customized to suit your personal interests but must-see spots include the Wa Rasse arts and cultural center, which is dedicated to Aomori's famous Nebuta Festival and the Sannai-Maruyama archaeological site, which reveals the reconstructed foundations of an ancient Jomon-era settlement.
- In-depth tour of Aomori: Discover more than you could alone
- Private tour, exclusively for your party: A personalized experience
- Flexibility to adjust the itinerary to your preferences
- Learn about Aomori's rich history, culture, and art from your guide
What's Included
- Licensed Local English-speaking Guide
- Customizable Tour of your choice of 3-4 sites from 'What to expect' list
- Meet up with guide on foot within designated area of Aomori city
- Transportation fees, Entrance fees, Lunch, and Other personal expenses
- Private transportation
- You cannot visit Hirosaki on this tour.
- You cannot combine multiple tour groups.
- Guide Entry fees are only covered for sights listed under What to Expect.
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
This private tour is a walking day tour. A private vehicle is not included. Public transportation or local taxis maybe used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with the guide after a reservation is finalized. Please have Japanese Yen on hand for your transportation costs. If you wish to arrange for a private vehicle, please contact us directly. All Private vehicles must be booked 5 days in advance. Maximum number of passengers: 7.
Itinerary
Aomori Prefecture Tourist Centerl ASPAM (Pass By)
1
Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Aomori Prefectural Kyodokan
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Aomori Contemporary Art Center
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Munakata Shiko Memorial Museum of Art
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Aomori Museum of Art
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
6
Sannai-Maruyama Site
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Stroller accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- You cannot visit Hirosaki on this tour.
- This is a walking tour. Pick up is on foot.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 33 reviews
Brian_V, May 2025
Fuji-san was our guide and we could not have been happier with him. We saw a real samurai master who’s won championships practice their swordsmanship along with his students, the temples and shrines that have survived the last 350-400 years without tourists (besides us), eating at an eatery that locals frequent and enjoying food comfort food, seeing the birthplace of the Nebuta festival, and watching a live shamisen show. We also saw the old red light district in Hirosaki, and the now-repurposed public bath that was common and popular after the war. This was a packed tour that hit areas located in the suburbs, and Fuji-san made the trip efficient by renting a car instead of using public transportation.
Response from Host, May 2025
Sorry for the late reply. I am very impressed with your deep knowledge of Japan. I could not be happier if you were satisfied with my tour. And I'm very lucky as a guide to having such wonderful guests. Please give my best regards to your parents. Best, Fuji.
Jacqueline_F, Apr 2025
We experienced the wonderful sites of Aomori which was a surprise in many ways. Despite the rainy day we were enchanted by the cherry blossoms in full bloom by the old castle. Once area was prettier than another. The floats and their history were amazing.
Response from Host, May 2025
I am very honored to have an excellent review for my guide from you !!
I was very delighted to guide you.
You enjoyed a leisurely journey on the local train on their first trip to Japan. It was great that you were moved and impressed by the cherry blossoms at Hirosaki Castle, which you had been wanting to see! What is this 'mini koi nobori flag' for sightseeing that I brought? You said they wanted it as a souvenir for your family! You plan to display it by their home’s poolside.
I am looking forward seeing and guiding you in Aomori and Hakodate again. Nebuta festival season is must visit Aomori !! on 2nd - 7th every August.
Best regards,
Tomohiko Kudo
Yarden_Y, Oct 2024
We had a great experience with Rocky Tanaka our guide in Aamori.
Our private 6 hour walking tour in Aamori was meticulously prepared in advance and included all of Rocky's wonderful suggestions.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Many thanks for a good comment on me. The pleasure is mine. Blessed with a good weather, we were able to enjoy a walking tour in Aomori. Do you still remember the tastes of Aomori apples and the deep-fried breaded cultlet of oysters and pork? They are all things Aomori. Please tell your firiends about Aomori you experienced when you come back to your country. Also please do come to Aomori some time. I always welcome you.
Rocky
Niels_S, Jul 2024
I‘m glad that I‘ve booked this tour as I certainly needed a guide like KAZ to show me around the area and give me helpful as much as interesting insight into Aomori and its history. Highly recommended 💯
Response from Host, Jul 2024
It's so nice to hear that you enjoyed the tour in Aomori. If you ever find yourself in Aomori again or if you're planning future travels, please feel free to reach out. I would love to reconnect and perhaps explore more together! Thank you once again for being a fantastic part of the tour. Wishing you all the best on your adventures ahead!
Kaz
Nancy_L, May 2024
Tomi was an excellent guide! We had a great day with him! He even found us a friend who sold used kimonos that were such a bargain.
Response from Host, May 2024
I would like to say thanks so much for you and be very honored to have your
wonderful comment on my tour.
I will never forget the memory for you in my mind forever.
I am sure that you could enjoy your first Japan tour.
I am looking forward to visiting your city in U.S.A someday and also guiding
you the beginning of August for appreciating Nobuta Festival both in Hirosaki
and Aomori city again!
Sincerely yours,
Tomohiko Kudo
Dani_A, May 2024
Tomo started the day out with a bang! Although we had a picture of him so we could identify him at the cruise ship pier, we couldn't recognize him because he was in a costume! We were able to take great pictures of us entering the port. He even had a fake sword that looked authentic to use in our pictures.
He planned an itinerary that maximized the use of the six hours that we had with him after receiving feedback from us on what we wanted to do. He kept track of the time to ensure that we were able to be on time for all of the events that were planned.
He was full of energy and was very knowledgeable about the regional area. He was also an awesome picture taker. We never had to worry about one of us being out of the picture and he always tried to get the best background of the attraction we were at for the greatest memories.
You won't regret a day with Tomo!
Response from Host, May 2024
I would like to say great thanks for your lovely and wonderful comment on my
tour with you.
Aomori Nebuta Festival is held on 2nd - 7th every August. The gigantic Nebuta Floats used be introduced in Honolulu, Hawaii many years ago. I is possible, please visit Aomori in the Nebuta season and I will guide you !
I am looking forward to participating in the Honolulu Marathon and seeing again!
Thanks a lot again to Dani!!
Sincerely yours,
3th May 2024.
Tomohiko Kudo. Aomori city
Carol_S, Nov 2023
We had our tour all planned. On the morning g of the tour no one turned up. Our guide did not appear. A short while after the start time, I received a message from our lovely guide that he had a heart attack and was on his way to the hospital. We never heard from the tour operator Japan Guide Agency. I had to pursue them myself to request my refund. The agency themselves should have looked after us and communicate with me. Later in the day I received a message from Viator that I would receive a refund in 3-5 business days. I will watch for this.
Response from Host, Dec 2023
Hello and thank you for your review. As guides opperate independently, we do not receive immediate confirmation from the guide that something has happened. Once we had confirm, we proceeded with your refund and contacting you. We hope that you had a lovely time in Japan otherwise! JGA Customer Service
LaniNagorski, Oct 2023
Spending time with our tour guide Kudo-san was one of the highlights of our vacation to Japan. His pride in Aomori reflected in our trip with him. He was very insightful and gave us a greater appreciation for the prefecture of Aormori and people of Northern Japan. We are looking forward to visiting again in the future!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thanks so much for your comment about my guide on the Viator.
I am sure that you did enjoy Aomori and other places in Japan.
Please let me know if you have something to know about Japan and I want to show
you as possible as I can help you.
I am looking forward to guiding you again.
Tomohiko Kudo
Rendal_M, Oct 2023
Warm, wonderful, and kind. Our group had an outstanding day. The guide helped accommodate all of our special requests, even helped us taste local apples during harvest time! If you are looking to customize you experience, this is a sure thing.
John_V, Sep 2023
Had a good tour with Kaz. The best part was the visit to Sannai maruyama where Kaz is a expert guide with lots of info about the dig, the history and the culture.
Also really enjoyed a lunch at the fish market with the freshest sashimi ever. Great experience!
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Nothing makes me feel more delighted than hearing that you enjoyed my Aomori day-tour so much, especially Sannai Maruyama World Heritage Site! Much more, your “koto” performance ad lib at Seiryuji Temple was terrific as well. Hope to see you sometime soon, during the Nebuta Festival, maybe?
Kazu
Kollin_T, Aug 2023
Our guide met us outside our cruise ship (Princess Diamond). Our ship arrived a little late and we met Rocky at 10:20pm, only 20 minutes after the the planned meeting time of 10am. He handed us the planned itinerary and right away asked us which activity we should remove from the plan because we are "late"? Here are the issues with Rocky:
1) There were 9 activities on the itinerary, and we have only done 2 (ASPAM and the last one, Seiryuji Temple), with much rushing. We hired a local guide so that we can maximize our time use to visit more places, but Rocky does not seem to know about the time needed for each activity and ended up needing to keep deleting items from the itinerary list.
2) We missed Nebuta Museum, Lunch at Fish Market, Walk in Downtown Aomori, Japan-Lacquer Ware shop, and Utoh Shrine. We took us to the Fish market but saw a long line, and then rushed us to go to a bad restaruant while rushing us to finish our noodle in 8 minutes.
3) We asked about the meaning of the Nebuta Festival, and he gave us some ridiculous explanations of waking sleepiness. A quick search on the internet can tell us a completely different meaning of the Aomori Nebuta Festival. As a tour guide locally, it is disappointing he does not even know the background and history of the Festival, he should not be a guide at all. He also gave us false information about the Festival parade and told us that there will be no parade on the day we were visiting. We returned to the cruise ship and have people showing us pictures of the floats on the street - we completely missed that because of his lies.
4) Good thing our family was not physically disabled, Rocky would walk at least 50 feet ahead of us without stopping or looking back in the crowded streets and in the super hot weather. He does not seem to have the right character traits to be a tour guide.
5) We went up to ASPAM frist thing, which he kept telling us would be free, but then ASPAM ended up charging us. He is definitely not updated with the local travel scenes. He then rushed us through lunch, missing how long the wait would be at the fish market, missing Nebuta Museum and Walk in downtown Aomori completely. We skipped Utoh Shrine and Japan-Lacqueir ware, and he rushed us onto the bus to the very last activity to Seiryuji Temple.
6) At Seiryuji Temple, he told me the wrong box to pick our fortune-telling notes, and when our family wanted some refreshment from the tea house at the temple, he again rushed us and said the bus was coming in 5 minutes. We had to leave much of the refreshments at the tea house to follow him, only to find out we had 13 more minutes.
6) Rocky is not qualified to be a guide when he lied about Aomori's Nebuta Festival's history, had no clue what was going on in Aomori, leading us to miss the many things planned on the itinerary. He should have predicted what/where was crowded and planned the itinerary accordingly.
We are officially requesting a refund for this horrible experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Hello and thank you for your review. As this guide has been highly rated by other customers, we are currently reviewing your case. While all the guides are licensed and need to meet our standards, we rely on customer feedback to check that our guides are doing their best for each tour. We will contact you again via the email center once we have concluded our investigation. Please understand that this will take time as we do not want to leave a guide without work unless a proper evaluation is completed. We thank you for your understanding. JGA Customer Support
Amana_L, Aug 2023
I cannot fully express how wonderful my tour experience in Aomori was and that is due in large part to my wonderful guide Kaz. Kaz was in touch with me via Whatsapp ahead of time so that we were able to easily customize the itinerary according to time, interest, and my spur of the moment requests. He had a wealth of information about the various points of interest, and being a teacher, he was deftly able to convey that information (both in verbal and pictorial form).
For the second half of the day, my mother-in-law (who has mobility issues), and he deftly navigated assisting me to get accessible/disables seat (front row!) tickets to the breathtakingly wonderful Nebuta Matsuri Festival. I recommend this tour and Kaz without reservations. Kax is an excellent guide.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you very much for your fantastic review. Nothing is more pleasing to hear that you enjoyed your time in Aomori . I remember that we were very luck to listen to the LIVE koto music at the temple, and spent some relaxing time there. Nebuta float houses visiting with our own Nebuta guide. Let's meet up again and let me show you around different parts of 'hidden' Aomori. Best regards, Kaz
JayBastian, May 2023
Excellent trip to Hirosaki Castle and town Attractions and great English speaking guide! Would highly recommend
Response from Host, Jun 2023
I would like to say thankfulness for your wonderful message to me about my guiding you in Hirosaki castle, zen tenmple and 5-storied pagoda.
I am sure that you did enjoy the voyage in Alaska and returned to your
hometown.
I am looking forward to seeing and guiding you again in the Nebuta fesitival or so in Aomori.
Sincerely's yours,
Tomohiko Kudo
Todd_S, Apr 2023
We had a wonderful visit with Kazumi (KAZ) on this very customizable tour. We saw the impressive floats at the Warasse museum, the pagoda and sitting Buddha at Seirū-ji Temple, tried some local apples, had a wonderful lunch and finally visited the Fujita Memorial Gardens in Hirosaki.
Lawrence_K, Mar 2023
We enjoyed our tour with Tomohiko San. He had lived in the area forever and his full time job was with the city government marketing the city. He showed us all the major sights and explained them all.
He was a little hesitant first as he just started being a tour guide. In fact I think my spouse and I were his first “customers.” That said I would not hesitate to use again if I ever returned to Amori.
He has an engaging personality. I would place his English proficiency at a solid B. A
Response from Host, Apr 2023
I would like to express thankfulness for your comment on my guide in Aomori city.
I am sure that you did enjoy Japan!
I will send you some pictures of your visiting to Aomori later.
I am looking forward to seeing and guiding you in Aomori again in April for the cherry blossom season, and in August for the Nebuta festival on 2nd -7th August.
Please take care of yourself after the long journey to Japan.
From $150.66
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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