Hi, everyone!
This time I wrote about Aomori prefecture.
Aomori is located at the northernmost part of Honshu (main island) of Japan.
Since it is located far away from major cities like Tokyo or Osaka, It is relatively unknown to visitors of Japan.
However, Aomori has a lot of things to see: gorgeous festivals, delicious food, and breathtaking nature.
Here are some of the must-visit areas/events in Aomori!

1. Festivals

   Nebuta Festival

   It is a summer festival held every year from Aug 2 to 7.
   Floats resembling humans (some of them are characters from Kabuki/mythical stories) go around the city and large traditional drums are played during the parade.
   Floats are constructed of painted washi paper (traditional Japanese paper) and it takes a year to make them.
   Lanterns are placed inside the floats which bring out the beautiful colors of washi pater to viewers.
   It is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
   The origin of the festival is not known but it is believed that it started as a shinto festival blending Chinese influence.
   It gets more than 3 million visitors during the festival
   The parade of floats start from 7:00pm until 9:00pm and on the last day, you can watch great fireworks that close the festival.

   

   Hashinohe Sansha Taisai

   It is another famous festival in Aomori. The festival has a history of more than 290 years.
   It is believed that the sacred procession of mikoshi (portable shrine) held at Horyosan Ogami Shire is the origin of the festival.
   The event is held annually from July 31 to Aug 4.
   During the festival, more than 20 floats are displayed and  he parade of mikoshi and the dance performance called Toramai (tiger dance) is held.
   Is is designated as an Intangible cultural heritage.

   

2. Museums/Historical ruin

   Wa-rasse

   It is a museum where you can learn the history and charms of Nebuta festival.
   4 full sized floats are on display and you get to play taiko drums inside.
   On weekends and holidays, Hanato festival dancers perform occasionally accompanied by live music.
   There are restaurants and stores where you can get some local souvenirs and food.

   Hours: 9:00 to 19:00 (9:00 to 18:00 from Sep to Apr)
   Closed from Dec 31 to Jan 1, Aug 9 to 10

   Price: 600 yen per a person

   Towada Art Center

   It is a contemporary art museum in Towada city.
   Opened on April 26 in 2008, it was built as an “open space for providing new experiences”.
   It has collections of modern artists from all over the world including Ron Muck, Jeong Hwa Choi, and Yoko Ono.
   Works are displayed indoors as well as outdoors. It also holds a gallery space and cafe. Free English audio guide is available.

   Hours:9:00 to 17:00
   Closed on Mondays and during the End of the year and New Year
   Price: 1,200yen to enter Collection and Exhibition

   Sannai Maruyama ruin

   It is a Jomon period (130,000 to 300BC) archaeological site.
   The large part of it was discovered in 1992 and was designated as a Special National Historical Site of Japan in 2000.
   Over 500 pit houses that were used by the settlers as well as a lot of artifacts have been found on the site.
   People living the area used to store food in underground pits until 2,900 BC.
   Later on, they started to store food above ground in houses as they became more sedentary.
   You can visit this site and see reconstructions and learn the history at Jomon Jiyukan, an exhibition hall of objects excavated from the area.
   Also, Aomori Museum of Art is located close to the ruin. It is another good place to check!

   Hours:
   9:00 to 17:00 (From Apr 1 to May 31, Oct 1 to Mar 31)
   9:00 to 18:00 (From Apr 28 to May 6, Jun 1 to Sep 30)
   Closed on Dec 31 and Jan 1

   Price:
   Free to enter

   

3. Nature

   Lake Towada and Oirase River

   Lake Towada is a large caldera lake located on the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures.
   The lake is particularly beautiful during Autumn when you can enjoy Autumn colors. There is a river named Oirase River nearby.
   The sound of flowing water at this rive was chosen by the Ministry of the Environment as one of the 100 soundscapes of Japan.

   

   Lake Juniko

   It consists of 33 lakes and ponds in the western part of the World national Heritage Site, Shirakami-Sanshi.
   There is Aoike (Blue pond) in the area.
   The surface of it reflects the nature around and very photogenic.
   

   Shirakami Sanchi

   It is an extensive mountain at the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures and is designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
   You can enjoy hiking and watching Anmon Falls (a set of 3 waterfalls) on the north eastern side.
   To access the heart of Shirakami Sanchi’s forest, you need to contact an office to get a permission at least 7 days prior to the visit.
   Shirakami Sanshi can be accessed from the north from Hirosaki.
   If you are going there from the south, you could go from Noshiro in Akita prefecture by taking one hour train ride.

   Choshi Otaki

   It is a waterfall that is 20 feet high and 66 feet wide.
   It flows in gentle slope and the waterfall makes beautiful mist.
   If you like taking pictures of beautiful nature, be sure to check this out!

   

   Zuirakuen

   It is a dry landscape garden in Hirosaki and is designated as a scenic spot by Japanese government.
   It was made by a great gardener, Teizan Takahashi and it took him 15 years to complete the garden.
   Hills, stone bridges, and plants are beautifully placed and you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

   Hours: 10:00 to 16:00
   (Closed every Monday and during Dec 1 to Mar 31)
   Price: Free to enter

   

4. Castle

   Hirosaki Castle

   It is a three-store castle built in 1611.
   Originally, it was a five-story castle, but was burnet down by lightning in 1627 and was rebuilt in 1810.
   A lot of cherry trees are there around the castle, and Hirosaki Castle is one of the most popular destinations to enjoy Sakura in Spring.
   Annual festival is held from April 23 to May 5.
   It is really amazing watching the castle moat filled with petal of Sakura.

   Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Open From Apr 1 to Nov 23)
   Price: 310 yen per a person

   

5. Onsen (hot spring)

   Sukayu Onsen

   It is a large public bath (also called “Sennin Buro”, a large bath that can have 1,000 people) located in the snowiest place of Japan.
   It has been accessible for 300 years and has both gender mixed and separated baths.
   The baths are all natural with water coming directly from the source.

   Hours:
   Gender mixed From 7:00 to 18:00 (From 8:00 to 9:00, women only)
   Separated From 9:00 to 17:00

   Price: 600yen per a person
   

6. Food and drink

   Aomori is famous for producing high quality apples and has the largest apple farming land in Japan.
   Apple production in Aomori is about 56% of the domestic market and over 446,000 tons of apples are sold every year.
   Another popular food is Tuna. The blue-fin tuna caught in Aomori is called “black diamond” for its highest quality in Japan.
   If you are into Sake, you can visit a Hachinohe brewery and try fresh sake.
   You can fully enjoy the taste of Japanese sake together with fresh seafood in Aomori.
   Miroku yokocho is a good place to try different kinds of local food and enjoy chatting with locals.
   

   

Access

From Tokyo

By Train

Take Tohoku Shinkansen (Hayabusa) from Tokyo to Shin Aomori, and then take JR Ohu honsen bound for Aomori station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 30 min. Price: 17,750 yen for one way)

By Train, Airplane, and Bus

Take JR Yamanote line to Hamamatsu Cho and then take Tokyo monorail to Haneda airport.
Take a flight to Aomori airport. Then, take JR bus Tohoku bound for Aomori ekimae station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 15 min. Price: 35,150yen for one way)

From Nagoya

By Airplane and Bus

Take a bus at Nagoya ekimae station bound for Aichi Kukou Museum.
Take an airplane at Nagoya airport(Komaki) to Aomori Airport.
Then, take JR bus Tohoku bound for Aomori ekimae station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 20 min. Price: 35,400yen for one way)
※If you are going by trains, it is the best to go to Tokyo first.

From Osaka

By Airplane and Bus

Take Hankyu Takarazuka Exp to Hotarugaike, and take an airplane at Osaka Itami to Aomori Airport.
Then, take JR bus Tohoku bound for Aomori ekimae station.
(Time: About 3 hours and 50 min. Price: 42,220yen for one way)
※If you are going by trains, it is the best to go to Tokyo first.

Aomori has both beautiful mountains and the view of the ocean.
It surely is a great place to visit!

Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
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See you next time!