ⓘ This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this guide free.
This translation was generated by AI and may contain wording that differs from the facts. Please check the Japanese original or official sources for anything important. Japanese original
Quick facts
- Region: Tohoku
- Capital: Aomori
- Population: 1.2 million
- Climate: Sea of Japan side
- Cherry blossom (average): 22 April
- No. 1 in Japan: 60% of Japan's apples — Grown around Hirosaki. Nebuta Festival and the Sannai-Maruyama site (World Heritage)
⭐ Top sights
Aomori Nebuta Festival
Giant illuminated floats 5 m tall and 9 m wide parade through the night. Anyone in costume can join as a 'haneto' dancer.
Oirase Gorge
A 14 km stream flowing from Lake Towada, with a walking trail along mossy rocks and a chain of waterfalls. Autumn colours peak in late October.
Hirosaki Castle★
The northernmost of the 12 surviving original keeps. Famed for cherry blossoms. The keep was moved whole for stone-wall repairs
🍲 Local food
Senbei-jiru, ichigo-ni
Senbei-jiru simmers Hachinohe's Nanbu rice crackers in soup. Ichigo-ni is a clear soup of sea urchin and abalone
🏮 Festivals & events
- Aomori Nebuta Festival — August 2–7. Five-metre-tall illuminated "nebuta" floats and leaping "haneto" dancers. One of Tohoku's three great festivals
- Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival — Late April to early May. Around 2,600 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees in Hirosaki Park. Petal "rafts" on the moat and evening illuminations
🌸 Flowers & autumn leaves
- Hirosaki Park cherry blossoms — Cherry blossom · Late April to early May. Around 2,600 trees. Fallen petals carpet the moat in "flower rafts". Some call them the finest cherry blossoms in Japan
- Oirase Gorge — Autumn foliage · Mid to late October. Autumn leaves and moss along 14 km of stream flowing out of Lake Towada
🏨 Where to stay in Aomori
The area around Aomori, the capital, has the best transport links and the widest choice of hotels; a night at a hot-spring town is also worth it.
Other prefectures in the region
Iwate · Miyagi · Akita · Yamagata · Fukushima · 47 prefectures
Frequently asked questions
What is Aomori famous for food-wise?
Aomori's best-known local dishes are Senbei-jiru, ichigo-ni. Senbei-jiru simmers Hachinohe's Nanbu rice crackers in soup. Ichigo-ni is a clear soup of sea urchin and abalone
What are the top sights in Aomori?
Top picks in Aomori include Aomori Nebuta Festival, Oirase Gorge, Hirosaki Castle★.
When do cherry blossoms bloom in Aomori?
In Aomori (Aomori), Somei-yoshino cherry trees usually start blooming around 22 April, reaching full bloom about a week later.
