Aomori

Aomori sits at Japan's northern tip of Honshu, where the Tsugaru Strait meets the Sea of Japan. In this city, you can watch giant illuminated warriors parade through snow-covered streets during the Nebuta Festival, walk through galleries filled with contemporary art and ancient Jomon artifacts, or climb the peaks of Hakkōda Mountains. The city receives an average of 25 feet of snow annually, making it one of the snowiest places on Earth.

Getting to Aomori

Take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to reach Aomori in just over three hours. You can fly into Aomori Airport from major Japanese cities, Seoul, or Tianjin. Regular ferries connect the city's port to Hakodate in Hokkaido.

Nebuta Festival

From August 2-7, giant illuminated floats depicting warriors and mythical creatures move through Aomori's streets. Dancers move alongside the floats while taiko drums and flutes create the festival rhythm. Visit the Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse to see past festival floats and learn about their construction techniques.

Markets and Local Food

Start your morning at Furukawa Fish Market, where fishmongers slice fresh tuna, arrange scallops, and prepare local cod roe. Stop at one of the market's restaurants for a kaisendon topped with sea urchin and abalone. Aomori grows 60% of Japan's apples - try fresh Fuji and Tsugaru varieties, or sample apple juice and jams at shops throughout the city.

Mountains and Hot Springs

Hike the marked trails in the Hakkōda Mountains - take the 4-hour path to Mount Hakkōda's summit or walk 2 hours through forest to Tamoyachi Falls. Warm up at Sukayu Onsen in the "Sen-nin-buro" (thousand-person bath), a large mixed-gender bath from 1936. In winter, you can ski or snowshoe through the mountain trails.

Craft Traditions

Watch artisans create Tsugaru lacquerware as they apply layers of lacquer and gold powder to wooden bowls and trays, using techniques from the 1700s. In workshops across the city, Tsugaru kite makers paint samurai portraits on washi paper kites, continuing their Edo-period craft. Find these local crafts alongside modern artwork and Jomon artifacts at the Aomori Museum of Art.

Weather and Activities

Cherry trees bloom in late April, while apple orchards follow in early May. Summer temperatures average 23°C (73°F) in July and August, perfect for mountain hikes and beach days. Look for red and yellow maple leaves in the mountains during October. From December through March, expect 2-3 meters of fresh snow each month.