The Open Road Travel

One of the northernmost cities on Japan’s main island of Honshu, Aomori is best known for having the snowiest winters of any city in the world.

Whilst its winters are record breaking and provide plenty of snowy fun to draw in visitors, there’s tons to see and do here year-round. In fact, one of Japan’s biggest festivals is held here in the summer.

Despite its various claims to fame, and popularity as a destination amongst Japanese holiday makers, Aomori is still tragically underrated by the global tourist community.

Today I’ll take you through just some of the attractions that should draw you to exploring this fabulous city. Discover the fifteen best things to see and do in Aomori City and start planning your next adventure.

Located towards the northern end of Japan’s main island, Honshu, Aomori is the capital city of Aomori prefecture. Aomori City is home to around 280,000 people and covers approximately 318 square miles (825 square kilometres).

Evidence of human activity and settlements in the area date back as far as 3,000bce, with several ancient sites having been excavated and now displayed for the public. In its modern history, Aomori city has played a significant role in the region’s seafaring, fishing, and forestry industries.

Aomori’s main claim to fame is having the most annual snowfall of any city on earth. The snowy season typically stretches from November to April, seeing an average of 312 inches (26 feet or 8 metres) of snow.

Best Time To Visit Aomori City

Every season in Aomori has its perks, so the best time to visit Aomori really depends on what kind of vacation you’re hoping for. Summer sees one of Japan’s biggest festivals take to the city streets, the Nebuta Matsuri, whilst autumn washes the surrounding forests in gold.

As the record holder for the snowiest city in the world, winter is a particularly lovely time to visit.

The nearby mountains are popular ski resorts, with slopes winding through forests of ‘snow monsters’. Make sure to take a drive through the ‘snow tunnels’ where the drifts on either side of the road pile far higher than the roofs of the cars.

In late January each year, the area close to Aomori Bay is set aglow with light of thousands of flickering lanterns. The Yuki Akari Matsuri, meaning Snow Light Festival, sees up to 2,000 lanterns, each crafted by the local residents, decorating the pavements and walkways around the waterfront.

Many of the lanterns are moulded out of compacted snow and ice, providing a gentle, flickering luminance. In amongst them are more elaborate, colourful paper lanterns, adding an element of both fun and tradition. The festival provides a burst of warmth into the coldest, darkest month.

Visitors can also get involved. Learn to fashion your own lantern out of snow or participate in the wish candle tradition of writing your desires on a candle so that it may come true.

The closest station is at 1-chōme-1 Yanakawa, Aomori, 038-0012, Japan.

If you’re not such a fan of the cold and the snow, then you will be pleased to know that Aomori’s biggest event is held in the summer. The Aomori Nebuta Festival is one of the biggest festivals in northern Japan.

Aomori Nebuta Matsuri runs in early august, typically from the 2nd to the 7th each year. The main event of the festival is the procession of enormous paper lanterns and floats that parades around the city each day. Traditional musicians and dancers complete the impressive spectacle.

Visitors are even encouraged to join in with the parade dance, so long as you first don the traditional costume which can be easily purchased nearby.

The parade starts just a short walk from 1-chōme-1 Yanakawa, Aomori, 038-0012, Japan.

Bask In Zen At Seryuji Temple

Nestled in the trees at the edge of eastern Aomori is Seryuji Temple. The temple is spread across a complex of various buildings and shrines, all elaborately decorated. At the heart of the temple complex sits a towering 5-story pagoda.

The main attraction of Seryuji Temple is the Great Showa Buddha, or Showa Daibutsu. The massive bronze statue of a seated Buddha is the tallest of its kind in all of Japan.

If wandering around the temple has you working up an appetite, there is also an onsite soba noodle restaurant where you can take a break.

Wander up to Japan, 〒030-0935 Aomori, Kuwabara, Yamazaki-45.

If you can’t make it to Aomori in time for the matsuri itself, you still don’t need to worry about missing out on seeing all the fun of the festival. The museum houses several of the massive floats from the most recent Nebuta Festival for visitors to take an up-close look at.

You can also enjoy dance performances and get involved with learning some of the traditional dances yourself. You can even have a go at learning the techniques used for constructing the massive floats.

There are various other exhibits and displays for you to learn all about the history and traditions of the festival.

Nebuta Museum is located at 1 Chome-1-1 Yasukata, Aomori, 030-0803, Japan.

Each prefecture of Japan is known for a particular type of produce. Aomori prefecture is best known for its apples. A-Factory is a large indoor market and food-hall where you can shop for hundreds of products celebrating the region’s iconic fruit.

A-Factory is perfect for picking up regional gifts to take home, or to indulge in some delicious and unique apple products. There are also plenty of other local products and craft goods available for anyone who’s not such a big fan of apples.

A-Factory is at 1 Chome-4-2 Yanakawa, Aomori, 038-0012, Japan.

Whilst Aomori prefecture as a whole is known for its apples, the seaside Aomori City also has a rich fishing history. Hotate Hiroba particularly celebrates the city’s scallop industry.

Largely a shopping place, Hotate Hiroba sells super fresh, local seafood. Alongside the produce are various stalls supplying delicious, scallop-based snacks and dishes. The must try treat when visiting Hotate Hiroba is their scallop soft serve ice-cream.

The upstairs floor is home to a small museum displaying tools and items from the local fishing industry.

Head east around the bay to Japan, 〒039-3372 Aomori, Higashitsugaru District, Hiranai, Tsuchiya, Kagikake- 56.

Contemporary art afficionados will want to stop by the Aomori Museum of Art. Displaying modern art across a range of mediums, the Aomori Museum of Art is dedicated to platforming local artists from the Aomori region, as well as from across Japan.

The Aomori Museum of Art is just across the road from the Sannai Maruyama archaeological site. The museum’s architecture take inspiration from how the ancient dwellings were dug into the ground by being similarly sunken into the ground.

The exhibition space is also used for various events, shows, and workshops, so there’s plenty for you to get involved in.

You’ll find the Museum of Art at Japan, 〒038-0021 Aomori, Yasuta, Chikano−185 青森県立美術館.

A little way south of the city is another ancient archaeological site. The stone circles are believed to date back to between 2000-1500bce. Komakino refers to the particular style in which the site is arranged.

Along with the stones, there are also remains of ancient dwellings and burial sites. Close to the ancient site is a small museum displaying various artefacts that have been retrieved during excavations.

Travel south to Sawabe-108-3 Nozawa, Aomori, 030-0152, Japan.

Walking along Aomori Bay, you’ll spot a large ferry moored next to the tracks of Aomori Station. This is the Hakkoda-maru, a former ferry that used to transport passengers between Aomori and the island of Hokkaido.

It is now permanently moored in Aomori Bay, serving instead as a floating museum. Visitors can freely explore most of the ship, which has been largely kept in the condition it was when it was put out of service in 1988, or take a guided tour.

Parts of the Hakkodamaru have been converted into exhibition spaces, with displays recounting the ship’s ferry service and the culture of Aomori. Several vintage train cars are contained in the vehicle deck.

The Hakkodamaru is docked at 1 Chome-112-15 地先 Yanakawa, Aomori, 038-0012, Japan.

If the various ancient archaeological sites you can explore in Aomori aren’t enough to sate your appetite for history, head over to the Aomori Museum of History.

The museum focuses on the history and culture of the local people throughout the thousands of years that people have been settling in the area. A particular focus is paid to the area’s fishing heritage. A rare collection of mudamahagi-style fishing boats is on display at the museum.

The museum is located at 2 Chome-2-1 Okidate, Aomori, 038-0002, Japan.

Like any good seaside city, Aomori has a great aquarium for you to check out. Asamushi Aquarium has all the features you want from a good aquarium, including viewing tunnels, touch tanks, and shows.

The various habitats are home to marine and amphibious animals from many ecosystems across the globe.

Asamushi Aquarium is a couple of miles outside of Aomori city, but a nearby Shinto shrine and pretty beach with its giant chair sculpture means there’s plenty to make the trip worth your while.

Travel around the bay to Babayama-1-25 Asamushi, Aomori, 039-3501, Japan.

As a city named for its surrounding forests – ‘mori’ meaning forest in Japanese – it’s unsurprising that Aomori would have a museum dedicated to the part the natural landscape has played in its development.

The Aomori City Forestry Museum covers both the nature and industry of the forest. Visitors can learn about the local flora and fauna that they can hope to spot on a walk through the woods, as well as the significance of the lumber industry on Aomori’s development throughout its history.

Head to the museum at 2 Chome-4-37 Yanakawa, Aomori, 038-0012, Japan.

To get a really great view over Aomori you are going to want to head up one of the nearby mountains. From the top of Hakkoda mountain you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of Aomori prefecture, city, and bay. Whatever the season, the view is fantastic.

The ropeway is a cable car that gently lifts you through the trees up the mountain side. At the top of the ropeway are various observation points and walking trails leading further into the mountains.

Ride over to Kansuizawa-1-12 Arakawa, Aomori, 030-0111, Japan.

Surrounded by mountains and covered in snow for a third of the year, it’s little wonder that Aomori is a popular skiing destination. The Hakkoda Ski Area is the closest network of slopes for skiing and snowboarding.

The ski area is located at the base of the Hakkoda Ropeway, so more advanced skiers can ride the gondola to the top of the mountain and slide back down. The ski area has a variety of routes to suit various skill levels.

It’s a stunning location where you can enjoy the thrills of adventurous sports along with incredible mountaintop views.

Head up to Kansuizawa-1-34 Arakawa, Aomori, 030-0111, Japan.

The Best Place To Stay In Aomori City – Daiwa Roynet Hotel Aomori

The Daiwa Roynet Hotel is a fabulous contemporary hotel right at the heart of Aomori. It’s a chic hotel offering attainable luxury with an urban edge.

The rooms are spacious and stylish with large modern bathrooms. Each comes equipped with a minifridge, electric kettle, flat screen television, and air conditioning. Free wifi is available throughout the hotel.