Spots in Aomori Area

  • Roadside Station Inakadate Yayoi no Sato
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    4.0
    103 Reviews
    Transportation
    Aomori Pref. Minamitsugaruguninakadatemura Takahi Yahata 10
    A roadside station standing along National Route 102 and located in Inakadate Village, Aomori Prefecture, a village famous for its rice paddy art which uses rice paddies like a giant canvas to create artistic works. The station's spacious, 7.5 hectare grounds are home to a farm-fresh center selling local specialty products and a restaurant where you can enjoy Yayoi udon noodles and other local dishes. There are also a variety of leisure facilities such as a park, playground, miniature golf course, and a petting zoo, and the station is a popular destination for families with children and people of all ages.

    Inakadate is a small rice farming village. In 1993 the village people came up with ideas of designing mural size of rice fields, which have been growing rice for over 2000 years, to boost the local...

  • Fujita Memorial Japanese Garden
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    4.0
    132 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Hirosakishi Kamishiroganechou 8-1
    Kenichi Fujita, who was born in Hirosaki City and served as the first president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, invited gardeners from Tokyo to make the garden reminiscent of Edo while he established a separate residence in 1919. The total area is about 21,800 square meters in size, which is the second largest garden next to Hiraizumi Motsuji Temple Garden in the Tohoku district. It is divided into a high mountain area and a low ground area. You can enjoy iris and azalea flowers in the lowland area.

    When it comes to landscape gardening, the Japanese have no equals. This is a rather large garden, consisting of two levels. The upper level has a teahouse and a traditional Japanese home, which is...

  • Aomori Bank Memorial Hall (Former main branch of the 59th National Bank)
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    4.0
    138 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Hirosakishi Motonagamachi 26
    Located southeast of Hirosaki Castle, the Aomori Bank Memorial Hall is a designated National Important Cultural Property which was originally built in 1904 as the 59th National Bank. A Renaissance-esque Western-style building, with decorative tower at the top, called the “White Palace,” also serves as an observatory. The interior is decorated with old-fashioned gold patterned Japanese leather paper, very few examples of which survive today in Japan, and the windows incorporate features from Japanese earthen warehouse architecture as both an anti-burglary and fireproofing measure. The hall still retains vestiges of the mixture of Japanese and Western styles with which it was designed in the Meiji period.

    The building was formerly a bank and now used as a memorial museum. The architecture is European in style. Quite elegant. Displays focus on the development of Japanese coins/money from the samurai...

  • Seikan Tunnel Museum
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    4.0
    96 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Higashitsugarugunsotogahamamachi Minmayatatsuhama 99
    A museum which uses physical models, informational panels, and videos to document the Seikan Tunnel, the world's longest undersea tunnel at 53.85 kilometers. Visitors can get a taste of what the massive tunnel construction site once felt like in an exhibition space which consists of an actual portion of the original work pit.

    本州の果て竜飛岬にある青函トンネルに関するミュージアムです。一般の展示も青函トンネルの難工事ぶりが伝わってきて良いのですが、体験坑道はさらに良いです。ケーブルカーで地底に降りていく感覚は非日常的で非常に良かったですね。

  • Tsugaru Railway
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    4.5
    121 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Goshogawara-shi Omachi 39
    This scenic railway in Okutsugaru is famous for its stove trains. The section from Goshogawara to Kanagi opened in 1930, and the entire line (20.7 kilometers) opened in November of the same year. Then, stove trains began running that December in the winter. The stove trains are in operation from December 1st to March 31st. During other periods, there are also wind chime and bell cricket trains.

    My husband and I got a short railroad ride between Tsugaru Goshogawara and Kanagi after visiting Shayokan where Dazai Osamu used to live. It was a freezing snowy day, the trains looked totally...

  • Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center
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    4.0
    100 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Hirosakishi Shimoshiroganechou 2-1
    Hirosaki Municipal Tourist Center provides tourist information by a tourist concierge, and various guide maps according to your destination. The displays of the decorated floats of the “Neputa Festival” on the first floor, and traditional crafts of Tsugaru on the second floor are also an attraction. There is also a local produce shop, restaurant, and bicycle rental service, so drop in before you begin exploring Hirosaki.

    弘前城南側の観光施設です。土産物屋やレストラン、ねぶた等の展示も在りますので立ち寄ってみては如何でしょう。個人的には美味しいリンゴパイのお店を探すのに「リンゴパイマップ」が役立ちました。

  • Takayama Inari-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    41 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Tsugarushi Ushigatachou Washinosawa 147-1
    A magical Shinto shrine dedicated to large harvests, maritime safety, and business prosperity which has attracted worshipers since ancient times. In addition to locals, people from far and wide come to visit the shrine. The shrine has a beautiful Japanese garden in which seasonal flowers bloom. The shrine's 1,000 torii, countless red torii gates arranged one after another to form a tunnel, gives the shrine a mystical atmosphere.

    We went during the week and even though the cherry blossoms were out in places like Hirosaki that wasnt the case here so maybe that is why we had the place to ourselves. The gardens by the Torri...

  • Utou-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    73 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Aomorishi Yasukata 2-7-18
    A Shinto shrine dedicated to the Munakata Sanjo-shin, the three female children of Amaterasu the sun goddess; the shrine is located on ground considered the birthplace of Aomori City. The shrine provides worshippers with safe journeys. The shrine's popular omamori charms are decorated with a cute depiction of rhinoceros auklets, birds which are called utou in Japanese.

    A small Shinto shrine tucked away just off the main street. A tranquil garden and beautiful pond. Was well worth seeking out on a hot afternoon while waiting for the Nebuta parade to start.

  • Oirase Stream Museum
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    3.5
    32 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Aomori Pref. Towadashi Okuse Tochikubo 183
    The Oirase Stream Museum is a roadside station-like facility located on the Towada Highway. It has a coffee shop and snack area, a souvenir shop, and an area where you can learn all about the natural splendor of Towada Hachimantai. Electric bikes are available to rent and can be used to explore the surrounding area.

    奥入瀬渓流館の窓口も親切で、手作りできる苔玉や、苔ソフトクリーム、そして、あら、りんごの店舗が入っていて、イートインスペースがあり、アップルパイは美味しかった。

  • "Hachinohe Portal Museum ""Hacchi"""
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    4.0
    54 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Aomori Pref. Hachinoheshi Mikkamachi 11-1
    A multi-purpose facility which was created to serve as a new center for tourism in Hachinohe in 2011. Here you can enjoy the charms of Hachinohe. The facility has a museum presenting exhibits introducing Hachinohe area highlights as well as works of art by Hachinohe artists; an activity booth where visitors can try making Nanbu sakiori textiles and other traditional crafts; a boutique selling Aomori crafts, books, and knickknacks; and a restaurant.

    The place is not very big but has some nice exhibitions distributed over four floors. Good to go if you are close by. Also interesting for families with small children.

  • Roadside Station Lake Nijinoko
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    3.5
    38 Reviews
    Transportation
    Aomori Pref. Kuroishishi Okiura Yamanokami 1-5
    A roadside station situated amidst the lush natural beauty of Lake Nijinoko, a dam lake formed by the Tohoku region's largest dam, Aseishigawa Dam. The grounds of the station have been turned into a park where you can enjoy outdoor activities; the park's numerous facilities include a lakeside rest house, sports garden, barbecue area, and playground area with huge play equipment. There is a free rest area right next to the parking area. The lakeside rest house has a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal while taking in a view of the lake as well as a shop carrying local specialty products and light meals, making this station a great place to take a break while driving through the area.

    国道102号線沿いにあり、黒石から十和田湖へ向う途中、休憩のため立寄りました。 虹の湖というダム湖の湖畔で「虹の湖公園」の一角にある道の駅で、ログハウス風で休憩所のある管理棟と、レストランとお土産売場があるレストハウスがメインで一通り揃っていますが、あまり特徴がないように見受けられました。 レストランは準備中でしたが「きのこラーメン」がお勧めとあり、お土産も置いてあったのでウリはきのこのようでした...

  • Lake Towada
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Towadashi Okuse Towadakohanyasumiya
    A lake which straddles Towada City, Aomori Prefecture and Kosaka Town, Kazuno County, Akita Prefecture. 46 kilometers in diameter, this caldera lake was formed through volcanic activity. With a maximum depth of 327 meters, it is the third deepest lake in Japan. On its east side, the lake drains into the Oirase River and the area has been designated a Natural Monument as well as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty under the title “Lake Towada and Oirase Stream.” Here visitors can enjoy seasonal natural scenery, including fresh verdure in summer and fall foliage in autumn. Kokanee salmon are also raised in the lake and during fishing season many people come here to fish.
  • Catholic Hirosaki Church
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    4.0
    66 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Hirosakishi Hyakkokumachikouji 20
    Located around five minutes’ walk to the east of Hirosaki Park, Catholic Hirosaki Church was built in 1910. It was constructed in the Romanesque style, with a spire, and with prominent pillars at the left and right corners of the front face. The oak-wood altar that faces the door at the far end of the interior was a gift from the Church of St. Thomas in Amsterdam; the altar was made in 1866, and won an award for its design at an exhibition held in Antwerp, Belgium.

    ミサのない時は、いつでも教会内に入り、見学やお祈りが出来ます。 弘前公園の近くにあるので、行きやすいですし、外見を見るだけでも、行く価値はあります。

  • Tsugaru-jamisen Hall
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    4.0
    66 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Goshogawarashi Kanagichou Asahiyama 189-3
    A facility located in Kanagi-cho, Goshogawara City, said to be the birthplace of the tsugaru-jamisen, a shamisen instrument and style of music. The facility displays numerous tsugaru-jamisen and other stringed instruments as well as materials relating to tsugaru-jamisen folk songs and local history. Visitors can enjoy live tsugaru-jamisen performances daily in the facility's multipurpose hall.

    金木が津軽三味線発祥の地だったんだ。現在の津軽三味線は、安政4年生まれの秋元仁太郎(仁太坊)がルーツになるとのこと。撥で強く弦を叩く奏法を編み出しそれを弟子たちに伝えて広めたらしい。この仁太坊も疱瘡で失明したことから、三味線の道を歩み始めたらしい。 この三味線会館では、毎日、津軽三味線の生演奏を聴かせてくれる。せっかく訪問したのなら、展示だけではなくこの生演奏を聴いた方がお得。私が訪問したとき...

  • Hirosaki Church, United Church of Christ in Japan
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    4.0
    65 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Hirosakishi Mototeramachi 48
    A church built by the Hirosaki Methodist Church in 1906. Located close to Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden, the wooden building’s gothic style architecture with two towers is an extremely rare example constructed during the Meiji period. A variety of traditional crafts were used in the decorate of the church as well. The pulpit and communion table are painted Tsugaru-nuri lacquer, and the donation baskets are traditional woven vine work. Visitors are permitted, but not when staff are not present or during church events.

    I had seen the 1/10th scale building and bumped into it in the middle of my walk-about. I did not enter for it isnt my faith and i was heading somewhere else. It is is large enough to see.

  • Hasshoku Market Center
    Shopping
    Aomori Pref. Hachinoheshi Kawaragi Kansai 22-2
    A food market center located in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture sells fresh seafood and caught that morning as well as Hachinohe every morning. Some 60 shops stand side by side along the 170 meter length of the market, boasting an abundant variety of goods able to meet even the needs of restaurants and other businesses. At Shichirinmura, a popular destination for tourists, you can cook and enjoy your purchases on the spot over a charcoal grill. With tuna butchering shows, cooking classes, and play equipment for children, the market center is a destination the whole family can enjoy.
  • Tanesashi Coast Information Center
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    4.0
    41 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Hachinoheshi Samemachi Tanakubo 14-167
    An information center opened by the Ministry of the Environment in 2014. The center presents pictures, models, and videos on nature, culture, and lifestyles with a focus on Sanriku Fukko National Park, the Tanesashi Coast, Mt. Hashikami, and the Michinoku Coastal Trail area. The center also periodically conducts programs such as guided tours of the Tanesashi Coast.

    The Tanesashi Coast is truly breath taking. We consider it the highlight of our two-day trip “best of local nature and culture” experience in Nanbu and Tanesashi Coast in Aomori Prefecture. The...

  • Roadside Station Ogawarako Koyukan
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    4.0
    31 Reviews
    Transportation
    Aomori Pref. Kamikitaguntouhokumachi Ueno Minamiyachi 122
    A roadside station opened in 2004 which serves as a tourism information center for Tohoku Town. Many tourists driving through the area stop here to take a break. The grounds host a farm-fresh shop selling Chinese yams and garlic-local specialty products-as well as other fresh vegetables. The farm-fresh restaurant serves local dishes made with local farm products. Particularly popular are the basket clam ramen, made with a broth created using fresh basket clams from Lake Ogawara; and the Mt. Hakkoda soft serve ice cream, made with milk from Tohoku Town.

    小川原湖近くの青森県道8号沿いにある道の駅です。小川原湖でとれる水産物や近郷の農産物を中心に意外に物販が充実しています。

  • Roadside Station Towada Towadapia
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    3.5
    23 Reviews
    Transportation
    Aomori Pref. Towadashi Dempouji Tairakubo 37-2
    A roadside restaurant which sells local specialty products and which also has a restaurant where you can enjoy Towada soba noodles and other local tastes. Particularly recommended is the signature No Ice Cream, made with Towada-grown Osuzu soybeans and Masshigura rice. In the station's studio, you can try your hand at making traditional crafts such as Nanbu sakiori textiles.

    十和田市には国道4号沿いと国道102号沿いの2ヶ所に道の駅がありますが、そのうち国道4号沿いの方になります。岩手競馬の場外馬券売場が併設されているせいか駐車場は広めです。

  • Ashura no Nagare (Kujuku Islands)
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    4.5
    43 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Towada-shi Okuse
    "Oirase Stream is one of the most picturesque areas in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. The area around the stream is famous for the beauty of both its new spring verdure and fall foliage. Making its way between boulders and forest and consisting of waterfalls, rapids, and calm stream, the 14 kilometer long stream extends from Nenokuchi on the shore of Lake Towada to Mt. Yakeyama, and the area known as Ashura no Nagare is said to be the most dynamic and beautiful portion of the stream of all. The various rocks and boulders dotting this part of the stream, known as the ""Kujukushima Islands,"" are also beautiful."

    奥入瀬渓流では必見のポイントの1つです。写真撮影にも最適です。豪雨の影響で濁りが残っているとのお話でしたが、それでもかなりキレイでした。

Aomori Areas

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Centuries-old stories of samurai at Kakunodate and the remains of millennia-old archaeological sites including the likes of Isedotai invite history buffs to delve into Aomori’s fascinating history. As the most northern prefecture on the Japanese mainland, Aomori enjoys a cooler climate, which makes it a welcome escape from the southern cities for combining castles, art galleries, and summer festivals with the great outdoors.

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