Aomori Hidden Gems
The apple orchards and beech forests at the top of Honshu, where Japan's most explosive summer festival meets some of its oldest surviving woodland.
4 spots
Climate & Best Season
Cold and famously snowy — the Hakkoda mountains record among the deepest snowfall on earth. Mild summers around 25°C; visit August for Nebuta, October for autumn colour.
Famous For (Food)
- Apples
- Ōma bluefin tuna
- Scallops
- Senbei-jiru (cracker hotpot)
Signature Sights
- Nebuta Matsuri
- Shirakami-Sanchi beech forest
- Lake Towada & Oirase Gorge
- Hirosaki Castle cherry blossoms
Aomori Apples — Orchards, Picking & Apple Pie
Aomori Prefecture produces over 50% of Japan's apples, with vast orchards blanketing the countryside around Hirosaki and…
Furukawa Market — Build-Your-Own Nokkedon
Furukawa Market (古川市場) in Hachinohe is a bustling covered market specializing in nokkedon (のっけ丼) — the interactive 'buil…
Ichigoni Soup — Sea Urchin & Abalone Luxury
Ichigoni (いちご煮) is Aomori's most luxurious soup, combining sea urchin (uni) and abalone in a clear dashi broth, served i…
Shimokita Peninsula — Remote Coastline & Wild Horses
The Shimokita Peninsula (下北半島) is Honshu's northernmost landmass, jutting into the Tsugaru Strait toward Hokkaido. This…