Aomori · Things to do
Things to Do in Aomori: 15 Places with Hours, Prices and Access
15 things to do · checked October 22, 2026
15 things to do in Aomori, from Aomori Station outward
Hours, prices and access checked against each place's own page on October 22, 2026. They change; check before you go.
1Nebuta Museum WA RASSEねぶたの家 ワ・ラッセ
Festival museum · Aomori Station
Aomori City's museum of the Nebuta Festival, next to JR Aomori Station, with a local products shop (I'MORY) and a restaurant in the same building.
- Access
- 1 minute on foot from JR Aomori Station. Address: 1-1-1 Yasukata, Aomori. About 40 minutes by bus from Aomori Airport.
- Hours
- May–August 9:00–19:00; September–April 9:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30)
- Closed on
- 31 December–1 January; 9–10 August
- Price
- Adults ¥620; high school ¥460; elementary and junior high ¥260. Tickets from the machine on the day; no advance tickets
2Aomori Nebuta Festival青森ねぶた祭
Summer festival · Central Aomori
Held 2–7 August every year: about 15 to 25 nebuta floats a day paraded through central Aomori on a route of about 3.1 km, with a daytime parade, a sea parade and fireworks on the last day. Anyone wearing a haneto costume can join the dancers without booking.
August only. Held 2–7 August every year.
- Access
- The route is about 10 minutes on foot from JR Aomori Station. The 7 August sea parade and fireworks run from Tsutsumi Wharf to the Hakkoda-maru.
- Hours
- 1 Aug eve event 17:00–21:00 (Rasseland). 2–3 Aug parade from 19:00; 4–6 Aug from 18:45; 7 Aug daytime parade from 13:00, sea parade and fireworks 19:15–21:00
- Price
- Paid seats along the route, sold in advance; unsold seats on the day
3A-FACTORYA-FACTORY
Food hall and cider workshop · Aomori Station
A complex of food and souvenir shops and restaurants with a cider (cidre) workshop, a 2-minute walk from Aomori Station.
- Access
- About 2 minutes on foot from JR Aomori Station. Address: 1-4-2 Yanagawa, Aomori.
- Hours
- Shops 10:00–19:00; restaurants 11:00–18:00 (some shops differ)
4Sannai-Maruyama Special Historic Site三内丸山遺跡
Jomon archaeological site and museum · Sannai, west Aomori
A Special Historic Site from the Jomon period and one of the World Heritage "Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan". One ticket covers the site and the Jomon Jiyukan building.
- Access
- From Aomori Station: city bus bound for Sannai-Maruyama Iseki from stop 6, about 30–40 minutes, ¥310; or the Nebutan-go bus from West Exit stop 2, ¥300. From Shin-Aomori Station: Nebutan-go from East Exit stop 3, about 15 minutes, ¥300. Get off at Sannai-Maruyama Iseki-mae.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00; until 18:00 during Golden Week and 1 June–30 September (entry until 30 minutes before closing)
- Closed on
- Fourth Monday of each month (next day if a holiday); 30 December–1 January; maintenance days
- Price
- Adults ¥500; university students ¥250; high school and under free. Special exhibitions extra
5Aomori Museum of Art青森県立美術館
Art museum · Sannai, west Aomori
The prefectural art museum, whose collection includes Nara Yoshitomo and Munakata Shiko; the "Aomori-ken" dog has its own passageway. It closes for renovation from 27 September 2027 to 14 April 2028.
- Access
- From JR Aomori Station, about 20 minutes on the bus bound for Sannai-Maruyama Iseki; get off at Kenritsu-bijutsukan-mae. About 10 minutes by car from JR Shin-Aomori Station.
- Hours
- 9:30–17:00 (last entry 16:30)
- Closed on
- Days marked on the museum calendar (22 October 2026 is one); closed for renovation 27 September 2027–14 April 2028
- Price
- Collection exhibition: adults ¥700; college students ¥400; high school and under free (high school students collect a free ticket at the counter). Special exhibitions extra
6Hakkoda Ropeway八甲田ロープウェー
Ropeway and mountain views · Hakkoda Mountains
A ropeway of about 10 minutes from the base station to Sancho Park Station on the Hakkoda mountains, departing every 15–20 minutes.
- Access
- JR bus from JR Aomori Station to Hakkoda Ropeway Sanroku Station: about 60 minutes in summer, ¥1,290. In winter the buses from Aomori go only as far as Sukayu Onsen (about 80 minutes, ¥1,290); Sukayu to the base station is about 15 minutes, ¥460.
- Hours
- March–early November 9:00 to last departure 16:20; mid-November–February 9:00 to last departure 15:40
- Closed on
- Annual maintenance in early November; no service 19–20 November 2026 (power work) and 25–31 May 2027 (inspection)
- Price
- Adults (junior high and up) ¥2,500 round trip, ¥1,550 one way; elementary ¥700 round trip, ¥450 one way; under 6 free
7Sukayu Onsen酸ヶ湯温泉
Hot spring inn (day bathing) · Hakkoda Mountains
A mountain hot spring inn whose large mixed bath, the Hiba Sennin-buro, is a 160-tatami hall of cypress fed by four springs. Day visitors can use it and the separate men's and women's bath, Tama-no-yu.
- Access
- JR bus from JR Aomori Station East Exit to Sukayu Onsen-mae, about 1 hour 10 minutes; from JR Shin-Aomori Station East Exit, about 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Hours
- Day bathing from 1 December 2026: 9:00–16:00 (reception until 15:30)
- Closed on
- Whole inn closed 16–18 November 2026 (day bathing ends 17:00 on 15 November, restarts at noon on 19 November)
- Price
- Day bathing from 1 December 2026: adults (junior high and up) ¥1,500; elementary ¥500; preschool free
8Oirase Gorge奥入瀬渓流
Gorge walk · Towada
A wooded stream with many waterfalls, running about 14 km from Lake Towada, with a trail along it. Aomori Prefecture gives the autumn colour peak as late October to early November.
No JR buses from Aomori from 12 November 2026 to 31 March 2027.
- Access
- JR Bus Mizuumi-go from JR Aomori Station, about 120 minutes to Yakeyama, then about 5 minutes on foot. The JR Oirase-go runs from Hachinohe. JR buses from Aomori do not run to Oirase from 12 November 2026 to 31 March 2027. JAPAN RAIL PASS and JR EAST PASS are accepted; reserve where a run requires it.
9Lake Towada十和田湖
Lake and sightseeing boats · Towada
The lake at the head of the Oirase stream, with sightseeing boats run by Towada Kanko Dentetsu. For visitors without a car the operator points to the Okura–Nakayama Peninsula cruise, which leaves from and returns to Yasumiya.
- Access
- JR Bus Mizuumi-go from JR Aomori Station to Towada-ko (Yasumiya): the 7:30 departure arrives at 10:15. No JR buses from Aomori to the lake from 12 November 2026 to 31 March 2027.
10Towada Art Center十和田市現代美術館
Contemporary art museum · Towada city
A contemporary art museum in central Towada, with outdoor works in the Art Square across the street. It closes for air-conditioning work from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028 (tentative); the outdoor works stay on view.
- Access
- From JR Shichinohe-Towada Station South Exit stop 2, Towada Kanko Dentetsu bus bound for Sanbongi Eigyo-sho, about 35 minutes. From JR Hachinohe Station West Exit, JR Oirase-go bound for Lake Towada, about 40 minutes. Both stop in front of the museum.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00 (admission until 16:30)
- Closed on
- Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday); 24 October 2026; 24–27 November 2026; 1 April 2027–31 March 2028 (tentative)
11Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki Park弘前城・弘前公園
Castle park · Hirosaki
One of the few Japanese castles that has been preserved, in a park of moats and gardens. The paid Honmaru area is open 1 April–23 November and free the rest of the year; the Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival runs 30 October–8 November 2026.
- Access
- About 15 minutes by bus or about 30 minutes on foot from JR Hirosaki Station.
- Hours
- Honmaru paid area 1 April–23 November 9:00–17:00 (7:00–21:00 during the Sakura Festival); free entry 24 November–31 March
- Price
- Honmaru adults ¥320, children ¥100. Common ticket (Honmaru, Kita-no-Kuruwa, Botanical Garden and the garden across the street) adults ¥520, children ¥160
12Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival弘前さくらまつり
Spring festival · Hirosaki
The cherry festival in Hirosaki Park, which has about 2,600 cherry trees of 52 varieties. The 2027 festival runs 16 April–5 May; the trees are lit from sunset to 22:00.
Spring only. The 2027 festival runs 16 April–5 May.
- Access
- In Hirosaki Park: about 15 minutes by bus or about 30 minutes on foot from JR Hirosaki Station.
- Hours
- Illumination from sunset to 22:00 (may change). Honmaru paid area 7:00–21:00 during the festival
13Hirosaki Neputa Festival弘前ねぷたまつり
Summer festival · Hirosaki
Hirosaki's own summer neputa festival, listed by the Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau for 1–7 August 2027. It overlaps with the Aomori Nebuta Festival (2–7 August).
August only. 1–7 August 2027.
- Access
- Central Hirosaki; the bureau's event page gives the routes and access.
14Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival弘前城雪燈籠まつり
Winter festival · Hirosaki
A winter festival of snow lanterns at Hirosaki Castle, listed for 10–14 February 2027. The park's winter cherry-tree light-up, "Fuyu ni Saku Sakura", runs 1 December 2026–28 February 2027.
February only. 10–14 February 2027.
- Access
- In Hirosaki Park: about 15 minutes by bus or about 30 minutes on foot from JR Hirosaki Station.
15Tsugaru Railway Stove Train津軽鉄道 ストーブ列車
Winter train ride · Goshogawara
Coaches heated by Daruma stoves on three daytime round trips between Tsugaru-Goshogawara and Tsugaru-Nakasato, 1 December 2026–31 March 2027. Staff roast dried squid that you buy or bring on the stove.
Winter only. 1 December 2026–31 March 2027.
- Access
- Tsugaru-Goshogawara Station is next to JR Goshogawara Station, about 3 minutes on foot.
- Hours
- Departs Tsugaru-Goshogawara 9:35, 12:00 and 14:40; about 43–44 minutes to Tsugaru-Nakasato
- Price
- Fare Goshogawara–Nakasato adults ¥870, children ¥440, plus a ¥1,000 stove train ticket (adult total ¥1,870). Cash only; the Tsugaru Free Pass is not valid
Good to know
Start at Aomori Station. The Nebuta Museum WA RASSE is 1 minute away and A-FACTORY 2 minutes, and the Nebuta Festival route is about 10 minutes on foot. The bus bound for Sannai-Maruyama Iseki takes about 20 minutes to the Aomori Museum of Art and 30–40 minutes to the Sannai-Maruyama site.
Hakkoda, Oirase and Lake Towada are JR bus trips from Aomori Station: about 60 minutes to the Hakkoda Ropeway in summer, about 120 minutes to Yakeyama (then 5 minutes on foot) for the Oirase Gorge, and the 7:30 bus reaches Lake Towada at 10:15. From 12 November 2026 to 31 March 2027 buses from Aomori go only as far as Sukayu Onsen. Hirosaki Castle is about 15 minutes by bus from JR Hirosaki Station.
Dates to plan around: the Aomori Nebuta Festival runs 2–7 August every year and the Hirosaki Neputa Festival 1–7 August 2027. The 2027 Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival is 16 April–5 May and the stove train runs from 1 December 2026. Towada Art Center closes from 1 April 2027 for about a year, and the Aomori Museum of Art from 27 September 2027 to 14 April 2028.
Aomori city, the mountains and lakes, or Hirosaki
How you get there, what it costs to get in, and how late you can still start. Adult prices; children's prices are on each card above.
| Where | Getting there | Entry (adult) | Latest start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aomori Station: WA RASSE, A-FACTORY, Nebuta route | On foot from JR Aomori Station: WA RASSE 1 min, A-FACTORY 2 min, festival route about 10 min | WA RASSE ¥620 | WA RASSE last entry 17:30 (September–April); open to 19:00 May–August |
| Sannai-Maruyama and Aomori Museum of Art | Bus bound for Sannai-Maruyama Iseki from Aomori Station: about 20 min (museum), 30–40 min (site); Nebutan-go from Shin-Aomori about 15 min (site) | Site ¥500 · Museum collection ¥700 | Both admit until 30 min before closing: site 16:30 (17:30 in Golden Week and June–September), museum 16:30 |
| Hakkoda Ropeway and Sukayu Onsen | JR bus from Aomori Station: ropeway about 60 min in summer; Sukayu about 1 hr 10 min | Ropeway ¥2,500 round trip · Sukayu day bath ¥1,500 (from 1 December 2026) | Last ropeway up 16:20 (15:40 mid-November–February) · bath reception until 15:30 |
| Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada | JR Mizuumi-go from Aomori Station: about 120 min to Yakeyama; 7:30 departure reaches the lake 10:15. Not running from Aomori 12 November 2026–31 March 2027 | Boat fares on Towada Kanko Dentetsu's page | — |
| Towada Art Center | Bus from JR Shichinohe-Towada about 35 min, or JR Oirase-go from Hachinohe about 40 min | Not checked here; see the museum's page | Admission until 16:30; closed Mondays |
| Hirosaki Castle | From JR Hirosaki Station about 15 min by bus or 30 min on foot | Honmaru ¥320 (1 April–23 November); free 24 November–31 March | Paid area until 17:00 (21:00 during the Sakura Festival) |
| Stove train, Goshogawara | Tsugaru-Goshogawara Station, about 3 min on foot from JR Goshogawara | Fare ¥870 + stove ticket ¥1,000 | Last stove train 14:40 from Tsugaru-Goshogawara |
By kind of trip
First trip, a day from Aomori Station
WA RASSE and A-FACTORY are 1–2 minutes from the station; the Museum of Art and the Sannai-Maruyama site are on the same bus line, about 20 and 30–40 minutes out. The Sannai-Maruyama site closes on the fourth Monday of the month.
Nebuta Museum WA RASSE · A-FACTORY · Aomori Museum of Art · Sannai-Maruyama Special Historic Site
Autumn leaves
Aomori Prefecture gives the Oirase colour peak as late October to early November. Hirosaki Castle's Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival runs 30 October–8 November 2026. JR buses from Aomori to Oirase and Lake Towada stop after 11 November 2026, and the Hakkoda Ropeway closes for maintenance in early November.
Oirase Gorge · Lake Towada · Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki Park · Hakkoda Ropeway
Winter
From mid-November the Hakkoda Ropeway's last departure is 15:40 and JR buses from Aomori end at Sukayu Onsen. The stove train runs three round trips a day from 1 December 2026, and the Snow Lantern Festival is 10–14 February 2027.
Hakkoda Ropeway · Sukayu Onsen · Tsugaru Railway Stove Train · Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
August festivals
The Aomori Nebuta Festival runs 2–7 August and the Hirosaki Neputa Festival 1–7 August 2027. WA RASSE is closed on 9–10 August.
Aomori Nebuta Festival · Hirosaki Neputa Festival · Nebuta Museum WA RASSE
Rain or cold
These are indoors. Towada Art Center is closed on Mondays and from 1 April 2027; the Aomori Museum of Art closes from 27 September 2027.
Nebuta Museum WA RASSE · Aomori Museum of Art · A-FACTORY · Towada Art Center
Questions
When is the Aomori Nebuta Festival, and can visitors join in?
It is held 2–7 August every year, with an eve event on 1 August. Parades start at 19:00 on 2–3 August and 18:45 on 4–6 August; on 7 August there is a daytime parade from 13:00, then the sea parade and fireworks 19:15–21:00. Anyone wearing a haneto costume can dance without booking; paid seats along the route are sold in advance.
Can I get to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada by bus in winter?
Not from Aomori. From 12 November 2026 to 31 March 2027 JR buses from Aomori Station run only as far as Sukayu Onsen and do not go on to Oirase or Lake Towada. In season the Mizuumi-go takes about 120 minutes to Yakeyama, and the 7:30 departure reaches Lake Towada at 10:15.
When are the cherry blossoms in Hirosaki in 2027?
The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival runs 16 April–5 May 2027 in Hirosaki Park, which has about 2,600 cherry trees of 52 varieties. The trees are lit from sunset to 22:00, and the Honmaru paid area opens 7:00–21:00 during the festival.
How do I get to Sannai-Maruyama and the Aomori Museum of Art?
From Aomori Station take the bus bound for Sannai-Maruyama Iseki: about 20 minutes to Kenritsu-bijutsukan-mae for the museum, about 30–40 minutes (¥310) to Sannai-Maruyama Iseki-mae. From Shin-Aomori Station the Nebutan-go bus reaches the site in about 15 minutes (¥300).
What time does the Tsugaru Railway stove train leave?
From 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027 it leaves Tsugaru-Goshogawara at 9:35, 12:00 and 14:40 and takes about 43–44 minutes to Tsugaru-Nakasato. The adult fare is ¥870 plus a ¥1,000 stove train ticket, cash only.