Aomori
The most explosive summer festival in Japan, the world’s most photogenic castle moat in cherry blossom season, and a river walk through a cathedral of autumn maples — Aomori is Tohoku’s crown jewel.
弘前城の桜・ねぶた祭りの炎・奥入瀬渓流の紅葉。青森は日本の四季を最も劇的に体験できる県のひとつです。
Aomori Prefecture crowns the northern tip of Honshu, separated from Hokkaido by the Tsugaru Strait. Its crown is Hirosaki Castle, whose moat becomes the most photographed cherry blossom site in Japan every late April — fallen petals form a pink carpet on the water. The August Nebuta Festival, where giant illuminated floats parade through the city streets, draws three million spectators. Oirase Stream is among Japan’s finest forest walks, with waterfalls every few hundred metres.
弘前城の堀に舞う花びら、青森ねぶた祭りの巨大灯籠と熱狂のハネト、十和田湖と奥入瀬渓流の自然美、そしてりんごと大間のマグロ。青森は日本の魅力を四季折々に圧倒的なスケールで体験できる県です。
Recommended Omiyage
おすすめおみやげ 5選
Aomori Apple
Japan’s finest apples — Fujis grown in Aomori account for 60% of Japan’s entire apple harvest
日本の年間りんご生産量の60%を占める青森。蜜入り完熟ふじが絶品。
Ringo Pie
Flaky pastry filled with chunky caramelised Aomori apple — the quintessential Aomori souvenir
青森りんごを詰め込んだサクサクのアップルパイ。定番みやげの王道。
Oma Maguro
Japan’s most celebrated bluefin tuna from Oma, auctioned at Tsukiji for record prices
日本最高値がつく大間産本マグロ。その旨みはまさに別格。
Tsugaru Lacquerware
Striking layered lacquerware with a kaleidoscopic pattern — 300-year Aomori craft tradition
400回以上もの塗り重ねで生まれる万華鏡のような模様の津軽塗。
Aomori Apple Wine
Crisp, dry apple cider (cidre) made from Aomori’s world-class Fuji and Mutsu apples
青森産ふじ・むつを使ったすっきり辛口のシードル。
Must-Visit Spots
おすすめスポット 5選
Hirosaki Castle
Japan’s most iconic cherry blossom site — the moat fills with pink petals every late April
日本一のお花見スポット。堀に舞い落ちる花びらの絶景は4月下旬の1〜2週間のみ。
Aomori Nebuta Festival
Japan’s most electrifying summer festival — giant illuminated floats parade 7 nights in August
8月上旬の7夜間、巨大な灯籠ねぶたが青森市内を練り歩く圧倒的な祭り。
Oirase Stream
Japan’s most scenic forest river walk — 14km of waterfalls, mossy boulders and autumn maples
十和田湖から流れる14kmの渓流沿いを歩く日本随一の森の遊歩道。
Lake Towada
Pristine caldera lake on the Aomori-Akita border — electric autumn foliage and swan boat rides
青森・秋田にまたがる国立公園の火口湖。秋の紅葉が息をのむ美しさ。
Sukayu Onsen
1,000-person mixed bathhouse fed by sulphurous volcanic springs — a Tohoku institution since 1684
千人風呂で有名な1684年創業の秘湯。乳白色の硫黄泉が名湯中の名湯。
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly do Hirosaki’s cherry blossoms peak?
Typically April 23–May 5, varying by year. The castle moat ‘hanaikada’ (floating petal raft) is best in the final few days of bloom. Check the Hirosaki City website for daily updates.
例年4月23日〜5月5日頃が見頃。堀の花いかだは散り際の数日が最高潮。弘前市の開花情報サイトで毎日確認できます。
How do I participate in the Nebuta Festival?
Wear or rent a ‘haneto’ dancer costume (¥3,000–5,000 rental) to join the parade. Jump and shout ‘Rasseraa!’ alongside the floats. Costumes available along Chuo-dori avenue on festival nights.
はねと衣装（レンタル3,000〜5,000円）を着れば誰でも参加可能。「ラッセーラー！」の掛け声で飛び跳ねながら練り歩きます。
What are Aomori apples and why are they special?
Aomori’s climate — hot summers for sugar development and cold autumns for colour — produces apples of exceptional sweetness and crunch. The Fuji variety, developed in Aomori in 1962, is now grown worldwide.
青森の夏の高温と秋の冷涼な気候が、甘みと歯ごたえに優れた林檎を育てる。ふじ品種は1962年に青森で誕生し、今や世界中で栽培されています。
Travel Tip
Stay at Sukayu Onsen Ryokan for a true immersion in Tohoku hot-spring culture. Book 3–4 months ahead for the Nebuta period (early August) or cherry blossom season (late April) — rooms sell out almost a year in advance.
