Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Opened in the year 778, the temple was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994. In the 130, 000 m2 area of the precincts spread out on the hillside of Mt. Otowa, there are more than 30 cathedrals and monuments, including national treasures and important cultural properties.
Packed with tourists, but it’s a must-see spot.
Roadside Station Ogawarako Koyukan
Located on the shores of Lake Ogawara, the largest lake in Aomori Prefecture, this roadside station has been a hub for lakeside tourism and local specialties since its opening in 2004. At the farmers’ market, you’ll find fresh vegetables from Tōhoku Town such as yam, garlic, carrots, and tomatoes. The seafood and processed goods corner offers delicacies made with clams from Lake Ogawara, including simmered shijimi clams and canned clam-and-seafood stew.
The product center has some unique local ingredients, and outside there are sometimes food trucks where you can grab hot food or coffee and desserts.
Inside, they sell a 20-serving pack of the “Shijimi Yojoki” clam soup. It’s a great deal and tastes really good.
Kabushima Shrine
Kabushima Island is one of the prominent nesting places of black-tailed gulls in Japan. Climbing up a flight of stone steps, you will find Kabushima Shrine, which was founded in 1269, standing on the top of the hill. During the Edo period, in the feudal domain of Hachinohe-han, the shrine had been worshiped enthusiastically by the successive feudal lords since the time of the first feudal lord.
Kabushima Shrine was seriously fun! Driving there is the easiest, and the visitor center even thoughtfully has umbrellas you can borrow.
There are tons of seagulls, and as you walk around you’ll get little “golden gifts from the sky” surprises, so you’re constantly having to dodge.
Honestly, that kind of travel experience is what turned into an unforgettable memory for me!
Hoshino Resort Aomoriya
The hot spring inn, Aomoriya, is like Aomori theme park which immerses you in festivals, local cuisine, therapeutic hot spring, and Aomori’s culture. On the premises, there is a nature park dotted with a pond and traditional Japanese homes.
The hallways at Aomoriya are filled with goldfish lanterns. At night there’s also a paid festival show, and you can join in—it’s super lively and so much fun!
The food was also really delicious.
Walking around the property is easy and relaxing. Especially soaking in the foot bath while looking out at the lake—what a treat for both body and mind. It’s truly a different kind of experience.
Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse
Wa Rasse is an eye-catching, modern, red museum close to Aomori Station. It was opened in 2011 to preserve Aomori Nebuta Festival held between 2nd and 7th of August every year.
I happened to catch a live performance event. Even though I couldn’t join the festival myself, the on-site exhibits and interactive performances still let me feel the festival’s lively vibe.
The lighting, music, and those huge Nebuta lantern floats right in front of you make it feel like you’re actually there.
Aomori Museum of Art
This art museum is 5-minute on foot from Sannai Maruyama Historical Site, the world cultural heritage site. The highlight of this museum is ALECO for the ballet, painted by one of the prominent artists in the 20th century, Marc Chagall (1887 - 1985).
I finally got the chance to visit the Aomori Museum of Art and see Yoshitomo Nara’s work—honestly, I fell in love with it at first sight.
Getting to run into art while traveling is the kind of thing that stays with you.
Lake Towada
Lake Towada spans over Towada City, Aomori and Kosaka Town of Kazuno county, Akita. The volcanic activities of Mt. Towada, which began almost 200,000 years ago, has created the caldera lake. The 12th largest lake in Japan, the 3rd in depth, it is designated as Japan's Area of Special Scenic Beauty and a natural monument along with the Oirase Gorge stemming from the lake.
Taking a boat ride on Lake Towada, we headed into the breeze and cruised across the waves. The water was sparkling.
The boatman gave thoughtful explanations the whole way, so we didn’t just see the scenery—we also heard the lake’s legends. It made the trip feel that much warmer and more meaningful.
Statue of Maidens
A pair of bronze statues standing on the lakeshore of Yasumiya at Lake Towada. Built in 1953 to mark the 15th anniversary of Lake Towada’s designation as a national park, the statues honor three key figures who helped introduce Lake Towada and Oirase to a wider audience and contributed to the national park designation: writer Keigetsu Omachi, then Aomori Governor Chiyosaburo Takeda, and local village mayor Koichi Ogasawara. Created by sculptor and poet Kotaro Takamura, it’s also known as his final work.
While walking along the shore of Lake Towada, the Maiden Statue stood quietly by the water, keeping visitors company. The lake, mountains, and sculpture together made a truly moving scene.
Oirase Stream
Oirase Stream, a renowned tourist attraction awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide, stretches approximately 14 kilometers from the shores of Lake Towada at Nenokuchi to Yakeyama. It's a national Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument, celebrated for its waterfalls, clear streams, giant rocks, and steep cliffs.
Oirase Stream is packed with that fresh, woodsy air. Walking through it feels like the forest is giving you a gentle hug, and your mood instantly lifts.
Resort Shirakami
A sightseeing train that runs from Akita Station to Hirosaki Station and Aomori Station via the JR Gonō Line. From the windows, you can enjoy spectacular views of Shirakami-Sanchi, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, and the Sea of Japan. Since its debut in 1997, it has continued to captivate many visitors. Three train sets are in service: Buna, Aoike, and Kumagera. The green Buna train is inspired by the primeval beech forests of Shirakami-Sanchi.
I took the Aoike train today, and the scenery along the way was truly beautiful, with such a peaceful feel.