If you like Yoshitomo Nara, you definitely have to come!
Paying to see the exhibitions is also well worth it. It’s a truly impressive place, and it’s even more spectacular during cherry blossom season!
Yoshitomo Nara is a well-known Japanese contemporary artist who was born in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. There are several places in Aomori Prefecture where you can see his work, with the main exhibition venues being the Aomori Museum of Art and the Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art.
Main locations featuring his work
Aomori Museum of Art:
The museum has a collection of more than 120 works by Yoshitomo Nara, including paintings and sculptures.
The most famous work is the large outdoor installation **Aomori Dog**, a white dog sculpture about 8.5 meters tall that faces the sky and has become an iconic symbol of the museum.
The museum’s architectural design was inspired by the nearby Sannai-Maruyama Jomon Site and is itself a major highlight.
Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art (formerly the Yoshii Sake Brewery Brick Warehouse):
This contemporary art facility in Nara’s hometown of Hirosaki was converted from a century-old sake brewery warehouse.
The museum focuses on a collection rooted in local history and culture, featuring works by local artists, including Yoshitomo Nara.
Towada Art Center:
Works by Yoshitomo Nara are also displayed in the museum’s outdoor exhibition area.
Yoshitomo Nara’s connection to Aomori
Yoshitomo Nara grew up in rural Aomori Prefecture, and this childhood experience had a profound influence on his artistic style. He has said that because his parents were busy with work when he was young, he was often home alone and would talk to characters in picture books or to his toys. This sense of loneliness and imagination nurtured his artistic sensitivity. To him, Aomori is like his “starting point” (The Beginning Place), and he is happy to exhibit works that represent the beginning of his creative journey in his hometown.
If you’re a fan of Yoshitomo Nara, the Aomori Museum of Art is a must-visit where you can fully experience his deep connection to his hometown.
Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art | Review by Norton Liang
Other Reviews by Norton Liang
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Morioka Station Building Fes"an
About 160 stores offering a wide variety of goods such as fashion items, interior goods, lifestyle goods, cosmetics, restaurants, and food stores are gathered in the station building directly connected to JR Morioka Station. Many famous national brands have opened their first stores in Iwate, and the area is crowded with locals and tourists on weekends.
As soon as I arrived at Morioka Station,
I was completely surprised 🙀!
The rest of my planned itinerary was totally delayed by the shopping mall.
It has everything—food, clothing, household goods, and transportation.
Even The North Face has more than one branded section.Morioka Station is a major transportation hub in Japan's Tohoku region and one of the terminal stations of the Tohoku Shinkansen. There is a shopping mall inside the station, and many restaurants and popular tourist attractions nearby.
Shopping and services inside the station
FES"AN: A shopping mall connected to Morioka Station, offering both shopping and dining.
JR East Travel Service Center: Provides travel information and assistance to travelers.
Coin lockers: The station has coin lockers for travelers' convenience.
Nearby popular food
The area around the station is a prime spot for Morioka reimen, with many well-known yakiniku restaurants and local eateries.
Pyon-Pyon-Sha Morioka Ekimae: Within walking distance and known for its signature reimen and yakiniku. Locals recommend it too.
Seirokaku: Another popular yakiniku and reimen restaurant near the station, serving chewy reimen and set meals.
Daido-en: Another recommended Morioka reimen restaurant, well reviewed for its light broth and chewy noodles.
Sushi Seijiro: Located inside the FES"AN shopping mall, serving sushi and other Japanese dishes.
Fukuda Pan Main Store: Sells popular local bread rolls with more than 54 flavor combinations.
Nearby tourist attractions
Morioka City Loop Bus “Denden-mushi”: You can take this loop bus from Morioka Station to easily reach the main attractions in the city.
Morioka Castle Ruins Park: Located east of the station, this is the site of the former castle of the Nanbu clan. From here, you can continue to Sakurayama Shrine.
Sakurayama Shrine: Located next to Morioka Castle Ruins Park, it is a local center of worship.
Rock-Splitting Cherry Tree: A famous attraction in central Morioka designated as a National Natural Monument.
Transportation information
Getting around the city: Transportation is mainly by bus and on foot. Iwate Kenpoku Bus serves the city's main attractions and commercial areas, and there is also the Denden-mushi loop bus.
Airport bus: Buses to and from Hanamaki Airport are available at the bus terminal in front of the station.
Special feature: Morioka Station is where the Tohoku Shinkansen and Akita Shinkansen split, so you can watch the trains separate or couple here. -
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Kaiunbashi Bridge (Good Fortune Bridge)
Kaiunbashi Bridge (Good Fortune Bridge) is located near JR Morioka Station. This bridge spans the Kitakami-gawa River that flows through Morioka City and connects Morioka Station and the city center.
Just a 4-minute walk from the north exit of JR Morioka Station, Kippushi Green Space (MORIOKA KIPPUSHI WATER NEIGHBORHOOD) is one of the most popular stylish waterfront parks in central Morioka. Located right beside the Kitakami River, the largest river in Tohoku, it offers a direct view of majestic Mt. Iwate on clear days and is a great place to enjoy Morioka's relaxed pace of life.
Three highlights here:
• Stylish container shopping area: Along the wooden boardwalk by the river is a row of beautifully designed black shipping containers housing unique cafés, craft beer bars, burger shops, and dessert shops. Whether you have yakiniku for lunch, coffee in the afternoon, or a drink in the evening, the atmosphere is lovely.
• Popular local restaurant run directly by a meat shop: This is home to Tono Meat Center Morioka Kippushi, a well-known restaurant specializing in raw lamb Jingisukan and operated directly by a butcher shop. You can sit outdoors, enjoy the river view, and feast on charcoal-grilled meat.
• Waterfront recreation: In addition to taking a walk, there are large lawns and open-air decks, as well as facilities including an outdoor kitchen for reservable BBQs, kayaking activities, and showers.
If you're using the Tohoku JR PASS to visit this city, which The New York Times ranked second among the world's top places to visit, consider crossing Kaiunbashi Bridge after leaving Morioka Station and stopping by Kippushi Green Space. Enjoy the river breeze, grab a cup of coffee, and experience Morioka's stylish everyday riverside life. -
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Sendai PARCO
As the only "PARCO" fashion building in the Tohoku region, Sendai PARCO consists of two main areas: the main building and "PARCO2," which opened in 2016, about 300 meters away. Both are seamlessly connected to Sendai Station's second floor via a pedestrian deck, allowing easy access without the need to wait at traffic signals.
The Pokémon Center TOHOKU next to Sendai Station was renovated and relocated to the 3rd floor of the Sendai PARCO Main Building in 2025.
It is the only and largest Pokémon Center in Japan's Tohoku region. It is directly connected to JR Sendai Station by a pedestrian deck and is only a 2- to 3-minute walk away, so you can get there without getting wet even on rainy days. -
