4 Days 3 Nights in Aomori: Nature, History, Food, and Shopping

Aomori is the northernmost prefecture on Honshu, in the Tohoku region. Experience nature, history, and a way of life that blends the classic with the modern. Soak in relaxing hot springs, see waterfalls, streams, and Lake Towada, visit several museums and Hirosaki Castle, shop at Don Quijote, and enjoy delicious food, all in one trip.

We recommend renting a car for this trip, so it's easy to get to each spot. It makes a memorable addition to a trip to Japan in any season. If you're ready, let's set off for Aomori.

Itinerary Day 1: Relaxed Nature in Towada

11:00 Rent a car at Toyota Rent a Car Sendai Airport Shop

The flight arrives at Sendai Airport (Sendai International Airport) at 10:30. After clearing immigration, head to the Toyota Rent a Car Sendai Airport Shop for extra convenience. Several types of rental cars are available, but it's best to book online in advance, and you'll need an international driving permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention.

How to get there: Talk to the rental staff to arrange to meet at the airport parking area.

Transport cost: Free

Hours: 8:00–20:00

Cost: Depends on the car type, ETC card (expressway card), car insurance, and fuel.

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pzn2idrP2P5WZtGu6

11:30-13:30 Travel from Sendai Airport and stop for lunch at Marukan Restaurant

Stop for lunch at a much-loved food court in Hanamaki, a town along the way. It is decorated to feel like the Showa era, with many different restaurants to choose from.

How to get there: Follow the GPS from the airport via expressway E6, then E4, exiting at PA Smart IC. Takes about 2 hours.

Transport cost: Fuel + expressway toll

Hours: 11:00-18:00, closed Wednesdays

Cost: 1,000-2,000 yen

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9HmbvDNjW63m9t969

15:45-16:15 Admire the beauty of Choshi Falls

This waterfall is surrounded by the natural beauty of Oirase Gorge, and it makes a natural gateway to the gorge. It's about 7 meters high and 20 meters wide, and the water crashes down in an impressive curtain. It is worth visiting in any season.

How to get there: Follow the GPS from the restaurant via expressway E4, exiting at Towada. Takes about 2.5 hours.

Transport cost: Fuel + expressway toll

Hours: Open 24 hours

Cost: Free

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LrMP7QEXbA1x62kh8

16:15-17:45 Get close to nature at Oirase Gorge

Nature lovers must add this gorge to their list. Its colors change with the seasons, the Oirase stream runs through it, and there are hiking trails and cycling routes to enjoy. Along the way are several waterfalls with poetic names, plus well-known souvenir shops.

How to get there: Continue on foot along the trail from Choshi Falls.

Transport cost: Free

Hours: Open 24 hours

Cost: Free

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VZk6rcJK1qKDETEt8

18:15 Check in at Towada Hotel, soak in the hot spring, and enjoy a kaiseki set meal

Settle into a ryokan-style stay, soak in the hot spring, and enjoy a seasonal kaiseki dinner. Sleep on warm tatami mats with a view of Lake Towada, for a truly Japanese atmosphere.

How to get there: Drive from the gorge following the GPS, no more than 30 minutes.

Transport cost: Fuel

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qVPsQ6tVosKY19is8

Itinerary Day 2: Lake Towada and Aomori City

8:00-8:45 Breakfast at the hotel

9:00 Check out

9:15-11:15 Admire the beauty of Lake Towada

This lake sits at an elevation of 400 meters, with a maximum depth of 327 meters and a shoreline of 46 km. It's a relaxing spot to admire the scenery and unwind. It was originally a volcanic caldera before rainwater collected to form a natural lake. There are plenty of fun activities, such as ferry cruises, speedboat rides, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, visiting Towada Shrine, or simply having a relaxed picnic and taking photos.

How to get there: From the hotel, choose the spot you want to visit around the lake.

Transport cost: Fuel

Hours: Open 24 hours

Cost: Free

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ydEbmYuhVP2rijUE8

12:30-13:00 Stop for lunch at Restaurant Lavender

Stop for lunch at a restaurant with a simple atmosphere, like a home welcoming travelers. There's a wide choice of Japanese-style dishes, such as tonkatsu, curry rice, and omurice, or spaghetti if you prefer. Finish off with delicious ice cream.

How to get there: Follow the GPS from the lake via expressway E4, exiting at Aomori IC. Takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Transport cost: Fuel + expressway toll

Hours: 11:00-15:15, closed Sundays

Cost: 1,000-2,000 yen

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hBpabeQUhw1KKEfe9

13:10-14:45 Step back in time at the Sannai-Maruyama Archaeological Site

This site brings together the remains of dwellings and other evidence showing that people lived here as far back as 5,500 years ago, under the ancient Jomon culture. After the excavations, the prefecture turned the area into a national historic site open to visitors.

How to get there: Follow the GPS from the restaurant. Takes about 5 minutes.

Transport cost: Fuel

Hours: 9:00-17:00, closed Mondays

Cost: Free

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WhKw8swhbiz2vyRU7

15:00-16:00 See giant lantern art at Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse

This museum is devoted to the Nebuta Festival, Aomori's famous lantern-float parade, usually held in early August. Real lanterns used in the parade are on display, along with interesting stories about the festival.

How to get there: Follow the GPS from the archaeological site. Takes about 15 minutes.

Transport cost: Fuel

Hours: 9:00-18:00

Cost: 620 yen

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NGj25225dMbM5cAq6

16:05-17:00 Visit the Seikan Train Ferry Memorial Ship Hakkōda-maru

This used to be the crossing point between Honshu and Hokkaido before the Seikan Tunnel was built. The Hakkōda-maru was one of the ferries used for this route. It has now been turned into a museum displaying photographs that tell the story and culture of the crossing, while inside you can also explore the passenger cabins, engine room, and vintage train cars, including a mail car, a limited express car, and a diesel locomotive.

How to get there: Follow the GPS from the museum. Takes about 1 minute.

Transport cost: Fuel

Hours: 9:00-18:00

Cost: 510 yen

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rScap3mYu1WgaMcX9

17:15-18:30 Shop at Don Quijote Aomori Kanko-dori

Enjoy shopping at this Don Quijote store, popular with both locals and many tourists. It has food, daily necessities, and souvenirs at affordable prices, plus tax-free shopping.

How to get there: Follow the GPS from the ferry museum. Takes about 5 minutes.

Transport cost: Fuel

Hours: 9:00-24:00

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vL3AKRwEJMr1nkt27

18:45 Check in at Daiwa Roynet Hotel Aomori

How to get there: Follow the GPS from Don Quijote. Takes about 10 minutes.

Transport cost: Fuel

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uXJatMgeTXZtcKfF7

19:00-20:00 Dinner at Sushi Restaurant ASUKA Shinmachi Store

Enjoy dinner at this excellent sushi restaurant, where a Japanese chef prepares each piece with ingredients delivered straight from the sea every day. There's also sashimi and plenty of other dishes, in an izakaya-style setting.

How to get there: Walk from the hotel to the restaurant. Takes about 1 minute.

Transport cost: Free

Hours: 11:30-14:00 and 17:00-21:00, closed Tuesdays (Wednesdays evening only)

Cost: 2,000-3,000 yen

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WK424F3TTFKvua3d6

20:10 Return to the hotel

Itinerary Day 3: Hirosaki, Then Drive to Morioka

8:00-8:45 Breakfast at the hotel

9:00 Check out

10:00-12:30 Walk around Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki Park

Note: You cannot go inside the castle keep until about 2033 because of repair work. The park and the castle grounds are open as usual.

This wooden Japanese-style castle was built in 1611, during the Edo period. It stands about 16 meters tall, with a keep rising above the surrounding earthworks and stone walls, all shaded by the trees of Hirosaki Park, which looks different and beautiful in every season. The most popular photo spot is the red Shunyo Bridge, with cherry trees in the background, and the moat where you can go boating. There's also a botanical garden to visit.

How to get there: Drive following the GPS from the hotel. Takes about 1 hour.

Transport cost: Fuel

Hours: 9:00-17:00

Cost: 320 yen for the castle alone, or 520 yen including other sites.

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/StMPg3h3Q1c5MmRA7

12:45-13:30 Lunch at Sobadokoro Kafukutei

Stop for lunch at a restaurant near Hirosaki Castle. The most popular dishes are various styles of ramen, both hot and cold, or you can choose udon with tempura if you prefer. The restaurant has a classic Japanese decor.

How to get there: Walk from the castle. Takes about 5 minutes.

Transport cost: Free

Hours: 11:00-19:30, closed Mondays

Cost: 1,000-2,000 yen

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XGzENijLxSHGhCEQ8

13:40-14:30 Visit Tsugaru-han Neputa Village

Learn about the Neputa Festival and see cultural performances from across Aomori Prefecture, all gathered in this museum. Listen to live shamisen music, and try your hand at crafts to keep as souvenirs, such as painting on a kite or painting a kokeshi doll. There's also a gift shop and much more.

How to get there: Walk from the castle. Takes about 5 minutes.

Transport cost: Free

Hours: 9:00-17:00

Cost: 600 yen

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HUKzrCcGCMkKPNRL7

16:30-17:30 Enjoy the views at Takamatsu Pond

Drive down to Morioka, in Iwate Prefecture, and relax with the beautiful views of Takamatsu Park and Pond. In spring, the cherry trees come into full bloom, while autumn brings stunning foliage, and in winter, hawks, swans, and ducks migrate to the park. You can also enjoy other activities, such as boating on the pond.

How to get there: Drive following the GPS from the museum via expressway E4, exiting at Takizawa IC. Takes about 2 hours.

Transport cost: Fuel + expressway toll

Hours: Open 24 hours

Cost: Free

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZAZfeGNoAHEimB8S6

17:45 Check in at Richmond Hotel

How to get there: Drive following the GPS from the park. Takes about 15 minutes.

Transport cost: Fuel

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UmudMBJnbzhprdgW7

18:00-19:00 Casual shopping at FES”AN

If you have time to spare, go souvenir shopping here; there are also plenty of brand-name stores. Tax-free shopping is available, and it's one of the most popular shopping malls in the city.

How to get there: Walk from the hotel. Takes about 5 minutes.

Transport cost: Free

Hours: 10:00-20:00

Cost: Free

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fTahKGW7Mn9Npthd7

19:15-20:30 Dinner at Pyon-Pyon-Sha

Enjoy dinner at this yakiniku restaurant, known for its Japanese cold noodles as well as its grilled meat and side dishes. Finish off with a refreshing cold drink.

How to get there: Walk from the mall. Takes about 5 minutes.

Transport cost: Free

Hours: 11:00-23:00

Cost: 2,000-3,000 yen

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MrsbC1nqXRdH1HUTA

20:40 Return to the hotel

Itinerary Day 4: Return to Sendai Airport

7:00 Check out

7:15-9:45 Travel to return the car at Toyota Rent a Car Sendai Airport Shop

How to get there: Drive following the GPS from the hotel via expressway E4, then E6, exiting at Natori IC. Takes about 2.5 hours.

Transport cost: Fuel + expressway toll

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FM65nkn7AiZpjW9E6

10:00 Arrive at Sendai Airport

12:00 Fly home

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Estimated Cost Summary

Car rental: 16,375 yen / person (not including fuel and expressway tolls)

Sightseeing costs: 2,250 yen / person

Food: 9,500 yen / person

Accommodation: 30,000 yen / person

Total: 58,125 yen / person (not including fuel, expressway tolls, parking, and shopping)