Introduction to Aomori Prefecture

Aomori Nebuta Festival

Aomori Nebuta, a Japanese fire festival, was designated as a national important intangible folk cultural property in 1980. The main attraction of the festival is the Nebuta doll lanterns that run through the center of Aomori City. Many of them are based on famous scenes from warriors and myths, and their glaring expressions are a highlight. The scale is also large and impressive! Dancers called "Haneto" make the festival even more exciting by jumping and dancing while shouting "Rassera, Rassela!". It is a summer tradition in Aomori that is visited by about 3 million tourists from all over the country every year.

URL https://www.nebuta.jp/

Date August 2nd to 7th every year

URL	https://www.nebuta.jp/
Date	August 2nd to 7th every year

Sannai Maruyama Ruins

The Sannai Maruyama Ruins, a special historic site, is one of the largest Jomon village ruins in Japan. Excavations conducted since 1992 have uncovered the remains of pit buildings, graves, dugout pillar buildings, storage pits, and road remains, and progress is being made to elucidate the overall state of the village and the natural environment at the time. The village of the Jomon period has been recreated within the large grounds, and you can have a valuable experience of experiencing human life in the Jomon period firsthand.

Address	305 Sannai Maruyama, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Contact information	Sannai Maruyama Ruins Center 017-766-8282
URL	http://sannaimaruyama.pref.aomori.jp/
Access	・Approximately 30 minutes by Aomori City Bus bound for Sannai Maruyama Ruins from JR Aomori Station ・Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Shin-Aomori Station, approximately 15 minutes by Nebutan (shuttle route bus) ・Approximately 5 minutes by car from Tohoku Expressway “Aomori IC” ・Approximately 30 minutes by car from Aomori Airport
Holiday	・The 4th Monday of every month (the next day if it is a holiday) ・New Year holidays (December 30th to January 1st) ・Closed for maintenance inspection
Business hours	・Jomon Jiyukan 9:00-17:00 (until 18:00 during Golden Week and from June 1st to September 30th) ・Aomori Hokusaikan (souvenir corner) 9:00-17:00
Fees	・General: 410 yen ・High school/university students, etc.: 200 yen ・Free for junior high school students and below

Tsugaru Vidro

Tsugaru Vidro is said to have its origins in a technique used to make fishing tools called Ukidama, which were used for setting up fixed nets and mooring fishing boats. This is a traditional craft of Aomori Prefecture based on the concept of "handmade glass that allows you to feel the four seasons." The beautiful colors unique to glass and the warm shapes that each piece is handmade by craftsmen have earned them recognition as works of art overseas. Colored glass is used to create patterns, and there are over 100 types of them. No other company other than Tsugaru Vidro handles such a wide variety of colored glass.

Address	4-29-13 Tomita, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Contact information	Hokuyo Glass 017-782-5183
URL	https://tsugaruvidro.jp/
Access	About 5 minutes by car from the west exit of JR Aomori Station
Holiday	・Sundays, holidays, Saturdays, irregular holidays *Other irregular holidays also available ・New Year holidays, Obon, Golden Week
Business hours	・Shop business hours 9:00-16:30 ・Factory tour hours (advance reservation required) Business days 10:00-16:00 (excluding 12:00-13:00)

Aomori Bay Area

The Aomori Bay Area, which is close to JR Aomori Station, is full of attractions such as the Nebuta House Wa Rasse, which introduces the history and charm of Nebuta, and the Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship Hakkodamaru, where the Seikan Ferry is moored and preserved. One of them, "A-FACTORY", is a spot where you can fully enjoy Aomori's food, combining a "market" and a "workshop." In the workshop, you can see through the glass the brewing process of cider and other products made with apples grown in Aomori Prefecture, which boasts the world's largest production volume.

Sukayu Onsen

Sukayu hot spring is located in the Hakkoda mountain range that rises in the center of Aomori prefecture. It is said to be a "hot spring suitable for medical treatment" that can be expected to be effective for a variety of physical ailments, such as muscle pain, joint pain, sensitivity to cold, and recovery from fatigue. It is also famous for its large mixed bathing bath called "Hiba Senninburo." The spacious 160-tatami bathhouse has five baths, including a hot bath, a cold bath, a quarter-and-a-half bath, and a hot water waterfall. It is made using Hiba wood from Aomori Prefecture, and the height to the ceiling is approximately 5m! Its breadth and size amaze those who see it for the first time.

Address	50 Arakawa Minami Arakawayama National Forest Suyuzawa, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Contact information	Sukayu Onsen 017-738-6400
URL	http://www.sukayu.jp/
Access	・From JR Aomori Station, take the JR bus bound for Lake Towada for about 1 hour and get off at Sukayu Onsen-mae ・From Aomori Airport, take National Route 4 via National Route 103 and take a 1 hour drive in the direction of Hakkoda/Lake Towada
Business hours	●Hiba Senninburo (large bath/mixed bath) Hours: 7:00-18:00 *Women only: 8:00-9:00 ●Tama no Yu (small bath/separate for men and women) Hours: 9:00-17:00
Fees	Adults 1,000 yen, elementary school students 500 yen *Only comes with rental towel

Autumn leaves of Hakkoda mountain range

The autumn leaves of the Hakkoda Mountain Range, which is rich in alpine plants and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains, are extremely beautiful and attract many people every year. You can enjoy the autumn leaves from the earliest period nationwide, and the peak of autumn leaves is usually around mid-October. The ropeway operates throughout the year, so you can easily climb to the top of the mountain. From the ropeway window, you can enjoy a 360° panorama dyed in bright red.

Contact information	Hakkoda General Information Center 017-764-5507
Access	Take JR Bus No. 11 in front of JR Aomori Station bound for Lake Towada (about 1 hour), get off at Hakkoda Ropeway Station, fare 1,100 yen *In winter, take the bus bound for Sukayu Onsen.

Hakkoda Mountains in winter

The Hakkoda Mountain Range in winter is an extremely cold region where temperatures can drop to -20 degrees Celsius, and the frost-covered trees, which are natural works of art created by this cold weather, are also called "snow monsters." The Hakkoda Mountain Range is also one of the few ski resorts in Japan where you can see frost-covered trees, and skiing or snowboarding through the frost-covered trees is very attractive.

Contact information	Hakkoda General Information Center 017-764-5507
Access	Take JR Bus No. 11 in front of JR Aomori Station bound for Lake Towada (about 1 hour), get off at Hakkoda Ropeway Station, fare 1,100 yen *In winter, take the bus bound for Sukayu Onsen.