Aomori Prefecture is blessed with stunning natural beauty and deep historical culture, making it a hidden gem in northern Japan sculpted by nature and history.
From majestic mountains and rivers to lakes and streams that feel like a fairytale, as well as ancient ruins and cultural treasures steeped in mystery, Aomori offers a variety of amazing tourist detination.
Whether you’re admiring the changing seasons at Mount Hakkoda, strolling around the enchanting Aoike of the Twelve Lakes, or feeling the pulse of history at Hirosaki Castle, Aomori promises diverse sightseeing experiences.
Here are 10 must-visit tourist destination in Aomori Prefecture, ranging from natural wonders to cultural treasures, giving you a full taste of Aomori’s diverse charm.
Whether you’re a nature-loving adventurer or a history enthusiast, these destinations will exceed expectations and create unforgettable memories.
1. Lake Towada
Lake Towada is known for its mirror-like surface that reflects the sky and surrounding mountains, offering breathtaking views that make it one of Aomori’s most iconic landmarks and popular tourist spots.
Formed around 200,000 years ago due to volcanic activity, Lake Towada is a caldera lake—created when the ground collapsed following a volcanic eruption and gradually filled with rainwater over the ages.
The central lake between the Ohanabe and Nakayama peninsulas reaches a depth of 327 meters, making it Japan’s third-deepest lake.
The serene waters reveal the immense power of past volcanic eruptions and the artistry of time.
Throughout the year, the lakeside scenery changes—from fresh greenery in spring to vibrant autumn leaves—showcasing nature’s endless vitality.
Every visit to this majestic lake deepens one’s connection to nature and highlights its grandeur.
- Address: Towada City, Aomori Prefecture / Kosaka Town, Kazuno District, Akita Prefecture
- Hours: Open year-round, Visitor Center: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (April to November), 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (December to March)
- Fee: Free
2. Oirase Gorge
Flowing out of Lake Towada, the Oirase River winds through rocks and forests, forming waterfalls and clear streams that stretch around 14 kilometers from Nenokuchi to Yakeyama.
Designated as a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a Natural Monument, the gorge is strictly protected and filled with remarkable sights like waterfalls, crystal-clear streams, and unique rock formations.
The gorge is beautiful in every season—lush greenery in early summer, vibrant foliage in autumn, and a snowy wonderland in winter.
Gentle sunlight filters through the trees, adding warmth to the breathtaking landscape.
The powerful waterfalls and flowing streams offer a sense of tranquility and awe, cleansing the soul just by gazing at them.
- Address: 183 Tochikubo, Oirase, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
- Hours: Open year-round, Bicycle rentals: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Fee: Free
3. Juniko (Aoike)
Located in the western part of the Shirakami Sanchi mountain range, Juniko (“Twelve Lakes”) is actually a collection of 33 lakes and ponds.
Formed by a massive landslide triggered by an Edo-period earthquake, the area gets its name from the 12 lakes visible from the top of Mount Kuzure.
The most famous of these is the mysterious Aoike, renowned for its incredibly transparent water that reveals the lakebed in striking clarity.
The vivid blue color of the lake changes with the seasons and time of day, offering a different view with each visit. The reason behind its deep blue hue remains an unsolved mystery, adding to its allure as a lake of unknown beauty.
Though it lies deep within the Juniko area, Aoike is a must-see spot worth the journey.
- Address: Moriyama, Fukaura Town, Nishitsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture
- Hours: No set hours, but access is closed due to snow from November to April—check before visiting
- Fee: Free
4. Tsutanuma Pond
Located at the foot of Mount Hakkoda within the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, Tsutanuma Pond is one of the seven Tsuta Lakes (including Kagaminuma, Gatsunuma, Hinokuma, Suganuma, and Akanuma).
Tsutanuma is especially famous for its mirror-like surface that reflects the surrounding trees, creating stunning natural scenery.
During autumn, the pond transforms into a fiery spectacle during sunrise, known as the “Morning Glow.”
This iconic scene has been featured in numerous advertisements and is considered a once-in-a-lifetime view, attracting countless visitors.
- Address: Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
- Hours: No set hours, but reservations are required during the peak autumn foliage season
- Fee: Free, but peak foliage viewing requires reservation and a fee
- Autumn Foliage Regulations: Special rules apply during peak seasons
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5. Sannai-Maruyama Site
Discovered in 1992, the Sannai-Maruyama Site is a large-scale settlement from the early to middle Jomon period (circa 3900–2200 BCE, around 5,900 to 4,200 years ago).
The site features remains of pit dwellings, raised-floor structures, earthen mounds, and burial grounds for adults and children.
Numerous artifacts, including pottery, stone tools, wooden items, and bone ornaments, have been unearthed, offering a glimpse into life during the Jomon era.
Visitors can view fascinating relics like clay figurines, jade, and obsidian.
As one of Japan’s largest and most significant archaeological sites, Sannai-Maruyama has been designated a National Historic Site, showcasing the area’s deep historical and cultural value.
- Address: 305 Maruyama, Sannai, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (extended to 6:00 PM during Golden Week and June 1 – September 30)
- Closed: 4th Monday of each month (postponed to the following day if a national holiday), December 30 – January 1
- Fee: Adults / 410 yen, High School & University Students / 200 yen, Junior High & below / Free
6. Komakino Site
Designated as a National Historic Site, the Komakino Site is renowned for its historical importance and unique features.
Its most famous structure is the stone circle, discovered by Aomori Yamada High School’s archaeology club.
The circle consists of large vertically placed stones from the Arakawa River, stacked with flat stones and reinforced with upright stones to create a triple (sometimes quadruple) ring formation. This intricate construction is extremely rare in Japan.
Beyond the stone circle, archaeologists have uncovered pits, water sources, burial sites, and discarded materials.
Many ritual artifacts, including pottery, figurines, animal-shaped objects, and over 400 triangular stone plates, were found near the burial grounds, indicating that the site was used for ceremonial purposes.
These findings highlight the cultural and historical significance of Komakino as an important ritual site during the Jomon period.
- Address: 108-3 Sawabe, Nozawa, Aomori City
- Business Hours: AM9:00~PM5:00
- Closed: December 29 – January 3
- Admission: Free
7. Takayama Inari Shrine
Takayama Inari Shrine is renowned as Aomori Prefecture’s most spiritually powerful shrine, worshiped as the guardian deity of abundant harvests, maritime safety, and prosperous business.
Its wide-ranging blessings attract both locals and visitors from afar, covering agriculture, commerce, industry, fishing, household safety, recovery from illness, safe travels, and even exorcisms.
The shrine’s most iconic feature is the “Senbon Torii” (Thousand Torii Gates), unique to this location.
The approximately 2-meter-tall vermillion gates stretch endlessly, creating a stunning contrast against the cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, and white snow in winter, making it a popular photo spot.
Additionally, countless Inari deity fox statues line the grounds, adding to the shrine’s impressive and energetic atmosphere.
- Address: 147-1 Washinosawa, Ushigata-cho, Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture
- Business Hours: AM6:00~PM6:00
- Closed: Open daily
- Admission: Free
8. Tsuru-no-Mai Bridge
Tsuru-no-Mai Bridge is Japan’s longest wooden triple-arched bridge, spanning 300 meters across Tsugaru Fujimi Lake, with the majestic Mt. Iwaki as its backdrop.
Made from locally sourced Aomori cypress, the bridge showcases exquisite craftsmanship. Its elegant curves, resembling a crane dancing gracefully in the sky, inspired its name. There’s even a legend that crossing the bridge brings longevity.
The bridge offers different scenic views throughout the seasons, with dawn and dusk providing particularly breathtaking moments.
Once a hidden gem in the Tsugaru region, the bridge gained fame after appearing in advertisements and is now one of Aomori’s iconic energy spots.
- Address: Osawa, Mawarizeki, Tsuruta Town, Kitatsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture
- Business Hours: Open all day
- Admission: Free
9. Hirosaki Castle
Located within the expansive Hirosaki Park, Hirosaki Castle is the only castle in the Tohoku region with its original keep still intact.
Its history dates back to the Sengoku period when Tsugaru Tamenobu unified the Tsugaru area in 1588 and planned the construction of the castle. It was completed in 1611 by the second lord, Tsugaru Nobuhira.
Though the original keep was destroyed by fire, the current structure, rebuilt in the late Edo period, remains a symbol of the region.
Visitors can still admire the castle’s watchtowers, gates, and bridges, which embody its historical grandeur.
Hirosaki Castle is also famous for its cherry blossoms, boasting around 2,600 trees of approximately 50 varieties, mainly Somei Yoshino.
In spring, petals float atop the moat, forming the picturesque “Hanaikada” (flower raft) or creating a “cherry blossom carpet,” adding a romantic charm to the historic site.
- Address: 1 Shimoshirogane-cho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
- Business Hours: AM6:00~PM5:00
- Closed: The castle keep is closed from November 24 to March 31 (Honmaru and Kita no Kuruwa areas remain open)
- Admission:
- Single Facility Ticket (Hirosaki Castle Honmaru & Kita no Kuruwa – 1-day pass)
- Adults (High school and above): 320 yen
- Children (Elementary & Junior High): 100 yen
- Combo Ticket (Hirosaki Castle Honmaru & Kita no Kuruwa, Hirosaki Botanical Garden, Fujita Memorial Garden – 1-day pass)
- Adults (High school and above): 520 yen
- Children (Elementary & Junior High): 160 yen
- Single Facility Ticket (Hirosaki Castle Honmaru & Kita no Kuruwa – 1-day pass)
10. Mt. Hakkoda
Mt. Hakkoda isn’t a single peak but a mountain range consisting of 18 peaks, with the 1,585-meter-tall, Mt. Odake as its highest summit.
Divided into the North and South Hakkoda ranges, the mountains feature beautiful cone- and table-shaped peaks, with rivers, waterfalls, and gorges scattered throughout.
Beech forests dominate areas below 1,000 meters, while Aomori fir trees grow at higher altitudes. Above 1,400 meters, you’ll find alpine shrubs like Nanakamado and Himeshara.
The stunning seasonal scenery is Mt. Hakkoda’s biggest draw. From the “snow corridors” in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant autumn foliage, to the mystical frost-covered trees in winter, the area offers spectacular views year-round.
Visitors can also ride the Hakkoda Ropeway to enjoy panoramic views of this natural wonderland.
- Address: 1-12 Kansuizawa, Arakawa, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
- Ropeway Business Hours: AM9:00 ~ PM4:20 (Winter: PM3:40)
- Closed: Subject to weather conditions
- Ropeway Fees:
- One-way
- Adults (Junior High and above): 1,400 yen
- Children (Elementary): 450 yen
- Preschoolers: Free
- Round-trip
- Adults (Junior High and above): 2,200 yen
- Children (Elementary): 700 yen
- Preschoolers: Free
- One-way
Those are 10 Aomori tourist destination whose beauty is too good to miss. So, which tourist destination do Japafans want to visit when in Japan, especially Aomori Prefecture?
