Things to Do in Aomori
Hand-picked sights and experiences across Aomori.
When to catch the colours in Aomori?
Average red maple, golden ginkgo and cherry blossom dates for Aomori, from the Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 normals — the fortnight to aim for, not a promise for any particular year.
- Red maples
- Leaves turnNov 13
- Peak viewingNov 13 – Nov 27
- Golden ginkgo
- Leaves turnNov 2
- Peak viewingNov 2 – Nov 16
- Cherry blossom
- First flowersApr 22
- Full bloomApr 26
Where to look next?
The prefectures we've mapped so far, nearest to Aomori first.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Nebuta Matsuri in early August — one of Japan's great festivals, with giant illuminated floats — plus Hirosaki's castle and blossoms, apples everywhere, and the Shirakami-Sanchi beech forests. It's the wild northern tip of Honshu.
Early August for Nebuta if you can book far ahead; late April for Hirosaki's famous cherry blossoms. Winter brings serious snow — beautiful around Hirosaki Castle, but plan transport with margin.
The Tohoku Shinkansen reaches Shin-Aomori from Tokyo in about three hours, and it's the last stop before the line dives under the strait to Hokkaido — Aomori pairs naturally with a Tohoku or Hokkaido rail itinerary.