Hirosaki Castle, the Nebuta Museum WA RASSE and the Furukawa Fish Market are three of the best reasons to visit Aomori Prefecture, at the northern tip of Japan’s main island of Honshu. Aomori is famous for its apples, its fiery summer Nebuta festival, its seafood and one of the most beautiful cherry blossom parks in the country. The Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen reach Shin-Aomori from Tokyo in a little over three hours, so the region is easier to add to a Japan trip than many travelers expect. This guide covers the three highlights, how to get between Aomori city and Hirosaki, and where to stay.
1. Hirosaki Castle and Hirosaki Park
Hirosaki Castle is one of only twelve Japanese castles with an original keep, and its park is often ranked among the finest cherry blossom spots in Japan. About 2,600 cherry trees line the moats, gates and turrets, and the Hirosaki Sakura Festival runs from late April to early May (April 17 to May 5 in 2026), when the paid inner area stays open until 21:00 and the moats fill with floating petals. The keep has a story of its own: it was moved off its stone walls in 2015 so the walls could be repaired, and in 2026 it is being moved back to its original spot, a project scheduled to finish around November 2026. The keep’s interior is closed while repairs continue, but you can still see it from outside. The rest of the park is free and open all day; the paid inner area (the Honmaru) costs 320 yen and is open 9:00 to 17:00 from April 1 to November 23. Autumn brings a chrysanthemum and fall foliage festival, and winter a snow lantern festival in February.
2. Nebuta Museum WA RASSE
If you cannot be in Aomori for the Nebuta Matsuri in early August, the Nebuta Museum WA RASSE is the next best thing. Right next to Aomori Station, this striking red-ribbed building displays several full-size Nebuta floats from recent festivals: huge illuminated paper-and-wire figures of warriors, gods and mythical creatures, lit from inside so they glow in the dark hall. Exhibits explain how the floats are designed and built over months by master Nebuta artists. Admission is 620 yen for adults (460 yen for high school students and 260 yen for younger children). The museum opens 9:00 to 18:00, extended to 19:00 from May to August, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. The festival itself runs August 2 to 7 each year, with the big floats parading on the evenings of August 2 to 6 and fireworks and a sea parade on the 7th. Hotels sell out months ahead, so book early if you plan to go.
3. Furukawa Fish Market and Nokke-don
Aomori’s most fun breakfast is the Nokke-don, a build-your-own seafood rice bowl served at the Furukawa Fish Market (Aomori Gyosai Center), a short walk from Aomori Station. You buy a set of tickets, get a bowl of rice and then walk around the stalls, trading tickets for toppings such as tuna, salmon roe, scallops, sea urchin and local fish. Since May 2025 a set of 12 tickets costs 2,200 yen, and each stall shows how many tickets each topping costs, so you can mix cheap and premium pieces. Bowls are served from 7:00 until 16:00, or until the rice runs out, and the market is closed on Tuesdays. Go early for the best selection. Nearby, the A-FACTORY market hall by the Aomori Bay Bridge sells apple cider, apple sweets and local food souvenirs and is open 10:00 to 19:00, making it an easy stop before or after the Nebuta museum.
Where to Stay Near Aomori City
Where to stay: Aomori cityHotel links in this section go to Orbitz. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Aomori city is the most practical base for this trip: the Nebuta museum, the fish market and A-FACTORY are all within walking distance of Aomori Station, and Hirosaki is an easy train ride away. Staying near Aomori Station or Shin-Aomori also makes it simple to continue to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada, or north to Hokkaido.
Luxury
Hotel JAL City Aomori is one of the most comfortable hotels in central Aomori, close to the station and the waterfront. It is a good choice if you want spacious, modern rooms and an easy walk to the Nebuta museum and the fish market.
Modern, comfortable hotel near Aomori Station.
Mid-Range
Dormy Inn Aomori Natural Hot Spring offers the large hot spring baths and late-night ramen that the Dormy Inn chain is known for, a great way to warm up on a cold Aomori evening. It is a popular, good-value base in the city center.
Dormy Inn Aomori Natural Hot Spring
Hot spring baths and a central location.
Budget-Friendly
Toyoko Inn Aomori Ekimae is a simple, reliable budget choice right by Aomori Station, with compact rooms and breakfast included, ideal if you plan early trains to Hirosaki or the Shinkansen.
Simple, good-value rooms by the station.
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Hotels in Aomori on Orbitz
Stay near Aomori Station for the Nebuta museum and the fish market, with easy trains to Hirosaki and the Shinkansen.
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- Visit Hirosaki Park in late April or early May for cherry blossoms, or late October to mid-November for autumn leaves and the chrysanthemum festival.
- The Sannai-Maruyama Special Historic Site, one of the largest Jomon-era settlements in Japan and part of a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021, is a short bus ride from Aomori Station or Shin-Aomori (500 yen; closed on the fourth Monday of each month).
- In Hirosaki, the Dotemachi loop bus (150 yen per ride, 500 yen day pass) connects the station with Hirosaki Park.
- Go to the Furukawa Fish Market early in the morning and avoid Tuesdays, when it is closed.
- Bring warm, waterproof shoes in winter: Aomori city is one of the snowiest cities in the world.
Getting there by train: From Tokyo, the fastest Hayabusa trains on the Tohoku Shinkansen reach Shin-Aomori in about 3 hours 10 minutes (seat reservations required). Local and limited express trains link Shin-Aomori with Aomori Station in 5 to 7 minutes, and the JR Ou Line takes you from Shin-Aomori to Hirosaki in about 30 to 40 minutes. The JR East Pass (Tohoku Area) costs 30,000 yen for five consecutive days and covers this whole route. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it for your route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you go inside Hirosaki Castle?
Not at the moment. The keep is being moved back onto its repaired stone walls in 2026, and the interior stays closed for further repairs, but you can view it from outside and walk the whole park.
When is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Hirosaki?
Peak bloom is usually late April to early May. The Hirosaki Sakura Festival ran from April 17 to May 5 in 2026.
How much does Nebuta Museum WA RASSE cost?
Adult admission is 620 yen. The museum is next to Aomori Station and opens 9:00 to 18:00, or until 19:00 from May to August.
What is Nokke-don?
Nokke-don is a do-it-yourself seafood rice bowl at Aomori’s Furukawa Fish Market. A set of 12 tickets costs 2,200 yen, and you trade tickets for toppings at the stalls.
