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Oirase Gorge in Aomori

2D1N Itinerary for Your First Aomori Trip

Posted on September 10, 2022December 28, 2024 by Soylatte

Welcome to Our Blog!

We’re a Japanese-Indonesian couple living in Yokohama, Japan. Recently married, we started this blog to document the little joys in our everyday lives. Here, you’ll find travel diaries, favorite date spots, and our experiences as an international couple navigating life in Japan. We hope our stories offer inspiration and insights for anyone living or exploring this beautiful country.

See also: Ultimate Guide for the Best Hakone 5D4N Itinerary

Aomori Travel Guide: 2 Days 1 Night Trip Itinerary

Exploring Aomori: A Summer Escape

Round-up of Our Summer Aomori Trip

In this post, we take you to Aomori, a gem in Japan’s Tohoku region. Located at the northern tip of Honshu, Aomori is known for its high-quality apples, the vibrant Nebuta Matsuri summer festival, the succulent and fresh scallops (!!!), and breathtaking natural landscapes. Unlike Tokyo or Osaka, Aomori offers a slower pace and an abundance of natural beauty, making it perfect for a serene summer getaway.

Day 1 – From Hachinohe Station to Towada Lake

Getting to Aomori

Day 1 - Aomori Itinerary Illustration from Hachinohe Station to Towada Lake

For this itinerary, we recommend using the JR Tohoku Shuttle Bus, which connects Hachinohe Station to Lake Towada. The bus accepts IC cards, and a two-day pass costs JPY 5,800 for adults and JPY 2,900 for children. JR East Pass and Japan Rail Pass holders can ride for free.

To save time, the Hayabusa shinkansen is the best option for reaching Aomori (Hachinohe Station). Alternatively, budget-friendly highway buses like Willer Express are also available:

  • Japanese only: Bus Hikaku Navi
  • Japanese/English/Korean/Chinese/Vietnamese/Thai: Willer Express

Aim to arrive in Aomori around 9 a.m. to make the most of your day.

Stop 1: Towada Art Center

Address: 10-9 西二番町 Towada, Aomori Prefecture 034-0082, Japan (Google Maps).Address: 10-9 Nishinibancho, Towada, Aomori Prefecture 034-0082, Japan (Google Maps)

Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed Mondays)

Admission: JPY 1,200

Towada Art Center

Starting the day early, we arrived at Hachinohe station and quickly jumped into the JR Tohoku Shuttle Bus to Towada Art Center (十和田市現代美術館).

The Towada Art Center is a must-see, showcasing contemporary artworks by 33 international artists. Its outdoor installations, including pieces by Yayoi Kusama and Choi Jeong Hwa, are free to explore and surprisingly family-friendly. As someone who enjoys contemporary art, I found the exhibits here refreshing and accessible—not overly grandiose but thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity.

Yayoi Kusama Installation in Towada Art Center

The clean, white architecture and spacious grounds make it a lovely spot to linger, even for non-art enthusiasts. Photographs weren’t allowed during our visit, but thankfully, that policy has changed. Don’t miss snapping a picture with the colorful “Flower Horse” sculpture outside!

Stop 2: Oirase Gorge Trekking

Address: Okuse, Towada, Aomori 034-0301, Japan (Google Maps)

Oirase Gorge

Oirase Gorge offers one of the most scenic trekking routes I’ve experienced in Japan. Stretching 14 kilometers along a clear mountain stream, the gorge is dotted with waterfalls and lush greenery. For a shorter trek, start at Makadoiwa and explore the highlights, such as:

  • Kumoi Falls (雲井の滝) – A stunning 20-meter cascade that tumbles gracefully in three steps
  • Choshi Falls (銚子大滝) – Wider and more powerful, this 7-meter-tall waterfall is the most photographed spot in the area
One of the Waterfalls along the Trekking

Stop 3: Sunset at Lake Towada

Address: Yasumitai-64-1 Towadako, Kosaka, Kazuno District, Akita 018-5511, Japan (Google Maps)

Towada Lake

To close out the day, we headed to Lake Towada, the world’s largest double caldera lake. We hopped on the JR shuttle bus from Nenokuchi (子ノ口) all the way to the final stop: 十和田湖(休屋), located on the border between Aomori and Akita Prefecture. Once stepping out of the bus, we noticed several hotels and ryokans nearby the lake. Here are our recommended lodging options:

  • 山乃御振舞 とわだこ賑山亭 Towadako Shinzantei (3-stars hotel)
  • ホテル 十和田荘 Hotel Towadaso (3-stars hotel)

The lake’s calm waters and scenic backdrop were especially captivating during sunset. The area is a haven for nature lovers, where you can easily spot wild birds and white-tail ducks in their natural habitat. Instead of dining in, we opted for a Halal bento set delivered to our hotel.

If you have extra energy, consider a boat tour with Guriland to explore the lake’s dramatic cliffs and ancient caves (prices range from JPY 3,000 to 6,000).

More info about Guriland:

  • Official Site: http://guriland.jp
  • Reservation (Japanese Only): jalan.net

Day 2 – Cultural Experience around Shin-Aomori Station

Aomori Day 2 Itinerary Illustration

On our second day, we delved into Aomori’s rich history and culture, visiting two notable sites: the Sannai Maruyama Archaeological Site and the Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE. We took the bus from Towada Lake bus terminal using the JR Bus Pass to get to Shin-Aomori station.

Stop 1: Sannai Maruyama Ruins

Address: Maruyama-305 Sannai, Aomori, 038-0031 (Google Maps)

Sannai Maruyama Ruin

Our first stop was the Sannai Maruyama Archaeological Site, one of Japan’s largest and most significant Jomon period settlements, dating back approximately 5,500 to 4,000 years. This site offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient Japanese life, with well-preserved remains and reconstructed structures.

The Sannai Maruyama Jomon Culture Center houses around 1,700 artifacts, including approximately 500 important cultural properties excavated from the site. The site is more than just a collection of ruins; it’s an immersive experience. The outdoor area has reconstructions of homes and a tall wooden structure believed to be a watchtower or ceremonial space—it’s all so meticulously done you can almost feel the presence of the past.

Even if you’re not big on archaeology, the open-air layout and informative displays make it an interesting and relaxing stop.

Sannai Maruyama Ruin - Model Traditional House during Jomon Period

More info about Sannai Maruyama Site:

  • Official Site: https://sannaimaruyama.pref.aomori.jp/english/
  • Ticket: JPY 410

Stop 2: Nebuta Museum WARASSE

Address: 1 Chome-1-1 Yasukata, Aomori, 030-0803, Japan (Google Maps)

Exterior of Nebuta Museum WARASSE

After lunch, we made our way to the Nebuta Museum WA-RASSE, conveniently located near Aomori Station. This museum was such a fun and vibrant experience—it’s dedicated to Aomori’s famous Nebuta Matsuri, a summer festival known for its gigantic illuminated floats and lively parades.

The floats on display are breathtaking. Each one is a masterpiece of artistry and storytelling, depicting everything from mythical warriors to historical figures. It’s fascinating to learn about the craftsmanship and effort behind these floats, which are made from painted washi paper over wire frames.

One of the highlights was the hands-on area, where we got to try out taiko drums and feel the festival energy for ourselves. If you’re visiting outside of festival season (like we were), this museum does a fantastic job of bringing the spirit of Nebuta Matsuri to life.

Nebuta Museum WARASSE Exhibit Floats

Stop 3: Artisan Goods and Sweet Treats at A-Factory

Address: 1 Chome-4-2 Yanakawa, Aomori, 038-0012, Japan (Google Maps)

We wrapped up our trip with a visit to A-Factory, a perfect spot for souvenir shopping and indulging in local treats. As you might have guessed, apples are the star here. From apple jam and cakes to cider and even apple beer, this place has just about every apple product you can imagine.

The building itself has a sleek, scandi-industrial vibe, with various local vendors to explore. My personal favorite? Their fruit-flavored gelato—definitely worth a try! For those with a more refined palate, there’s a wine-tasting bar on the second floor where you can sample Aomori’s unique ciders and wines.

Unfortunately, we got so caught up browsing and shopping that we completely forgot to take pictures. But trust me, it’s a great stop to pick up high-quality, locally made goods. You can find all information about the facility here.

And, That’s It!

And that’s how we spent our time in Aomori. It was a memorable trip filled with beautiful landscapes, fascinating history, and unique cultural experiences. We hope this inspires you to visit Aomori and explore its many hidden gems!

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    Hello!

    We are Soylatte and Pukka from Yokohama, Japan. We mainly write about our travel itineraries and muslim-friendly eateries in Japan. We sometimes also share our thoughts and tips as International couple living in Japan.

    All photos are ours unless credited otherwise.

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