Aomori, Japan

Aomori is the capital city of the Aomori Prefecture, located in the Tohoku region of Japan. It lies between the Mutsu Bay and the beautiful Hakkoda Mountains. While Aomori has four distinct seasons, it boasts one of the highest amounts of snowfall for large cities in Japan.

Attractions include Sannai-Maruyama historical site tours, believed to have been first settled 5500 years ago. Guided tours are available year round. The annual Nebuta Festival is said to be the biggest “fire festival” in Japan. Taking place over several weeks in August, a big parade with lit lantern floats and dancers in costumes ends each day.

The Yotei-maru Ferry connected Aomori to Hokkaido before the Seikan Tunnel was opened. Today, it’s a slightly dilapidated, but charming, museum near the train station. The real deck area is a beer garden during the summer.

Things to See & Do

* Nebuta Festival – Aug 2 - 7
* Aspam Center
* Aomori Prefectural Museum
* Nebutanosato Museum
* Sannai-Maruyama historical site tour

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Yen (JPY)
Language – Japanese
Population – 325, 905 approx
Land Area – 824.52 km2
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus hours nine hours
International Country Telephone Code – 81

Port Location – The Port of Aomori lies on the shores of Matsu Bay in northern Honshu, the main and largest island of Japan. The cruise center is minutes away from the city center.

Travel Links – Aomori's airport is served by Japan Airlines. JAL flights arrive from Tokyo Haneda Airport, Nagoya Centrair Airport, Osaka Itami and Kansai Airports, Sapporo Chitose Airport, and Fukuoka Airport. Buses connect the airport to the main train station. The bus ride lasts 35 minutes.
Train (3 hrs 40 mins) and bus (9.5 hrs) services are available from Tokyo to Aomori.
Seikan Ferry and Tsugaru Kaikyo Ferry operate ferry services from Aomori to the port of Hakodate with multiple departures daily (4 hrs).