Aomori (青森), the capital of Aomori Prefecture, Japan, is on Mutsu Bay, at the northern tip of Honshu.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Taxis are always available from the train station. Buses: Go to the bus terminal outside the train station and tell the attendant at the city bus counter where you'd like to go. He or she will tell you which number bus stop to wait at, what time the bus will come, and where to get off. On city buses, you'll pay when you get off the bus. The Nebutan-go shuttle bus runs clockwise and counter-clockwise circles stopping at both Aomori and Shin-Aomori Stations, the Prefectural Art Museum, and other tourist sites about once an hour during the morning and afternoon.
1 Nebuta House Wa Rasse (ねぶたの家ワ・ラッセ), 1 Chome-1-1 Yasukata (turn left out of Aomori Station), ☏ +81 17-752-1311. The distinctive red building houses exhibits about the Nebuta, including several floats, if you're unable to make it during festival season. ¥600 for adults. 2 Aomori Bay Bridge (青森ベイブリッジ Aomori Bei Buridji). This bridge spans a short harbor inlet near Aomori Station and the former ferry port. (updated Nov 2019) 3 Hakkōda-maru Memorial Ship (八甲田丸) (left from the train station towards the giant boat).
Aomori Nebuta Festival (青森ねぶた祭り aomori nebuta matsuri). August 2–7. This is not only Aomori's but one of Japan's most famous festivals. The town suddenly becomes very lively, with many street stalls. The main feature is the evening parade with huge illuminated paper lanterns featuring scenes from famous kabuki plays and famous Japanese legends being pulled through the streets while costumed dancers dance around them. It was thought to have originated as a Tanabata Festival with small lanterns and gradually grew over time. Although today the floats are lit by incandescent lightbulbs, it's still called a "fire festival" because the lanterns were originally lit by candles.
Aomori's list of food specialties is extensive, but the headliners include apples, scallops, and garlic. 1 Aomori Gyosai Center (青森魚菜センター), 1-11-16 Furukawa (go straight when you leave Aomori Station; turn right after Auga Department Store. Turn left on the next main street, Niko Niko Dori (Smile Street). Turn right on the first side street; the market has a big red sign that says 青森魚菜センター). 07:00-16:00, closed Tuesdays.. If you're looking for a unique lunch featuring lots of fresh, local seafood, try making your own nokkedon sushi bowl at this seafood and vegetable market. First, buy tickets from the counter with the 丼 flag.
Local specialties are cidre (シードル, sparkling apple wine) and Denshu (田酒), Aomori's famous sake. Denshu is served in some izakaya and sushi restaurants. The main entertainment district is Honchō (本町). To get there, walk straight down Shinmachi "Amenity Street" for about 15 minutes. Once you cross Yanagi-machi Dōri (a big street with a median strip), you're in Honchō. However, there's plenty to drink in the city center: 1 Passage Hiroba (パサージュ広場) (5 min walk from the train). Passage Hiroba is a courtyard on the right side of the main street. There are several bars, taverns, and eateries. You can drink outside during warm weather.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Aomori typically sees ~31°C daytime highs and 12 rainy days.
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