Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Aomori Prefecture (青森県)
Aomori Prefecture (青森県) is located in the Tohoku region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Aomori. Key sights and travel highlights across the prefecture include Hirosaki Castle cherry blossoms, Lake Towada & Oirase Gorge, Shirakami-Sanchi UNESCO beech forest, Nebuta Matsuri floats, and Tsugaru Strait coastal scenery.
How to get to Aomori Prefecture
3h 20m from Tokyo Station on theJR Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa to Shin-Aomori or Hachinohe. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Aomori
When visiting cities across Aomori, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Aomori apples & apple pie
- Nokke-don (customizable seafood rice bowl)
- Igamenchi (minced squid patties)
- Senbei-jiru (cracker soup)
- Mutsu Bay scallops
Best time to visit Aomori
Early August for the Aomori Nebuta & Hirosaki Neputa festivals; late April for Hirosaki Castle's 2,600 cherry trees; late October for Oirase Gorge autumn leaves.
All 10 cities & municipalities in Aomori Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, demographics, rail access, food specialties, and nearby stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hachinohe 八戸市 | Core city | 241,613 | 305.17 km² | City guide → |
| Kuroishi 黒石市 | City | 37,585 | 216.96 km² | City guide → |
| Misawa 三沢市 | City | 42,535 | 119.97 km² | City guide → |
| Mutsu むつ市 | City | 62,220 | 863.79 km² | City guide → |
| Towada 十和田市 | City | 66,834 | 688.60 km² | City guide → |
| Tsugaru つがる市 | City | 38,919 | 253.85 km² | City guide → |
| Goshogawara 五所川原市 | City | 60,788 | 404.58 km² | City guide → |
| Aomori 青森市 | Core city | 290,000 | 824.52 km² | City guide → |
| Hirakawa 平川市 | City | 34,638 | 345.81 km² | City guide → |
| Hirosaki 弘前市 | City | 185,865 | 523.60 km² | City guide → |