🕓 2026/2/11
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table of contents
- Beautiful castle of all seasons｜Hirosaki Castle
- Thousand-year-old steam secret hot spring｜Sukayu Onsen
- One of the largest ruins in Japan | Sannai Maruyama ruins
- 3 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Aomori Prefecture
- – What is Aomori Prefecture? –
- 1. Beautiful castle of all seasons｜Hirosaki Castle
- >>Click here for details about Hirosaki Castle
3 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Aomori Prefecture
– What is Aomori Prefecture? –
Aomori Prefecture is a charming area located in Honshu, the northernmost part of Japan. Its rich nature and unique history make it very attractive to foreign tourists.
Known as Mutsu since ancient times, it was a key point of exchange between Honshu and Hokkaido. Aomori Prefecture is also the cultural center of the northern Tohoku region, where the Hiraizumi culture of the Oshu Fujiwara clan flourished, and a unique culture was nurtured by two feudal lords, the Tsugaru domain and the Nanbu domain.
Aomori Prefecture attracts tourists with its beautiful scenery, the Shirakami Mountains, which are registered as World Heritage Sites, the Oirase Gorge, and the spectacular scenery along the Gono Line. Local cuisine made with local ingredients and traditional crafts are also part of the fun of sightseeing.
1. Beautiful castle of all seasons｜Hirosaki Castle
● The charm of Hirosaki Castle
Hirosaki Castle is a famous historical castle located in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, and attracts visitors with its various charms. The castle was built in 1611 by Tsugaru Nobuhira, the son of Tsugaru Tamenobu.The castle tower is one of only 12 valuable buildings in Japan that have survived since the Edo period, and is the only existing castle tower in the Tohoku region and has been designated as a national important cultural property.
One of the major attractions is the natural beauty that changes in each season. Especially in spring, when approximately 2,600 cherry blossom trees bloom in Hirosaki Park, the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival is held and the park is crowded with tourists. In addition, you can enjoy beautiful scenery that changes depending on the season, such as the changing leaves in autumn and the snowy scenery in winter.
In addition, the five castle gates, three turrets, moat, and earthworks from the time of the castle’s construction remain as they were at the time, and are considered to have high historical value. By visiting these ruins, you can feel the vestiges of the Edo period.
● Hirosaki Castlehistory
Hirosaki Castle was the residence of the Tsugaru clan of the Hirosaki clan during the Edo period, and was the political and economic center of the Tsugaru region. In 1603, Tamenobu planned to build a new castle in Takaoka (present-day Hirosaki City), but he died in Kyoto and construction was halted. After that, the second lord of the domain resumed castle construction, and in 1611 Takaoka Castle (later Hirosaki Castle), which had a five-story castle tower, was completed.
The castle tower of Hirosaki Castle was destroyed by lightning. At that time, the construction of new castle towers was restricted by samurai laws, so the castle tower was not rebuilt for about 200 years. However, the 9th lord, Yasuchika Tsugaru, obtained permission from the shogunate and rebuilt the three-story castle tower as a reconstruction of the turret.
After the Meiji Restoration, due to the abolition of feudal domains and establishment of prefectures, Hirosaki Castle became government property and was used as an army garrison. Later, the Tsugaru family donated it to the government, and it was developed as a park open to the public the following year.
● Access to Hirosaki Castle
- Address: 1 Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
- Google Maps link: Hirosaki Castle
- Access on foot: Approximately 20 minutes from Hirosaki Station
- Train/Bus Information: From Hirosaki Station, use Hirosaki Bus Terminal, get off at Hirosaki Koen-mae bus stop, and walk for about 5 minutes.
● The charm of Sukayu Onsen
Sukayu Onsen is a historic hot spring area located at an altitude of approximately 900 meters on the slopes of Mt. Hakkoda in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture. It has been popular as a spa since the Edo period, and is still loved by many people today.The most iconic feature is the “Hiba Senninburo,” which is made entirely of cypress wood and boasts an area of 160 tatami mats.
Four different bathtubs are arranged in an open space with no pillars. In particular, the “Netsu-no-Yu” hot spring water comes from the source right below the bathtub, allowing you to enjoy the fresh hot spring water directly. The hot springs are acidic and contain sulfur, and the cloudy waters give off a faint sulfur scent.The hotel has an inn building and a spa building, and the spa building is also equipped with a kitchen where you can cook your own meals.
At Sukayu Onsen, surrounded by the rich nature of Mt. Hakkoda, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of each season. Especially in the winter, the surrounding area is covered in snow, creating a magical snowy landscape.
● History of Sukayu Onsen
Sukayu Onsen is a hot spring area with a history of about 330 years, located in the Hakkoda Mountains in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture. It was discovered in 1684 (1st year of Jokyo) and was originally called “Shikayu”, but the name was changed to “Sukayu” due to the strong acidity of the hot water.
It flourished as a spa from the mid-Edo period, and was officially established as Sukayu Onsen Co., Ltd. in 1933. In 1954, it was designated as the “National Recreation Hot Spring Area No. 1” due to its excellent hot springs, and is highly praised for its efficacy and abundant hot water. The printmaker Shiko Munakata also loved Sukayu and created many works while healing in the hot springs.
● Access to Sukayu Onsen
- Address: Arakawa Nakagawa Onsen, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
- Google Maps link: Sukayu Onsen
- Access on foot: About 1 minute walk from the nearest bus stop “Sukayu”
- Train/bus information: Take the Hakkoda sightseeing bus from Aomori Station and get off at the “Sukayu” bus stop.
3. One of the largest ruins in Japan | Sannai Maruyama ruins
● The charm of Sannai Maruyama ruins
The Sannai Maruyama Ruins, located in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, are one of the largest Jomon period village ruins in Japan, and are considered extremely important for understanding Jomon culture due to their size and well-preserved condition.The ruins cover an area of approximately 42 hectares, and various remains have been confirmed, including the remains of pit buildings, large dug-out pillar buildings, graveyards, and embankments.
A wide variety of artifacts have been unearthed, including earthenware, stone tools, wood products, bone and horn tools, and lacquer products, all found in good condition.Furthermore, over 2,000 clay figurines and other artifacts related to rituals and rituals have been unearthed in large quantities, indicating the continuity of religious activities over a long period of time.
Inside the ruins, you can see restored pit dwellings and large pillared buildings, and experience life in the Jomon period. At the attached Jomon Jiyukan, you can deepen your understanding of Jomon culture through exhibits of excavated items and a hands-on workshop.In 2021, it was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site as part of the “Jomon Ruins in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku.”
● History of Sannai Maruyama ruins
Sannai Maruyama Ruins This is the remains of a large-scale village from the middle of the early Jomon period to the end of the middle period (approximately 5,900 to 4,200 years ago). The ruins cover an area of approximately 42 hectares, and it is clear that the area was inhabited for a long period of time.
The excavations uncovered a variety of remains, including pit buildings, large pillared buildings, embankments, and graves, as well as a large amount of earthenware, stone tools, wooden products, bone and horn products, etc. In particular, the remains of a building with large dug-out pillars made of chestnut wood pillars approximately 1 meter in diameter demonstrate the advanced construction techniques of the time.Based on these discoveries, the Sannai-Maruyama ruins are considered to be extremely important for understanding the lives, culture, and social structure of the people of the Jomon period.
● Access to Sannai Maruyama ruins
- address: Maruyama, Sannai, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
- Google Maps link: Sannai Maruyama ruins
- Access by foot: Approximately 30 minutes by bus from Aomori Station, get off at the bus stop “Sannai Maruyama Ruins Iriguchi” and walk approximately 5 minutes.
- Train/bus information: From Aomori Station, use the municipal bus “Sannai Line”
■ List of related articles
2026 Latest Information
■ Hirosaki Castle
The landmark 50th Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival runs from February 6–11, 2026, featuring approximately 200 snow lanterns and sculptures plus 300 mini kamakura igloos. The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for April 17–May 5, with 52 varieties and about 2,600 cherry trees in bloom. A major highlight for 2026 is that the castle keep will begin its hikiya (relocation) back to its original stone base starting in July, with completion expected by mid-November—the first such move in 11 years. Note that the keep’s interior will be closed to visitors until approximately 2032.
■ Sukayu Onsen
Open year-round. Day-trip bathing costs 1,000 yen for adults. The famous Hiba Sennin Buro (mixed bathing) is open 7:00–18:00 (women-only time 8:00–9:00), and Tama-no-Yu (gender-separated) is open 9:00–17:00. Bathing wear rental (500 yen) is available. The free shuttle bus now departs from Shin-Aomori Station (changed from Aomori Station). In winter, Route 102 has nighttime closures (21:00–7:30), and the Karamatsu Pass section is fully closed until late March.
■ Sannai-Maruyama Site
The FY2025 special exhibition “Important Cultural Properties of Sannai-Maruyama—New Designations Assembled!” runs until March 8, 2026. In 2024, 1,855 additional items were designated, bringing the total to 3,813 nationally designated Important Cultural Properties. As part of the “Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan” UNESCO World Heritage group (registered 2021), the site continues to attract worldwide attention. Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Oct–May), 9:00–18:00 (Jun–Sep).
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