A 30-minute bus ride and walk from JR Hirosaki Station will bring you to Hirosaki Castle, one of the city’s most famed attractions.

Every February, the castle grounds are adored by lanterns made from snow to celebrate the ‘Hirosaki Castle Yuki-doro Festival.’

This otherworldly event is one of north Tohoku’s ‘5 Michinoku Snow Festivals,’ and boasts a stunning light-up display of the castle tower surrounded by over 150 snow lanterns.

Dotting the castle’s Yonnomaru area are elegant snow sculptures of historical buildings along with breathtaking projection mapping of Hirosaki’s seasonal beauty.

The west quarter is covered by 300 miniature kamakura snow huts filled with lanterns bathing the scenery in a warm, mystical glow.

Mount Hakkoda is the name given to a collection of 10 northern peaks and 6 southern peaks in south-central Aomori, with the main peak boasting a height of 1,595 meters.

With fresh greenery in the spring, vivid fall colors in autumn, and surreal frozen trees in the winter, these stunning mountains exemplify the beauty of each season. Of course, one of its biggest winter draws is the lush powder snow, attracting passionate skiers from across the globe.

To get to the Mount Hakkoda ski grounds, take the JR bus heading to “Aomori-Hakkoda Ropeway-Sukayu Onsen” from Aomori Station. After roughly 80 minutes, get off at Hakkoda Ski-jo and take the Hakkoda Ropeway to the summit of Tamoyachi-dake, where there are 5 ski courses to choose from. The longest spans 5,000 meters and allows skiers to weave their way between hundreds of frozen trees!

Skiers visiting during January and February can enjoy a unique phenomenon up close: the juhyo, frost-covered trees that look like giant snow monsters. These pine trees, completely encased in snow and ice, are an unusual sight to see, so don’t miss the chance to see some while in Japan!

The skiing period in Hakkoda is from late November to mid-May. Summer skiing is also available in some areas during August.

Oirase Gorge, fed by the volcanic caldera of Lake Towada, runs 14-kilometers through the deep Aomori winter wilderness. Renowned for its lush, untouched beauty and pristine water, sightseers can easily visit in winter via car on national highways 103 and 102. A special limited bus service is also available for those not comfortable driving in the snow.

While hikes during spring and autumn are unequivocally stunning, winter is when Oirase’s beauty truly peaks! Once the cold of mid-winter arrives, the waterfalls dotting the area freeze, creating surreal frozen waterfalls adorned by icicles. Their motionless yet dynamic energy simply can’t be conveyed with photos!

After checking them out during the daytime, head back at night on a ‘light-up tour’ to see the waterfalls illuminated in a mystifying display.

Intended as a prayer for a bountiful harvest, the Hachinohe Enburi is one of Aomori’s most prominent folk festivals. Believed to possess over 800 years of history, it’s most well-known for its intense dancing.

Donning a bag-like hat meant to resemble a horse’s head, the dancers, known as tayu, wave their heads frantically while pretending to throw seeds or plant crops.

Accommodated by musicians and singers, 20 - 30 participants form an Enburi-so group, of which 30 groups take over the entire Hachinohe city!

On 17 February, the performers form a line and parade throughout the city in the giant issei-zuri event, where all the groups gather and dance down the main street. Afterward, synchronized issei-zuri dances are carried out, which are considered the highlight of the festival. Local children also join the fun with their adorable shukufukugei folk dance.

900 meters up Hakkoda’s highest peak of ‘Odake’ is the Sukayu Onsen lodge. While remote, you can get here in an hour and 15 minutes via JR bus from Aomori Station or Shin-Aomori Station.

Despite a dedicated fanbase from across the nation, Sukayu Onsen remains one of Japan’s lesser-known gems. Boasting an astonishing snowfall of up to 5 meters, the entire region is buried in white over winter.

The lodge’s biggest attraction is the Hiba Sennin-buro, which was constructed from the wood of the local hiba (Thujopsis) tree.

This gigantic bathroom is over 264 square meters big and presents bathers with four unique baths each from a different water source.

Surprisingly, this bath is actually mixed gender, however, there is a certain time set aside for women only. Special bathing garments made from extra thick material are also sold at the onsen’s shop.

Asadokoro Kaigan, a 10-minute drive from Kominato Station in the town of Hiranai, is a famed white swan migration ground.

Every year, from mid-November until mid-March, between 200-300 of these birds travel 3,000 kilometers from Siberia. The entire area has been designated an ‘Extraordinary Natural Monument of Japan.’

To get the most out of this remarkable region, we recommend visiting early in the morning. As the morning sun emerges from the sealine, the entire ocean is dyed a splendid orange, illuminating the swans frolicking on the surface in an otherworldly display. Photographers, don’t miss the moment these birds fly off into the dazzling morning sun!

In the Tsugaru region of western Aomori runs a 20.7-kilometer railway line operated by Tsugaru Railways. As this area freezes over between December and March, the trains are warmed by an antique cast iron potbelly stove.

These stoves were used in Japan from the Meiji to Showa eras (roughly 1868-1970), and burn coal as fuel, creating an intense warmth rivaling the power of modern heaters.

In addition to the rustic stove, these retro trains all boast wooden seats, window frames, and floors. But that’s not all! Dried squid roasted above the stove is sold on the train, which has a nourishing, satisfying bite!

Once you’ve had your fill and warmed up, sit down and lose yourself in the train’s hypnotic sway and absorb the incredible views of Aomori in winter.

Shirakami-Sanchi is a 13-hectare mountainous region running from south-west Aomori into north-west Akita. Buried in up to 4 meters of snow for half a year, the cold here is worthy of northern Japan!

Within this region lies Juniko, a collection of 33 lakes and marshes on a plateau 150-200 meters above sea level.

Most notable is Aoike Pond, which boasts crystal clear waters during the warmer months, and Wakitsubo Pond, surrounded by a forest of lush Japanese beech trees.

Hiking through and visiting each of these gems has become a popular activity - even in winter!

Once winter hits the area, the leaves of the beech trees fall and the snow takes over. The sun radiates against the fallen snow, creating a sparkling, silvery world.

Within this weather, visitors from across Japan don snowshoes and join the Awone Shirakami Juniko hotel’s famous snow hike. A local guide will take you through this fascinating scenery, pointing out the trails of animals including serow goats and Japanese hares.

While hikers can rent snowshoes, ski poles, and rubber boots for free, don’t forget to bring your own warm clothes, waterproof shoes, gloves, beanie, and whatever else you need to stay warm! (Event participants can be picked up and dropped off at Juniko Station on the Gono Line.)

Even if you missed the prime seasonal period, there is still plenty of snow sightseeing to do in Aomori in winter, as late as April!

Due to the massive snowfall, National Highway 103 connecting Aomori Town with Lake Towada, known as the ‘Hakkoda-Towada Gold Line,’ is closed for an 8-kilometer stretch from late November to the end of March (may change depending upon the weather).

Once the weather warms from April, in preparation for the road’s reopening, the huge mound of accumulated snow is plowed, creating a ‘snow wall’ reaching up to 10 meters on both sides of the road!

Right before the highway reopens, a walking event through the freshly plowed road known as the ‘Hakkoda Snow Tunnel and Onsen Hakkoda Walk’ is held. Walking on the highway encased between the intimidating white walls is a surreal and breathtaking experience!

To enjoy this marvel at its peak, we definitely recommend joining this event. If you can’t, driving through the tunnel just after the road has opened is also worthwhile!

Despite the brutal conditions, Aomori in winter is beautiful! If you can brave the cold, breathtaking illuminations, dynamic festivals, dream-like scenery, and warm onsen are all awaiting your visit! Get your snowshoes on and start exploring!


Text by: Shoepress

*This article was originally published in January 2021 and details updated in December 2023. Please check the official website for the latest information.