Amazing AOMORI

Aomori Prefecture’s Hakkoda Mountains are known for their excellent deep powder snow, attracting skiers and snowboarders from all over the world. But that’s not the only highlight of these mountains in winter. At Hakkoda Ski Area, natural sculptures known as “snow monsters” form when water droplets carried by the strong icy winds clash with the evergreen trees and freeze in place, creating unique shapes. Skiing or snowboarding through them is an exhilarating experience. You can also get views of the “snow monsters” from above by riding the Hakkoda Ropeway’s gondola.

After enjoying outdoor activities in the chilly winter air, soaking in a hot-spring bath will warm you from the inside out. Sukayu Onsen is a hot-spring spa in the Hakkoda Mountains that is famous for its “Bath of One-Thousand Bathers,” a mixed-gender bath* in an enormous beech-wood tub. Separate male-only and female-only baths are available as well, all of them natural hot springs flowing directly from the source. Popular with skiers and snowboarders in winter, this spa has another claim to fame—as the snowiest inhabited place on Earth!

*Bathing costumes for anyone to wear in the mixed bath are available for rental.

Surrounded on three sides by ocean, Aomori Prefecture is the place to go if you’re looking for super-fresh, delicious seafood. One destination that seafood lovers definitely won’t want to miss is Furukawa Market in Aomori City, home to the famous Nokkedon “build-your-own” seafood rice bowl. After purchasing a bowl of steaming-hot Aomori-grown rice, you can “customize” it with countless varieties of fresh seasonal sashimi sold at the dozens of stalls that fill the market. A similar style of customizable seafood rice bowl called “Nokkerodon” is also available at Minatotto Seafood Market in Hachinohe City. Alternatively, enjoy an indoor seafood barbecue experience safe from the elements by renting a grill set at Hasshoku Center (also in Hachinohe City). One thing’s for sure: Aomori is a seafood lover’s paradise!

If you thought Aomori Prefecture’s famous “Nebuta” floats could only be experienced during the summer festival season, you’d be wrong! Impressive, exquisite floats that were actually used in the Aomori Nebuta Festival are on display all year round at Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse in Aomori City. Meanwhile, the hot-spring resort town of Asamushi Onsen will host a “Winter Nebuta” event on Saturday evenings from late January to late February in 2026 featuring beautiful Nebuta floats, interactive performances of festival music and dancing, and even fireworks (weather permitting).

Besides classic winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, facilities such as Snow Sports Park Aoimori in Aomori City and Oirase Snow Park in Towada City offer exciting menus of winter activities including sledding, snowtubing, snowmobile rides, “snow rafting,” and even riding a “snow scooter.” Meanwhile, events such as the winter “cherry-blossom illuminations” in Hirosaki Park and the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival light up winter nights with fantastical scenery. You won’t want to miss these enchanting sights.

Need some inspiration for your winter trip? We’ve prepared a two-day, one-night model itinerary that will let you make the most of a visit to Aomori Prefecture in the winter.