Since ancient times, Japan has relied heavily on commerce by the seas to link the chain of islands. Today there are many ways the country can be crossed, from bullet trains to planes, but boats are still important to the identity of Japan. Docked in Aomori Bay is a ferry ship that played an important role in the identity of northern Japan, the Hakkoda-Maru.

Sunsets alone along the Sea of Japan, or Nihonkai as it’s called in Japanese, make getting there well worth the effort, and the cycling and camping it offers make it more than well worth it.

One day a year Misawa’s Air Force Base opens it’s gates to the general public. This year the Air Fest takes place on Sunday, September 10th, 2017.

If you are looking for a smaller family oriented festival for children of all ages and for adults, this tanabata festival offers such a variety in food and entertainment that there is something for everyone to enjoy.

This prefecture has a great deal to offer. There is something for everyone: spectacular festivals, delicious food, unique temples, fascinating museums, skiing, onsen, and many more.

West of the road were a series of lakes, ponds, marshes and wetlands between you and the sea. To the east was the Iwaki River, farm villages and the southern end of the Tsugaru Mountains, the northernmost mountains of the Ou chain.

Misawa in Aomori Prefecture kicked off their summer festival on Thursday the 18th of August, 2016. Well, Aomori prefecture begins its summer months a little later than the other prefectures. Read, to find more information about the Summer festival at Misawa.

Situated by Lake Towada ​(十和田湖 Towada­ko) w​hich holds it’s water in the crater of a dormant volcano; hidden in it’s own sanctuary is a Shinto shrine recognized as a holy place in Aomori Prefecture. Once you enter from the village and pass the Tori (gate of entrance) the path to Towada Jinja Shrine is called "Suginami", a shortened version of the word from the Edo period “Suginamiki”, which, when translated means "avenue of Cedars". The trees are tall, sturdy and magnificent!

As summer officially begins mid-July here in Aomori Prefecture -- located in Tohoku, the most northern region on the mainland of Japan -- it is finally the time to shake off the spring chill as we enter into August’s hot and humid temperatures. Where do the locals recommend you visit? The Oirase Gorge of course!

The Nebuta/Neputa festivals of Aomori Prefecture are unique to the area. There are at least four major festivals and a slew of smaller ones which have the trademark illuminated floats made of washi (harden Japanese paper) with a bamboo frame depicting colorful scenes from Chinese and Japanese history and legends.

In the far northern regions of Tohoku, Aomori’s Nebuta Festival with its giant illuminated action scene floats gets all the glory and attention and while this is well deserved another festival just next door tends to get overlooked which deserves more attention.

The aptly named Osorezan, which literally means Mount Fear in Japanese, is located at the northern tip of Honshu in Aomori Prefecture. The mountain is home to Bodai-ji Temple, and is one of Japan’s three holiest mountains along with Mount Hiei in Kyoto and Mount Koya in Wakayama Prefecture.