Aomori Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Located in Mutsu Bay, Aomori city retains its Edo Period grid pattern, though the city was heavily bombed in World War II. Most of Aomori's attractions are recent buildings including a number of contemporary architectural gems: the Wa Rasse and A-Factory near Aomori Station, Aomori Bay Bridge and the Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center (ASPAM).

   Passes by

2. Wa Rasse arts and cultural center dedicated to Aomori's famous Nebuta Festival. On display at Wa Rasse are five floats from the previous year's Nebuta festival along with video installations, sounds, photographs and introductions to famous Nebuta artists over the ages.

   1 h

3. Aomori Prefectural Folk Museum (Tel: 017 777 1585), which has a large collection of Jomon period pottery, miniature reconstructions of Jomon huts and tools from this early period of Japanese history, the study of which was revolutionized by the discovery and excavation of the Sannai Maruyama Site and the Komakino stone circles in Aomori, south west of the city near the Aomori Museum of Art.

   1 h

4. The Aomori Contemporary Art Center (ACAC) on the grounds of Aomori Public College was designed by the internationally-acclaimed architect Tadao Ando and the building and its water feature blends beautifully with the surrounding woodland. The Aomori Contemporary Art Center stages frequent exhibitions by both Japanese and foreign contemporary artists. There are buses to the university campus from Aomori Station.

   1 h

5. The Munakata Shiko Memorial Museum of Art (Tel: 017 777 4567) exhibits the woodblock prints of Aomori native Munakata Shiko (1903-1975), the "Vincent van Gogh of Aomori" including his masterpiece Ten Great Disciples of Buddha, as well as the artist's oil paintings, illustrated books and calligraphy. To get to the Munakata Shiko Memorial Museum of Art by public transport take a Yokouchi Kanjo-sen bus from Aomori Station.

   1 h

6. The Aomori Museum of Art (Tel: 017 777 4567) is close to the Jomon-period Sannai Maruyama archeological site and the white cubic building was designed by architect Jun Aoki to harmonize with its historical surroundings. The Aomori Museum of Art houses various permanent and temporary exhibitions including works by Shiko Munakata, Marc Chagall and Paul Klee. The huge, white dog sculpture by Yoshitomo Nara at the museum has become a symbol of Aomori. Take a bus bound for the Driving License Center and get off at Kenritsu Bijitsukan-mae (20 minutes).

   1 h

7. The Sannai-Maruyama archaeological site reveals the reconstructed foundations of a Jomon era settlement. Having only been first discovered in 1992, the site was declared a special national historic landmark in 2000 – protecting the location from being overdeveloped and losing the historical treasures in the process. Visitors can freely explore the large grounds, taking in the different huts and settlements, as well as the large six-pillared structure that dominates the main site.

   1 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 33 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Tomohiko organized our day beautifully! The car was immaculate, the driver skilled. We thoroughly enjoyed our day!

  Thank you for a great day in Aomori it was our last stop and most memorable! The Cherry blossoms were beautiful! The Apple tarts divine.

  413maryannbJune 2025via Tripadvisor

• 5Excellent tour highlighting the less-touristy spots.

  Fuji-san was our guide and we could not have been happier with him. We saw a real samurai master who’s won championships practice their swordsmanship along with his students, the temples and shrines that have survived the last 350-400 years without tourists (besides us), eating at an eatery that locals frequent and enjoying food comfort food, seeing the birthplace of the Nebuta festival, and watching a live shamisen show. We also saw the old red light district in Hirosaki, and the now-repurposed public bath that was common and popular after the war. This was a packed tour that hit areas located in the suburbs, and Fuji-san made the trip efficient by renting a car instead of using public transportation.

  Brian_VMay 2025via Viator

• 5Great Guide, great tour

  We experienced the wonderful sites of Aomori which was a surprise in many ways. Despite the rainy day we were enchanted by the cherry blossoms in full bloom by the old castle. Once area was prettier than another. The floats and their history were amazing.

  Jacqueline_FApril 2025via Viator

• 5Warm and professional guide

  Mr. Kudo-san is very professional, meticulate and kind hearted guide. The whole tour I felt like I was travelling with a fried. Me made me comfortable instantly. Very knowledgeable and patient in explaining stuff to me. I am vegetarian and he made sure my needs were met. He went above and beyond. There was a record snowfall in Aomori, taxi's and buses were busy , we walked all the way and saw everything. I would highly recommend him to anyone wanting an expert and warm guide for Aomori. I whish him all the best.

  Scenic33296385055December 2024via Tripadvisor

• 5everything was perfect

  Very nice trip around Hirosaki, to discover the city and the Momiji of Nakano Momijiyama. The guide is very kind and know really everything about the different places.

  KoroxxNovember 2024via Tripadvisor

• 5Our experience in Aamori was lovely and educating.

  We had a great experience with Rocky Tanaka our guide in Aamori. Our private 6 hour walking tour in Aamori was meticulously prepared in advance and included all of Rocky's wonderful suggestions.

  Yarden_YOctober 2024via Viator

Know before you go

How it compares in Aomori

• Its from-price is 49% below the median of the 46 experiences we list in Aomori.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 1 of 46.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Aomori

Aomori is a port city at the northern tip of Honshu, on Mutsu Bay, known for its summer Nebuta lantern festival, apples and heavy winter snow.

Aomori faces Mutsu Bay at the northern end of Honshu, Japan's main island, in a region of apple orchards and mountains. The Nebuta Warasse museum houses the huge painted lantern floats paraded each summer in the Nebuta festival, and the Aomori Museum of Art, with white walls inspired by excavation trenches, shows modern work including a giant dog sculpture. The Hakkōda Maru, a retired ferry, is moored by the bay as a museum.

Top-ranked sights in Aomori: Sannai-Maruyama Site, Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse, Aomori Museum of Art.

See all 46 experiences in Aomori