Aomori (prefecture)
Discover Aomori (prefecture)
Aomori has several varieties of the northern Tohoku dialect, considered quite a rural dialect by Japanese. The Tsugaru dialect (津軽弁 Tsugaru-ben) uses some different vocabulary, and can be difficult to understand even for speakers of other dialects within Aomori, let alone those who only understand Standard Japanese. The Nanbu dialect is not as extreme, and Shimokita dialect is something of a hybrid between the two. Aomori is the northernmost terminus of the Shinkansen (bullet train). Local and express trains also run throughout the prefecture.
What to Experience in Aomori (prefecture)
Taste of Aomori (prefecture)...
Besides the obvious seafood (especially scallops and Tuna), Aomori is famous for its apples. Aomori has local sake (Denshu 田酒, Momokawa 桃川), wine (Shimokita Wine), and beer (Tazawako Beer).
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsAomori (AOJ) and Misawa (MSJ) have domestic airports with flights from Tokyo. Aomori is the northernmost terminus of the Shinkansen (bullet train). Local and express trains also run throughout the prefecture. The second longest train tunnel in the world, the Seikan tunnel, runs between Aomori and the northern island of Hokkaido, connecting to Hakodate and onward to Sapporo. JR and various local carriers offer numerous buses to, from, and throughout the prefecture. Ferries in Aomori, Hachinohe and Ōma (at the tip of the Shimokita Peninsula) offer services to and from various destinations, including Hokkaido. JR East, the Aoimori Railway, and the Tsugaru Railway serve most of the major towns, but some destinations will require a car. Municipal and private bus companies go to many of the popular tourist sites. In spring, see the cherry blossom festival and fireworks in Kanagi and the rapeseed blossoms in Shimokita's Yokohama Town....
Regions
Explore AreasAomori is divided into three main regions, each with its own dialect. Aomori has several varieties of the northern Tohoku dialect, considered quite a rural dialect by Japanese. The Tsugaru dialect (津軽…...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
JR East, the Aoimori Railway, and the Tsugaru Railway serve most of the major towns, but some destinations will require a car. Municipal and private bus companies go to many of the popular tourist sites. In spring, see the cherry blossom festival and fireworks in Kanagi and the rapeseed blossoms in Shimokita's Yokohama Town. In summer, see towering lanterns pulled through the streets at Goshogawara's Tachi-Nebuta festival, and elaborate expanding floats at Hachinohe's Sansha Taisai. See the rice art in Inakadate Village on the Tsugaru Peninsula. In the fall, see the maple leaves in Kuroishi. In the winter, see the "snow monsters" made by frozen trees in the Hakkoda mountains in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. In August, rent a haneto costume and participate in Aomori's exciting Nebuta festival. In the fall, hike among the waterfalls and autumn foliage at Oirase Gorge in Towada-Hachimantai National Park. In the winter, there is excellent skiing and snowboarding in Ajigasawa and Mt.
Language & Talk
Aomori has several varieties of the northern Tohoku dialect, considered quite a rural dialect by Japanese. The Tsugaru dialect (津軽弁 Tsugaru-ben) uses some different vocabulary, and can be difficult to understand even for speakers of other dialects within Aomori, let alone those who only understand Standard Japanese. The Nanbu dialect is not as extreme, and Shimokita dialect is something of a hybrid between the two. Aomori (AOJ) and Misawa (MSJ) have domestic airports with flights from Tokyo. Aomori is the northernmost terminus of the Shinkansen (bullet train). Local and express trains also run throughout the prefecture. The second longest train tunnel in the world, the Seikan tunnel, runs between Aomori and the northern island of Hokkaido, connecting to Hakodate and onward to Sapporo.