5 must-see sightseeing spots when visiting Aomori!

Aomori Prefecture, rich in nature, is home to many beautiful landscapes that you will never see in other prefectures. As it is the northernmost point of Tohoku, it may seem a little far to get to from the Kanto or Kansai regions. However, once you see the scenery, you will surely forget the long distance and think, "I'm glad I came."

1. Oirase Gorge

Oirase Gorge is a mountain stream of Oirase Kawa, stretching about 14km from Nenokuchi on the shore of Lake Towada in Aomori Prefecture to Yakeyama, and is designated as a nationally designated special place of scenic beauty and natural monument. You can also drive close by and go trekking from there.
There are many attractions such as the "Ashura Stream" and "Choshi Otaki Falls."

For those coming from far away, there are tourist buses that depart from Shin-Aomori Station, making it easy to access
Oirase Gorge offers a variety of seasonal views: spring when the snow melts and flowers begin to bloom, summer when the greenery is beautiful, autumn when the scenery is completely covered in red leaves, and winter when the white snowscape is like another world
No matter what season you visit, you're sure to be impressed

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2. Shirakami Mountains

The Shirakami-Sanchi is the collective name for the vast area of ​​beech forests that stretches from southwestern Aomori Prefecture to northwestern Akita Prefecture. It was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1993, and there are trekking courses that are open to the general public

Even if you're not good at walking, you can find the "Mother Tree" just a five-minute walk from Tsugaru Pass. While the average beech tree has a lifespan of 200 years, the Mother Tree is said to live for an estimated 400 years
Other places you can see within the Shirakami Mountains include Anmon Falls, Kurokuma Falls, the Beech Forest Walking Trail, and Aoike Pond

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3. Hirosaki Castle

Hirosaki Castle, designated as a National Important Cultural Property, is the only castle tower still standing in the Tohoku region.
The current castle tower was rebuilt in 1810, 183 years after the previous castle tower was destroyed by lightning. The current castle tower is a small three-story tower, but is considered one of the precious castle towers still standing today that was built during the Edo period.

Hirosaki Castle is not only attractive for its historical culture, but it is also Japan's best cherry blossom viewing spot, with Somei Yoshino and weeping cherry blossoms blooming in abundance in Hirosaki Park

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4. Lake Towada

Lake Towada is a caldera lake located on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures. It has an area of ​​61 km2, a circumference of 46 km, an elevation of 400 m above sea level, and a maximum depth of 327 m

At Yasumiya on the shore of Lake Towada, you will find the Maiden Statues. This is a masterpiece by Takamura Kotaro, who was a poet and also a sculptor. The statues of the two nude maidens are a symbol of Lake Towada. The view of Lake Towada behind the statues and the beautiful scenery of the four seasons are truly magnificent
Lake Towada, which changes its appearance with the seasons, offers adventures, canoeing, and sightseeing boat rides

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5. Mount Osore

In 862, Jikaku Daishi Ennin traveled around the country in accordance with a prophecy he had in a dream that said, "Travel east for over 30 days to a sacred mountain, and spread the Buddhist teachings there." It is said that he eventually arrived at this place, Mount Osore

Osorezan is one of Japan's three most sacred mountains, and is home to a landscape known as "Hell," covered in volcanic rock, and the beautiful "Gokurakuhama Beach" on Lake Usori. It is said to be connected to the afterlife and to the presence of Itako, who speak the words of the dead, and this is one of the attractions that draws many people to Osorezan

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