Aomori prefecture: a paradise for walkers and outdoor lovers

Towada-Hachimantai national park, real natural reserve, it hosts the third largest and deepest lake of Japan: the Towada lake (Towada-Hakkoda area), famous for the clarity of the water. Not so far away, 14 kms of Oirase valley's canyon meander at the foot of Mount Hakkoda-san. Maybe you will encounter a Japanese goat-antelope (Japanese serow).
 

Shimokita peninsula, North-East, with a tough weather and wild landscapes. During winter, access and traffic become complicated. Will you dare to climb Mount Osore-zan, one of the three most sacred place in Japan and similar to our mythological Styx?
 

Shirakami sanchi, between Aomori and Akita prefectures, was one of Japan's first place to be registered at UNESCO's World Heritage in 1993. You will find a variety of hiking paths on this mountain range. Enjoy and dicover the Anmon waterfall, the thirty three lakes and ponds called Juniko (literally "twelve lakes"), as well as a smaller japanese version of the Big Canyon: Nihon Canyon.

The city of Aomori is full of attractions and activities such as the apple producing Factory-A and the traditional wooden boat Michinoku museum with a collection of sixty seven traditional fishing boats. In the suburb of the city, you can gaze et the giant Showa Daibutsu of Seiryu temple, the biggest Buddha statue in all Japan (yes, even compared to Nara and Kamakura!).
 

Former political and cultural capital of the Tsugaru area, Hirosaki is a must see. It is one of the richest city of the Tohoku region when it comes to culture, especially with its castle and its samourai district. Under Tokugawa shogunate, Hirosaki castle were the Tsugaru clan's headquarter and the city naturally developed.

Juicy apples: the sweet taste of Aomori juicy apples is well known across the country and the region contains many apple orchards.
 

Miso milk and curry ramen: The name might not sound really tasty, but this Hokkaido-born type of ramen has become a true success. As its name stated, it is a noddle bowl with miso broth, within curry powder and milk has been added, most of the time coming with meat.
 

The most impressive event of the region is definitely the popular Nebuta Matsuri lanterns festival. Three main versions of this festival take place in Hirosaki (Hirosaki Nebuta Matsuri), in Goshogawara (Goshogawara Tachineputa Matusri - literally meaning "standing Nebuta") and the most important of all in Aomori (Aomori Nebuta Matsuri). Local people spend an entire year building giant lanterns on floats, that will parade in the streets at the beginning of August. Wa Rasse cultural arts center in Aomori is dedicated to this event. Learn the story behind this marvelous festival through explanatory videos, visual and sound exhibits, summary of Nebuta artists across years as well as five old floats.
 

The Yuki Dôrô Matsuri festival of Hirosaki castle: one of major Tohoku's snow lanterns festival. Famous for the beauty of its cherry blossom in Spring, Hirosaki wears a gorgeous snow coat in Winter. In February, you can admire many snow lanterns built by residents and snow constructions shaped into famous characters or historical architectures. You will also enjoy illuminations, igloos and projection videos. Launched in 1977 in an effort to keep local people busy during the long evenings of winters, the tradition lives on.