Asamushi Onsen as a base for a 3-day/2-night tour [Base! Tohoku]

Area Map 青森県 岩手県 宮城県 秋田県 山形県 福島県 新潟県

Asamushi Onsen is a great base from which to enjoy sightseeing in Aomori City.

You can also visit Hirosaki with its beautiful cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, and Western-style architecture.

START
Day1

Asamushi Onsen Kayak Tour

Climb into a one-person kayak and paddle out into the big sky and wide blue ocean!

Asamushi Onsen Kayak Tour
Please get into a one-person kayak and feel how close you are to the surface of the water.Enjoy the feeling of floating on the sea and the different view from the land.Enjoy a relaxing walk on the sea, looking at distant islands and the horizon, and even spotting swimming fish.The tour will take you to Yunoshima Island, which floats in front of Sunset Beach Asamushi.A guide/instructor will be with you, so even first-timers can enjoy the tour with ease.

Asamushi Aquarium

The unique performance of the dolphins with local folk music is a must see!

Asamushi Aquarium
Located at the northern end of Honshu (mainland Japan), Asamushi Aquarium is Tohoku’s biggest aquarium and is home to around 300 varieties of marine life, over 10,000 sea creatures in all. The aquarium is a popular attraction for families and hot spring visitors as it is located a short walk from Asamushi Onsen station.
The aquarium features a 15 metre underwater tunnel reproducing the marine environment of the local Mutsu Bay, be sure to look out for the flatfishes hiding in the sands! The tunnel also offers a unique display of the cultivation of scallops and sea squirts.
The aquarium’s hands-on touch pool is popular with children. Roll up your sleeves and get acquainted with the local scallops and sea squirts, along with the creatures living along the water’s edge such as sea urchins, starfish, sea anemones and crabs!
The most popular attraction is the dynamic performance of dolphins inspired by Aomori’s famous Nebuta Festival. The exciting display features dolphins jumping to traditional music played on samisen and flutes and is unique to Aomori!
Enjoy Aomori’s unique sea life, lively dolphin performances and discover sea creatures from all over the world at the Asamushi Aquarium!

Asamushi Onsen

Enjoy stunning sunset views at this hot spring resort on Mutsu Bay!

Asamushi Onsen
The scenic local “Aoimori Railway” line connects Aomori and the hot spring town of Asamushi Onsen. The free foot bath outside Asamushi Onsen station welcomes visitors with an exhilarating introduction to their Onsen experience. The Onsen town consists of two areas: the east side is a traditional hot spring town while the west side is a beach resort facing the sea.
With its narrow alleys lined with traditional hot spring inns and eateries, the eastern part of town displays the unchanged scenery of the old hot spring town. Here visitors can poach their own eggs in the hot spring waters at the “Onsen egg place” and the nearby drinking fountain is said to be beneficial for digestion. Other attractions on the east side are Asamushi Onsen Forest Park, recognised as one of Japan’s best 100 forest bathing locations and Asamushi Aquarium known for its popular dolphin performances.
Ocean lovers can enjoy bathing, windsurfing, yachting and fishing at the artificial sandy beach “Sunset Beach Asamushi” on the west side of town. The nearby Michi-no-Eki “Yusa Asamushi” is a roadside station offering a large hot spring bath with a panoramic view of Mutsu Bay. The luxury hotels lined along the Mutsu Bay coast offer popular modern hot spring resort experiences, the perfect place to enjoy a spectacular sunset view!
The clear hot spring water is pure, odourless, smooth to touch and moisturising on the skin. Along with promoting beautiful skin, the water is said to be beneficial for neuralgia, rheumatism, backache and a range of other ailments.
Day2

Special Historic Site Sannai-Maruyama Ruins

Special Historic Site Sannai-Maruyama Ruins
The Sannai-Maruyama Site is one of Japan's largest early to middle Jomon Period sites. The site was designated as a Special Historic Site by the national government in November 2000. In July 2021, the "Jomon Monuments of Hokkaido and the Northeast" including the Sannai-Maruyama Site were registered as a World Heritage Site.At the Jomon Jiyukan, excavated artifacts are displayed in the permanent exhibition room "SANMARU MUSEUM," a Jomon Theater shows films introducing the ruins, and a hands-on workshop allows visitors to experience making things (for details, see "Sannai-Maruyama Site Hands-on Workshop"). The Jomon Theater shows a video introducing the ruins.Volunteer guides are also available to show visitors around the ruins.

Aomori Museum of Art

Aomori Museum of Art
Inspired by the excavation site of the Sannai-Maruyama Ruins, the building was designed by the spirited architect Jun Aoki. Visitors can view works by artists associated with Aomori Prefecture, such as Chagall's 9m x 15m stage background painting for his large-scale ballet "Areco," as well as works by Yoshitomo Nara, Shiko Munakata, and Shuji Terayama.This is a space where visitors can experience Aomori's unique artistic creation scene.

Nebuta House Wa Rasse

Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse

Nebuta House Wa Rasse
Four of the large Nebuta floats that have been used in the Nebuta Festival are on display. Aomori Nebuta Festival experience is available every day.
【Main Facilities】 Visitors can learn about the history of the Nebuta Festival and how it works.  (1) Live Nebuta music performance and hands-on experience of the Nebuta Festival and its music 11:10, 13:10, 15:10, 17:10 (20 minutes each)    (2) Nebuta Operation Showings: 9:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30 (10 minutes each)  (18:00 and 18:30 added from May to August)  Hours of Operation Nebuta Museum May-August 9:00-19:00, September-April 9:00-18:00 (last admission 30 minutes before) Store May-August 9:00-19:30 September-April 9:00-18:30 Restaurant May-August Lunch time 11:00-15:00 (15:00-20:00) September-April 11:00-15:00 (15:00-19:00) *Reservations required for times in parentheses.
 One hour free parking for Nebuta Museum Hall visitors   Discounts for the disabled are available.
(Information as of September 25, 2024)

Asamushi Onsen

Enjoy stunning sunset views at this hot spring resort on Mutsu Bay!

Asamushi Onsen
The scenic local “Aoimori Railway” line connects Aomori and the hot spring town of Asamushi Onsen. The free foot bath outside Asamushi Onsen station welcomes visitors with an exhilarating introduction to their Onsen experience. The Onsen town consists of two areas: the east side is a traditional hot spring town while the west side is a beach resort facing the sea.
With its narrow alleys lined with traditional hot spring inns and eateries, the eastern part of town displays the unchanged scenery of the old hot spring town. Here visitors can poach their own eggs in the hot spring waters at the “Onsen egg place” and the nearby drinking fountain is said to be beneficial for digestion. Other attractions on the east side are Asamushi Onsen Forest Park, recognised as one of Japan’s best 100 forest bathing locations and Asamushi Aquarium known for its popular dolphin performances.
Ocean lovers can enjoy bathing, windsurfing, yachting and fishing at the artificial sandy beach “Sunset Beach Asamushi” on the west side of town. The nearby Michi-no-Eki “Yusa Asamushi” is a roadside station offering a large hot spring bath with a panoramic view of Mutsu Bay. The luxury hotels lined along the Mutsu Bay coast offer popular modern hot spring resort experiences, the perfect place to enjoy a spectacular sunset view!
The clear hot spring water is pure, odourless, smooth to touch and moisturising on the skin. Along with promoting beautiful skin, the water is said to be beneficial for neuralgia, rheumatism, backache and a range of other ailments.
Day3

Nakano Momiji-yama (Nakano Maple Mountain)

A famous autumn colours viewing spot with a night-time illumination that’s a must-see

Nakano Momiji-yama (Nakano Maple Mountain)
The autumn colours of Nakano Maple Mountain make it a leading spot for viewing foliage even in Aomori Prefecture. It is a historic foliage viewing spot that is said to have begun when the feudal lord of the Hirosaki Domain, Tsugaru Yasuchika, ordered for 100 varieties of maple seedlings to be transplanted from Kyoto. The foliage is so red that it appears to be on fire during the day, and the illuminated foliage is reflected on the waterfall and stream at night, creating a wondrous space. 
The area around Nakano Shrine at the foot of the mountain bustles with people as events such as illuminations are held during the autumn colours season. Please enjoy the maple leaves at night, which are just as captivating as cherry trees at night. 

Tsugaru Traditional Craft Centre

Would you like to try handmaking traditional crafts from Tsugaru?

Tsugaru Traditional Craft Centre
You can experience making traditional crafts known as Tsugaru-nuri (Tsugaru lacquering) and Tsugaru Kokeshi dolls at this facility. You can also experience making woodcrafts such as puzzles and nameplates as well as painted pottery such as teacups and round plates. (Advance reservations are required for all these experiences) 
There are also days when you can listen to live performances of the Tsugaru Shamisen. Please enjoy the tonal colours of the performances by Tsugaru Shamisen virtuosos in Kuroishi, a city that has produced many folk entertainers (singers, Te-odori dancers, Shamisen players, etc.). 
You can also immerse your feet in a foot bath from spring to autumn. Would you like to experience the unique hot water that removes the dirt from your feet like soap? There is also a shop with a selection of many souvenirs as well as a restaurant where you can savour local cuisine. It’s recommended to combine a trip to this centre with the Tsugaru Kokeshi Museum next door. 

Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle Ruins)

Enjoy Hirosaki Castle and the beauty of the four seasons

Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle Ruins)
Hirosaki Castle was constructed back in 1611. The castle and the surrounding park opened as Hirosaki Park in May 1895 and has been enjoyed by many locals and visitors ever since.
The castle keep, five castle gates, and three corner turrets that have remained from the Edo period (1603-1867) are designated as National Important Cultural Properties.
Hirosaki Park is home to approximately 2,600 cherry trees of 52 varieties, making it one of the "Three Best Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan. There are many highlights, such as somei-yoshino, the oldest cherry tree in Hirosaki Park that is 140 years old, the illuminated yozakura (cherry blossoms at night), and "hanaikada," or flower rafts of cherry petals that cover the entire moat. The Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, held every year from late April to early May, attracts many people from within and outside of the prefecture.
Currently, Hirosaki Castle's keep is being moved to the inner side of the castle's main citadel for repairs to the stonewalls, and for this limited time only, visitors can enjoy taking pictures of the keep and the cherry blossoms together with Mt. Iwaki.
In autumn, about 1,000 maple trees and 2,600 cherry trees turn brilliant colors, and chrysanthemum decorations and floral art adorn the site in the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival. In winter, about 150 snow lanterns and snow statues handmade by citizens and about 300 miniature kamakura (Japanese igloos) lit with lights create a fantastic world in the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival, offering beautiful seasonal scenes.
GOAL
  • Asamushi Onsen Kayak Tour
  • Asamushi Aquarium
  • Asamushi Onsen
  • Special Historic Site Sannai-Maruyama Ruins
  • Aomori Museum of Art
  • Nebuta House Wa Rasse
  • Asamushi Onsen
  • Nakano Momiji-yama (Nakano Maple Mountain)
  • Tsugaru Traditional Craft Centre
  • Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle Ruins)

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