Aomori cruise port guide
From fiery festivals to spectacular mountain scenery, soaring temples to castles surrounded by cherry blossom blooms, Aomori is one of Japan’s most enchanting destinations. Framed by dark peaks clad with dense forestry, the city enjoys a picturesque location on Japan’s main island Honshu. While there are gorgeous pink tinted parks, tiered castles and towering Buddha statues to explore, the Aomori Prefecture’s capital is perhaps best known for the summer festival of fire that lights it up each year. Lavish illuminated floats fill the streets during Nebuta Matsuri festival, as dancing locals wave flickering lanterns through the night sky - and drummers pound out pulsating rhythms. Nebuta Matsuri has a euphoric and energetic atmosphere which makes it stand out as an unmissable experience compared with some of Japan’s more restrained festivals. At other times of the year, places like the stunning Hirosaki Castle bloom with rose-pink cherry blossom, as spring’s sunshine clears away winter’s plentiful snowfall. The castle’s moat, glowing with the pale hue of fallen blossom, is a truly mesmerising sight to behold. Don’t worry if you’re too late though, you might be able to catch the pink-flush of the apple blossom - which comes slightly later. Extraordinary prehistoric Jomon period history is waiting to be unearthed at the living archaeological site, Sannai-Maruyama Ruins. Or, the untouched wilderness of UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakami Sanchi is within reach. This sprawling mass of beech trees covers a third of the Shirakami mountain range, and the dense forestry once blanketed the majority of northern Japan’s land. Visit to scratch the surface of this untamed landscape’s beauty and see sprawling waterfalls cascading down mountainsides, in a beautiful off-bounds landscape, where black bears roam freely.
About Aomori
Aomori is the capital city of Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture of Japan's Honshu island, situated on Mutsu Bay. With a population of about 265,000, it is one of Japan's 62 core cities and is renowned for the Aomori Nebuta Matsuri festival, the Sannai-Maruyama Jōmon period archaeological site (5500–4000 BC), and as one of the world's snowiest cities. The city has warm summers and heavy winters with the world record for most accumulated snowfall.
The Nebuta House Wa Rasse on the waterfront displays the towering illuminated nebuta floats year-round. The Sannai-Maruyama Site, a short bus ride from the station, is Japan's most important Jōmon period settlement (5500–4000 BC). The Hakkōda Mountains offer the Hakkōda Ropeway and Sukayu Onsen. Regional specialties include Tsugaru-nuri lacquerware, kogin-zashi embroidery, apples (Aomori is Japan's top apple-producing prefecture), scallops, and garlic. Asamushi Onsen on Mutsu Bay allows day-use bathing at numerous ryokan.
Quick facts
Cruises visiting Aomori
Prices per person · incl. taxes & fees.
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Grand Japan with Nebuta & Summer Festivals
Diamond Princess · Asia & Indian Ocean · 15 nights
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Grand Circle Japan with Nebuta & Summer Festivals
Diamond Princess · Asia & Indian Ocean · 19 nights
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Sea of Japan with Nebuta & Summer Festivals
Diamond Princess · Asia & Indian Ocean · 8 nights
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Grand Circle Japan with Nebuta & Summer Festivals
Diamond Princess · Asia & Indian Ocean · 21 nights
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Circle Japan with Nebuta & Summer Festivals
Diamond Princess · Asia & Indian Ocean · 11 nights
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Canada To New Zealand Grand Voyage
Azamara Pursuit · Australia · 114 nights
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