Your journey begins after a three-hour Shinkansen bullet train ride from Tokyo. After exiting Aomori Station, you’ll immediately lay your eyes on A-FACTORY, a striking cidery and market where you can observe cider being made, sample freshly pressed batches, and select refined local crafts displayed like works of art. Through this, you’ll gain an appreciation for Aomori’s contemporary aesthetics. After check-in at your accommodations, take time to appreciate the quiet charm of the harbor town at dusk and prepare for an exclusive experience after dark.

During this experience, you’ll join a special cultural program guided by award-winning Nebuta float maker Hiroo Takenami or a Nebuta Institute researcher. You’ll also enjoy private, after-hours access to the Nebuta Museum WA RASSE and, from late May to early August, a guided visit to a production site to observe the symbols of Aomori up close. In the off-season, a traditional lantern-making workshop is available to bring you closer to the spirit of the festival passed down throughout the generations.

*Program details and pricing vary by season.

*Not available from April 1 to May 30.

Located in Aomori City, ReLabo is the first accommodation in the world to receive the highest-level certification under the WELL Building Standard, which focuses on elevating health and wellbeing through architectural design. In addition to personalized wellness counseling, ReLabo offers a range of tailored programs to meet each guest’s individual needs. The hotel’s premier Emperor Suite spans 132 square meters and features fine furnishings within its luxurious décor. In the profound quiet of this corner of Japan’s northern frontier, daily fatigue fades away and gives way to a deep, restorative sleep.

Travel by private car to Hirosaki and visit a 130-year-old forge famous for crafting the pruning shears long used in Aomori’s apple industry. Fifth-generation master blacksmith Toru Mikuni forges each shear blade by hand, making them both practical tools and works of art. The distinctive single-edged pruning shears are a rare opportunity to learn the philosophy of a true artisan and experience an authentic Aomori craft up close.

*Forging work can generally be observed in the morning. Outside this time, you may speak directly with the artisan about traditional techniques and the dedication that goes into making each tool.

The brick warehouse where Japan’s first full-scale cider production began was reborn in 2020 as the Hirosaki Museum of Contemporary Art. The historic bricks with the passage of time carved onto them stand in wonderful contrast to the refined, coal-tar black walls of the galleries within, creating striking and moving moments of contemplation for visitors. Here, historic architecture converges with cutting-edge artistic expression, engaging people in a conversation between the past and the future, and offering tranquil moments of intellectual stimulation.

The Tsugaru Clan Castle Ruins (Hirosaki Park) are home to the only surviving castle keep in northeastern Japan. Beloved by locals, the 400-year-old National Important Cultural Property can be explored with a private guide on a tour that changes with the seasons. Spring brings with it cherry petals, autumn vivid foliage, and winter snow lanterns. Gaze upon Mt. Iwaki, once worshipped by samurai, and spend time immersed in the noble traditions of Tsugaru.

*Due to preservation, restoration, and seismic reinforcement work, the interior of Hirosaki Castle keep will be closed to the public for the next several years.

On the second evening, guests can choose between two relaxation options tailored to their individual travel styles. One is returning for another night in Aomori City and unwinding at ReLabo Medical Spa & Stay where dedicated counselors provide restorative wellness care for the mind and the body. Alternatively, you may stay in Hirosaki, minimizing travel time and savoring the refined atmosphere of this charming castle town at night, discovering silence, history, and the culture of Tsugaru. Whichever one you choose, you’re assured luxury and authenticity befitting a traveler accustomed to the finer things in life.

During a fine Aomori morning, take a stroll down to the waterfront and discover local favorites like the AUGA Fresh Market, an energetic community space with a wide selection of seafood from Mutsu Bay, including their world-renowned Oma tuna. The market reveals the richness of Aomori’s culinary culture as you breathe in the crisp sea-scented air and begin the day with your batteries fully charged.

At Aomori French Gastronomy En, you’ll engage in an intellectually stimulating gastronomic experience guided by a master chef. Using the advanced culinary technology of “Gastrovac,” travelers will witness the total transformation of the aromas and textures of Aomori ingredients. After comparing the evolving nuances and lingering notes of each ingredient, you’ll savor a full-course menu that infuses local cuisine with a touch of modernity. As you learn the chef’s creative process, you’ll come to fully appreciate the narrative of the land unfolding in front of you through this singular gastronomic experience.

At Oirase Gorge, located within a national park, join a 90-minute private winter tour with a dedicated vehicle and expert guide to gain exclusive access to beautiful frozen waterfalls illuminated like ice cathedrals for you alone. The tour also includes en route sake tasting, moments of forest stillness, and spiritual encounters with Aomori’s ice masterpieces. The experience concludes with a Tsugaru Vidro glassware memento of your travel.

*The illuminated icefall tour is available for a limited time only from January to February.

*Daytime excursions are also available.

Surrounded by the deep forests of Towada, the Tsuta Onsen Ryokan retreat is infused with the elegance of early 20th-century Japan. Surrender to the stillness of pristine beech trees and enjoy a rare spring-fed bath where water bubbles up from beneath your feet without touching the air along the way. Immersing yourself in these waters lets you feel the pulse of the earth itself. Detached suites with semi-open-air baths and private reservable baths are also available.

*Closed for winter break from January to mid-April (Closing dates may vary depending on weather conditions).

The only resort built along the banks of Oirase Gorge in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, this hotel boasts a lounge with a monumental fireplace created by Taro Okamoto, a deeply symbolic amenity where the raw power of nature intersects with art. Rejuvenate in pure hot-spring waters flowing from Mt. Hakkoda, and in the evening savor refined French cuisine inspired by the four seasons of Aomori. The luxuriously private 120-square-meter “Keiryu Suite Room” is notable for its mural crafted with real moss and an in-room hot-spring bath. Soak in the ever-changing stream of Oirase and feel yourself be reborn.

The journey concludes with a guided search of the source of life. In the morning, cross the mirror-like Lake Towada by boat, then immerse yourself in the stillness of the mystical Towada Shrine. At midday, enjoy a bespoke bento packed lunch showcasing local seasonal ingredients. In the afternoon, trek through Oirase Gorge with its beautiful streams and moss-covered rocks, ending your visit to Aomori surrounded by the beating pulse of water.

*The itinerary varies by season.

*Activities may change due to inclement weather.

*Not available: mid-Mar to early Apr, late Nov to mid-Dec.