Aomori (prefecture)

[[file:Hirosaki (Aomori) banner.jpg|1280px|Halal Travel to Aomori}} Japan_aomori_map_small.png|600px

Aomori Prefecture (青森県) is the northernmost prefecture on the island of Honshu, Japan. }}

Cities

Aomori - the capital Hachinohe - scenic coastal areas Hirosaki - the "Kyoto of the North", former capital of the Tsugaru clan Itayanagi - home of the International Chapel and a church service in English Misawa - a beautiful city by the sea Mutsu - the administrative hub of the Shimokita Peninsula Tsuruta Goshogawara - home of the impressive Tachinebuta Festival

An Introduction to the Region of Aomori (prefecture)

Aomori is divided into three main regions, each with their own dialect.

Tsugaru - on the west side of the prefecture, includes Aomori and Hirosaki. The haunt and home of writer Osamu Dazai. See Mt. Iwaki, Rice paddy art and Aomori's apple orchards.
Nanbu - occupies the southeastern part of the prefecture, includes Hachinohe and Misawa
Shimokita Peninsula - axe-shaped peninsula in the northeast, featuring the dread mountain of Mt. Osore and the thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) of Yagen Valley. Includes Ōma and Mutsu

More Destinations

Tanbo art in Inakadate 2012 B - Rice Paddy Art in Inakadate

Lake Towada - beautiful caldera lake
Oirase Valley - famed for its scenic beauty
Showa Daibutsu - huge statue of Buddha in Aomori in a beautiful temple complex
Shingo - small town featuring the final resting place of Christ as well as Aomori's pyramids
Shirakami-Sanchi - World Heritage Site for its undisturbed beech forests, famous for the Anmon-no-Taki Waterfall

Travel to Aomori (prefecture)

Travel by plane to Aomori (prefecture)

Aomori and Misawa both have domestic airports with Flights to and from Tokyo.

Travel by train to Aomori (prefecture)

Aomori is the northernmost terminus of the Shinkansen (bullet train). Local and express trains also run throughout the prefecture.

The second longest train tunnel in the world and the Seikan tunnel, runs between Aomori and the northern island of Hokkaido, connecting to Hakodate and onward to Sapporo.

Travel by Bus

JR and various local carriers offer numerous buses to, from and throughout the prefecture.

By ferry

Ferries in Aomori, Hachinohe and Ōma (at the tip of the Shimokita Peninsula) offer services to and from various destinations, including Hokkaido.

Transportation in Aomori (prefecture)

JR East and the Aoimori Railway and the Tsugaru Railway serve most of the major towns, but some destinations will require a car. Municipal and private bus companies go to many of the popular tourist sites.

What to See

In spring, see the cherry blossom festival and fireworks in Goshogawara|Kanagi and the rapeseed blossoms in Shimokita Peninsula|Shimokita's Yokohama Town. In summer, see towering lanterns pulled through the streets at Goshogawara's Tachi-Nebuta festival and elaborate expanding floats at Hachinohe's Sansha Taisai. See the Rice art in Inakadate Village on the Tsugaru Peninsula.In the fall, see the maple leaves in Kuroishi.In the winter, see the "snow monsters" made by frozen trees in the Hakkoda mountains in Towada-Hachimantai National Park.

Muslim Travel Tips

In August, rent a haneto costume and participate in Aomori's exciting Nebuta festival.In the fall, hike among the waterfalls and autumn foliage at Oirase Gorge in Towada-Hachimantai National Park.In the winter and there is excellent skiing and snowboarding in Ajigasawa and Mt. Hakkoda.In spring, picnic at Hirosaki Castle, one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing sites in Japan.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Aomori (prefecture)

Besides the obvious seafood (mainly scallops and Tuna), Aomori is well known for its apples.

Aomori has local sake (Denshu, Momokawa), (Shimokita Wine) and soft-drinks (Tawazako).

Where to travel next from Aomori (prefecture)

Hokkaido
Iwate (prefecture) | Iwate Prefecture
Akita (prefecture) | Akita Prefecture