5 activities for an avalanche of fun in snowy Aomori
(Image credit: Aomori Prefecture)
Did you know? Aomori City is one of the snowiest cities –– not only in Japan, but the whole world! Every year, the city faces an average snowfall of eight whopping meters –– and this is due to its distinctive location in the North of Japan, directly on the coastline, making it especially susceptible to giant snowfalls. The rest of Aomori Prefecture isn’t spared either –– the entire region welcomes massive snow come winter each year.
Although the intense snow may sound intimidating at first, you know what they say… with great snowfall comes great responsibility to make sure visitors have a (snow)ball of a time. While you may be disappointed by my accuracy in quoting the greats, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed by winter in Aomori. So, here are five activities for an avalanche of fun in snowy Aomori.
1. Find peace at Seiryū Temple and the Shōwa Daibutsu
(Image credit: Aomori Prefecture)
The Shōwa Daibutsu in Seiryū Temple, sculpted in the image of Dainichi Nyorai (the central deity of Esoteric Buddhism) in 1984, holds the honour of being Japan’s largest seated bronze statue of a Buddha image. Standing at 21.35 metres, it towers over other seated Buddha statues in Japan such as the Great Buddha of Nara or Kamakura. Talk about impressive! While the temple and statue is open all year-round, the formidable Shōwa Daibutsu takes on an arrestingly surreal appearance during the winter. This is definitely a sight not to be missed.
The nearest station to Seiryū Temple is Aomori Station. From there, you can take a municipal bus headed to the temple (it will be the last stop on that line).
Seiryū Temple & Shōwa Daibutsu (青龍寺 & 昭和大仏)
Address: 45-2, Yamazaki, Kuwabara, Aomori City, Aomori 030-0935
Nearest Station: Aomori Station
Opening Hours: 8am - 5.30pm (April-October), 9am - 4.30pm (November-March)
Admission Fee: ¥400 (adults), ¥200 (Children)
Website: showa-daibutu.com
2. Ski with Snow Monsters at Hakkoda Ski Resort
(Image credit: Aomori Prefecture)
Once you’ve been sufficiently blessed-up by the great Showa Daibutsu, it’s time to up the ante with some good ol’ winter sports at a very special location. Considered to be a ski and snowboard mecca, the Hakkoda Mountains are dotted with what locals have affectionately named as “Snow Monsters” – pine trees covered in ice, formed by frozen water droplets carried by the strong mountain wind. There are a total of five different ski courses available which will take you on an unforgettable trip through nature’s icy masterpieces.
If skiing isn’t your cup of tea, you can still admire the breathtaking scenery from the comfort of the Hakkoda Ropeway (which is the only way up the mountains). The resort offers various accommodation options, and there is also an onsen onsite to keep those chilly bones warm.
The Hakkoda Ropeway base station is an hour’s bus ride from either Shin-Aomori Station or Aomori Station. The Snow Monsters are best viewed from January to February.
Hakkoda Ropeway (八甲田ロープウェイ)
Address: 1-12 Arakawa-Kansuizawa, Aomori City, Aomori 030-0111
Nearest station: Shin-Aomori Station / Aomori Station
Opening hours: 9am - 3.40pm (Mid. Nov - Late Feb), 9am - 4.20pm (Mar - Early Nov)
Ropeway fares: ¥1,850 (Adult, Round Trip), ¥1,180 (Adult, Single Trip), ¥870 (Child, Round Trip), ¥570 (Child, Single Trip)
Website: hakkoda-ski.com
3. Admire the Snow Corridor at Hakkoda Walk
(Image credit: Aptinet.Aomori Prefectural Government)
Wowed by the Snow Monsters? Another magnificent winter phenomenon which happens in Japan is the snow corridor, or yuki no kairo. While you may have heard of the famous Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Aomori also houses its own snow corridor gem: the Hakkoda Walk. Standing at nine metres tall along Mount Hakkoda’s National Route 103, the steep walls of snow are bound to take your breath away.
The Hakkoda Walk opens to the public each year from the end of March to early April, connecting Hakkoda Ski Resort with Sukayu Onsen (both locations are viable starting points). It takes around an hour’s bus ride from Aomori Station to either location.
Hakkoda Walk (八甲田ウォーク)
Address: Route 103, Minamiarakawayama Arakawa, Aomori City, Aomori
Nearest station: Aomori Station
Website: en-aomori.com/activities-043.html
4. Take a nostalgic trip on the Tsugaru Railway Winter Stove Train
(Image credit: Aomori Prefecture & Aptinet.Aomori Prefectural Government)
It’s time to take the action out of Aomori City, day-trip style. Accessible an hour away from Shin-Aomori Station by either train or bus, the Tsugaru Railway Winter Stove Train is an experience not to be missed. Every winter, the Tsugaru Railway is outfitted with a traditional potbelly stove, where Aomori-caught cuttlefish and squid (also known as surume) is grilled for passengers to munch on. Enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere as the train rattles from Goshogawara Station to Kanagi Station, across the tranquil, winter Aomori countryside.
(Image credit: Aptinet.Aomori Prefectural Government)
As a bonus, you can also experience Snow Country Drifting in traditional Tsugaru-style at your end-destination Kanagi Station when you sign up for the tour (not under Tsugaru Railways).
Tsugaru Railway Winter Stove Train
Address: 39 Omachi, Goshogawara-shi, Aomori 037-0063
Nearest station: Goshogawara Station
Opening hours: Please check the Tsugaru Railways website for official schedules.
Admission fee: ¥950 (Adult), ¥680 (Child)
Website: tsutetsu.com
5. Celebrate winter at Aomori’s wealth of winter festivals
Motsuke Festival and Winter Fireworks & Aomori Snow Lantern Festival in Aomori City. (Image credit: Kingdom of Winter Trip Tohoku)
As the region famed for its snowfall, Aomori likes to fire it up when it comes to their winter celebrations. With a whole range to choose from all over the prefecture (and never too far from Aomori City), you will never be short of options if you’re searching for a good party. In Aomori City itself, you have the Aomori Snow Light Festival in January where 2,000 handmade snow lamps are displayed all over the city (pictured above left). Come February, the celebrations kick into full gear as the Mostuke Festival and Winter Fireworks, complete with Nebuta floats and intense tug-of-war battles, begins (pictured above right).
Winter Nebuta Festival in Hirakawa City. (Image credit: Kingdom of Winter Trip Tohoku)
Taking the celebrations out of the main city, an hour’s train ride brings you to Hirakawa City, where they also hold their own winter nebuta festival in December. You can also enjoy a refreshing apple outdoor onsen in Hirakawa.
Snow Lantern Festival in Hirosaki Castle Park. (Image credit: Aomori Prefecture)
Or, you can visit the legendary Hirosaki Castle (around 45 minutes train ride from Aomori City) in February for the Snow Lantern Festival where the castle comes alive with snow creations, park illuminations and projection-mapping.
Winter Story Festival at Lake Towada. (Image credit: Aomori Prefecture)
Lastly, if you’re up for something more...boozy, how about hitting up some bottles in an igloo bar by Lake Towada (around 1.5 hours drive from Aomori City) at its annual Winter Story Festival in February? With fireworks and night illumination, it is truly the perfect way to end the night with a bang.
So, thinking of where to find the perfect winter wonderland for your next year-end holiday? With a good mix of culture, nature and celebrations, Aomori might just be the perfect destination for you!
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Celia Lim
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