Aomori Port Shuttles

A popular arrival point for cruises located within the mountainous foothills of Mutsu Bay, Aomori Port rests along the northernmost prefecture of Japan’s largest island. Easy travels are expected for the shoreside city, convenient transportation including the walking-distance Aomori Train Station just half a mile west of the cruise terminal, slightly further the Aomori Ferry Terminal also offers lifts across the bay and toward the smaller island of Hokkaido. Seek additional guidance through the next-door Aomori Tourist Information Center, an oddly shaped building home to complimentary Wi-Fi and simple views of the city. See things at a slow pace by choosing from one of many private transfers, whether that means riding along the foothills with a sedan or bringing everyone to the peak in a massive chartered bus. Meet-and-greet services offer convenient drop offs at the heart of downtown’s Shinmachi neighborhood, from a local personal driver who can showcase the best angles of the Hakkōda Mountains, to luxury limousines offering convenient drop offs to upscale sushi restaurants.

Reconsider what it means to experience Aomir by looking forward to its most underrated landmarks first, whether that means escaping into the outskirts for views of natural wonders or keeping close to downtown for something close and simple. For the outskirts, hike past an oasis of waterfalls at Towada-Hachimantai National Park’s Oirase Gorge, afterward taking a ride through the in-park Hakkoda Ropeway for gondola rides to the top of the Hakkōda Mountains. Also located along the mountainous outskirts is Hirosaki Castle, a finely village home walled in by tough fortress pavilions lined with delicate cherry blossoms, to its west a challenging but rewarding view from the top of Mount Iwaki. In-town oddities are also plentiful, ranging from the old teepee villages and irrigation techniques at Sannai-Maruyama Historical Site, while the festive Utō Shrine offers an array of statue gardens, striking pagodas and close access to port-side restaurants.