Aomori Prefecture｜Apple, Nebuta Festival & Traditional Crafts of Northern Japan

Located at the northernmost tip of Japan’s main island, Aomori Prefecture is a land where powerful cultural traditions and abundant nature thrive side by side.

Famous for its apples, Aomori’s cool climate produces firm, flavorful fruit. On the Pacific coast, the city of Hachinohe is known as Japan’s top squid fishing port. Its harbors brim with fresh seafood, and the lively interactions at the morning markets reflect the area’s vibrant fishing culture.

Aomori’s harsh northern climate has given rise to festivals and customs that celebrate its brief summers with full enthusiasm. Among the most famous is the Nebuta Festival, designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Japan. Towering lantern floats blaze through the night streets, accompanied by the pounding of taiko drums, the sound of flutes, and the iconic chant of “Rassera.” Dancers and spectators come together in a dazzling celebration of summer nights.

In winter, traditional crafts and performing arts rooted in the snow-covered Tsugaru region—such as kogin-zashi embroidery and the Tsugaru shamisen—have long supported and enriched the lives of the local people.

Aomori is a place where the blessings of nature and the rhythms of daily life exist in harmony. The culture and customs nurtured in this climate embody a quiet warmth and resilient spirit born from enduring its rugged environment.