Aomori in two days: two stops from one base
Spend one night in Aomori for Nebuta exhibits and Jomon history, or in Hirosaki for a park walk and the City Museum. Both itineraries keep the same hotel and focus on one place each day. Check round-trip bus times for the site and exhibition dates and closures for the museum.
Choose an itinerary for 2 days, 1 night
Two days, one night: Nebuta exhibits first, then a Jomon site
Stay one night in Aomori, visiting the station-side Nebuta exhibits on the first day and the Jomon site on the next. Choose this option to split the two visits without moving hotels.
Two days, one night: Nebuta exhibits first, then a Jomon site →2 days, 1 nightTwo days, one night: Hirosaki Park and the City Museum
Stay one night near Hirosaki Station. See the castle gates and moat on the first day, then museum exhibits on the next. Both days involve walking between the station and park.
Two days, one night: Hirosaki Park and the City Museum →Two days, one night: Nebuta exhibits first, then a Jomon site
Stay one night in Aomori, visiting the station-side Nebuta exhibits on the first day and the Jomon site on the next. Choose this option to split the two visits without moving hotels.
Day 1 · WA RASSE Nebuta exhibits and a port walk
Nebuta Museum WA RASSE · ねぶたの家 ワ・ラッセ
On arrival day, visit the indoor exhibits near the station and take a break by the waterfront.
- Aomori Station → WA RASSE
Walk east toward the waterfront. WA RASSE is about a one-minute walk from the station, and adult exhibit admission is ¥620.
- WA RASSE exhibits → Port walk and overnight stay in Aomori
See the Nebuta exhibits, then take a short waterfront walk if the weather is good. Closing is at 7:00 p.m. in May–August and 6:00 p.m. in September–April, with last admission 30 minutes before each. If you arrive late, start with the port walk. To visit WA RASSE after returning from the site tomorrow, match its last admission with your reserved departure train. If time is too short, skip the exhibits and subtract the admission fee.
Check the official operating information for temporary closures on your date.
Day 2 · Jomon site and indoor exhibits
Sannai-Maruyama Historical Site · 三内丸山遺跡
Explore pottery, clay figures, and reconstructed scenes of daily life before continuing to the outdoor site. In rain, start indoors.
- Aomori Station west-side stop 2 → Sannai-Maruyama site bus stop
Take Nebutan-go and get off at 三内丸山遺跡前. The adult fare is ¥300 per ride. Regular and special-date timetables differ; check both journeys for your visit date before leaving.
Nebutan-go regular timetable and stop map for 2026Nebutan-go special-date calendar for 2026Nebutan-go fares
- Bus-stop turnaround → Jomon Jiyukan and the outdoor site
Walk about one minute from the stop and look for the ticket counter and admission signs at Jomon Jiyukan. Enter the site through this building. General admission of ¥500 covers the outdoor site and permanent exhibition; take a break between them. Special exhibitions and activities are separate.
Prefectural transport agency walking guideNebutan-go operation and timetableSite facility guide
- Red Nebutan-go sign in front of the site → Aomori Station
Check the Aomori Station-bound service and return to the same site-front stop. Distinguish it from municipal bus stops and Shin-Aomori-bound services. Return buses may be infrequent, so fit sightseeing and meals around your chosen departure.
Bus stop and admission-area mapNebutan-go regular timetable and stop map for 2026
Hours are 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., extended to 6:00 p.m. during Golden Week and June–September. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Check the official calendar for closure dates.
Included: WA RASSE ¥620; permanent exhibition including the outdoor site ¥500; Nebutan-go ¥300 × two rides, ¥600 round trip.
Additional costs and conditions: One Aomori hotel night, meals, airport or Shin-Aomori connections, trains before and after the trip, luggage storage, and special exhibitions or activities.
Official admission pricesSite permanent exhibition and admissionNebutan-go fares
Two days, one night: Hirosaki Park and the City Museum
Stay one night near Hirosaki Station. See the castle gates and moat on the first day, then museum exhibits on the next. Both days involve walking between the station and park.
Day 1 · Hirosaki Park gates and moat
Hirosaki Park · 弘前公園
Walk slowly along the castle gates and moat, then spend the night in Hirosaki.
- Hirosaki Station → Park Otemon gate
Walk toward Dotemachi and continue to the park's Otemon gate. The official estimate from the station is about 30 minutes. Your hotel's location may change the starting point.
- Otemon → Sannomaru, moat, and overnight stay in Hirosaki
Explore the castle gates and moat in the free walking areas. The keep interior is currently closed to visitors; do not enter construction areas. For additional paid areas, check that day's opening and admission separately.
The listed cost uses the free park areas. Adjust the walk to your group's stamina and follow local access instructions.
Day 2 · Hirosaki City Museum exhibits
Hirosaki City Museum · 弘前市立博物館
After yesterday's park walk, see the museum exhibits today, then return to Hirosaki Station.
- Park Otemon gate → Hirosaki City Museum
Inside Otemon, follow the sign's left arrow along the wooded path between the tennis courts and plaza, then turn right toward the museum entrance.
- Hirosaki City Museum → Exhibition visit
This itinerary uses the ¥500 general admission for the exhibition about Sugae Masumi's travels in Tsugaru. Its viewing hours are 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Check the official exhibition information for whether it is running on your date, admission, and closure days. Other exhibition periods may have different exhibits and prices.
- Museum and park → Hirosaki Station
After viewing, leave through Otemon and return toward Hirosaki Station. Allow walking time to the station, with a meal on the way if time permits.
The keep interior is excluded. If the exhibition dates do not match your trip, choose a park walk or another facility that is open.
Included: General admission of ¥500 to Hirosaki City Museum. Only the free walking areas of Hirosaki Park are included.
Additional costs and conditions: One Hirosaki hotel night, meals, arrival and departure trains, luggage storage, and paid park areas.
¥500 is the general admission price for the October 3–November 29, 2026 exhibition. Ask the museum about prices for other exhibition dates.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see Hirosaki Park and the City Museum in two days?
The Hirosaki itinerary uses the park's free areas on day one and the City Museum on day two. The October 3–November 29, 2026 exhibition runs 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with general admission ¥500 and planned closures October 19 and November 16. For other dates, check the relevant exhibition and closures. The castle keep interior remains closed.
Sources and check dates
- Official admission prices ·
- Hours ·
- Getting there ·
- Prefectural transport agency walking guide ·
- Nebutan-go fares ·
- Hirosaki city guide ·
- City exhibition notice ·
- Otemon-to-entrance directions ·
- Nebutan-go operation and timetable ·
- Site facility guide ·
- Bus stop and admission-area map ·
- Prefectural walking guide ·
- Site permanent exhibition and admission ·
- Nebutan-go special-date calendar for 2026 ·
- Nebutan-go regular timetable and stop map for 2026 ·