Silversea Luxury Cruises To AOMORI

Explore the regional culture and traditions of Goshogawara during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Tsugaru Kanayama-yaki Kiln and Pottery

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to Goshogawara, located in the Tsugaru Peninsula, approximately 25 miles west of Aomori City. Upon arrival, your first stop is at the Tsugaru Kanayama-yaki Kiln, which was founded in 1985 and is part of the folk art movement. The kiln produces simple yet beautiful pottery that is made from local clay and pine trees, with design and production influenced by ancient Japanese pottery-making methods. The internationally-renowned works produced here are displayed at galleries and factories all over the world.

Tachi-Neputa House

Next, re-board your coach and proceed to Goshogawara's Tachi-Neputa House. Goshogawara is home to the Neputa Festival, one of the largest, most popular and brilliant local festivals in Japan. The main event consists of a parade of enormous lantern works, flanked by large taiko drums, musicians and dancers. Neputa tradition is present in different districts in Aomori, and highlighted by distinct regional characteristics. Tachi-Neputa House displays the one held in the Goshogawara region. Here, view the huge, 75-foot (23-metre) tall, 21-ton (19-tonne) Neputa work depicting a mythical god. Made of paper and wire frame, it was used in the previous Neputa Festival. Following your visit, re-board the coach and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.

Embrace the splendid beauty and culture of Aomori during this delightful, half-day excursion to historic Hirosaki.

Hirosaki Castle Park

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 75-minute drive to Hirosaki. The third-largest city in Aomori, Hirosaki embodies the ancient culture extant since the Samurai period. It has been inhabited since the 8th century, but wasn't declared a city until 1889. Your first stop is at the renowned Hirosaki Castle Park. This lush, peaceful, 121-acre expanse is home to one of the country's most popular sakura (cherry blossom) spectacles in spring.

Hirosaki Castle

Tucked away in the park is the historic Hirosaki Castle, one of 11 castles extant from that era. The original castle was constructed in 1611, but was struck by lightning in 1627 and burned to the ground. Although rebuilt in 1810, Hirosaki Castle still retains an atmosphere of its medieval appearance and samurai's prosperity. The three-story castle tower and solid castle moats are visible from the park.

Tsugaru-han Neputa Village

Next, re-board your coach and proceed to Tsugaru-han Neputa Village. The village is home to the Neputa Festival, one of the largest, most popular and brilliant local festivals in Japan. The main event consists of a parade of enormous lantern works, flanked by large taiko drums, musicians and dancers. Neputa tradition is present in different districts in Aomori, and highlighted by distinct regional characteristics. Tsugaru-han Neputa Village displays the one held in the Hirosaki region. Here, view the huge, 16-foot (4.8-metre) wide by 25-foot (7.6-metre) high Fan-shape Neputa work depicting a mythical god. Made of paper and wire frame, it was used in the previous Neputa Festival. Your visit includes a local live musical performance featuring the shamisen, a three-stringed guitar. Following your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 75-minute drive back to the pier.

Explore the history, beauty and "old meets modern" culture of Aomori during this picturesque, full-day sightseeing excursion to Hirosaki.

Hirosaki Castle Park

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 90-minute drive to Hirosaki. Your first stop is the renowned, approximately 121-acre (about 49-hectare) Hirosaki Castle Park, home to Hirosaki Castle and one of the country's most popular Sakura (cherry blossom) spectacles during Spring. Originally constructed in 1611 and rebuilt in 1810, Hirosaki Castle is one of 11 castles that have existed since the Samurai period, and still retains an atmosphere of its medieval appearance and Samurai's prosperity. During your guided visit, see the castle, three-storey castle tower, castle moats, and a stone wall, currently under repair.

Tsugaru-han Neputa Village

Next, head to Tsugaru-han Neputa Village, home to the Neputa Festival, one of the largest, most popular and brilliant local festivals in Japan. The main event is a parade of enormous lantern works, flanked by large taiko drums, musicians and dancers. Upon arrival, view the huge Neputa work used in the previous Nebuta Festival, which depicts mythical gods made of paper and wire frame, and take in a live musical show performed by local musicians.

Lunch and Zenringai (Zen Temple Street)

Following your visit, re-board your coach and proceed for lunch. After lunch, re-board your coach and proceed to Zenringai Street, or 'Zen Temple Street'. Here, view 33 Zen temples gathered on this approximately 0.6-mile (about one-kilometre) street.

Seibien

Your final stop is the lovely Seibien, a house and garden built during the Meiji era by a wealthy merchant family. The Japanese traditional garden took nine years to complete, and the house is a half-Japanese, half-western-style building. During your visit, see a golden room housing a gold statue of Buddha. The room's gold lacquer wall is the largest in Japan, and features a peacock that appears as if it's alive. After relaxing amidst these beautiful natural surroundings, re-board your coach and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.

Embrace the pristine natural beauty of Japan during this panoramic, full-day sightseeing excursion.

Lake Towada

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive through the mountains en route to Lake Towada. Drive around the lake and head to the Hakka-toge Observatory. Here, you will take a photo stop in spectacular vistas of Lake Towada. On a sunny day, the serene lake clearly reflects the expansive blue sky and white clouds.

Oirase

Next, your drive continues on to the Oirase Gorge for photo stops, the most beautiful riverside footpath in Japan. The gorge's water is very clear and fast-running, and its splash turns into mist. The forest along the river offers shade, soft sunshine and a pleasant breeze. Following your visit, proceed for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, re-board your coach and drive to Mt. Hakkoda.

Mt. Hakkoda

Located south of Aomori, Mt. Hakkoda is one of Japan's 100 famous mountains. Upon arrival at the base of the mountain, board an aerial tramway and soar 4,000 feet (1,219 metres) to the summit. Here, celebrate this beautiful mountain range from the air during a ride on the ropeway gondola, which runs just above the trees. At the top, short walking path is in place which includes vast marshland left over from volcanic eruptions that began over 1.7-million years ago. During the spring and summer months, the forest is hued in multiple shades of green. Weather permitting, you can see all the way to the Tsugaru Peninsula and Mutsu bay (weather permitted). At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 45-minute drive back to the pier.

Explore Aomori at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your driver and English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Aomori at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your driver and English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Aomori at your leisure during your full-day (8-hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your driver and English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Aomori at your leisure during your full-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your driver and English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Experience the wonderful highlights and culture of Aomori during a scenic, half-day excursion to this historic city and its environs.

Aomori City, Temple and Buddha Statue

Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 30-minute drive to Aomori City. Upon arrival, proceed for a visit to the Seiryu-ji Temple, home of the largest Buddha statue in Japan. Known as the Showa Daibutsu, this bronze statue is 70 feet (21.3-metre) in height, and weighs 220 tons (195.5 tonnes). In addition, see the impressive five-story pagoda, which is made entirely of hiba wood, a large evergreen tree and special product of Aomori. The five stories symbolise the elements in the Buddhist universe; water, fire, wind, and the sky, with the pagoda representing the universe.

Warasse

Next, re-board your coach and proceed to Warrase. Warrase displays the one held in Aomori City. Here, view the huge, 30-foot (9.1-metre) wide by 16-foot (4.8-metre) high Nebuta work depicting a mythical god. Made of paper and wire frame, it was used in the previous Nebuta Festival. Afterward, re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier.