Tōhoku(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Higashi-machi, stay at Higashi-machi Minshuku House, a traditional wooden inn converted from an Edo-period home. Enjoy hands-on lacquerware workshops and savor authentic Tsugaru cuisine like grilled fish with local herbs. The inn hosts seasonal taiko drumming performances, offering immersive insight into Tsugaru heritage and rural Japanese life.

Stay in the central district of Higashi-machi, near the Historical Folklore Museum and Tsugaru Street Trail. This area features several boutique inns like Kyū-Keiya Yado, which offer tatami rooms with quiet garden views. Its walkable location makes it ideal for exploring local temples, markets, and historical sites without needing a car.

Choose Yamazato Eco Lodge, nestled at the foot of the Okita Mountains. This eco-friendly lodge provides direct access to hiking paths leading to O-numa Park and Tsugaru Plains. Guests can enjoy guided wildlife tours, stargazing on the rooftop deck, and soak in natural sulfur hot springs, making it perfect for reconnecting with nature in Aomori’s pristine countryside.

Don’t miss the annual Tsugaru Taiko Festival, held at the Town Hall Square every autumn. Local drum groups perform powerful Taiko rhythms while visitors can join in live sessions. The festival also features handwoven textile markets and tea ceremony demonstrations, offering a rich window into Tsugaru traditions and craftsmanship.

Yes, Seizan Hotel offers private onsen baths fed by natural sulfur springs from 300 meters below ground. The outdoor baths overlook the Tsugaru Basin, with panoramic views of sunrise and twilight. The hotel combines Shinto-inspired wellness rituals with herbal steam rooms, providing a deeply restorative experience rooted in local healing culture.

Green Field House is a top choice for families, featuring a kids’ playroom, organic vegetable garden, and a mini farm where children can feed goats and rabbits. The inn serves family-style kaiseki meals with regional specialties like Tsugaru tempura rice balls and sweet mochi dumplings, blending fun and education in a warm, welcoming setting.

Visit Higashi-machi Craft Studio, where master artisans teach Tsugaru embroidery and lacquer carving using locally sourced mountain cherry wood and natural pigments. Participants create personalized keepsakes during workshops, followed by exhibitions where they can share stories with local craftsmen, preserving intangible cultural heritage through hands-on creation.

Yes, Hikari no Ie is a photogenic boutique inn designed for photographers. With floor-to-ceiling windows, adjustable lighting, and a serene courtyard garden, it captures the beauty of dawn light, dusk shadows, and seasonal changes. The inn also offers guided photo walks to scenic spots like O-numa Lake and snow-covered fields, ideal for capturing authentic rural Japan.

Must-try dishes include Tsugaru buckwheat noodles made from locally grown mountain buckwheat, known for their chewy texture. Also sample grilled fish over pine charcoal, served with pickled vegetables, and salted sea urchin rice balls at the night market. These flavors reflect the region’s deep connection to the sea and seasonal ingredients.

Absolutely. Higashi-machi is highly accessible by car, just 45 minutes from Aomori Station via the Tsugaru Tunnel and Hirakawa Valley. Free parking is available throughout town, and many inns offer shuttle services. Renting a car allows flexible exploration of nearby attractions like Okita Ski Resort and Tsugaru National Park, making it the best way to experience the full scope of northern Aomori’s landscapes.