Aomori

Aomori sits at the northern tip of Honshu, famous for its magnificent Nebuta Matsuri summer festival featuring enormous illuminated paper floats paraded through the streets. The surrounding region produces Japan's finest apples and offers access to pristine nature including the alpine beauty of the Shirakami Mountains and the mystical Lake Towada. In winter, the city transforms with heavy snowfall while nearby ski resorts and hot springs beckon visitors from across the country.