Aomori Customized Private Tour in 1 Day — Guide Tomohiko
September, 2025
This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- 9:00
- at Re Labo med spa
- We will initially meet at Re Labo med spa
- then we will take the taxi (or other agreed upon method of transportation) to Hirosaki City
- 10:30 AM
- Hirosaki Castle Park
- Completed in 1611, the castle was occupied by generations of the Tsugaru clan. The castle keep was rebuilt in 1810 and has now been turned into a small historical museum.
- It dominates the 121-acre / 49ha public park, which is very famous throughout Japan for the flowering of its 2,600 cherry trees, from the end of April to mid-May.
- The botanical gardens in the park are worth strolling through to see the many styles of garden in different seasons.
- 11:30
- Neputa – Mura Village
- Let's experience Hirosaki's unique summer time festival within the Neputa-Mura Village!
- Here you will see:
- Neputa Float: Containing some of the highly decorative festival floats with illuminated screens or gigantic fans used during the Famous Hirosaki festival, the Neputa Matsuri Festival.
- Did you know that the word neputa derives from nepute or “drowsiness” in the
- local dialect? This allegedly refers to the farmer’s custom of placing giant lanterns along the riverbank in order to keep them awake when they were returning home from a hard days work.
- The museum also offers free live performances featuring:
- ● Shamisen: Japanese traditional 3 stringed musical guitar.
- ● Neputa Festival Music where you can try hitting the gigantic drums
- ●Lunch and Shopping: Ramen and others (Aomori Ramen-dried sardine-based soup, Sushi, Tempura (Mountain vegetables).
- ●Aomori Specialties (varieties of crafts, cake and others)
- ●Workshops: wooden dolls, pottery, locale ware.
- 14:00
- Return to Aomori city
- We will take the taxi (or agreed upon method of transportation) back to Aomori city
- Ending Point
- 15:00
- at Re Labo med spa
Title: What's a Private Day Tour of Hirosaki, Aomori Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
I guided the guests, who came from North America, around Hirosaki (Saishoin Temple, Hirosaki Apple Park, Zenringai, Hirosaki Castle, and Tsugaru-han Neputa Village). This visit was part of a journey from Tokyo to Sendai, Aomori, Hakodate, Noboribetsu, and Sapporo.
One of the guests was very fond of sports, had experience playing American football, and enjoyed watching the NHK BS grand sumo broadcasts. They knew many of the sumo winning techniques.
The domain of the Tsugaru clan was 100,000 koku, while the Kumamoto domain was 500,000 koku. What is a "koku"? One koku is equivalent to about 150 kilograms of rice, the amount an adult eats in one year!
The last lord of the Tsugaru clan, "Tsuguakira," was the son of the lord of the Kumamoto domain! What a remarkable connection!
For lunch, we had a set meal of Aomori's soul food, "scallop grilled with miso" and "kenojiru," which I was taught is called "comfort food" in English.
The guests were moved, saying it was the first time in their life to be surrounded by so many apples, and they were impressed by the wonderful taste of the apple pie. *For reference: Hirosaki Apple Park has 2,300 apple trees of 80 varieties planted there.
Click here for more details: Aomori Customized Private Tour in 1 Day with Licensed Guide
My name is Tomohiko Kudo.
I live in Aomori city.
I already visited more than 30 nations so far.
After official retirement from the public officer, I could have the Japanese Government Licensed Guide Certificate and am nowadays very pleased to guide overseas tourists all over the world.
Did you know that the Fuji apple is not from Mt.Fuji…but is actually from Aomori Prefecture’ Fujisaki town. Aomori is proud of the biggest apple product in
Japan. We provide 40 apple-pie restaurants to guests.
Let’s enjoy real Japanese culture and history with me. I would enjoy with you real Samuri history, Kimono culture, local traditional festivals, castle,
Japanese garden, temple, shrine, Japanese tea ceremony, food and Sake.
I often go to the local sea food and vegetable markets and eat fresh foods and would love to show you some secret, hidden restaurants that only Aomori locals know about – let’s go on an adventure together.
If you like sushi and fresh seafood, let me introduce to Nokkedon ?
What is it? Come to Aomori and find out! I am waiting for you.
Jun 2, 2025
413maryannb
Tomohiko organized our day beautifully! The car was immaculate, the driver skilled. We thoroughly enjoyed our day!
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day…
Jun 2, 2025
413maryannb
Tomohiko organized our day beautifully! The car was immaculate, the driver skilled. We thoroughly enjoyed our day!
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Thank you for a great day in Aomori it was our last stop and most memorable! The Cherry
blossoms were beautiful! The Apple tarts divine.
Apr 30, 2025
Jacqueline_F
Great Guide, great tour
Viator review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
We experienced the wonderful sites of Aomori which…
Apr 30, 2025
Jacqueline_F
Great Guide, great tour
Viator review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
We experienced the wonderful sites of Aomori which was a surprise in many ways. Despite
the rainy day we were enchanted by the cherry blossoms in full bloom by the old castle.
Once area was prettier than another. The floats and their history were amazing.
Dec 30, 2024
Scenic33296385055
Warm and professional guide
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Mr. Kudo-san is very professional, meticulate and kind…
Dec 30, 2024
Scenic33296385055
Warm and professional guide
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Mr. Kudo-san is very professional, meticulate and kind hearted guide. The whole tour I felt like I was travelling with a fried. Me made me comfortable instantly. Very knowledgeable and patient in explaining stuff to me. I am vegetarian and he made sure my needs were met. He went above and beyond. There was a record snowfall in Aomori, taxi’s and buses were busy , we walked all the way and saw everything. I would highly recommend him to anyone wanting an expert and warm guide for Aomori. I whish him all the best.
Aug 3, 2024
Monika R
Fun and informative tour – great tour guide!
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
We were 3…
Aug 3, 2024
Monika R
Fun and informative tour – great tour guide!
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
We were 3 generations and all had so much fun with our tour guide Tomohiko. He was very informative and picked interesting places for us to visit including some shrines & museums. He took us to sample some of Aomori’s delicious apples and we had a wonderful lunch in a quint family restaurant. We met some lovely people. It was a fabulous experience we will not forget. Thank you!!