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
- Dear Karen Meltser’s Group (7-persons)
- Welcome to Aomori !
- 【Hirosaki Tour】 3rd August 2024
- ～Itinerary ～
- 11:30 At the Aomori cruise terminal.
- To the Hirosaki by a chartered taxi
- 12:30 – 13:00
- Five-storied pagoda in Saihouin temple
- 13:00 – 14:00
- Lunch : @ Kafukutei “Japanese backwheat noodle SOBA restaurant”
- 14:00 – 15:00
- Hirosaki park – Hirosaki castle （Admission fee: 310 yen/one-person)
- By a chartered taxi
- 15:00-16:30 Tsugaru-han Neputa Village (Shamisen (three-stringed musical instrument show ) （Admission fee: 600 yen/one-person)
- 16:30 Tsugaru-han Neputa Village dept. By a chartered taxi
- 17:30 Aomori cruise terminal arr.
Title: What Is a Private Aomori Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report on Hirosaki Castle, Apple Orchards, and Tsugaru
I guided a multi-generational family visiting from North America on August 2024.
The route covered the Five-Story Pagoda of Saishoin Temple, Hirosaki Castle, Tsugaru-han Neputa Village, the rural countryside, and an apple orchard.
One of the guests, upon hearing that I had angina, immediately pulled out cardiovascular images on a smartphone and began asking questions about stents and my condition. Another of the guests was very knowledgeable about Japanese history and was studying Japanese economic history of the Edo and Meiji periods. It was the first visit to Japan for all of them, and one of the guests, who was also a photographer, enthusiastically photographed the scenery of Aomori and wanted to see rice-farming areas and apple orchards, so I took the group to the rural fields of the Tsugaru Plain and the apple orchards in Namioka.
Since some of the guests had allergies, lunch was at a soba restaurant. They thoroughly enjoyed sake, beer, and apple juice, and found everything delicious.
When the English pronunciation of "soba" sounded like "kasha" (the Russian word for buckwheat), I asked if they had Russian roots. It turned out that some of the guests had been born in Europe and had moved to North America in early childhood. They said they used to eat buckwheat every day. They came to love the apple pie and apple soft-serve ice cream of Hirosaki! One of the guests asked me to recommend a good soba restaurant, as they wanted to eat soba in Tokyo as well.
They mentioned that their home region is at about the same latitude as Aomori and reportedly gets even more snow than Aomori. Although there are no mountains as high as Mount Hakkoda there, everyone in the group enjoys skiing.
One of the guests said that in a few years they would like to go skiing on Mount Hakkoda together!
Click here for more details: Aomori Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, 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!!