🍁❄️🗻🏰🏞️ Hokkaido to Aomori: A Winter Wonderland

Japan's popular travel destinations in autumn and winter are hard to beat, especially Hokkaido with its unparalleled popularity. But if you're looking to escape the crowds, Aomori, located at the northernmost tip of Honshu, is the perfect choice: breathtaking snowscapes, apple hot springs, autumn leaf valleys, Yeti tree ice, and snow corridors—each a winter marvel! 1️⃣ Shirakawa Mountains The Shirakawa Mountains span across Aomori and Akita prefectures, and during the autumn leaf season, they are stunningly beautiful. Must-visit spots include the Twelve Lakes, Anmon Falls, and Tarou Gorge! The ever-changing azure of the Blue Pond is mesmerizing. In winter, you can participate in the snow trekking event—“Twelve Lakes SNOW HIKE.” ❄️: December 1st to March 30th 2️⃣ Hirosaki Castle The most anticipated winter event at Hirosaki Castle is the "Hirosaki Snow Lantern Festival," one of the five major winter ice and snow festivals in northeastern Japan, known for its grand scale. More than 150 snow lanterns, large and small, made of ice and snow are displayed, with the donjon adorned with powdery snow, creating an absolutely beautiful atmosphere when lit up at night! 📅 Snow Lantern Festival dates for next year: February 7th to 11th, 2025 3️⃣ Hachimantai Mountain Hachimantai Mountain's spectacular tree ice and towering snow corridors in winter are two must-see sights that make Aomori a must-visit. To see the tree ice, take the Hachimantai Mountain cable car up the mountain; the 10-minute ride offers a bird's-eye view of the 3-meter-tall "Yeti tree ice"—it's spectacular! 📅 Viewing period until mid-March! 4️⃣ Towada Lake Towada Lake is a landmark of Aomori, with its lake and mountain scenery offering an intoxicating ambiance. A grand festival to see in winter is the "Towada Lake Winter Story." Winter fireworks, a sky full of stars, and night light shows—everything you can imagine about the beauty of a Japanese winter is here! 📅: January 31st to February 24th, 2025 #JapanTravel #AomoriAdventure #WinterWonderland #SnowLanterns #JapaneseWinterFestivals