NEW! Japan Discovery

Experience Aomori’s spiritual and cultural heritage during visits to the serene Seiryu-ji Temple and Nebuta Museum. Meet your guide and board your motor coach for a short drive to the Seiryu-ji Temple, a tranquil complex set amid quiet woodland. Here you will see the impressive Showa Daibutsu (Great Buddha of Showa). At almost 70 feet tall, this bronze statue is said to inspire a profound sense of peace. Enjoy free time to take a stroll around the grounds, view temple halls and pause for photos. Continue to the Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse to learn more about the iconic Aomori Nebuta Festival, (recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage) through authentic lantern floats, behind-the-scenes insights into their design and craftsmanship, and the chance to try traditional festival instruments. After, return to your ship.

Explore Japan’s ancient Jomon period and contemporary art at Sannai-Maruyama and the Aomori Museum of Art. Journey by motor coach to Sannai-Maruyama, one of Japan’s largest and best-preserved Jomon period archaeological sites. Constructed more than 5,000 years ago, the site reveals remarkable architectural diversity. Upon arrival, you will walk among its reconstructed pit dwellings, storage pits and pillar-supported buildings before continuing to the onsite museum to view excavated artifacts that offer a glimpse into the lives of the Jomon communities. Continue your excursion to the Aomori Museum of Art, an architectural masterpiece designed by Jun Aoki. Here, you will gaze at works by local and internationally renowned artists, including Yoshitomo Nara, and view his iconic Aomori-ken (Aomori Dog) sculpture, alongside other contemporary works. After, return to your ship.

Delve into Aomori’s artistic heritage at the Tsugaru Kanayama Ware pottery studio and a cultural museum. Travel by motor coach through the countryside to Tsugaru Kanayama Ware, a studio known for producing rustic pottery with a natural, unglazed finish created by high-temperature firing. You will meet skilled local artisans and watch them at work, and if available, join an optional hands-on pottery session. After time to browse the beautiful, handcrafted pieces at the studio, continue to Goshogawara’s Tachineputa Museum, home to the towering 75‑foot illuminated paper floats that define the city’s famous summer festival. Learn how these massive works of art are constructed during an engaging short film and immerse yourself in the spirit of one of Aomori’s most dynamic cultural celebrations, before returning to your ship.

Set out to discover samurai history, traditional arts and one of Japan’s most vibrant festival cultures. Meet your guide and embark on a scenic drive to the Tsugaru‑han Neputa Village, where you will explore the heritage of the famed Hirosaki Neputa Festival. Here, you will view the carefully crafted festival floats up close and enjoy live performances of the Tsugaru Shamisen, one of Japan's most recognizable traditional music forms. You may also participate in hands‑on craft activities or sample regional specialties during your visit. After, continue on foot to the iconic Hirosaki Castle Park, home to one of Japan’s twelve original castles and designated an Important Cultural Property. Take a stroll through its landscaped grounds, renowned for breathtaking cherry blossoms in spring and vivid foliage in autumn. Return to your motor coach for the return drive to your ship.

Immerse yourself in nature at Towada-Hachimantai National Park and Oirase Gorge, and ascend the Hakkoda Ropeway. Embark on a two-hour drive by motor coach into the heart of Towada‑Hachimantai National Park, a protected region shaped by volcanic activity. Stop at the Hakka Pass Observatory to take in sweeping views over Lake Towada, one of Japan's deepest caldera lakes that was formed over 200,000 years ago. After time for photographs, continue to Oirase Gorge, a serene river valley known for its crystal-clear waters, dense mossy forests and series of waterfalls. Here, you will set out on a guided walk, pausing for more photographs at scenic spots including Choshi Waterfall and the Ishegedo no Se, or Ishigedo Stream. After lunch, ascend by ropeway gondola into the Hakkoda Mountains for panoramic views of Aomori City and the Tsugaru Plain, before beginning the journey back to your ship.