3-Day Itinerary

Rafting (Nishimeya)

Rafting down the Iwaki River is a relaxing trip to experience the clear stream that originates in the Shirakami-Sanchi. Up to seven people can ride on the boat, and everyone joins efforts to paddle through the wilderness.
During the hot season, you can take a dive at the diving spots!

Farmer’s Market Noichigo (Hirosaki)

The farmer’s market Noichigo offers a variety of fresh and safe local foods. You can also enjoy “Dakekimi soft-serving ice cream” and “Dakekimi miso ramen”.

Dake Onsen Yama no Hotel (Hirosaki)

Located at the foot of Mount Iwaki in Dake Onsen town, this warm and welcoming inn conveys the culture of Tsugaru. Guests enjoy the seasonal flavors of Mount Iwaki’s nature, including the famous “matagi-meshi”, wild vegetables, fresh fish, and wild game cuisine.
The hot spring has a history of over 320 years. It is a 100% free-flowing hot-spring water with white sprays of hot water dancing in the air. The large baths, luxuriously made of natural Aomori hiba (cypress), offer a peaceful and nostalgic space surrounded by the natural fragrance of wood.

Mount Iwaki Hiking (Hirosaki)

Mount Iwaki is a sacred mountain cherished by locals in the Tsugaru region.
The summer mountain hiking course is safe for beginners and moderately strenuous, giving hikers a pleasant sense of accomplishment upon reaching the summit.
The view from the top is truly spectacular!
The panoramic 360-degree view from the top of Mount Iwaki showcases the Tsugaru plains, Sea of Japan, Hokkaido, Mount Hakkoda, Shirakami-Sanchi, and even Mount Iwate afar. The mountain itself is sacred. At the top of the mountain is the rear shrine of Iwakiyama-jinja Shrine, where visitors can refresh and recharge their body and spirit.

Iwakiyama Jinja Shrine (Hirosaki)

Located at the foot of Mount Iwaki, Iwakiyama Jinja Shrine has a history of more than 1,200 years. The long path from the torii gate overlooking Mt. Iwaki to the main shrine is surrounded by a grove of cedar trees. The shrine pavilion, which was rebuilt in the feudal era after being burnt down several times, is massive and splendid, befitting the nickname “Oku-no-Nikko ” for its similarity to the Nikko Tosho-gu. Together with the rear shrine in Mount Iwaki, they are spiritual sites that attract many visitors.

Sanyo Teahouse (Foot bath) Karan Karan Ice Cream / Chirin Chirin Ice Cream (Hirosaki)

Right next to Iwakiyama Jinja Shrine is Sanyo Teahouse, serving Tsugaru Ramen and soba noodles. There are two ice cream stands, “Chirin Chirin Ice Cream” and “Karan Karan Ice Cream” by the torii gate in front of the parking lot. Try and compare the different flavors.

Morinonakanokaju Orchards “Fruit Picking” (Hirosaki)

The Tsugaru region is famous for its fruits such as apples, grapes, and cherries. At the foot of Mt. Iwaki at a fruit shop without a roof, pick and taste the fruits harvested in season, ripened slowly in the sun until the moment they enter your mouth.

Ajigasawa Onsen Hotel Granmere Sankaiso (Ajigasawa)

Surrounded by the Sea of Japan and Mt. Iwaki, the inn boasts an outstanding location and hot springs. The open-air bath overlooking the magnificent Sea of Japan is a rare natural hot spring made from ancient seawater called “fossil seawater.” With its high salt content, it is excellent for retaining heat and moisture, and is a natural thalassotherapy (marine therapy) for visitors.
The meals highlight seasonal delicacies from the mountains and the sea.
Hotel Grand Mer Sankaiso(Lodging)

Morning Yoga/SUP and Garden Breakfast (Ajigasawa)

Nothing beats morning yoga in a great location overlooking the Sea of Japan with the sound of waves, birds chirping, and cool ocean breezes.
Morning SUP is a type of exercise where you balance on a board floating on the water, following the movement of the waves.
Take a deep breath in nature and recharge your energy with the power of the sun and water!
After a good workout, a garden breakfast served in the hotel’s garden will fill your appetite and spirit.

Sea Station Wando “Café Water and Coffee”/ “Marugoto Juice (Ajigasawa)

Enjoy an authentic espresso menu with coffee brewed with soft water from the Shirakami Mountains. Freshly roasted coffee beans are also available for purchase.
The fruit juice stand offers fresh juices made from seasonal fruits grown in Ajigasawa.
Perfect stop to take a break and enjoy a cup of coffee or fresh juice while looking out at the ocean.
Umi no Eki Wando (Seaside Station)

Lake Juniko “Aoike” and Beech Tree Forest Trek (Fukaura)

Aoike is a pond with water so cobalt blue it looks as if blue ink had been poured into it. The reflection of the lush beech trees on the surface of the lake is simply breathtaking.
A walk through the natural beech forest around Aoike and Wakitsubo no ike, two ponds that celebrate the mysterious blue water, allows visitors to appreciate the plants and birds that inhabit the Shirakami Sanchi.
Aoike (Blue Pond)

Seikanso Amimoto (Lunch) (Fukaura)

Seikansto Amimoto, located along Route 101 near JR Juniko Station, is a restaurant that serves seasonal seafood at a reasonable price. Our top recommendation is the omakase set meal for 1,000 yen. The meal features a variety of freshly caught local seafood and produce such as sashimi, grilled fish, boiled fish, grilled turban shells snails, and mountain vegetable dishes.

Juniko Station “Aoike Soft-serve Ice Cream” (Fukaura)

Aoike soft-serve ice cream can be found at the produce corner Puratto in the station. Featuring a beautiful blue shade, the yogurt flavored soft-serve ice cream was created in the image of Aoike.

Fukaura Marugoto Ichiba “Fukaura Tuna Soft-serve Ice Cream” (Fukaura)

“Fukaura Tuna Soft-serve Ice Cream” is like no other, designed to resemble the red meat of tuna and the silver color of the fish’s body. While it contains about 0.1 gram of Fukaura bluefin tuna dashi powder per serving, it is vanilla flavored.

Senjōjiki Coast (Fukaura)

Behold one of the 100 best sunsets of Japan.
Legend has it that a feudal lord of Tsugaru once laid out 1,000 tatami mats and held a drinking party on this rocky beach, which was created by an earthquake in 1792.

Squid Curtain (Ajigasawa)

The “Yakiika Dori” (grilled squid street) is lined with rows and rows of white squid lined up like a curtain to be freshly dried, and stores that grill the dried squid over charcoal for customers to purchase. The iconic street is located on a prefectural road running along the coastline.
Grilled Squid

Tsuru no Maihashi Bridge (Tsuruta)

Mount Iwaki beautifully reflects on the surface of Tsugaru Fujimi Lake. The longest triple drum bridge in Japan built over Tsugaru Fujimi Lake, the “Tsuru-no-mai Bridge” is 300 meters long. It is believed that crossing the bridge leads to long life.
Tsuru no Maihashi Bridge

JR Kizukuri Station Shako-chan (Tsugaru)

Kizukuri Station has a giant Shako-chan that welcomes riders. Created based on a light-shielding clay figure excavated from the Kamegaoka Stone Age site, Shako-chan is attached to the wall, and the eyes light up when the train is passing through the station.
JR Gono line Kizukuri Station