Aomori Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide

Located in Mutsu Bay, Aomori city retains its Edo Period grid pattern, though the city was heavily bombed in World War II. Most of Aomori's attractions are recent buildings including a number of contemporary architectural gems: the Wa Rasse and A-Factory near Aomori Station, Aomori Bay Bridge and the Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center (ASPAM).

Wa Rasse arts and cultural center dedicated to Aomori's famous Nebuta Festival. On display at Wa Rasse are five floats from the previous year's Nebuta festival along with video installations, sounds, photographs and introductions to famous Nebuta artists over the ages.

Aomori Prefectural Folk Museum (Tel: 017 777 1585), which has a large collection of Jomon period pottery, miniature reconstructions of Jomon huts and tools from this early period of Japanese history, the study of which was revolutionized by the discovery and excavation of the Sannai Maruyama Site and the Komakino stone circles in Aomori, south west of the city near the Aomori Museum of Art.

The Aomori Contemporary Art Center (ACAC) on the grounds of Aomori Public College was designed by the internationally-acclaimed architect Tadao Ando and the building and its water feature blends beautifully with the surrounding woodland. The Aomori Contemporary Art Center stages frequent exhibitions by both Japanese and foreign contemporary artists. There are buses to the university campus from Aomori Station.

The Munakata Shiko Memorial Museum of Art (Tel: 017 777 4567) exhibits the woodblock prints of Aomori native Munakata Shiko (1903-1975), the "Vincent van Gogh of Aomori" including his masterpiece Ten Great Disciples of Buddha, as well as the artist's oil paintings, illustrated books and calligraphy. To get to the Munakata Shiko Memorial Museum of Art by public transport take a Yokouchi Kanjo-sen bus from Aomori Station.

The Aomori Museum of Art (Tel: 017 777 4567) is close to the Jomon-period Sannai Maruyama archeological site and the white cubic building was designed by architect Jun Aoki to harmonize with its historical surroundings. The Aomori Museum of Art houses various permanent and temporary exhibitions including works by Shiko Munakata, Marc Chagall and Paul Klee. The huge, white dog sculpture by Yoshitomo Nara at the museum has become a symbol of Aomori. Take a bus bound for the Driving License Center and get off at Kenritsu Bijitsukan-mae (20 minutes).

The Sannai-Maruyama archaeological site reveals the reconstructed foundations of a Jomon era settlement. Having only been first discovered in 1992, the site was declared a special national historic landmark in 2000 – protecting the location from being overdeveloped and losing the historical treasures in the process. Visitors can freely explore the large grounds, taking in the different huts and settlements, as well as the large six-pillared structure that dominates the main site.