Recommended course

Tour spectacular National Parks at the northernmost tip of Honshu

This route tours around the Shimokita Peninsula at the northernmost tip of Honshu. The entire peninsula is a quasi-national park which is stunningly beautiful in autumn when the trees are a mass of colorful foliage.

The National Road 338 from Sai Village up to Hotokegaura will have narrow roads, dangerous and sharp curves in certain parts, making the journey a bit challenging.
Those who are hesitant to personally drive through can still enjoy the sights of Hotokegaura from the sea by riding the roundtrip tourist boat from the port of Sai.


There may be instances where one side of the lane will be closed to traffic for roadworks while driving through mountainous areas. Please observe and follow the instructions of the Traffic guards.
If there are none, please make sure to follow the instructions on the signs placed at the road. And make sure to stop until the traffic light turns blue, regardless if there are cars or not.


You may encounter steep areas and curves on your way to Mt. Osore. Please be sure to drive on a speed you can control. And additional precautionary measures are necessary especially on rainy days due to the roads become slippery.



Recommended course

Day 1
Aomori Airport


about18min.


Aomori Museum of Art


about2min.


Sannai-Maruyama Site


about2H30min.


Osorezan (Mt. Osore)


about55min.


Shimofuro Onsen
Day 2
Shiriyazaki


about1H22min.


Oma Fishing Harbor


about55min.


Hotokegaura


about3H40min.


Aomori Airport

Recommendation tourist attraction

Day 1

Located near the Sannai-Maruyama Site, the museum showcases works by Aomori artists that capture Jomon energy as the source of artistic creativity.


The archaeological site contains the ruins of the largest Jomon period village in Japan, dating from around 4,000 to 5,500 years ago. Excavation has revealed many pit dwellings and roads, and parts of the village have been reconstructed.


Buddhist monk Jikaku Daishi founded a temple on Osorezan in 862. It is considered one of the most sacred mountains in Japan along with Mt. Hiei and Mt. Koya. Osorezan Akimairi festival is held in autumn.


Hot spring resort located on the northern side of the Shimokita Peninsula. Shimofuro Onsen is long known as a therapeutic spa. In summer and autumn, you can also see a fantastic sight of the lights on the fishing boats offshore luring fish at night


Day 2

The cape located at the easternmost tip of the Shimokita Peninsula. You can see Kandachime horses, a prefectural Natural Treasure, grazing in the fields. Don’t miss the 120-year-old brick lighthouse.


Oma tuna caught by pole-and-line fishing are landed here. The season lasts from late August until early January. If you are lucky, you might see a huge 300 kg tuna.


A string of strange-shaped rocks eroded by nature stretches as far as about 2 km, and you can enjoy a mysterious landscape. There are also walking trails you can go along and admire the brightly colored leaves in autumn.