Aomori: Getting there and around

How to travel between Aomori and Tokyo

By air

JAL operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Aomori Airport. Flight duration is 80 minutes, and the regular one way fare is about 34,000 yen; however, discount tickets are usually available for around 15,000 yen. With an air pass you can fly for even less. From the airport JR buses travel to JR Aomori Station (35 minutes, 710 yen one way, covered by the Japan Rail Pass but not by any other JR passes).

By train

Take a Hayabusa train on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori (3.5 hours) and transfer to a local or limited express train for Aomori Station (5 minutes). The entire one way trip takes around four hours, costs about 17,500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass. Seat reservations are mandatory on Hayabusa trains. There is about one connection per hour.

By bus

Konan Bus operates daytime and overnight highway buses between Tokyo (Ueno Station) and Aomori. The one way journey takes 11 hours and costs 4000-6500 yen. Additional, more expensive overnight buses leave for Aomori from Tokyo and Shinjuku Station. They are operated by Konan Bus, JR Tohoku Bus and Keikyu Bus, cost 8000-9500 yen one way and offer more comfortable seats. Online reservations can be made through Japan Bus Online.

How to travel between Aomori and Osaka

By air

JAL operates multiple flights per day between Osaka's Itami Airport and Aomori Airport. Flight duration is 95 minutes, and the regular one way fare is about 42,000 yen; however, discount tickets are usually available for between 15,000 and 31,000 yen. With an air pass you can fly for even less. From the airport JR buses travel to JR Aomori Station (35 minutes, 710 yen one way, fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass but not by any other JR passes).

By train

Take a Nozomi or Hikari train on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) to Tokyo (2.5 hours) and transfer to a Hayabusa train on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori (3 hours). Finally, take a local or limited express train for Aomori Station (5 minutes). The entire one way trip takes about seven hours, costs around 28,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass if using a Hikari train between Osaka and Tokyo. Seat reservations are mandatory on Hayabusa trains between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori. There is about one connection per hour.

How to travel between Aomori and Kyoto

By air

JAL operates multiple flights per day between Itami Airport near Kyoto and Aomori Airport. Flight duration is 95 minutes, and the regular one way fare is about 42,000 yen; however, discount tickets are usually available for between 15,000 and 31,000 yen. With an air pass you can fly for even less. From the airport JR buses travel to JR Aomori Station (35 minutes, 710 yen one way, fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass but not by any other JR passes).

By train

Take a Nozomi or Hikari train on the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo (2.5 hours) and transfer to a Hayabusa train on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori (3 hours). Finally, take a local or limited express train for Aomori Station (5 minutes). The entire one way trip takes about 6.5 hours, costs around 27,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass if using a Hikari train between Kyoto and Tokyo. Seat reservations are mandatory on Hayabusa trains between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori. There is about one connection per hour.

How to travel between Aomori and Hirosaki

Hirosaki and Aomori are connected by hourly departing trains along the JR Ou Line. The one way trip takes about 45 minutes, costs 680 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass. Alternatively, there are infrequent JR limited express trains along the same route that are slightly faster, but cost an additional 520 yen for an unreserved seat or an additional 1000-1500 yen for a reserved seat.