A-Factory

 

A-Factory is located next to the Wa-Reese Nebuta Float Museum. If you’ve ever been to Aomori you know that it is famous for its apples. A-Factory has a lot of edible souvenirs, a few places to eat and rest, and upstairs is home to a small cider tasting area.

Unfortunately, the cider testing isn’t free. It is ¥100 for 30cc, ¥200 for 40cc and ¥300 for 90cc. And of course, if you find one you like, you can purchase it here. They also have Black Cat service to pack and  send your souvenirs to you which is really neat if you live very far away (like Tokyo).

Wa Reese Nebuta

 

Nebuta Warasse is a museum which hosts the 5  “retired” Nebuta Festival floats that paraded the year before. (they are changed every year). This famous festival in Aomori is unique because it is not linked to any specific temple or shrine. Though there are many legends as to why,  origin is still a mystery today.  If you have never been to Nebuta Festival or missed it, you can not only view the floats here but also touch the ones in the touch Nebuta exhibit and experience a performance of Haneto dancing with live musical accompaniment. (three times a day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays). 

While we were there, we were also encouraged to learn the Haneto dance, and play the drums or cymbals!

In the museum section they also have a simulator where you can create your own Nebuta face. (It’s the blue thing in the back, it changes colors depending on what you pick on the screen) .

 

The museum also hosts a café, restaurant and gift shop.

Admission is found on the second floor and the prices for admission are as follows :

Adult:  ¥600

High School Student: ¥450

elementary/jr.high student: ¥250

If you decide to drive, there is a fee for parking (¥210 for a standard car for the first hour and an additional ¥100 every half hour). If you pay to enter the museum you are not charged for your first hour in the parking lot.

 

Nebuta Warasse

1-1-1 Yasukata, Aomori-shi

phone: 017-752-1311

http://www.nebuta.jp/warasse/

ASPAM

 

     We took the train from Misawa to Aomori last weekend with some friends. Our first stop was ASPAM (Aomori Prefectural Center for Tourism and Industry) it is a 14 story triangular building and is  tourist center for Aomori prefecture. It has an observation deck at the 13th floor and many souvenir shops.

We were lucky that day because they had a free half hour concert to enjoy and as we were about to leave we found this mascot. It was really entertaining. You can read about him and his other mascot friends here.

On the 14th floor there is a great restaurant with a panoramic view of Aomori. The meal prices were not bad either! (Note: we did go in the afternoon, I’m not sure if they have a different menu for dinner).

For some reason the only menu that was in English was the drink menu.

After eating at the restaurant we felt no need to go to the 13th floor. I hope to go again and sit at one of the bar style tables that face a window!