Aomori and Hirosaki

NCL Jewel 21-Day Transpacific Cruise Tokyo to Seattle

May 9, 2018 (Wednesdsay) -- Aomori, Japan

Time in port: 8:00am~6:00pm

This is our third time coming to Aomori, Japan. We visited this city twice on our back-to-back cruise around Japan three years ago and we felt quite comfortable finding our way even without a map. We have docked at two different places on our previous visits and we found that we were docked at yet another location on this trip this morning. 

Waking up to the sight of a ferry sailing towards Hokkaido across the channel.

As our ship sailed into Aomori Bay we were having breakfast at O'Sheehan's. This is a good place to have breakfast when going in port to avoid the craziness at the Garden Cafe.

Finally docked.

This time our ship docked at the pier near Shotoku Park. I believe this is or used to be a ferry pier. When we were here the last time, the shuttle buses dropped us off here. No shuttles provided this time since we were so close to town.

Volunteers

Uh oh!

We got off the ship at around 8:30, we had more people joining our group this time making our group to 17 people. We would go to Hirosaki together. 

From the port we just walked towards the A-Spam building which is the iconic A shape building in Aomori. It is the Aomori Prefectural Center for Industry and Tourism. Inside the building, there are gift shops, tourist information, and restaurants. A good place to shop for local products.

Looking back at the Jewel as we were walking away.

Aomori Bay Bridge with Aomori Lovers bridge underneath.

We then walked towards the Aomori Lovers Bridge from behind A-Spam. The red building is the Nebuta House (WaRasse Museum). Across from the Nebuta House is the A-Factory, another souvenir store with local products and restaurants. 

Nebuta House

The Lovers Bridge on the left as we walked towards the train station.

Hirosaki

The train station is just across the street from the Nebuta House and the A-Factory. Most of us purchased our tickets from the office right next to the ticket machines. BTW, the Suica cards or Pasmo cards do not work here. We figured that it would be easier to get the tickets from a real person than dealing with the machines. And we were able to use our credit cards for the tickets. Staff in the office spoke good English and they answered all our questions regarding this train trip. I believe ticket cost 640 per person each way.

Bridge that connects all the platforms at the train station.

We were early so we just sat inside the train and waited for it to leave.

After the 40-minute ride, we arrived at the Hirosaki JR Station and found the loop bus stop downstairs. The stop for the Loop Bus is just by the sidewalk when you get off the escalator. Do not cross the street to the other buses. The line for the loop bus got very long quickly. Fortunately we all got on the first bus that came around. 

100Yen Loop Bus

Get off at stop 14. Hirosaki Park is just across the street. 

Here is the moat leading up to the entrance of the park and castle.

The Chan Clan in front of the entrance.

Hirosaki Park is one of Japan's leading cherry blossom spot with 2600 cherry trees inside the park. We were a few days late for the cherry blossom season which is between April 23 and May 5 every year.

Crossing the Suginoo Bridge to the Inner South Gate.

Entering the Inner South Gate.

By now we needed to use the restrooms here. Very clean.

Just beautiful!

Sign of Gejo Bridge.

Gejo Bridge leading up to the castle.

What a pleasant surprise! Part of the castle was actually opened for visitors even though it wasn't the castle itself. We were not sure if we had time because the ladies in the ticket booth told us that it will take 40 minutes to see everything. We decided that we will just spend the time we needed and get out if we were pushing for time to catch our bus back to the train station. We were able to pay the group discount (10 or more) of 250 yen each to get inside the castle. Actually, it was more like an honor system with no one collecting tickets.

Let's go!

Men in our group.

And now the ladies.

One of the building on the castle ground that was opened.

Serves as a museum.

Inside

A fun dress-up station inside the castle. 

Taking the steep climb back down.

Mt. Iwaki, the highest point in the prefecture.

Just wished we had time to see more of the park but we had other plans and needed to get back to Aomori. I was certainly glad that we got to see the things that we did not see on our last visit here. It was well worth the time and money spent. 

We found the East Gate and exited the park, crossed the street to the NHK station where the #16 station for the Loop Bus was and were able to get back to the JR station for the 1:00 train back to Aomori.

We were the only ones in line for the Loop Bus back to the train station.

On the Loop Bus.

This was the return train ticket coming back from Hirosaki.

Back in Aomori after the 40-minute train ride, we then took the short walk to the Furukawa Fish Market a couple of blocks away to look for our seafood lunch. After each of us purchased our sheet of coupons for 1300 yen, we went to fill our bowls of seafood rice with our choice of seafood items from the many vendors there at the market. What a fun way to have your original Nokkedon!

Furukawa Fresh Market

Entrance and ticket booth.

Enjoyed our Nokkedon at the communal tables.

After the delicious lunch, we went to the Daiso Store on the main street and did some shopping. It was very busy inside that store with many cruise passengers and crew members getting their bargains. Then we went our separate ways. Some went to the department store, some went to the grocery store, some went to the Nabuta House and A-Factory. The five of us decided that we should head back to the ship. 

Back to the A-Spam building. This time going inside through the front door.

Lanterns at the entrance.

We looked around the stores there and ChC purchased some fresh apple pies from the bakery to try. Getting fresh apples, apple juice or anything made with apples would be a good choice in Aomori since apples are the main produce here. Make sure you consumed the apples before getting back on the ship though.

Back to our cabin and a plate of chocolate covered strawberries was waiting for us.

Plus a chilled bottle of champagne.

Crab cakes

Dinner at Tsar's again but I forgot to take pictures of the menu and only a couple of the food we had.

Clam chowder?

Prime rib. I ordered rare, but this was actually raw! Needless to say I did not finish this.

Back to the cabin, we found these on the shelf in the bathroom.

We had a good day in port visiting Aomori and Hirosaki again. Not sure if we will be returning for a fourth time but we are thankful that we got another chance to see these places one more time.

"I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me."                             Proverbs 8:17