Located in northernmost Honshu, Aomori Prefecture is more than four times the size of Tokyo. Facing the three coasts—the Sea of Japan, the Tsugaru Strait and the Pacific Ocean—and home to the World Natural Heritage site of Shirakami-sanchi, this prefecture boasts a wealth of nature. However, this same nature also brings severity to the lives of Aomori residents. Annual snowfall surpasses that of north-most Hokkaido Prefecture. Aomori people have lived with the harsh natural environment while growing agricultural products such as apples as well as fishing in the rough seas. They tend to be quiet, patient and mostly warm-hearted. Such weather fostered the Aomori’s love for drinking and hot springs.

Aomori has two distinct cultures and it is important to understand the difference. The Nambu culture in Western Aomori centers around Hachinohe, while the Tsugaru culture in Eastern Aomori centers around Hirosaki. The Tsugaru dialect and the Nambu dialect are quite different, and typical personalities also differ: Nambu people tend to be modest and restrained, while Tsugaru people tend to be the exact opposite and sociable. Even historians admit that combining such opposite regions into one prefecture is extremely rare. That’s why being aware of these differences makes it so interesting to travel in Aomori. Although even Japanese native speakers have trouble picking up the dialect, just sensing the differences in sound and rhythm will grant you some familiarity with the land of Aomori.