Late August in Aomori Prefecture is a transitional season, when outdoor activities in places like Shirakami-Sanchi and Hakkoda still continue while a wave of autumn festivals begins to gather momentum across the region.
This article organizes events currently underway or coming soon throughout Aomori Prefecture, so travelers can judge whether each one fits their itinerary. Details on each individual event are listed below.
Aomori Prefecture is spread across a wide area, with venues in cities and towns such as Hachinohe, Hirosaki, Towada, and Nanbu Town. Keep travel time between locations in mind when narrowing down your plans.
Recognizing the Pattern
The events on offer fall into two broad groups. One is outdoor and nature-based activity, such as trekking, river fishing, and forest walks around Shirakami-Sanchi, Hakkoda, and the Oirase Gorge. The other is community-rooted festivals and traditional events, including Goe Matsuri, Towada City Autumn Festival, and Kuroishi Komise Matsuri. Alongside these, food and market events like Tatehana Wharf Morning Market and NAMIOKA COFFEE FES also appear on the calendar.
Nature-based events tend to run for weeks or even months, giving travelers flexibility in choosing a date. Festivals and shrine rites, on the other hand, are usually limited to just a few days, so it's worth double-checking whether your travel dates overlap with the actual event period.
Choosing Based on Your Itinerary
If you want to build your trip around outdoor walking experiences, trekking routes in Shirakami-Sanchi and the Hakkoda area make a solid base, adjustable to weather and stamina. If you're after a stronger sense of local culture, aligning your visit with early-to-mid September festivals such as Goe Matsuri, Towada City Autumn Festival, Ohata Hachimangu Reitaisai, or Kuroishi Komise Matsuri is the more direct route.
For those drawn to music or market-style gatherings, late September brings options like RINGO MUSIC FES.2026, Hirosaki 'Machinaka Picnic', and NAMIOKA COFFEE FES. Since venues are scattered across the prefecture, factor in travel distance when combining multiple events into one trip.
On now9
WorkshopsLast dayJul 18 – Aug 30
初めての渓流釣りツアー
A small-group beginner fly-fishing experience meeting at Oirase Keiryukan, offering a short session immersed in the sounds of a mountain stream.
Nature & seasonsAug 16 – Sep 6
石ヶ戸から雲井の滝 お手軽渓流コース【トレッキング】
An easy guided walk along Oirase Gorge's classic 2.8km route from Ishigedo to Kumoi Falls, passing the photogenic Ashura rapids.
Nature & seasonsJul 18 – Sep 13
パワースポットクルーズ【ボートクルーズ】
A boat cruise on Lake Towada visiting a specially protected area accessible only by water, including a spot known for fortune-telling legends.
Nature & seasonsJul 26 – Sep 13
八甲田エリアトレッキング
Guided trekking in the Hakkoda mountain range, ranging from a challenging traverse to Takada-Odake to a relaxed walk to enjoy alpine flowers.
FamilyJul 25 – Sep 24
北海道・北東北の縄文遺跡群 世界遺産登録５周年記念「あおもりＪＯＭＯＮ世界遺産フェスタ」
A family-friendly event across several Aomori shopping malls marking the 5th anniversary of the Jomon sites' World Heritage listing, with stage shows and festival-style stalls.
令和８年7月25日(土)、26日(日) サンロード青森 （青森市）
Nature & seasonsSep 12 – Oct 31
世界自然遺産「白神山地」ブナ林散策 里山の滝トリップ（乳穂ケ滝）×白神そば付き「山菜ちらし寿司」ランチ
A guided nature walk to Nippo-no-taki Falls in the Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage forest, paired with a lunch of soba and sansai chirashizushi. Good for travelers who want an easy, transport-included nature outing.
白神山地
Nature & seasonsAug 1 – Oct 31
濡れずに行こう！暗門の滝＆ブナ林散策道コース【トレッキング】
A small-group guided walk to Anmon Falls and the beech forest of Shirakami-Sanchi, using paths that stay dry even in rain.
Nature & seasonsMay 22 – Nov 5
フェリー「かけはし」就航記念！むついちロゲイニングライド
A rogaining-style cycling event circling Mutsu Bay (about 220km) using the ferry Kakehashi to link two peninsulas. Riders post on SNS to earn a finisher's certificate—suited to endurance cyclists.
Food & marketsMar 15 – Dec 30
2026（令和8）館鼻岸壁朝市
A large Sunday-morning waterfront market at Hachinohe's Tatehana Quay, offering seafood, wild vegetables, and unusual local foods to browse and sample.
青森県八戸市新湊 館鼻岸壁
Coming up14
Festivals & ritesSep 4 – Sep 6
五戸まつり
Goshogatsu Matsuri traces its roots to Kyoto's Gion Matsuri, featuring elaborate floats climbing a steep slope, distinctive festival music, and evening float performances.
五戸町中心街
Festivals & ritesSep 4 – Sep 6
十和田市秋まつり
Towada City's autumn festival, rooted in harvest prayers from the pioneer era, features float parades, the Nanbu Komaodori dance, and the vigorous Kenka-daiko drum clashes over three days.
三本木大通り、官庁街通り周辺
Nature & seasonsSep 7 – Sep 13
奥入瀬自然博物館
A one-week period during peak autumn colors when private cars are restricted along Oirase Gorge, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery via guided tours and a shuttle bus.
奥入瀬渓流
WorkshopsSep 12
りんご農家のおいしい休日 秋ver.
A one-day program in Fujisaki Town combining cycling with hands-on apple farm work, hormone-yaki grilling, and pizza making.
集合場所：ふじさき産業文化交流施設リンゴカ（青森県南津軽郡藤崎町大字藤崎字下袋7番地10）
Festivals & ritesSep 14 – Sep 16
大畑八幡宮例大祭
A roughly 300-year-old shrine festival in Ohata featuring mikoshi and float processions through town, ending with a seaside blessing ceremony at the fishing port.
大畑八幡宮
Music & liveSep 19 – Sep 20
RINGO MUSIC FES.2026
An outdoor music festival at Hirosaki's Apple Park, RINGO MUSIC FES. brings artists from within and beyond Aomori for a two-day event.
弘前市りんご公園
FamilySep 19 – Sep 20
ひろさき「まちなかピクニック」2026
A walkable outdoor event in Hirosaki's Yoshinocho green zone, 'Machinaka Picnic' invites visitors to relax and stroll through a pleasant urban space.
吉野町緑地ゾーン（土淵川吉野町緑地、弘南鉄道大鰐線中央弘前駅周辺ほか）
FamilySep 20
三沢基地航空祭2026
An annual open day at the JASDF Misawa Air Base, featuring aircraft displays and flight demonstrations from both Japanese and US forces, plus food stalls—popular with families and aviation fans.
航空自衛隊三沢基地
Festivals & ritesSep 20 – Sep 21
黒石こみせまつり
Held along the historic wooden arcade Komise-dori in Kuroishi, this festival features craft and food stalls including Kuroishi yakisoba, plus live Tsugaru shamisen performances.
中町～前町～横町
Food & marketsSep 21 – Sep 23
NAMIOKA COFFEE FES
A coffee festival at roadside station Namioka Apple Hill gathering 15 specialty coffee shops from Aomori and beyond, with event-limited collaboration items.
道の駅「なみおか」アップルヒル イベント広場
Food & marketsOct 3 – Oct 4
にんにくとべごまつり
An autumn food event in Tacco Town celebrating local garlic and Tacco beef, including a whole-roasted beef specialty and a barbecue corner.
創遊村229スキーランド
Food & marketsOct 10 – Oct 11
南部夜市
An evening market held in Nanbu Town at the Bade Park Avance parking area, offering local food and specialty goods in a nighttime atmosphere. Good for visitors who enjoy exploring after dark.
南部町バーデパークアヴァンセ横駐車場
Food & marketsOct 18
新そばを食べよう
An event at 手づくり村 鯉艸郷 where visitors can taste freshly milled new soba noodles inside the thatched-roof building 鯉艸亭. Suited to those wanting a relaxed autumn food experience.
手づくり村 鯉艸郷
Food & marketsNov 7 – Nov 8
津軽の食と産業まつり
A two-day autumn fair at 弘前市運動公園 gathering local food, crafts, and everyday goods from the Tsugaru region. Good for visitors wanting a broad look at regional products.
弘前市運動公園
Event data and photos from: アプティネット（青森県観光国際交流機構）. Descriptions are written by us, not copied. Please confirm dates and prices on each official page.
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Sources (official)
Fares and times below were checked on the date shown. Always confirm on the official sites before travelling.