A Buddhist statue stands silently along an icy stream. (Photo: Justin Velgus)

Snow Trekking in Aomori

Explore the Juniko Lakes area via snow shoes

Justin Velgus   - 2 min read

Ever want to try something different during winter? Me too. So here's your answer: snow trekking through the Juniko Lakes area, just outside a World Heritage Site. The area itself is something truly majestic. With its towering beech trees and hidden lakes around almost every corner, a walk in any season would be memorable. However, winter brings its own charm and creates something more that few people take advantage of. Strap on your snow shoes and get ready for snow trekking.

The Awone Shirakami Jyuniko Resort in Aomori offers a snow trekking experience as a separate day trip or as part of a one night hotel package from January 4th to March 30th. You are not allowed to enter the area without a guide, so it is reassuring to know the experience is still affordable. Tours are twice daily (9:00-12:00 and 13:00-1600) and are given to two or more people. Tours are group tours and not private. But if you have a large group and book well in advance, it may be able to become a private tour like the one I joined. Reservations should be made at least three days in advance. A day trip option for visitors is 3000 yen a person while hotel stayers have the option of making a package deal with their accommodation or meals. Each outing is roughly three hours, and includes: transportation to and from the trail start, snow shoe and walking pole rental, and expert guides.

For more information, check out the official website (Japanese).

Justin Velgus

Justin Velgus @justin.velgus

Justin Velgus (ジャスティン ベルガス) is the Miyagi Prefecture expert for Japan Travel and a long-term contributor since 2012 with a focus on the Tohoku region.  Justin has written extensively for JT, and other publications such as VisitMiyagi and Sake Today, amassing over 350 published articles...