Aomori Airport can be a convenient gateway to Akita Shirakami, the area surrounding the Akita side of Shirakami Sanchi, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

From the airport, you can travel by bus to Aomori or Hirosaki and then continue by train. Depending on your destination and travel style, there are three main routes to Akita Shirakami.

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Getting from Aomori Airport to Akita Shirakami: 3 Routes to Consider
First: Aomori Airport to Aomori or Hirosaki
Route 1: Gono Line & Resort Shirakami
Route 2: Ou Main Line
Route 3: Shinkansen from Aomori to Akita

Getting from Aomori Airport to Akita Shirakami: 3 Routes to Consider

Route	Best for	Highlights
Gono Line / Resort Shirakami	Travellers who want to enjoy the journey	A scenic route along the Sea of Japan
Ou Main Line	Travellers who want to visit Hirosaki or Odate	A practical inland route
Shinkansen	Travellers combining Akita Shirakami with other parts of Tohoku	A long-distance route via Shin-Aomori, Morioka and Akita

If you want to enjoy the scenery of Shirakami Sanchi and the Sea of Japan, the Gono Line and Resort Shirakami are the route to check first.

If you are interested in visiting Hirosaki, known for Hirosaki Castle and its famous cherry blossoms, or Odate, the birthplace of the Akita dog, the Ou Main Line may be a better fit.

For travellers heading into the mountains for hiking in Shirakami Sanchi, Futatsui Station is an important access point. From Futatsui, you can continue towards the mountain areas of Fujisato.

The best route depends on where you want to go and what you would like to experience along the way.

First: Aomori Airport to Aomori or Hirosaki

Before continuing by train, you will need to travel from Aomori Airport to either Aomori Station or Hirosaki.

Aomori Airport → Aomori Station

The airport bus takes approximately 35 minutes to Aomori Station. The adult fare is ¥980.
This is the most straightforward option if you plan to take the Gono Line or Resort Shirakami from Aomori.

Aomori Airport → Hirosaki

The airport bus takes approximately 55 minutes to Hirosaki, with an adult fare of ¥1,600.

This option is worth considering if you would like to explore Hirosaki before continuing towards Akita Shirakami, or if your train connection works better from Hirosaki.

Travel Tip:
If you have large luggage, keep in mind that luggage space on airport buses is limited, especially during busy periods.

Route 1: Gono Line & Resort Shirakami

For many travellers, the most memorable way to reach Akita Shirakami from Aomori is by taking the Gono Line and Resort Shirakami.

The train travels between Aomori and Akita along the Sea of Japan, passing dramatic coastal scenery and rural landscapes on its way south. It also provides access to key destinations in and around Akita Shirakami, including Juniko Station, the gateway to the Twelve Lakes and Aoike, as well as Noshiro and Akita-Shirakami stations.

Rather than simply being a way to get from A to B, Resort Shirakami makes the journey part of the travel experience.

Travel Information

• Route: Aomori → Gono Line → Akita Shirakami
• Travel time: Approximately 4–5 hours to the Noshiro area, depending on the train and destination
• Transfers: Depending on the service, you can travel directly from Aomori on Resort Shirakami
• Reservation: Required — all seats are reserved
• JR EAST PASS: Can be used on eligible services within the pass coverage area
• IC cards: IC card coverage is limited on some rural sections of the Gono Line, so check your route and payment method in advance

Plan Your Resort Shirakami Journey

Resort Shirakami operates only on selected days, and schedules vary depending on the train and season. Check the latest timetable and operating calendar before planning your trip.

For more information about the train, scenery, onboard experiences and stations:
[Resort Shirakami Train: A Scenic Journey Between Aomori and Akita]

If you are travelling from overseas, advance reservation is especially important:
[How to Reserve the Resort Shirakami Sightseeing Train from Overseas]

Route 2: Ou Main Line

The Ou Main Line is a practical alternative to the Gono Line, especially if you want to travel inland or stop at Hirosaki or Odate along the way.

From Aomori, the line passes through Hirosaki and Odate before continuing towards northern Akita. For travellers heading into the mountains for hiking in Shirakami Sanchi, Futatsui Station is an important access point. From there, you can continue towards Fujisato and the Akita side of the Shirakami Sanchi area.

Make a Stop in Hirosaki

If you have extra time, consider stopping in Hirosaki, a historic castle town best known for Hirosaki Castle and its spectacular cherry blossoms.

Hirosaki can be a good addition to a Shirakami Sanchi itinerary, particularly in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.

Make a Stop in Odate

Further south, Odate is known as the birthplace of the Akita dog. If you are interested in Akita dogs and local culture, you may want to include Odate as a stop before continuing towards Akita Shirakami.

Travel Information

• Route: Aomori → Hirosaki → Odate → Futatsui / Noshiro
• Travel time: Approximately 3–4 hours to the Akita Shirakami area, depending on your destination and connections
• Transfers: Connections may be required depending on your destination and train schedule
• Reservation: Regular local trains generally do not require seat reservations
• JR EAST PASS: Can be used on eligible JR East services within the pass coverage area
• IC cards: IC card coverage varies by station and section, so check before travelling

Travel Tip:
Train services in northern Akita are less frequent than in major cities. Check your connections in advance, especially if you are travelling onward from Futatsui Station or Odate.

If Hiking in Shirakami Sanchi Is Your Goal

If your main purpose is to hike or explore the mountain areas of Shirakami Sanchi, check your onward transportation from Futatsui Station carefully. Public transport options become more limited once you leave the main railway network, so planning the final part of your journey in advance is important.

Route 3: Shinkansen from Aomori to Akita

The Shinkansen is a good option if you are combining Akita Shirakami with other destinations in Tohoku, such as Morioka or Akita City.

From Aomori, travel first to Shin-Aomori Station, then take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Morioka and transfer to the Akita Shinkansen, which continues to Akita Station.

Because the Shinkansen takes you to Akita City rather than directly to the Akita Shirakami area, you will need to continue by local train or other transportation from Akita Station.

Travel Information

• Route: Aomori → Shin-Aomori → Morioka → Akita
• Travel time: Approximately 3 hours to Akita Station, depending on the connection
• Transfers: Usually 1 transfer at Morioka after reaching Shin-Aomori
• Reservation: Seat reservations are required for Shinkansen reserved seats; unreserved seating may be available on some services
• JR EAST PASS: Can be used on eligible Shinkansen services within the pass coverage area
• IC cards: IC card use is not a substitute for checking Shinkansen ticket requirements, especially when travelling with a rail pass

When Should You Choose the Shinkansen?

The Shinkansen is particularly useful when Akita Shirakami is part of a wider Tohoku itinerary. For example, you could travel from Aomori to Morioka, continue to Akita, and then explore Akita Shirakami from there.

However, if your main goal is to experience the scenery of Shirakami Sanchi and the Sea of Japan, the Gono Line and Resort Shirakami offer a more scenic and memorable journey.