At the municipal level, Misawa brings together three distinct travel interests: history and folk art, aviation and science, and nature. The Misawa City Museum of History and Folk Customs combines historical collections with specimens from Lake Ogawara; the Aomori Prefectural Museum of Aviation and Science has a technical focus, while Hotoke-numa is known for its wetlands and birdlife. When planning the focus of your stay, these themes can help you decide which interests you most.

History and Collections

The Misawa City Museum of History and Folk Customs preserves archaeological finds and historical documents, as well as fishing equipment and folk-art Kagura masks. The museum also displays specimens of rare plants and animals from Lake Ogawara. Its collections therefore bring together cultural and historical objects with natural history exhibits. This combination broadens the focus beyond history and folk art to include the lake’s natural environment.

The Shuji Terayama Memorial Museum offers a different cultural perspective. It preserves and publicly displays mementos that Terayama’s mother, Hatsu, gave to the city of Misawa. Compared with the Museum of History and Folk Customs, its focus is more specifically on Terayama and the mementos donated by his mother. At Michi-no-Eki Misawa and the Tonami Domain Memorial Tourism Village, you can also learn about Misawa’s history and the achievements of Yasuto Hirosawa, a former Aizu samurai. A spacious lawn offers a place to relax.

Aviation and Science

The Aomori Prefectural Museum of Aviation and Science divides its exhibitions into science, aviation, and space exploration. It features real aircraft, interactive exhibits, and hands-on workshops. The outdoor area displays eleven Japanese and U.S. military aircraft, alongside other real aircraft, including jets, propeller planes, fighter aircraft, and transport planes. Visitors can board an F-104J and explore the interior of a U.S. Navy UP-3A. Check the current access details for these experiences before your visit.

Wetlands and the Lake

Hotoke-numa is a Ramsar-listed wetland and an important stopover for many migratory birds, including geese, ducks, waders, and plovers. It is also a habitat for rare birds, including the internationally endangered Japanese Marsh Warbler and Japanese Reed Bunting. People also visit the area to enjoy nature. When choosing a theme for your trip, you can focus on both bird migration and the habitat of rare species. The Japanese Little Bittern is another rare species mentioned here that also finds a habitat in the wetland.

The nature-rich Lake Ogawara Campground is located on the shore of Lake Ogawara. The lake is therefore both the source of the plant and animal specimens displayed at the museum and the setting for the campground.

Discover more destinations: Hirakawa, Mutsu, Hashikami, Sotogahama, Goshogawara, Oma, Hiranai, Akabonai

For the regional travel overview: Aomori Prefecture.