JETThrive
Aomori
Autumn JET
Community Weekend
Presented by Positive Global Learning
More than a weekend getaway, JETThrive Aomori brings together current JET Programme participants from across Japan to discover one of Japan's most remarkable regions while building friendships and memories that continue long after the weekend ends.
During our first Positive Global Learning program in Aomori, we heard the same thing from JETs again and again:
"I've always wanted to visit Aomori."
JETThrive Aomori was created to make that experience possible.
Spend four days exploring Aomori and Hirosaki alongside fellow JET participants through cultural experiences, shared meals, regional traditions, beautiful autumn scenery, a relaxing onsen, and meaningful conversations. Along the way, you'll build friendships with JETs from across Japan while discovering why so many people fall in love with Aomori.
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Connect with current JET participants from across Japan
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Discover Aomori's traditions, history, food, and culture
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Experience Aomori beyond the typical tourist experience
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Enjoy nature, a traditional Japanese onsen, and beautiful autumn scenery
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Optional: Participate in Hirosaki Gakuin University's School Culture Day and connect with university students and prospective JET applicants
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Build friendships that continue long after the weekend
October 8–11, 2026
Aomori & Hirosaki, Japan
A four-day community experience designed to help you discover Aomori, build friendships across the JET community, and create memories that will last long after your time in Japan.
Intentionally small cohort
Limited to just 6–12 participants
$649 per person
✨ Program at a Glance
A four-day community experience designed for current JET Programme participants to explore the culture, traditions, and natural beauty of Aomori while building meaningful connections with fellow JETs from across Japan.
October 8–11, 2026 • Aomori & Hirosaki, Japan
💰 Investment: $649 USD (transportation to Aomori not included)
Includes accommodations, program transportation, cultural experiences, workshops, admissions, and select meals. Transportation to and from Aomori is not included.
Includes:
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Community Welcome BBQ with current JETs, university partners, and local community members
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Three nights of shared accommodations
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Transportation associated with program activities
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Guided cultural experiences across Aomori and Hirosaki
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Traditional soba-making workshop
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Tsugaru-nuri lacquerware experience
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Apple experience (season permitting)
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Nebuta Museum admission
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Seiryuji Temple visit
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Hirosaki Castle and historic district exploration
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Lake Towada excursion and traditional onsen experience
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Optional guided reflection experience
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Optional participation in Hirosaki Gakuin University's School Culture Day alongside Japanese university students
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Celebration Dinner
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Continued access to the JETThrive community
🌍 Core Experience
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Connect with fellow JET participants from across Japan through shared exploration and meaningful experiences.
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Experience Aomori's history, traditions, and regional culture beyond the typical tourist experience
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Participate in hands-on cultural workshops and authentic local experiences
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Explore Hirosaki, Aomori City, and the natural beauty of Lake Towada
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Relax together in a traditional Japanese onsen
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Share stories, exchange perspectives, and reflect on your JET journey together
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Build lasting friendships through shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and regional exploration
🎯 Designed For
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Current JET Programme participants
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JETs interested in exploring Aomori and northern Japan
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Participants looking to connect with fellow JETs beyond their own prefecture
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JET participants seeking meaningful travel centered on culture, community, and authentic local experiences
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JET alumni currently living in Japan who would like to reconnect with the JET community
🌱 Outcomes
By the end of the weekend, you'll leave with:
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New friendships with JET participants from across Japan
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A deeper appreciation for Aomori's culture, traditions, and natural beauty
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New perspectives gained through shared experiences and conversations
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Fresh inspiration for making the most of your time on JET
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Time to reflect on your experiences and the journey still ahead
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Lasting memories created through authentic connection—not just sightseeing
🌏 Why This JETThrive Weekend Is Different
Many trips are about seeing as much as possible. JETThrive Aomori is about experiencing a place—and the people you're exploring with.
Designed specifically for current JET Programme participants, this long weekend brings together JETs from across Japan to experience Aomori while building friendships that continue long after the weekend ends.
Rather than simply checking destinations off a list, you'll experience Aomori alongside fellow JETs through shared meals, cultural traditions, local experiences, beautiful landscapes, and meaningful conversations.
It's an opportunity to step away from the routines of daily life, reconnect with the experiences that brought you to Japan, and create lasting memories with people who understand what it's like to live here.
🤝 Connect with the JET Community
Meet fellow JET participants from across Japan, share experiences, exchange stories, and build friendships that continue long after the weekend ends.
🍎 Experience Aomori Together
Discover Aomori through experiences that celebrate its traditions, craftsmanship, history, cuisine, natural beauty, and seasonal charm—from Nebuta culture and Tsugaru crafts to Hirosaki Castle, Lake Towada, local apples, and a relaxing onsen.
🌿 Slow Down & Reflect
Between the adventures, we'll create space to pause, reflect, and enjoy meaningful conversations about life in Japan, personal growth, and the experiences that have shaped your JET journey.
🎉 Celebrate Together
Enjoy a welcome BBQ with members of Aomori's international community and local JETs, then conclude the weekend with a celebration dinner as you reflect on everything you've experienced together.
🌱 Community Beyond the Weekend
The friendships formed during JETThrive don't end when the weekend does.
Participants become part of the broader Positive Global Learning and JETThrive community, opening the door to future reunions, continued support, new adventures throughout Japan, and lifelong friendships.
👥 Intentionally Small Cohort
With just 6–12 participants, JETThrive Aomori is intentionally designed to encourage genuine conversations, shared experiences, meaningful reflection, and lasting friendships in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
🍎 Why We Chose Aomori
When we began dreaming about the first JETThrive community weekend, one destination kept coming up in conversations with current JET participants:
"I've always wanted to visit Aomori."
We heard it again and again.
Known for its rich traditions, seasonal beauty, regional cuisine, and welcoming communities, Aomori is one of Japan's most remarkable regions—yet many JET participants never quite find the opportunity to visit during their time here.
JETThrive Aomori was created to change that.
Over four days, you'll experience Aomori alongside fellow JET participants through local traditions, regional craftsmanship, beautiful landscapes, memorable meals, and the people who make this part of Japan so special.
Whether you're making soba by hand, relaxing in an onsen after a day of exploring, wandering Hirosaki's historic streets, or discovering Aomori's famous apple culture, you'll experience a side of Japan that many travelers never do.
Here's a glimpse of what awaits.
🤝 The Spirit of Aomori
Perhaps what people remember most isn't a single landmark—it's the people.
Throughout the weekend, you'll connect with fellow JET participants while also meeting members of Aomori's local community. From welcoming hosts and cultural practitioners to university partners and local residents, these relationships help transform a weekend of travel into an experience you'll remember long after returning home.
💛 Who This Community Weekend Is For
You don't need to have everything planned.
You simply need a sense of curiosity, a spirit of adventure, and a desire to experience another part of Japan alongside fellow JET participants.
Whether you've been hoping to visit Aomori since you first arrived in Japan or you're simply looking for a meaningful long weekend with people who understand the JET experience, JETThrive Aomori was created for you.
This experience may be a great fit if you:
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Are a current JET participant excited to explore another region of Japan
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Have always wanted to visit Aomori but haven't found the opportunity yet
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Want to connect with JET participants from across Japan
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Enjoy meaningful travel that balances culture, nature, food, and authentic local experiences
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Value small-group travel where conversations become just as memorable as the destinations
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Want to make the most of your time in Japan by exploring beyond the usual travel destinations
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Enjoy sharing experiences with people who understand the unique adventure of living and working in Japan
You don't need to know anyone before you arrive.
Many participants join on their own. By the end of the weekend, the people who arrived as strangers often leave as friends.
Sometimes the best memories aren't the places you visit—they're the people you experience them with.
🍁 Your Aomori Weekend
Every day is intentionally designed to blend cultural discovery, meaningful connection, and time to simply enjoy Aomori alongside fellow JET participants.
Thursday • Welcome to Aomori
Begin the weekend by building community.
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Arrive in Aomori
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Check into your accommodations
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Meet fellow JET participants from across Japan
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Welcome BBQ with current JETs, university partners, and local community members
👉 Arrive, connect, and begin the weekend together.
Friday • Discover Aomori
Discover the traditions that define Aomori.
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Seiryuji Temple
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Nebuta Museum
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Explore Aomori City
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Tsugaru-nuri lacquerware workshop
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Apple experience
👉 Discover why so many JET participants have always wanted to visit Aomori.
Saturday • Nature & Northern Japan
Experience northern Japan's natural beauty.
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Hirosaki Castle
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Traditional soba-making experience
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Lake Towada
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Traditional Japanese onsen
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Guided reflection
👉 Slow down, share stories, and enjoy northern Japan together.
Sunday • Community & Celebration
Celebrate the friendships you've built.
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Optional Hirosaki Gakuin University School Culture Day
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Meet Japanese university students and members of the local community
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Celebration Dinner
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Depart with new friendships across Japan
School Culture Day activities are optional for participants departing earlier on Sunday.
👉 Return home with a deeper appreciation for Aomori—and friendships that continue long after the weekend ends.
🌱 Why We Created JETThrive
JETThrive was created to help JET participants continue exploring Japan, building community, and growing long after orientation and farewell.
Each JETThrive experience is centered around a different region of Japan—or beyond—creating opportunities to discover new places while building lasting friendships with others who understand the unique experience of living and working in Japan.
JETThrive Aomori is the first expression of that vision—a long weekend celebrating regional exploration, authentic connection, and the remarkable culture, history, and natural beauty of northern Japan.
As the JETThrive community grows, each destination will offer its own unique character, traditions, and experiences while staying true to the heart of the program: exploring extraordinary places alongside an extraordinary community.
The first Positive Global Learning cohort exploring Aomori together.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a long weekend in Aomori should feel exciting—not stressful. Here are answers to a few common questions about JETThrive Aomori.
Who can participate?
JETThrive Aomori is designed primarily for current JET Programme participants who want to explore Aomori while connecting with fellow JETs from across Japan.
We also welcome JET alumni currently living in Japan who would enjoy reconnecting with the JET community through meaningful travel and shared experiences.
How do I get to Aomori?
Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to Aomori.
Once the program begins, transportation associated with scheduled activities is included. After registration, we'll provide recommended arrival times, transportation options, and travel suggestions to help you plan your journey.
What is included in the program fee?
Your $649 USD registration includes:
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Three nights of shared accommodations
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Transportation during scheduled program activities
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Cultural workshops and local experiences
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Program admission fees
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Welcome BBQ
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Celebration Dinner
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Guided reflection circle
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Access to the JETThrive community
Transportation to and from Aomori, some meals, and personal expenses are not included.
Where will we stay?
Participants will stay together in shared accommodations in the Aomori area. Final lodging details will be shared after registration, but accommodations are selected to encourage community, conversation, and a welcoming group experience.
Will there be free time?
Yes.
The weekend balances organized experiences with opportunities to relax, explore, enjoy local cafés, shop, or simply spend time getting to know fellow participants.
Do I need to know anyone before I come?
Not at all.
Many participants will be meeting for the first time. JETThrive is intentionally designed to create a welcoming environment where meaningful friendships develop naturally through shared experiences.
How physically active is the weekend?
Participants should be comfortable with moderate walking throughout the day. If you have accessibility needs or questions, please don't hesitate to reach out before registering.
How do I reserve my spot?
Space is limited to just 6–12 participants, so we encourage early registration. Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Do I need to take time off work?
Yes. Because October 9 is a regular workday, most participants will need to take one day of annual leave.
Can I come alone?
Absolutely. In fact, many participants join on their own. JETThrive is intentionally designed to help people connect naturally through shared meals, activities, and conversations. By the end of the weekend, most participants leave with new friendships across Japan.
💛 Still have questions?
We're happy to help.
If you have any questions about the program or would like to discuss whether JETThrive Aomori is the right fit for you, please don't hesitate to reach out. We'd love to hear from you.
🚀 Ready to Experience Aomori Together?
Spend four unforgettable days discovering the culture, traditions, and natural beauty of Aomori while connecting with fellow JET participants from across Japan.
From vibrant cultural traditions and breathtaking autumn landscapes to shared meals, meaningful conversations, and new friendships, JETThrive Aomori is more than a long weekend—it's an opportunity to experience one of Japan's most remarkable regions alongside people who understand the adventure of living here.
Whether you've been saying, "I've always wanted to visit Aomori," or you're simply looking for a meaningful long weekend with the JET community, we'd love to welcome you.
🍁 October 8–11, 2026
📍 Aomori & Hirosaki, Japan
🤝 Intentionally small community (6–12 participants)
Reserve your spot today and join us for a weekend of exploration, connection, and community.
Have questions? We'd be happy to connect.
Participation is intentionally limited to create genuine conversations, lasting friendships, and memories you'll carry with you long after the weekend ends.