Christmas is just around the corner, and you may be noticing more and more illuminations and holiday music around your favorite stores or local parks. In Aomori Prefecture, home to Misawa Air Base, a Christmas Market is currently offering Christmas cheer on the go.

The Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center, its building designed to resemble the letter A for Aomori, is the symbol of Aomori City. And since Dec. 15 when the center turned on the 20,000 lights on its 33-foot-tall Christmas tree, the Aomori Christmas Market has been attracting thousands of visitors. The market is a 90-minute drive from Misawa Air Base.

Besides enjoying various holiday goods and food at the site, visitors can take photos with dozens of Santa Clauses in front of the gigantic Christmas tree or eye-catching illuminated advertisement trucks, which drop by the event site while cruising the streets of Aomori.

The Aomori Christmas Market lasts until Dec. 25, and fireworks will be enjoyed at 7 p.m. on Dec. 23-25.

Aomori Christmas Market Location: Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center Admission: Free Hours: Dec. 15 – 25, Mon – Fri, 4 – 8:30 p.m., Sat, Sun and 25th, 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. (the site is lit up between 4 – 8:30 p.m.) Fireworks: Dec. 23, 24 and 25, at 7 p.m. URL Tel: 017-735-5311