Goshogawara

Tourist information sites:

The city government has an official multilingual guide site.

The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site with integrated Google Translate.

By plane:

The nearest airport is Aomori, which is about 40 minutes away by car. There are no direct buses to Goshogawara from the airport; those using public transport must take the buses to either Hirosaki or Aomori. Taxis to Goshogawara cost ¥7600.

By train:

The JR Gonō Line provides rail access to Goshogawara. Most trains run from Hirosaki (50 min, ¥500), which is where to change if coming from Ōdate, Noshiro and Akita.

If coming from Aomori (or Shin-Aomori, the nearest Shinkansen station), take a local train towards Hirosaki and change at Kawabe, which is where Gonō Line trains actually leave the Ōu Main Line. With a reasonable connection, this should take 1hr 10mins and cost ¥970 (if you stick to local trains).

By long-distance bus:

Goshogawara is served by two overnight bus services from Tokyo:

The Nocturne runs from Yokohama Station East Exit and Hamamatsuchō Bus Terminal, taking 10hrs 45mins and costing up to ¥10,900 (cheaper outside peak periods; return tickets available). Operated by Kōnan Bus and Keikyū Bus.

The Panda runs from Shinjuku and Kajibashi (5 minutes walk from Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit, on Sotobori Dōri), taking 10hrs 30mins and costing up to ¥6500 (cheaper outside peak periods). Operated by Kōnan Bus.

If you're wondering why this bus is so cheap, it's because it does not have toilets on board; you will have to wait for one of the scheduled rest breaks along the Tōhoku Expressway.

Those using Willer Express should take the overnight bus between Disneyland, Shinjuku and Aomori and get off at Hirosaki station (which is the first stop in the morning).

If taking the bus from Sendai or Morioka, services to Hirosaki are more frequent than to Aomori.

By local bus:

Kōnan Bus run buses from Aomori, which are direct and more frequent than the train; these take 1 hr 25 min from Aomori Station Stop 9 (1 hr 5 min from Shin-Aomori Station South Exit Stop 2), and cost ¥1090 (¥1040 from Shin-Aomori).