Amazing AOMORI

Aoni Stream flows from the Minami Hakkoda mountain range and is characterized by the surrounding virgin forest, waterfalls, and rapid currents. Aoni Onsen is located within the Aoni Stream and is surrounded by ravines. It is a well-known onsen inn as the “lamp inn” throughout Japan.
The lamps of the inn are lit as the evening approaches, changing the atmosphere to a magical world. The lamps are the only light source in the inn. There are no TVs, refrigerators, or outlets in the guest rooms. This “luxury” of having nothing is exactly what attracts visitors to the Lamp Inn.
Dinner includes seasonal Japanese country style cuisine. Guests enjoy the simple meal which uses fresh mountain vegetables and river fish, the blessing of nature from the mountains and river.

Hot Spring Water Composition/ Simple hot spring
Hot Spring Benefits/ Rheumatoid, movement disorders, nerve paralysis, recovery from exhaustion

The Hidden Hot Spring Lit by Lamps

The inn features an open outdoor bath, a beech-wood bath, and a stone bath where bathers can enjoy the calming sounds of the stream. The elegant air created by the lamp lights at night treats guests with a luxurious moment of peace and quiet.

At the Tsugaru Traditional Arts and Crafts Museum, you can try your hand at making Tsugaru lacquerware and Tsugaru kokeshi dolls. At the store, you can buy typical souvenirs of Tsugaru. Next to the facility, there is the Tsugaru Kokeshi Museum where about 4,000 kokeshi dolls are displayed.

Komise along Naka-Machi Ave., selected one of the best 100 streets in Japan, features an arcaded shopping area with traditional structures remaining from the Edo Period.
Komise was made as an arcaded street to keep snow and rain out, which is characteristic of the snowy northern parts of Japan. Buildings along Naka-Machi Ave. have been particularly well-preserved.

At the restaurant “Mimasu” in the Nakago district of Kuroishi City during the early 1960s, someone had the idea to pour hot broth (tsuyu) over Kuroishi Yakisoba noodles made with Kuroishi’s distinctively wide, flat noodles. This is said to be the origin of Kuroishi Tsuyu Yakisoba noodles. They later became known nationwide as an inexpensive and delicious local food. The city of Kuroishi is currently home to over 70 restaurants serving Kuroishi Yakisoba noodles and Kuroishi Tsuyu Yakisoba noodles, with the taste and presentation style varying by establishment. You’ll definitely want to make a visit to Kuroishi to try this unique dish beloved by local residents for its nostalgic taste.

Selected as one of the best 100 streets in Japan, the Nakamachi Komise shopping street in Kuroishi City features well-preserved traditional structures built during Japan’s feudal era. Located along this street is the handmade workshop IRODORI. It sells and offers craft-making experiences for handheld fans and Japanese lanterns reusing Neputa paintings from floats that were actually used in the Kuroishi Neputa Festival.

In the fan-making experience, participants choose their favorite parts from massive Neputa paintings and cut them out in the shape of a handheld fan. Since no two designs are exactly alike, the resulting fans are truly one-of-a-kind! In the lantern-making experience, participants choose square parts cut out from Neputa paintings and join them together. The traditional colors and designs make the lanterns highly unique.

Try a craft-making experience breathing new life into Neputa floats at IRODORI.

The workshop also sells many unique local products made by native Aomori artists. Discover exclusive items like “neo-folk toys” such as Apple Kokeshi Dolls and Pigeon Whistles.

For information on booking the Neputa lantern-making experience, check the website listed below.