Two starfields, two winter colors | Aomori is a secret winter place you want to keep privately

For neon-depth travelers, Aomori is undoubtedly perfect, but it is indeed not a popular travel choice. There are cherry blossoms at Hirosaki Castle in the spring, the coolness of the Oirase Stream in the summer, the red leaves of Lake Towada in the autumn, and backcountry skiing in the Hakkoda Mountains in the winter.

As for the "Hakkoda Mountain-Oirase Stream-Lake Towada" line we went to this time, it is located in the central and southern part of Aomori Prefecture. The resort for downhill and cross-country skiing is favored by ski experts from all over the world.

This time I experienced two great hotels in Aomori, and I would like to recommend them to everyone as a classic route to visit "Hakkoda Mountain-Oirase Stream-Lake Towada".

First of all, it is close to these tourist attractions and you can get close to the Oirase Stream. The second is that Hoshino has its own shuttle bus. If you stay at Oirase Keirui and Aomoriya one after another, it will also provide a shuttle bus between the two hotels.

Don’t look at the small size of the map. Driving this section of road is very difficult, and there are many roads in the mountains that are not accessible in winter. If you are not driving by yourself, I recommend the road I listed.

The places listed above are marked on the map. If you take a bus from Aomori to Hachinohe, you can clearly see the transportation cost (of course, car owners are not within my scope of concern)

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If you book these two hotels, you basically don’t need to worry about the transportation from Shin-Aomori Station - Oirase Stream - Aomoriya - Hachinohe, and it’s zero cost! (Everyone knows that Japan’s Shinkansen is expensive)

(A variety of shuttle buses)

Of course, you may think I’m talking nonsense again. Isn’t the hotel cost a cost? ? Then read the guide below and you will know why you must stay in these two hotels.

First of all, talking about Hoshino Resorts, it actually has three hotels in the Tohoku region: Aomoriya, Kaikarutsu and Oirase Keiryu Hoshino.

Kai Qingjin is a hot spring series hotel under the category of "Kai KAI". It focuses on luxurious natural hot spring trips (of course the price is also the most expensive, but if you are in the age group of 20-30 Guests will also have tips to save money by staying at KAI series hot spring hotels at almost half price. Of course, this is a story for later, I will write about it after I practice it)

As for Aomoriya and Oru! Both of these hotels, Sekei River, are personalized hotels with local characteristics. They can highlight local characteristics and present unique features, allowing people to enjoy the details in the hotel resorts. You’re here anyway, so you definitely want to do something unique, right?

The main theme of Oirase Keirui Hotel is to get close to nature and explore the feeling of Oirase in depth. Aomoriya is more suitable for young people and families. It is a theme hotel focusing on the Nebuta Festival. You can have it in the hotel. Lots of fun things to do.

You can feel Hoshino's "landlord" momentum from the location of the hotel. For example, Aomoriya dominates a small park, and Oirase Keirui Hotel is the only hotel in the Oirase Keirui Scenic Area. , if you want to go deep into Oirase and sleep by the river, this hotel is the only choice.

The world’s first icefall hot spring

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Forest and A secret winter place surrounded by streams

Name: Hoshino Oirase Keirui Hotel

Location: 231 Tokubo, Tokubo, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture

Fantasy life Entering deep mountains and dense forests, you will see silvery white outside the window and a gurgling stream. Now this hotel in Aomori has finally realized it.

The Oirase Stream refers to the 14-kilometer-long stream path from the mouth of Towada Lake in Aomori Prefecture to Yakiyama. The source is Lake Towada.

There are many waterfalls in this section of the stream, all of which exude different attractions as the seasons change.

The Oirase Stream is the most charming natural treasure in Aomori Prefecture. In the cold winter, the entire forest is covered with white snow. It will become a secret winter place rarely visited by tourists, composed of flowing streams and continuous powder snow. A dark blue gouache painting.

The most beautiful season is definitely autumn. Although I have not been to Oirase in autumn, it goes without saying how popular autumn is, which will be directly reflected in the hotel's floating prices. Of course, besides autumn, I think the second most beautiful place is winter.

In the past, almost no tourists entered the freezing snow country in winter. Starting from the end of 2017, the Oirase Keirui Hotel, which has been closed in winter for many years, finally opened for the first time.

There is no airport pick-up in winter, only a pick-up station. We chose to get on the bus at Aomori Station, starting at 15:00, and it took two hours to drive to the hotel.

After getting off the bus and checking in, you can see the internet celebrity hall - River God. The giant bronze statue in the middle is 8.5 meters high. It is engraved with scenes of humans dancing with forests and elves. It is a masterpiece by Japanese art master Taro Okamoto. (It was only later that I remembered that he was the designer of the "Tower of the Sun" in Osaka)

This is a stove with wood burning underneath, adding a lot of warmth to the atmosphere. Looking at the snowy scene in front of the unobstructed floor-to-ceiling windows, it looks like a natural painting.

Sitting on the sofa in front of the stove and warming up, I couldn’t help but think: This is the most romantic thing in winter. Outside the window is an extremely cold place, and there is a blazing fire in the house. The fragrance of such firewood makes me feel comfortable. Want to sleep.

The hotel rooms are basically divided into two types: stream view and mountain view. One side faces the stream and the other side faces the mountain. It is recommended to book a room facing the stream. If you face the mountain, you will not be able to see anything at all. .

In order to allow travelers to better appreciate the scenery of the forest and stream, the rooms with creek view have an entire wall of oversized glass windows, and a comfortable sofa is thoughtfully placed in front of the window. I didn’t take any photos of the room, it’s just a very Japanese decoration style.

After putting away our luggage, we went to Aomori Apple Kitchen for dinner. The room rate includes one hotel room and two meals. This Apple Kitchen provides many apple-made meals and many apple desserts. Of course, the best ones are hot ones. Warm apple pie, and you can also whip up an ice cream on the side.

If you don’t want to eat in the hotel, there is a grotto pizza restaurant very close to the hotel, turn left, you can search it on google, it’s called Ortolana Stone Kiln Pizza. But unfortunately when we went there, the pizza place was closed for the New Year, so we didn't get to eat. The stores here close very early, so be sure to pay attention to the store opening and closing times indicated by Google.

From mid-December to late March, there is the winter-only Ice Falls Hot Spring, an infinity hot spring outside the hotel. The entire open-air hot spring is surrounded by an ice wall. When you lie down by the hot spring pool, you will see a forest covered with snow in front of you. You can feel the snowflakes falling on your face while soaking in the hot spring. The scenery is so beautiful. (Of course, you can’t take pictures. The pictures are from the official website. They are the scenes at night and during the day. The pictures on the official website are real. I have seen them with my own eyes and I swear.

The hotel has baskets for hot springs. As long as they are in the room You can go to the bathhouse after taking your own basket, which is very convenient. On the way back to the room after soaking, I passed by the River God Hall and sat down again. I drank a bottle of Oirase yogurt in front of the stove. Not to mention it tasted really good. .

In addition, the hotel also has a hot spring a little further away, which you need to take the hotel's shuttle bus to. However, this open-air hot spring is not open in winter. If you go there in autumn, you can enjoy the maple leaves. A great check-in spot, you must try it (the hot spring outside the hotel is a mixed bath, you don’t need to bring a swimsuit, you will prepare clothes, and it is only for women after 8:30 in the evening.

I also participated in one that night. "Night Ice Falls" tour activities (hehe, I was deceived by the official website picture.

First, take a look at the official website picture.

In fact, the Shuttle bus took us to the scenic spots of Oirase Stream, and we stopped at three places. The hotel has its own spotlights that change colors and shine on the ice waterfall. One is blue and the other is purple. How about adding some music to the changing light show? (I may not know where I am.

Personally, I suggest that if you go in winter, there is no need to participate in this activity, but if you have nothing to do in the hotel, it doesn’t matter if you sign up for the activity for free. In fact, the second I will visit these places again during my trip to the Oirase Stream this morning...

So what else can you do if you don’t go on this tour? Of course, I recommend watching the stars. The excellent location is in the parking lot next to the hotel, as the hotel staff told me.

The Oirase Stream is in the mountains, surrounded by a national park, and there are no other B&Bs or houses, so there is no light pollution. It's not serious. You can really see the stars in the sky on a clear night. It's also a pleasure to watch stars in the snowy woods in winter.

Go back to the room and sleep by the stream with the snow outside the window. /p>

When you wake up in the morning and open the curtains, you can directly see the snow-capped mountains and forests on the opposite side, with the gurgling stream below. It feels great.

I went to the hotel the next day. Oirase Gorge day bus tour, take a shuttle bus to visit the three stream landscapes of Mamon Rock, Kumoi no Taki, and Sanran Ryu, which takes about 1 hour (but Oirase is actually suitable for walking, if you have enough time. , you can get up early to explore in depth along this stream)

Winter activities will be more limited than in other seasons. The winter itinerary mainly arranges buses to enjoy the snow scenery of the stream and the ice at night. Waterfall light show.

Of course, if you pay, there is also a Hakkoda Mountain ski tour or tree ice viewing activity, and ice waterfall snowshoeing activities with a guide. You can check the information on the official website for different seasons. The activities provided by the official website are also different, just pay attention to the time.

The snow in Oirase is the most peaceful and peaceful snow scene I have ever seen.

Entering Oirase in winter. In Irase, the land along both sides of the stream is covered with thick white snow, and the trees and branches are also covered with snow-white clothes. The MiMi stream flows endlessly, and the waterfalls along the way become ice waterfalls.

When the bus was about to return to the hotel, we proposed to the guide that we wanted to walk back by ourselves, and the guide readily agreed. After putting us off the bus and reminding us to pay attention to safety, the bus drove away.

The sunshine is very good. It should be the best weather since coming to Aomori. Walking by the quiet Oirase stream, it is as quiet as if you are in a deserted land. The only thing left in the world is the click of your shoes on the snow. The sound of clicking.

This is the ultimate beauty in life, a moment of great satisfaction. This entire mountain forest is a private snow scene.

It reminds me of Mu Xin. Sentence:

Floating down one after another, covered with tree branches and window lattice

Plains and distant mountains, roads and roads.

We returned to the hotel and waited for the shuttle bus to arrive. After the driver found my reservation, he helped us take away our luggage. Unexpectedly, we were the only ones on the whole big bus. Sure enough, the epidemic caused travel in Japan The business was deserted, and soon, we arrived at Aomori House an hour later.

The most interesting hotel under Hoshino Resorts

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Memories about Aomori It’s all here

Name: Hoshino Group Aomori House

Address: 56 Furumagiyama, Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture

The four major festivals in Aomori are: Aomori Nebuta Festival, Hirosaki Nebuta Festival, Hachinohe Sanja Grand Festival, Goshogawahara Nebuta. The Nebuta Festival is held every year in August, and tourists from all over the country flock to Aomori, Hirosaki and other places in the Tohoku region to visit.

However, for tourists, it is not possible to experience it in time for summer, so Hoshino built the Mutsu Festival House, which performs Aomori's most traditional cultural celebration performances every day throughout the year.

Aomoriya is probably the most fun and cost-effective hotel under Hoshino Resorts. There are pictures of Aomori here - forests, snow, yukata, nebuta lanterns, foot baths, horse-drawn carriages, scallops, the sound of taiko drums... and the old Shibusawa Residence Garden, which is called a tangible cultural property.

When I checked in, I fell in love with the cute Aomori House and this cute apple key.

It is worth mentioning that the "Jubilation Plaza" in the center of Aomoriya is full of nostalgic Showa style. It is a super large event plaza on the basement floor. There is a cute octopus kotatsu, where you can have fun with friends. There is a winery and a retro coin-operated game arcade. You can also fish for scallops here (it was too difficult anyway, I didn’t catch any), soak in a hot spring, choose your favorite yukata, and there is a classic Nebuta Matsuri performance every night. It can be played all day long, so we didn't even take a good stroll in Aomoriya's park.

The decoration of the entire square is super suitable for taking pictures, and Sandman lanterns can be seen everywhere in the hotel. I couldn't help but rent a nice set of yukata. It only costs 500 yen and you can rent it until you leave. It's very cost-effective (of course, the hotel room also provides yukata for indoor wear, and a basket is prepared for you to take away. You can go to the hot springs, but the colors of the yukata are not that bright and beautiful.

The quality of the hot springs at Furumaki, where Aomoriya is located, has been ranked first in Japan. There are two hot springs in the hotel, one of which requires a ride. The "Motoyu" that the shuttle bus goes to is indoors. What you need to pay attention to is the shuttle bus time.

There is also an open-air bath "Ukiyu" that goes out from the square on the basement floor of the museum. , there is a sandman with the light on to accompany you to the hot springs at night, but every time you rush out to the snowy outdoors, you have to soak yourself in the indoor pool until you are as red as a roasted pig.

However, it is really super romantic to soak in the hot springs under the beautiful scenery of falling snow, while admiring the huge Sandman lanterns under the night sky, as well as the lanterns and water lanterns fluttering in the wind. (Of course, you can’t take pictures, it’s also the official website picture, but. I guarantee it will look just as beautiful

Since the official website only had room types with private baths when I booked the room, the price at Aomori House was even more expensive than Oirase, but the room was really huge. (Children in Tokyo can't afford to get hurt...

In fact, Aomoriya is more affordable, and the private bath in the room is not used at all except taking pictures. It is true that you can soak in the private bath in the morning while basking in the sun. The hot spring is very comfortable, but if you are looking for cost-effectiveness, it is recommended to just book a room without a private bath. The hotel's hot spring is not enough for taking pictures.

It is also highly recommended to try the hot spring bath provided by the hotel. Apple shower gel and shampoo. Generally, Hoshino's hot springs provide Pola toiletries. Here in Aomori, they also provide a set of hotel-made apple series, which smells really good.

Dinner was served at the hotel's buffet restaurant, "のれそれ" is the dialect of Aomori, which means all, a lot, so I think this cafeteria has more types of ingredients, including unlimited large scallops and sizzling steaks, personally. I think it's slightly better than Oirase's restaurant.

Every night, Aomori folk songs and shamisen performances are performed in the hotel, which is a great opportunity to enjoy traditional Japanese songs and musical instruments.

We went to the "Carriage Parade" the next morning. This activity is very popular and requires a fee. The trip lasts for 20 minutes and the time is very strict. If you don't make a reservation in advance, you will definitely not be able to make a reservation (one). It’s more than 1,000 yen per person, it’s really worth it!

At ten o’clock in the morning, our carriage was already waiting for us outside the lobby. The body of the carriage was made of cypress from Aomori, and the interior was made of Japanese cypress. Very retro.

It was so cold when I walked out of the hotel lobby. As soon as I got on the carriage, the heat from the stove hit me immediately. After driving for a while, the coachman opened the window on the side of the carriage facing the park so that he could breathe in fresh air. The heat provided by the stove would not make people feel cold at all. (This is the hotel's yukata. I later found out that it was particularly suitable with the hair tie that day.

Snow Mei Niang, cookies, and hot tea were prepared in advance on the carriage. As the carriage was walking, the driver also The squid will be grilled for us in the car. After a while, the squid will be grilled, and if we can’t finish it, there will be a small bag for us to take away.

Because there are too many activities in Aomoriya. , there is an afternoon tea "Hachimanma Lounge" that I haven't experienced.

According to the information on the official website, it is a Japanese-style hut built on the lake. You can buy a one-day ticket at the front desk that day and enjoy it including champagne and coffee. Drinks and limited desserts can be used unlimited times throughout the day.