Hot Springs Hotels in Aomori Prefecture, Japan

Hotel Relabo boasts an excellent location right next to the JR station. You can take an elevator directly from the station's third floor, via a connecting passage, to the hotel's reception on the fourth floor – super convenient! A highlight of the hotel is its hot springs, and they also offer yoga activities, though we didn't participate since we don't speak Japanese. Guests staying at the hotel can enjoy the hot springs for free. Female guests are escorted into the bathhouse by staff, which feels very safe. After a relaxing soak, you can grab an ice pop or head to the observation deck to enjoy some biscuits and apple juice while taking in the views – truly the essence of a laid-back vacation. Our room was very comfortable and quiet. The restaurant staff were exceptionally friendly during breakfast, which was Western-style and absolutely delicious.

I booked a Japanese-style tatami room. I originally planned to visit Mount Hakkoda and Sukayu Onsen, but unfortunately, it was snowing heavily, making it impossible to get around without a car. So, I ended up just watching TV and building snowmen at the hotel the whole time. The hotel itself has good views and dining options. There's a small convenience store at the hotel (selling simple food like instant noodles and peanuts, ski equipment, etc., but no daily necessities). The bathing facilities are communal, though there's also a shower in the room, but no toiletries like shower gel. I recommend using the public bathhouse to experience a Japanese inn's bathhouse, which has indoor and outdoor pools, plus free ice cream. There's a shuttle bus from the hotel to Aomori Station at 9:00 AM, and another from Aomori Station to the hotel at 3:30 PM (pre-booking required). A taxi from Shin-Aomori Station to the hotel costs 15,000 JPY. During the snow season, you can't get an Uber at all, so you're reliant on the hotel shuttle. This hotel is suitable for skiers. For sightseeing, I recommend visiting during the non-snowy season. (P.S. The snow-covered mountains in Aomori are truly magnificent, and the snowy scenery is beautiful.)

We stayed at the Japanese Style Tatami room for our time at Hirosaki. Location was near Hirosaki Castle Park and not too far away from Hirosaki JR station. There were local bus stops located nearby the hotel - the hotel also provided a free shuttle bus service from the hotel to Hirosaki Station (one way only service, so you still got to find your own way to the hotel when you arrive), just got to inform the front desk at least 1 day in advance.  Room was clean and had a good view of Hirosaki city, free flow of Apple Juice and coffee at the lobby downstairs was a plus.

I stayed at the KAIJU Tsugaru. The hotel has a somewhat dated feel, with some facilities being a bit old, but it was still kept clean. If you need to book a pick-up and drop-off service before departure, you need to obtain a reservation number from the hotel and then register on their website; the process is a bit cumbersome. One of the hotel's signature features is its apple-themed hot spring bath, where apples are placed in the water, giving it a subtle fruity aroma. However, the actual apple-themed hot spring bath I saw differed somewhat from the official photos; it wasn't as beautiful as I had imagined, which was a little disappointing. On the positive side, there weren't many guests during my stay. Most of the time, there were only one or two people soaking in the hot spring, making it very quiet and comfortable, allowing me to slowly enjoy my soak. The service was also excellent; all the staff were very polite, and the overall service made me feel very welcome.

My first night in Japan 2024 Trip. In a faraway county. Very peaceful. I drove there alone in the darkness. Thought that there might be very few people there. But I met so many grandmas stayed there as a large group. Met them in onsen too. Very strange experience but very touch. Can feel of aging society. The ryokan guys also booked a local izakaya for me, so I had dinner easily, no need to nervous there won’t be a seat. The Room was so nice and big. Many hidden rooms inside. Would be much better if they haven’t prepared ice water for me during early winter. (I need normal temp water or hot water) Breakfast was great Overall was great I love this place. Very relax and no tourist. I spent the morning in a small garden in front of the hotel alone. Listen to water sound. Recharged my energy.

We stayed at Asamushi Onsen (about 20mins drive from Aomori downtown) as part of our 2025 Spring trip to Aomori area, and booked Tstsumikan Onsen hotel to stay for the night. The hotel location is great. I think all guest rooms come with open ocean view. No private hot spring tub in the guest room but the large gender-specific hot spring pools are open privately to the overnight stay guests from 8PM to the next morning. The stay comes with 2 meals. The food is good and the dinner was served directly in the guest room. The next morning Japanese breakfast was served in the great tatami dinning room, and the breakfast package even comes with free coffee in the gift shop café after the meal. The staff are warm, and the service is good. My recommendation to this hotel come with no hesitation.

This hotel is perfect for guests heading to Oirase Stream for a hike or Lake Towada for a boat trip, as it's conveniently close to both the pier and the JR bus stop. It's a large hotel, a rarity in rural Japan, with a restaurant that can seat 600 people. It's an excellent choice for a two-day, one-night stay, especially for relaxing in the onsen after a hike and waking up refreshed the next day.

My main reason to go to Ajigasawa was to visit the Takayama Inari Shrine with its snaking Tori gates. It’s about a tenth the length and size of Kyoto’s. Found this ryokan by reviews in the area. It was a toss up between this and the nearby hotel; which turns out to be run by the same group! The ryokan shows its age. But it’s very comfortable, clean and the service, especially by Noro who used his translation app so well, was impeccable! They have map of the property in English. If you drink (alcohol), it’s available in spades! There’s unlimited snacks, water, soda, popsicles, coffee, tea and alcohol for guests. The onsen is open to public, it seemed like the whole village descends after dinner to have a dip! We spent one night: dinner and breakfast were excellent!

The mountains and forests were blanketed in snow, and the hot spring was steaming. A warm hot spring paired with falling snow is the perfect way to enjoy a winter trip. The room had a strong smell of kerosene. Even with three layers of fumes on the tatami mats at night, it still felt a bit chilly. While lacking the comfort and warmth of a modern hotel, it perfectly preserved the most original and pure feeling of staying there. No internet, no electricity, no signal – a very unique experience. The set meals were plentiful, generously portioned, and made with fresh ingredients. Visiting during the New Year, we also unlocked a very local Japanese New Year experience. Everyone gathered around a stone mortar and pestle to experience pounding glutinous rice dough with a wooden mallet. The staff would work together to turn the dough, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. This hand-pounded rice cake would be cooked in the breakfast bowl. The soft, chewy texture, combined with the pure aroma of rice, even soothed the chill of the winter morning.

This was my first time staying here. 34 years ago, I drove alone from Morioka, passing through the Oirase Gorge and visiting places like Hiba Senninburo (Cypress Bath for 1000 People), Jigoku Numa (Hell Swamp), and Manju Fukashi (a traditional Japanese manju dumpling). However, that day I was staying in Aomori. This time, my husband and I booked the Hakkoda Hotel for a relaxing stay. It's an old, historic hotel, so it does feel a bit dated, but it's clean everywhere. The staff were impeccable. The amenities are plentiful, and the thoughtfulness is evident everywhere, from the soft laundry bags and toothbrushes. Access to nearby areas is also easy with the shuttle bus, so it's not a hassle. The quiet environment was relaxing. I was surprised to see the first snow this time! But it was a great memory. I'm definitely planning to return next year, and plan a multi-night stay.