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Quick Summary
- Best for ages: 4 and up (a wellness-focused hotel — functional for families, but not specifically designed for kids)
- Highlights: Direct station access, onsen with apple bath, wellness breakfast buffet, brand-new facility (opened July 2024)
- Location: Directly connected to JR Aomori Station (east exit)
- Check-in / Check-out: 15:00 / 11:00
- Budget: Around ¥28,000/night for a twin room with breakfast (weekend rate, family of 3)
- Access: Walk straight from JR Aomori Station — no need to step outside
- Book via: Booking.com
Why We Chose Relabo
We were planning a multi-day Aomori trip and needed a clean, convenient base near Aomori Station for one night. Relabo had only been open since July 2024, the reviews were excellent, and the fact that it’s literally built into the station building sealed the deal. After a day of traveling with our daughter, the last thing we wanted was a long transfer from the station to the hotel.
First Impressions: New, Clean, and Thoughtfully Designed
Relabo is Japan’s first hotel to receive the WELL Building Standard Platinum certification — the world’s most rigorous wellness building standard. What does that mean in practice? Everything feels considered: the air quality, the lighting, the materials. It’s a genuinely beautiful, modern space.
That said, the vibe is unmistakably adult-oriented. Think clean lines, muted tones, spa-like calm. This isn’t a family resort with kids’ activities and character mascots — it’s a wellness hotel that happens to accommodate families perfectly well. If you’re looking for a polished, comfortable base rather than a destination hotel, Relabo delivers.
Our Room: Tourist Room Twin (25 sqm)
We stayed in the Tourist Room Twin — a 25-square-metre room with two 110 cm × 200 cm beds and a unit bath.
For a family of three, we pushed the two beds together and slept side by side — the same approach we used at Hoshino Resort Aomoriya. It worked fine. Our daughter slept between us with no issues.
The room also has a small sofa, which was useful for sitting while our daughter used the bed as her personal playground. There’s enough floor space to open a suitcase, but not much beyond that.
Honest take: The room is compact. If you’re a family of three who mostly uses the hotel for sleeping and showering, it’s perfectly adequate. If you need space to spread out or spend a lot of time in the room, you might feel a bit cramped. For one night as a base, it was just right for us.
Good to know:
– No kids’ amenities — bring your own toothbrush, slippers, and pajamas for children
– Cribs are available on request (limited — book in advance)
– No in-room kitchen (this is a hotel, not a serviced apartment)
– No coin laundry in the hotel. There is a coin laundry about 10 minutes’ walk from the station, but we didn’t need it for a one-night stay
The Station-Direct Location: A Huge Plus (with One Caveat)
The biggest selling point of Relabo is its location. The hotel occupies floors 7–10 of the JR Aomori Station East Exit building. You step off the train, take the elevator, and you’re at the lobby on the 4th floor. No taxi, no shuttle bus, no dragging luggage through the rain. For families arriving by train, it doesn’t get better than this.
However, if you’re arriving by car, there’s something to be aware of:
The hotel doesn’t have its own parking lot. Instead, you use the adjacent shopping mall’s parking lot (Times Rabina) at ¥1,000 per night. The catch? The parking lot doesn’t open until 10:00 AM. If you need to check out and use your car before 10:00, you’ll have to leave the hotel, walk outside to the parking area, and come back — which can be a hassle, especially on a rainy day or with young kids in tow.
Also worth noting: the station building passageways close between 22:00 and 8:00, so during those hours you’ll need to use the external entrance.
Onsen: Compact but Relaxing
Relabo has a gender-separated onsen on the 6th floor, free for all guests.
The standout feature is the apple bath — a hot spring bath with real Aomori apples floating in the water. It’s a charming, very Aomori touch. One note though: we found the water temperature in the apple bath on the lukewarm side (at least in the women’s bath — apparently the men’s bath was warmer). Not a dealbreaker, but if you prefer a properly hot soak, the regular bath might suit you better.
The onsen is not huge, but it was clean, well-maintained, and never crowded during our visit. For a station hotel, having an onsen at all is a nice bonus.
There’s also a private onsen available for booking (from ¥8,800 for 50 minutes) — worth considering if you want to bathe together as a family.
Breakfast: A Highlight for the Whole Family
Breakfast at Relabo is a wellness-focused buffet served from 6:30 to 10:00 AM (¥3,500/adult when booked separately, but we’d recommend booking it as part of your room plan).
The spread is mainly Western-style — which turned out to be a win for our daughter. She went straight for the pancakes, cucumber sticks, and sausages.
The highlight for kids? A pancake machine. You press the button, watch the batter cook, and out comes a fresh pancake. Our daughter was delighted — it turned breakfast into an activity.
For adults, the buffet includes local Aomori ingredients, organic options, and a few Japanese staples alongside the Western dishes. Quality is high — this is a wellness hotel, and the food reflects that. A solid way to start the day.
Family-friendly touches at breakfast:
– High chairs available
– Kids’ plates and cutlery provided
– The pancake machine keeps children entertained (and fed)
What to Do Nearby with Kids
One of Relabo’s strengths is how much is within walking distance. You don’t need a car to fill a day in the Aomori Station area.
Nebuta no Ie Wa-Rasse
A short walk from the station, this museum showcases real nebuta floats from the annual Nebuta Festival. They’re enormous, vividly colored, and genuinely impressive up close — seeing photos doesn’t do them justice.
There’s a time slot during the day when kids can try playing the taiko drums used in the festival. Worth checking the schedule in advance. (We tried to catch this, but our daughter couldn’t wait for it to start — such is life with a young child.)
If you’re visiting Aomori outside of festival season (August), Wa-Rasse is the best way to experience Nebuta culture year-round.
The Station Mall (Lovina / Rabina)
The shopping mall connected to the station has everything you need:
– Starbucks for a quick coffee
– Matsumoto Kiyoshi for diapers, snacks, or anything you forgot to pack
– Saizeriya (family-friendly Italian chain) and a sushi restaurant — so you won’t struggle for dinner options
– Various shops for souvenirs and daily necessities
Aomori Station Beach
Just outside the station area, there’s a small beachfront area that makes for a nice walk and a photo opportunity. Not a swimming beach, but a pleasant spot to stretch your legs with kids.
A-FACTORY
A stylish market and cider brewery near the waterfront. Good for browsing Aomori apple products and local goods. The building itself is attractive and worth a quick visit.
Tips for Families
- Arriving by train? You’ll love the location. The station-direct access is Relabo’s biggest advantage for families. No transfers, no taxis, no hassle.
- Arriving by car? Plan around the parking. The mall parking lot opens at 10:00, so if you need an early checkout with your car, factor in the extra steps.
- Book the breakfast plan. The pancake machine alone will keep your child happy, and the quality is genuinely good.
- Try the onsen, but manage expectations. It’s compact and the apple bath runs lukewarm. Still worth a visit, especially if your child enjoys baths.
- Visit Wa-Rasse. It’s the top attraction within walking distance and kids find the huge nebuta floats fascinating.
- The mall has you covered. Don’t worry about packing every snack or supply — Matsumoto Kiyoshi and convenience stores are right there.
- This is a wellness hotel, not a kids’ hotel. It works well for families, but don’t expect a play area or kids’ program. Think of it as a clean, comfortable, well-located base.
Is It Worth It?
Yes — if you value convenience and quality over kid-specific features.
Relabo isn’t trying to be a family resort. It’s a beautifully designed, brand-new wellness hotel that happens to be in the most convenient location possible for anyone arriving at Aomori Station by train. The breakfast is excellent, the onsen is a nice bonus, and everything you need — food, shops, attractions — is within walking distance.
For our Aomori trip, we paired Relabo with a stay at Hoshino Resort Aomoriya — and the contrast worked beautifully. Aomoriya gave us the full cultural resort experience; Relabo gave us a polished, practical base to explore the city. Together, they made for the perfect Aomori family trip.
If you’re looking for a modern, clean hotel right at Aomori Station that won’t let your family down, Relabo is an easy recommendation.
Practical Info
| Name | ReLabo -Medical Spa & Stay- / リラボ |
| Address | 1-1-5 Yanagikawa, Aomori City, Aomori 038-0012 |
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 11:00 |
| Access | Directly connected to JR Aomori Station (east exit) — elevator to 4F lobby |
| Onsen | Yes (6F, gender-separated, apple bath) · Private onsen available (from ¥8,800/50 min) |
| Parking | Times Rabina lot, ¥1,000/night (opens 10:00) |
| Stroller access | Yes (elevator access throughout) |
| Coin laundry | None in hotel · Nearest coin laundry ~10 min walk from station |
| Book on Booking.com | Booking.com |
FAQ
Q: Is Relabo Aomori suitable for families with young children?
Yes, though it’s primarily a wellness hotel aimed at adults. Families are welcome — high chairs and cribs (on request) are available, though there are no kids’ amenities (toothbrush, slippers, etc.), so bring your own. It’s a great base for exploring Aomori, but don’t expect dedicated kids’ facilities or a play area.
Q: How do I get to Relabo from Aomori Station?
The hotel is directly connected to JR Aomori Station’s east exit. Take the elevator to the 4th floor lobby. No taxi or shuttle needed — you can walk from the platform to check-in without stepping outside.
Q: Does Relabo have parking?
The hotel itself doesn’t have parking, but guests can use the adjacent Times Rabina mall parking lot for ¥1,000/night. Note that the lot opens at 10:00 AM, which can be inconvenient for early departures.
Q: What is the apple bath at Relabo?
The onsen features a bath with real Aomori apples floating in the water — a nod to the region’s famous apple production. It’s a charming touch, though the water temperature may run slightly lukewarm.
Q: Is breakfast at Relabo worth it?
We’d say yes, especially for families. The buffet is high quality with a Western focus, and there’s a pancake machine that kids love. Local Aomori ingredients feature throughout.
