Hoshino Resort Aomoriya with Kids: Our Honest Family Review
Quick Summary
- Best for ages: 3 and up (onsen resort with lots for young kids to enjoy)
- Highlights: Apple juice tap, pony greeting, nebuta festival displays, seafood robatayaki dinner, hiba wood onsen
- Location: Misawa, Aomori Prefecture
- Check-in / Check-out: 15:00 / 12:00
- Budget: From around ¥15,000/person (room only) · ¥18,300/person with breakfast · ¥22,000/person with dinner & breakfast (prices vary by season and room type)
- Access: Free shuttle bus from Misawa Station
- English support: Yes
- Book via: Hoshino Resorts official site | Expedia
Why We Chose Aomoriya
When planning our Aomori trip, Hoshino Resort Aomoriya kept coming up as the go-to stay for families who want more than just a hotel — they want an experience. The promise of apple juice flowing from a tap was more than enough to get our daughter excited. And honestly? It lived up to every bit of the hype.
First Impressions: A Pony and a Festival
The welcome at Aomoriya starts before you even reach the front desk. A pony greets guests at check-in — a genuinely unexpected and delightful touch that immediately set the tone for the rest of our stay. Kids love it.
Step inside, and you’re transported into the world of Aomori’s famous Nebuta Festival. Giant, vividly colored nebuta floats and lanterns are displayed throughout the property — in corridors, common areas, and even near the baths. It’s stunning.
If you’ve never been to the actual Nebuta Matsuri (held every August in Aomori city), this is genuinely the next best thing. For families visiting outside of festival season, it’s a wonderful way to introduce kids to one of Japan’s most iconic festivals in a relaxed, comfortable setting.
Our Room: Washitsu Azumashi (和室あずまし)
We stayed in the Washitsu Azumashi — a traditional Japanese-style tatami room. The name itself is a lovely touch: azumashi is an Aomori dialect word meaning “comfortable” or “at ease.” It suits the room perfectly.
The room is floored entirely in tatami, with a clean, uncluttered aesthetic — but don’t let the “Japanese style” label mislead you: the Washitsu Azumashi has proper beds, not futons on the floor. A welcome surprise if you were expecting to sleep at ground level.
We’re a family of three, and we simply pushed the two beds together to make one big sleeping surface. It worked perfectly — our daughter slept right between us, no extra setup needed.
Why it works well for families:
- Beds, not futons. The comfort of a proper mattress with the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese room. Best of both worlds.
- Easy co-sleeping setup. Two beds pushed together gives you a wide, flat surface — great for families who sleep together with young kids.
- Calm atmosphere. The tatami, the low table, the muted tones — everything about the room feels deliberately unhurried. After a day of sightseeing, it was genuinely restorative to come back to.
What’s in the room:
The room comes with a sofa — genuinely useful when you want to sit and relax without climbing onto the bed. There’s also a welcome touch of tea-time amenities waiting for you, along with chilled bottled water for each guest. Small details, but the kind that make you feel looked after.
The bathroom is a good size with a proper wash area separate from the tub — well laid out and easy to use, especially with a child. That said, we’d strongly recommend skipping the in-room bath in favour of the onsen. The hot spring is on a completely different level.
One thing we liked: you remove your shoes at the entrance, as you would in a traditional Japanese home. It’s a small thing, but it immediately changes the feel of the space — the room becomes somewhere you genuinely settle into rather than just pass through. We found ourselves naturally unwinding the moment we stepped inside.
The room reflects the overall Aomoriya philosophy: rooted in local character, thoughtfully executed. We’d choose it again.
The Apple Juice Tap: A Kid’s Dream Come True
This is the one thing every child (and adult) is waiting for. At Aomoriya, you can fill your glass directly from a tap that flows with fresh Aomori apple juice — and yes, it’s as fun as it sounds.
Our daughter had been looking forward to this the entire trip. She filled her cup, took a sip, and immediately went back for more. It’s a small touch, but it perfectly captures what Aomori is all about — the region produces over half of Japan’s apples, and this little detail makes that feel real and memorable rather than just a fact on a sign.
It works as a genuine activity in itself. Don’t rush past it.
Hana-Mikuji: Do This on Your First Evening
One of the more charming activities at Aomoriya is the hana-mikuji — a flower-themed fortune draw (omikuji). It’s a lovely, tactile experience that both kids and adults enjoy.
Important tip: hana-mikuji is only available in the evening. It is not offered the following morning. Do it on the day you check in, not the next day — we’d hate for you to miss it.
Evening at the Izakaya
If you find yourself still up after the kids are down, Aomoriya has a cozy in-house izakaya open from 21:00 to 23:00. A great way to unwind with local Aomori sake or beer after a full day.
Dinner: Seafood That Blew Us Away
Dinner at Aomoriya is served buffet-style, with an emphasis on fresh Aomori seafood — and it is exceptional.
Highlights from our meal:
– Shrimp sashimi — incredibly fresh
– Scallops — sweet and plump, just as Aomori scallops should be
– Tuna and salmon robatayaki (grilled on an open hearth) — the smoky aroma alone was worth it
– Rice — this deserves a special mention. The rice was outstanding. Simple, but one of those things you keep going back for.
Dinner Reservation Tip (Read This Before You Go)
This is important: dinner seatings fill up fast.
We checked in at 15:00 and by that point, the popular 18:00 seating was already fully booked. We ended up with the 17:00 slot, which felt a little early at first — but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The dining area was quiet, we could browse the food at our own pace, and there was no rush. If you have young kids, an earlier dinner often works well anyway.
Our recommendation: As soon as you arrive, head straight to the dining area to reserve your dinner time. Alternatively, call the hotel in advance to book before you check in.
Breakfast
Breakfast is equally impressive. The spread is generous, with both Japanese and Western options. Expect fresh local produce, warm rice, miso soup, and plenty of Aomori flavors. A great way to start a day of sightseeing.
Onsen: Absolutely Worth It
The onsen at Aomoriya is one of the highlights of the entire stay.
A few things that stand out:
- Hiba wood bathtubs — the large baths are crafted from Aomori hiba (a type of cypress native to Tohoku). The scent is subtle and deeply calming.
- Silky water — the hot spring water has a smooth, slightly viscous quality that leaves your skin noticeably soft. Our skin felt amazing afterward.
- Outdoor bath (rotenburo) — the atmosphere of the open-air bath is exceptional. Surrounded by nature, it feels a world away from the city.
One practical detail worth noting: the changing room has a TV playing a guide on how to use the onsen — very handy if it’s your first time at a Japanese hot spring. A thoughtful touch, especially for overseas visitors.
Note: there is no family bath at Aomoriya, so plan your onsen time accordingly if you have young children.
Souvenir Shopping
The gift shop at Aomoriya is well-stocked and worth a proper browse. You’ll find Aomori specialty products — apple-based sweets, local crafts, nebuta-themed goods — all in one place. A convenient way to pick up omiyage without hunting around the city.
Tips for Families
- Reserve dinner the moment you check in — or call ahead. The 18:00 seating fills up quickly, especially during busy seasons.
- Do the hana-mikuji on your first evening — it’s not available the next morning, so don’t leave it until checkout day.
- Let the kids enjoy the apple juice tap — it’s a small activity but genuinely memorable.
- Say hello to the pony at check-in — kids absolutely love it.
- Budget time for the onsen — don’t treat it as an afterthought. The outdoor bath especially is something to linger in.
- Explore the whole property — nebuta displays are scattered throughout, so take time to wander.
- Night owls: the izakaya runs 21:00–23:00 if you want a quiet drink after the kids are asleep.
Is It Worth It?
Aomoriya isn’t just a place to sleep. It’s a curated Aomori cultural experience: the pony greeting, the nebuta, the apple juice, the seafood, the hiba onsen. Every element is deliberately local and thoughtfully executed. Our daughter was enchanted from check-in to check-out, and as adults we left genuinely relaxed and well-fed.
If you’re visiting Aomori with kids, this is the stay we’d recommend without hesitation.
Practical Info
| Name | 星野リゾート 青森屋 / Hoshino Resort Aomoriya |
| Address | 56 Komakinoyama, Misawa, Aomori 033-0044 |
| Check-in | 15:00 |
| Check-out | 12:00 |
| Access | Free shuttle bus from Misawa Station |
| Onsen | Yes (indoor + outdoor) · No family bath |
| Stroller access | Yes (flat, accessible lobby and common areas) |
| English support | Yes |
| Price from | ~¥15,000/person/night (room only) |
| Official site | hoshinoresorts.com |
| Book on Klook | Expedia |
FAQ
Q: Is Hoshino Resort Aomoriya good for families with toddlers?
Yes. The property is spacious, the staff are attentive, and highlights like the apple juice tap, pony greeting, and nebuta displays are instant wins with young children.
Q: What is the apple juice tap at Aomoriya?
A tap in the hotel that dispenses fresh Aomori apple juice — a nod to Aomori’s status as Japan’s top apple-producing region. It’s a small but beloved feature, especially for kids.
Q: How do I book dinner at Aomoriya?
Dinner reservations are made at the hotel. We strongly recommend reserving your preferred seating time as soon as you check in, as the popular evening slots (especially 18:00) fill up quickly. You can also call ahead before arrival.
Q: What is Nebuta?
The Nebuta Matsuri is Aomori’s most famous festival, held every August, featuring massive illuminated paper floats. At Aomoriya, these floats and lanterns are displayed throughout the hotel year-round, giving guests a feel for the festival even outside of August.
Q: Is there a family bath at Aomoriya?
No, Aomoriya does not have a family bath. There are separate male and female baths (both indoor and outdoor). Plan your onsen visits accordingly if you have young children.
Q: How do I get to Hoshino Resort Aomoriya?
A free shuttle bus runs between Misawa Station and the hotel. Check the hotel’s official site for the current timetable.
