Hoshino Resort Aomoriya with Kids: Room, Dinner & Breakfast Review

04/14/202605/14/2026

This was our first time visiting Aomori! We stayed one night at Hoshino Resort Aomoriya during our 2-night, 3-day trip.

Inside Aomoriya, you can experience Aomori’s Nebuta Festival and local food culture — it was so much fun!

The “apple juice from a tap” that our daughter had been looking forward to was delicious, and we all enjoyed it together as a family!

Above all, the food and onsen were amazing… We definitely want to come back!

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Location of Hoshino Resort Aomoriya

Hoshino Resort Aomoriya is closest to Misawa Station — just 3 minutes by car. They offer a free shuttle bus from the station.

By car: About 3 minutes from Rokunohe JCT via the Hachinohe Expressway and Daini Michinoku Toll Road.
Free shuttle bus: About 20 minutes.
By train: Take the Aoimori Railway from JR Hachinohe Station or JR Aomori Station to Misawa Station.
Free shuttle from Misawa Station: About 3 minutes.

We Flew to Aomori Airport with JAL’s “Dokokani Miles”

This time we used JAL’s “Dokokani Miles” (a mystery destination miles program) to fly to Aomori Airport. Maybe because other time slots were full, we ended up being assigned an early morning flight…!

The aircraft was a 767 for both legs. It was our first time on one — there was a bit of turbulence but overall very comfortable. The USB charging port under the seat was really handy!

For kids, they could choose between a HAC airplane model kit or a luggage tag — we got one on each leg. Personally, I was pretty excited about the model kit!

And our daughter chose SkyTime (JAL’s original juice). I had a taste too — it was delicious!

Aomori Airport: Car Rental Within Walking Distance

We arrived at Aomori Airport. It was our first time here, and it was really clean and well-maintained! There’s a FamilyMart in the arrivals lobby, so you can pick up anything you forgot.

By the way, the departures area has a Tully’s and a food court. Our return flight was early too, so the shops were closed — worth checking opening times in advance.

In April, there was still quite a bit of snow in Aomori and it was pretty cold. A down jacket is a must!

We decided to rent a car for this trip. What was really convenient is that at Aomori Airport, you can walk to the car rental shops!

Usually you have to take a shuttle bus from the airport to the rental office, but here you can start the paperwork right away. Super convenient.

Checking In at Aomoriya

When we arrived, a cute pony greeted us! Aomoriya has two ponies called “Nore” and “Sore” — this time it was Sore-kun who welcomed us. The staff gave us an adorable little business card for the pony too, but I forgot to take a photo…

You check in at the lobby, which already has this wonderful old Japanese farmhouse atmosphere.

During check-in, they asked about our dinner and breakfast times. Unfortunately, the 18:00 slot was already full that day — so our only options were 17:15 or 19:15. If you have a preferred dinner time, I’d recommend contacting the hotel in advance to ask if you can reserve it.

We went with 17:15 since 19:00 felt too late, and it actually worked out great — it was right when the buffet opened, so it wasn’t crowded at all!

Soaking Up the Nebuta Festival Atmosphere

After check-in, you take the escalator down — and wow, the entire hotel feels like one big show…!!

Our daughter was loving it too.

The Apple Juice Tap We’d Been Dreaming About

This is what our daughter had been looking forward to the most — apple juice flowing from a tap! There are set hours when it’s available, but since it was our family’s first time seeing juice come from a tap, our excitement levels were instantly through the roof!

We stopped by before the bath, after the bath, and basically every time we passed by. Paper cups and wet wipes are provided. It’s such a fun, out-of-the-ordinary experience!

Amenities Are in the Lobby

By the way, the room only comes with hand soap, shampoo, body wash, and toothbrushes — so things like kids’ amenities, shower caps, and razors need to be picked up from the lobby.

They’re right next to the apple juice tap, so easy to find! There were also kids’ samue (traditional Japanese loungewear) available. Next to the juice tap on the right, there’s a yukata rental spot — we asked there and borrowed one for our daughter.

Our Room: Washi Azumashi

We booked pretty last-minute and most rooms were taken, but luckily the “Azumashi” room was still available!

It’s a spacious tatami room at 43-50m². You take off your shoes at the entrance. Our daughter is now 6, so she needed her own bed — we had three beds set up.

In the closet, you’ll find adult yukata and a basket bag for the onsen. There’s also a TV and sofa — plenty of space for 3-4 people to relax comfortably.

The vanity area is spacious and easy to use.

The bathroom has a separate washing area, and the toilet is in its own room — really appreciated that!

For drinking water, instead of bottled water, there’s a water server where you fill up your own bottle. A small eco-friendly touch.

Dinner: The Robatayaki, Sashimi, and Rice Were All Incredible

Dinner is a buffet. The restaurant atmosphere is wonderful from the moment you walk in…! Staff guide you to your table while explaining what dishes are available. We saw lots of families with kids and multi-generational groups too.

The dinner is mainly Japanese cuisine. Right at the entrance, there’s robatayaki (open-hearth grilling), plus senbei-jiru (rice cracker soup), sashimi, and so many more dishes!

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting too much from a Hoshino Resort buffet… but everything was made with generous amounts of local ingredients and it was genuinely delicious!

Shrimp sashimi at a buffet — that alone was a surprise! They also had xiaolongbao. For the robatayaki, there was salmon, tuna, mackerel, and scallops. A seafood lover’s paradise. If you or your kids love seafood, this place is absolute heaven…

And what really blew me away — the rice was SO good! I wish I’d asked where it was from. Glossy, plump, each grain perfectly fluffy and sweet. Our daughter said “oishii!” and finished hers in no time.

For dessert, we had soft serve ice cream. There were small cakes too, though the fresh fruit selection was limited.

Breakfast: Seafood Bowl and High Quality All Around

The spot where they were grilling robatayaki the night before had transformed into a scallop ramen station for breakfast! I had a taste — gentle, comforting flavors, perfect for morning.

There was also a make-your-own seafood bowl corner where you could pile on as much as you like — so fun!

For breakfast, they added more Western options like bread and pastries too.

The Onsen: Beautiful Atmosphere and Lovely Hiba Wood Scent

One of my personal favorite things about Aomoriya is the onsen.

The changing room is spacious. The lockers are easy to use and just the right size for me and my daughter together.

At night, the onsen lighting is dimmed to create a lovely atmosphere. The bathtubs are made from Aomori hiba (local cypress wood), and the scent is incredibly soothing.

I especially recommend the outdoor bath at night! There are lights outside the bath, and at night it looks like lanterns floating on the water — absolutely beautiful. I believe the indoor bath has two different water temperatures.

I looked it up and it’s called “Sakura Akari no Yu” (Cherry Blossom Lantern Bath).

“The water surface shimmers with the glow of Tsugaru Vidro glass lanterns, while a single cherry blossom tree — crafted using Nebuta festival techniques — is illuminated, creating an enchanting outdoor bathing experience.” (From Aomoriya’s official website)

This runs until May 31, 2026! The theme changes by season, apparently.

The Foot Bath Is Incredibly Relaxing

The Aomoriya grounds include a park-like area where you can walk a loop around the property. Great for a morning stroll! We saw people jogging too.

There’s a free foot bath fed by natural hot spring water (kakenagashi — meaning it flows directly from the source). Towels are provided on-site, so you can enjoy it without any preparation.

Just like the main onsen, the water has a slightly silky texture that leaves your skin feeling incredibly smooth!

Ring the Bell!

Past the foot bath area, there’s a spot where you can ring a large bell — the same kind you’d hear at a Japanese temple on New Year’s Eve. Lots of families were out for a stroll here.

Aomoriya offers plenty of activities — some require reservations (like the Michinoku Festival show) and others don’t (like the hana-mikuji flower fortune). I’d recommend checking their website beforehand to plan ahead!

Hoshino Resort Aomoriya: The Full Aomori Experience!

This was our first time in Aomori, and we’re so glad we chose Aomoriya! The entire hotel feels like an entertainment experience — fun for everyone from little kids to grandparents.

We’d love to stay here again next time we visit Aomori.

Book via: Expedia

FAQ

Is Hoshino Resort Aomoriya good for families with young kids?

Absolutely! The grounds are spacious, the staff are kind, and highlights like the apple juice tap, the pony greeting, and the Nebuta displays are instant hits with young children. We visited with our 6-year-old and she was entertained the entire stay.

What is the apple juice tap at Aomoriya?

It’s exactly what it sounds like — a tap that pours fresh Aomori apple juice! Aomori produces over half of Japan’s apples, and this little feature is a fun nod to that. Our daughter went back for refills every time we passed by. Paper cups and wipes are provided.

How do I book dinner at Aomoriya?

They ask about your preferred time at check-in, but popular slots (especially 18:00) fill up fast. When we checked in at 15:00, the 18:00 slot was already gone. Our tip: call the hotel in advance to secure your preferred time, or go with an early slot — it’s actually less crowded and quite pleasant!

What is Nebuta?

The Nebuta Matsuri is Aomori’s most famous festival, held every August, with massive illuminated paper floats parading through the streets. At Aomoriya, these floats and lanterns are displayed throughout the hotel year-round — so you can soak up the festival atmosphere even outside of summer!

Is there a family bath at Aomoriya?

No, there’s no private family bath. The onsen has separate male and female sections (both indoor and outdoor). We managed fine with our daughter — the changing room is spacious enough for parent and child together.

How do I get to Hoshino Resort Aomoriya?

There’s a free shuttle bus from Misawa Station (about 3 minutes). You can reach Misawa Station via the Aoimori Railway from either JR Hachinohe Station or JR Aomori Station. If you’re flying in like we did, renting a car at Aomori Airport is super convenient — the rental shops are within walking distance!