Aoni Onsen, Kuroishi, Japan: Snow-Covered Hot Springs, No Electricity, No Phone!

Aoni Onsen, Kuroishi, Japan: Snow-Covered Hot Springs, No Electricity, No Phone!

Good morning! We will take the shinkansen to Aomori, then take 2 local trains to Kuroishi town today After visiting Kuroishi, we will take the bus to Aoni Onsen where we will spend the night Today itinerary lots of snow outside watching snow fall from the shinkansen window is so relaxing..

I could sit here forever We are arrived at Shin-Aomori station. We will take the Ou line to Hirosaki here the more we move towards Hirosaki the more snow falls looking forward to having a nice walk in the snow 🙂 Here in Hirosaki we will take the Konan railway train to Kuroishi

The Konan railway is a very cute train that goes through the Aomori rice fields (covered in snow today) Kuroishi station… lot of snow! I am a bit worried because I only have sneakers with me but the snow is so soft… Historical firefighters tower let’s go check the city centre

It should be just a couple minutes walk from here Here we are! This area is called Komise-dori. It has been preserved since Edo period (1600~) Komise-dori is completely covered in snow this used to be a very lively area during the Edo period oh this looks good! I will have lunch here!

Such a nice Japanese atmosphere… and so quiet! I love quiet places Tempura, meat, sushi, soba, appetizers and even a japanese sweet! This is so cute that you can even eat it with your eyes 🙂 that was a great lunch! I am full now I have the energy to walk more!

People are busy plowing the snow it started snowing again but I want to explore more it’s very comfortable walking in the covered arcade oh, an old bathhouse it is not in use anymore people are actually drinking coffe and watching tv here 🙂 coffe break.. it’s so cold outside I needed something hot

After coffee I am charged again and I can walk more oh nice! what is this? Japanese temple it seems red leaves and snow… perfect combination Japanese temple covered in snow unfortunately seems to be closed today so much snow falling.. I can barely walk Time to catch my bus to Aoni Onsen

We will need to change bus along the way.. in total it will take 1 hour 30 minutes it’s freezing inside the bus 🙁 but the view outside is nice we will change bus here (this bus is provided by the ryokan for free) a dark ride in the snow Aoni Onsen

Seems like a fairy tale this place is located in a valley surrounded by nature Aoni Onsen is famous because phones do not work here and there is no electricity at all.. the only source of light are oil lamps provided by the ryokan

Perfect if you want to get a break from the city stress you are isolated from everything but you are surrounded by stunning nature and snow. What else could you ever want 🙂 and you can also enjoy 4 different hot spring baths here actually this bridge takes you to the hot springs

Entrance is illuminated by oil lamps on the walls there are Nebuta illustrations. Nebuta are typical floats used in festivals around Aomori prefecture My room tonight. It is lit with an oil lamp and heated with oil stove. there are no electricity or plugs at all It’s already dinner time! dinner room

Here is also lit by oil lamps only Fish, fried fish rice balls, tofu, appetizers and boiled meat soup, rice and drinks are self service there is meat inside this I also got some hot Nihonshu (Japanese sake) kanpai! time to go to sleep! first thing this morning: check the view outside what a view!

Breakfast There is fish, egg, pickles and miso soup the air is fresh outside It is very snowy outside so they provide you with boots to walk around time for a walk around Aoni Onsen wow let’s cross the bridge and visit the hot springs I wonder if the river below gets frozen in January

I love the sound of the river so fun to walk around with yukata (Japanese robe) and boots 🙂 the view is breathtaking let’s see the onsen hot springs entrance you wash your body with this before entering the hot springs there is another door here an outside bath with waterfall view!

This is the mixed gender rotenburo (open-air bath) looks like one of the baths you see in manga 🙂 there are changing rooms here it’s freezing outside, so it needs lot of courage to get out of the bath after you get in but is a very relaxing experience 🙂

It was a great stay! unfortunately it is time to go back 🙁 one last drive in the snow change bus here. This is the end of our trip today!

Embark on a winter onderland Adventure in Aoni Onsen, Kuroishi, Japan! ❄️
Join me as I ride the Tohoku shinkansen, traverse picturesque landscapes, savor a Japanese lunch in Kuroishi, and finally, journey to the enchanting Aoni Onsen—where the total absence of phone coverage and electricity adds a touch of mystery to the snowy serenity. 🔮🚅

### Important: enable captions/subtitles (CC) and immerse yourself in the magic! 📺🌟 #SnowyEscape #AoniOnsen #onsen #hotsprings

Today itinerary:
1. We will take the Tohoku shinkansen from Hachinohe to Shin-Aomori
2. In Shin-Aomori we will take the Ou line to Hirosaki
3. From here we will take the Konan railway to Kuroishi
4. Exploring Kuroishi and have a typical Japanese lunch
5. Take the bus to Aoni Onsen (2 buses)

Cost of the trip:
1. Shinkansen: I used JR East Pass Tohoku (30.000 Yen 5 days no limit boarding in all Tohoku region). Cost without pass is around 4.000 Yen one way.
2. Local train to Hirosaki : 590 Yen one way
4. Konan railway: Around 500 Yen
3. Ryokan: around 15.000 Yen per night (solo) with dinner and breakfast

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:19 Trains to Kuroishi
2:43 Kuroishi city
3:48 Lunch
4:38 Komise-dori
7:55 Aoni Onsen
10:06 Dinner at ryokan
11:48 Exploring the hot springs
16:15 Ending