Aomori's Hidden Gem: Smile Hotel's Unforgettable Stay!
Aomori's Quirky Charm: My Chaotic, Wonderful Stay at Smile Hotel (aka, I Heart Aomori!)
Okay, let's be honest. I was not expecting to fall head-over-heels for Aomori. I pictured… well, let’s just say I had a vague, slightly boring image in my head. But then I found Smile Hotel. And WOW. It completely changed my perception of this northern Japanese gem. This isn't just a hotel review; it's a love letter to Aomori and a testament to Smile Hotel's… well, smile.
First Impressions (and a near-miss with baggage claim…):
Getting there was a breeze, thanks to the airport transfer service. Phew, because my Japanese is limited to ordering ramen and profusely apologizing for my clumsy gestures. The check-in/out [express] option was a lifesaver – I'd already been traveling for 12 hours and just wanted to crash. The elevator was a godsend (thank you, Smile Hotel, for realizing the value of not lugging suitcases up five flights of stairs!). And the front desk [24-hour] folks? Absolutely lovely, despite my initial jet-lagged haze. They spoke… well, some English, and my attempt at Japanese, surprisingly, got me further than I thought.
(Accessibility)
Now, I will say—this wasn't a specific accessibility-focused trip for me, but I definitely noticed the effort Smile Hotel made. The presence of an elevator is crucial, of course! And things like the facilities for disabled guests (details unavailable, but the presence is promising), suggest they really try. Accessibility is obviously important in Japan when it comes to tourism, so I will give it a passing grade based on the info I have.
The Room (and the Quest for Blackout-Curtain Bliss):
My room? A little slice of heaven. Okay, maybe not heaven, but definitely a haven. Let's go in-depth!
Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, alarm clock, air conditioning, bathrobes, bathroom phone, bathtub, blackout curtains, carpeting, closet, coffee/tea maker (essential!), complimentary tea, daily housekeeping, desk, extra long bed, free bottled water, hair dryer, high floor, in-room safe box, interconnecting room(s) available, ironing facilities, laptop workspace, linens, mini bar, mirror, non-smoking, on-demand movies, private bathroom, reading light, refrigerator, safety/security feature, satellite/cable channels, scale, seating area, separate shower/bathtub, shower, slippers, smoke detector, socket near the bed, sofa, soundproofing, telephone, toiletries, towels, umbrella, visual alarm, wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], window that opens.
About. Those. Blackout. Curtains: Seriously. They were the best. I swear, I slept for eleven hours straight on the first night (it's a miracle, usually my internal clock starts screaming at 4 AM). The bliss of complete darkness after a transatlantic flight is something I don't think I can fully describe.
The Little Things: Little things. You get things you need. I needed an iron. An ironing facility was there. The free Wi-Fi [free] was blazing fast (crucial for Instagramming my food adventures), and the complimentary tea was a lifesaver for those early mornings. Oh, and the slippers! So comfy. Japanese hotels are all about slippers. I dig it.
Possible downfalls: A slightly firm bed (but after being on the go for ages, I slept like a baby).
Internet Access
Internet
Internet [LAN]
Internet services
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!
Wi-Fi in public areas
Notes: Wi-Fi was reliable throughout the hotel. I used both the Internet access – LAN for working at my desk and the Internet access – wireless when lounging in my room, both excellent.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (aka, My Stomach's Personal Tour of Japan):
Okay, here's where I REALLY start gushing. Aomori has AMAZING food, and Smile Hotel made it so freakin' accessible.
Restaurants: There were Restaurants on the premises, and one, in particular, deserves a shout-out.
Breakfast [buffet]: The Breakfast [buffet], oh man, the breakfast buffet. I went (almost) every day, and it was an adventure. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast - everything was there! From amazing miso soup (a staple!), to pastries, sushi, and endless options. The best part was discovering I loved natto(fermented soybeans); a texture-averse traveler's delight (maybe).
Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop: I like coffee. I NEED coffee. Smile went above and beyond with a dedicated Coffee shop in the lobby.
A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: These were available!
Snack bar: Sometimes, you want a snack.
Bar: Yes, a bar!
Room service [24-hour]: They had this.
Desserts in restaurant
Soup in restaurant
Bottle of water: Always handy!
The "I ate too much" Experience: One night, I demolished a ridiculous amount of sashimi (delicious, fresh, and the perfect representation of a place known for its fresh seafood!), followed by something I can only describe as a Japanese "pizza-like" dish. It was at a restaurant in the hotel, and I probably waddled back to my room. But WORTH IT.
Cleanliness and Safety (aka, My Inner Germaphobe Was Thrilled):
In this post-pandemic world, this is HUGE for me. And Smile Hotel nailed it.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Double-check!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Hygiene certification: I love this!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: This made me feel much more at ease.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yep.
- Safe dining setup: Yes.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Excellent!
- Individually-wrapped food options: Good!
I didn't see a speck of dust, a single rogue hair (I’m picky, I know), or anything that would make me bat an eye (and I’m notoriously a neat-freak!). They've really thought about it.
Things to Do (and my lack of coordination…):
Okay, so, Aomori is beautiful. Really beautiful. Smile hotel is located near several attractions.
Shrine: Yes!
Gift/souvenir shop: Yes! Smile Hotel had a sweet little gift/souvenir shop with local treats and crafts.
The Sauna: I'm not usually a sauna person, but the hotel's Spa/sauna was actually pretty awesome, and the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring.
Gym/fitness & Fitness center: Yes, a Gym/fitness area was there.
Pool with view & Swimming pool: Didn't see this but I'm very glad the hotel has the resources for these.
Services and Conveniences (aka, They Thought of Everything - Seriously):
- Cash withdrawal: Yes!
- Concierge: I didn't need the concierge, but I saw it was there.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was consistently immaculate
- Laundry service & Dry cleaning & Ironing service: All great.
- Safety deposit boxes: Peace of mind.
- Luggage storage: Handy for pre- and post-exploring!
For the Kids (and the Kid in Me):
I didn't have small children with me, but I did see a few families, and Smile Hotel seemed very accommodating.
- Babysitting service: (Didn't personally utilize).
- Family/child friendly: Yes.
Getting Around (aka, The Struggle is Real - But Not Here):
- Airport transfer: Seamless (blessedly so).
- Car park [free of charge]: A huge plus!
- Taxi service: Yep.
My Quirky Takeaway & A Compelling Offer:
Okay, let's be real. I was skeptical about Aomori. I’m the kind of traveler who usually seeks out the "trendy" destinations. But Smile Hotel? It reminded me why I love to travel. It was comfortable, clean, well-located, and the staff? Absolutely wonderful. They made me feel welcomed in a way that transcended the language barrier. I left feeling truly refreshed. And I
Edinburgh West End Escape: Stunning Staycity Aparthotel!
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're going to Aomori, Japan, and trust me, it's gonna be… an experience. Smile Hotel Aomori? Fine, starting point. But after that, who knows where the sake-fueled adventures will take us? Let's do this.
Operation: Aomori Armageddon… or, You Know, a Nice Trip
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic
14:00 (ish): Arrive at Aomori Airport (IATA Code: AOJ). Okay, first impressions? Tiny. Adorably tiny. Like, could-probably-carry-it-in-one-hand tiny. Good lord, I hope my luggage made it. The pre-trip anxiety is already kicking in. Did I pack enough socks? Did I remember the universal travel adapter? Did I accidentally buy a three-day supply of cat food instead of actual human food? These are the REAL questions.
- Anxiety Quotient: High. (But manageable, thanks to the airport's surprisingly good vending machines.)
15:00 (ish): Taxi to Smile Hotel Aomori. The driver seems… enthusiastic. He kept chirping things in Japanese. I just smiled and nodded. Pretty sure he said something about the weather being "glorious" and the cherry blossoms being… I didn't see any cherry blossoms. Oh well. Fingers crossed I understood something correctly.
16:00: Check-in. The lobby is… functional. Beige. But clean. My room is a standard Japanese hotel room: Small. Efficient. And with a toilet that could probably launch itself to the moon. Okay, I can work with this. I MUST learn how to operate this toilet.
17:00: First Snack: Convenience store run. Lawsons or 7-Eleven? The eternal dilemma! I opt for 7-Eleven, because the logo makes me happy. I emerge victorious with onigiri (rice balls), green tea, and some sort of vaguely strawberry-flavored thing that tastes… interesting. Definitely a texture I'm not familiar with. But hey, I'm in Japan! Gotta embrace the unknown!
18:00: Explore the area around the hotel. Okay, so basically the hotel is in a pretty… quiet area. There's what looks like a small park… and a lot of businesses that appear to cater to… well, I'm not sure. Maybe I'll stick to the vending machines for tonight's entertainment.
19:00: Early dinner at some local ramen place. This is where it all went wrong. I pointed randomly at a picture on the menu, and the waiter – bless his heart, he tried to understand my mangled Japanese – gave me a bowl so vast and mountainous I honestly think it could house a small civilization. The broth was rich, the noodles were perfect, and I devoured it all. Then I realized I had a date with the bed and sleep.
21:00: Bedtime, because I was stuffed like a pufferfish. That ramen was a mistake.
Day 2: Markets, Apples, and Mild Social Anxiety
- 08:00: Wake up. Okay, the jet lag is starting to hit. I'm already craving pancakes and bacon… but that's not happening. Time for the included hotel breakfast.
- 09:00: Breakfast. The buffet feels like a test of my abilities. Do I take all the delicious things at once, or pace myself? I ended up failing this test. I ate everything.
- 10:00: The Aomori Gyosai Market (Furukawa Fish Market) is on the list. Oh, boy. Sounds terrifying and beautiful. I'm excited, but I'm also slightly scared. It's a sensory overload waiting to happen, I know it.
- The Market Experience: Okay, this place is WILD. The colors, the smells, the crowds… it's a beautiful chaos. I'm instantly mesmerized. I wandered around, staring at the ridiculously fresh seafood. The tuna! The crab! I saw a vendor with a whole pile of scallops, and I just had to try them. I pointed, he smiled (I think?), and I ate the juiciest, most delicious scallop I've ever tasted in my life. Worth it. Then I saw the rice bowls, and I had to have one. The experience was a glorious, messy symphony of flavors and sights. My heart and my stomach are full.
- Anecdote: I tried to order a bowl of rice and salmon in Japanese. It went something like, "Eeeeh… sake… sake… oishii?" The vendor just laughed and pointed at what he thought I should have. Which was, of course, a giant bowl of rice topped with every type of seafood imaginable.
- 13:00: Apple Park (Aomori is famous for its apples). Apples, apples, everywhere! I take a deep, happy breath. The place is stunning. I did a tasting of apple juice and apple desserts. I bought way too many apple-flavored things. My suitcase is going to smell like autumn forever.
- 15:00: Stroll through the Hirosaki Castle Park. Unfortunately, no cherry blossoms were left, because I am apparently cursed. Still, the castle is pretty. I'm still walking around in a daze, processing the market experiences. The beauty of the place, mixed with that deep ramen feeling in my stomach from yesterday, has me ready for a nap.
- 17:00: Dinner at a small Izakaya (Japanese pub) I found. I have no idea what I'm ordering. I think I'm just pointing at things. The food is delicious, the sake is flowing, and I'm starting to feel… happy. A bit tipsy, but happy.
- Quirky Observation: The locals kept trying to talk to me, but my Japanese isn't doing well. I just kept laughing, nodding, and saying, "Sugoi!" (which, according to my research, means "amazing"). I'm pretty sure I'm saying it in the wrong context, but they seem amused.
- 20:00: Back to the hotel, slightly wobbly-legged but content. Another early night!
Day 3: Art, Ramen Regrets, and the Reality of Jet Lag
- 09:00: Attempt to wake up. The jetlag is winning. I drag myself to the hotel breakfast.
- 10:00: Aomori Museum of Art. This is the big one. This is where I'll decide if I actually enjoy art. Spoiler alert: I love it. There's a massive installation art exhibit by Yayoi Kusama, which is absolutely insane and wonderful. The museum itself is a work of art.
- Emotional Reaction: Deep breath. I feel an immediate connection to Kusama's work. It's so imaginative, so colorful, so… chaotic. It perfectly encapsulates the beautiful mess that is life, and I feel understood. I spend hours wandering around, feeling everything. Suddenly, my ramen hangover from two days prior, and the emotional baggage I lug around, finally dissipated.
- Anecdotes: I wanted to pose for pictures in front of the installation. I looked around, hoping no one would judge. Oh, who am I kidding? I saw some children taking a selfie, and I joined in. I'll embarrass everyone in the picture, but I didn't care.
- 14:00: A Quick Lunch. I was just going to grab something light… and saw the ramen place. I'm weak. I had to visit.
- 15:00: Nap time in the hotel. That earlier ramen and the amazing art from earlier took it out of me. The jet lag continues.
- 17:00: Explore the town. It's actually cute. I found a little crepe place. The crepes are an absolute dream. I ate them far too quickly.
- 19:00: Dinner! I'm going to go rogue. I'm making my own sushi rolls in the hotel room. It'll be a disaster. I'm already planning on ordering take-out.
- 20:00: Sleep. Praying to the porcelain god for a good night.
Day 4: Departure & Last-Minute Apple Obsession
- 08:00: Breakfast. I'm actually starting to sleep in my bed! I'm enjoying the simple life.
- 09:00: Last-minute souvenir shopping! I need more apple things.
- 11:00: Taxi to the airport.
- 12:00: Fly!
Final Thoughts: This trip? It was messy. It was imperfect. It was, at times, utterly bewildering. But you know what?
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So… what *is* this thing, anyway? (In, like, the simplest terms possible, please.)
Do I *have* to be a computer whiz to figure this out? Because my technical skills peaked in the year 2000.
Okay, I'm intrigued… but how do I actually *use* this thing? Walk me through it. Gently.
What are the *actual* benefits of doing this? Besides avoiding actual work, of course.
I'm worried about privacy. Is this going to expose all my dirty secrets to the world? (My diary is *top secret*!)
Okay, I'm in. Where do I even *start* to learn? I need hand-holding! (Don't judge.)
Okay, and now let's talk about my *personal* learning curve, which was… a slow burn. I remember thinking, "This is gonna be easy, right?" Famous last words. First, I tried to install something I barely understood. Crash! Next, I signed up for a course that moved too fast, and then… I finally found a few resources that broke things down into bite-sized pieces. Then, I started tinkering. I messed up constantly. I deleted hours of work. I even accidentally emailed my boss a very unflattering meme. (Oops.) But, through all the stumbling, I started to understand. So. My advice? Find a couple of good resources. There's a ton of free stuff out there. And when you get stuck? Ask for help!
What are some common mistakes people make when they're first starting out? Asking for a friend…
I'm feeling a bit stuck. Any tips for getting unstuck? (Aside from copious amounts of chocolate, please.)
Okay, you've convinced me. But it all seems so… *time-consuming*! Is it actually worth it?
