A solo day trip for 10,000 yen! ~Aomori edition~

So, OnTrip JAL has planned a model itinerary that allows you to enjoy the destinations in one day and at a good cost performance, with Aomori Prefecture as the base, which is actually an easy area for a day trip. What's more, it covers all the destinations, including "food," "activities," and "souvenirs," and follows the rule of a budget of 10,000 yen (excluding transportation costs).

This time, we asked ERIKO, a professional traveler®, to try out a model one-day solo trip itinerary to see if it's really possible to enjoy Aomori to the fullest for less than 10,000 yen on a day trip.

*The interview was conducted before the state of emergency was declared.
*Depending on the spread of COVID-19, the opening days and business hours of each spot may change.

PRO TRAVELER® ERIKO

Instagram: @eriko_s2
She uses a wide variety of photography equipment to take photos that convey the charm of her travel destinations to the fullest, and she coordinates her fashion to suit the location.
*"Pro Traveler®" is a registered trademark of Mitsubachi Works Co., Ltd.

The Aomori journey begins!

Aomori Airport is about an hour and 10 minutes by plane from Haneda Airport, and about an hour and a half from Itami Airport. This time, ERIKO enjoyed a day trip to Aomori with a schedule departing and arriving from Haneda Airport.

After arriving at Aomori Airport, we immediately boarded a limousine bus bound for Aomori Station. There was about 11 hours until the return flight, so we wanted to arrive at Aomori Airport 1 hour and 30 minutes before departure. This was the start of a trip that would allow us to fully enjoy Aomori in one day!

Approximately 35 minutes by airport limousine bus

About 10 minutes walk from Aomori Station

Enjoy a seafood breakfast with the "Original Aomori Nokkedon" filled with toppings | Aomori Gyosai Center

Many tourist spots are concentrated around Aomori Station, so you can basically walk to any spot. This makes it ideal for solo travelers who can't drive.

After arriving at Aomori Station, we walked to the Aomori Gyosai Center. It is a professional market that wholesales ingredients to local restaurants. Our goal here is the "Original Aomori Nokke Rice Bowl." You can create your own original rice bowl by topping it with your favorite ingredients.

After purchasing a book of 10 meal tickets worth 1,500 yen at the reception, you are free to wander around the venue and exchange your meal tickets for fresh Aomori sashimi to put on your rice.

When you think of Aomori, you can't leave out scallops and tuna. But if you add a bunch of other eye-catching ingredients, you'll end up with a seafood-filled bowl!

ERIKO, who had been hungry since the morning for this meal, was amazed at the fresh and large portions of food, but she ate them all in one go. It was the perfect start to a hearty breakfast that can only be enjoyed in an Aomori market.

Aomori Fish and Vegetable Center

About 30 minutes by bus or on foot

How are you? Say hello to the "Aomori Dog" | Aomori Museum of Art

Once you've had your fill of seafood bowls, head to the Aomori Museum of Art, one of Aomori's most famous art spots. It's a little far from Aomori Station, so make sure you head there while you have plenty of time.

The museum was designed based on inspiration from the excavation site of the Sannai-Maruyama Jomon Ruins located next door, and it offers a unique exhibition space.

First, take a photo at the entrance, a popular photo spot, with the sign on the exterior wall in the background. Not only the exhibits, but even the details such as the pictograms and fonts on the signs inside the building show the attention to detail that goes into the art, so it's sure to be fun to wander around the building.

The main purpose of the visit was to meet the "Aomori Dog." The Aomori Dog is a commissioned work (a work integrated with the architecture) by Yoshitomo Nara, a world-renowned artist from Aomori Prefecture, and has been on display at the museum since it first opened.

The Aomori dogs are exhibited outdoors, and when the exterior walkways are open after the snow melts, you can view them up close, not only from inside but also outside.

The Aomori dog is 8.5m tall, 6.7m wide, and 9m deep, so you'll be amazed at its size when you see it in front of you. Photography is permitted in the Aomori dog area, so why not take a photo of the dog greeting you? You can also enjoy the various expressions of the Aomori dog by looking at it from different angles, such as from the side, from behind, or directly below.

Aomori Museum of Art

About 30 minutes by bus or on foot

This is the traditional culture of Aomori. See the impressive Nebuta floats at Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse

After enjoying the art at the museum, head to the Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse in front of Aomori Station to experience the traditional culture that is synonymous with Aomori. This is a space where you can learn about the history and appeal of the Nebuta Festival, a major event that can be said to be a seasonal feature of Aomori's summer.

First of all, you will be impressed by the beautiful building. The bright red exterior with its distinctive curves and the walkway with its continuous lines of sunlight and shadows will make you want to take photos.

Once inside, an even more spectacular view awaits.

The Nebuta Museum on the second floor has an area where you can learn about the history of the Nebuta Festival, as well as a permanent exhibition of large nebuta that have actually been unveiled.

The moment you see the large Nebuta floats and the intricate craftsmanship, you will feel as if you are immersed in the magnificent world of the Nebuta Festival. You will be able to see, hear, and feel the traditions of Aomori.

Nebuta House Wa Rasse / Nebuta Museum and Nebuta Hall

Approximately 3 minutes on foot

Dining and souvenirs at Aomori's waterfront! | A-FACTORY

I still have time and money, so I'd like to get the souvenirs done. So I head to "A-FACTORY" next to Wa Rasse. It's a place where you can find Aomori's specialties, gourmet food, and souvenirs all in one place.

First, try a comparison of different types of cider, an alcoholic drink made from apples, a specialty of Aomori.

At the "tasting bar" on the second floor of the facility, you can purchase a tasting card (300 yen, 600 yen, 900 yen, all tax included) and choose your favorite from eight types of cider to taste. Since I wanted to try a variety of flavors, I chose a card that allowed me to taste all the types.

When comparing the different varieties, you'll find that even though they're all the same cider, their flavors vary greatly, with some saying "this one has a gentle sweetness and is easy to drink" and others saying "it's refreshing and would go well with a meal!" You can enjoy all the Aomori ciders in one go, and you can also find the cider that suits your taste, so it's a great reference for choosing souvenirs.

Still feeling tipsy, we headed to Galetteria Da Sasino, a galette specialty restaurant in the next area, to enjoy a popular galette lunch.

The galette, made with buckwheat flour from Aomori Prefecture, is fragrant and chewy. When prosciutto and eggs are added, it matches perfectly with the moderate saltiness, making it an excellent dish.

Another highlight of this restaurant is that you can enjoy fresh cider, not bottled. The fresh cider has a refreshing yet deep taste, and goes perfectly with the galette. It's a luxurious lunch that will leave you very satisfied.

And the last mission is to get souvenirs at "Food Marche" on the first floor of the facility. Here, you can find a wide selection of stylish souvenirs selected from all over Aomori Prefecture.

With the lineup so overwhelming, ERIKO began to seriously choose souvenirs. Her favorite brand from the ciders she had tried earlier was also on sale, so she put it in her basket without any hesitation. She also selected a number of other souvenirs with lovely packaging, including canned mackerel and sweets, which are popular in Aomori Prefecture. Here are the items she purchased this time.

With a wide variety of souvenirs available, you can't go wrong buying souvenirs here for yourself, family, friends, and coworkers. Souvenir mission accomplished!

A-FACTORY

Approximately 10 minutes on foot

360 degrees around. A panoramic view of the city from Aomori's landmark! | Aomori Tourist and Products Center ASPAM 13th floor observation deck

Well, the trip is nearing the end. My money is now under 1,000 yen, but there are still many places to enjoy in Aomori. So, next up, let's take a look at the city of Aomori from above.

Aomori Tourist and Products Center ASPAM is an iconic triangular building that stands tall in the city of Aomori. The 13th floor of this building is an observation deck, from which you can get a 360-degree view of the city of Aomori from a height of 51 meters above ground.

It's amazing how the cityscape you walked through today looks completely different when you look down from above. Furthermore, if you move around inside the observation deck, you can see not only the city, but also the Shimokita, Tsugaru, and Natsudomari peninsulas, Mutsu Bay, and the Hakkoda mountains. The magnificent Mt. Hakkoda is particularly impressive. If the weather is good, you can even see Hokkaido.

Please enjoy the scenery that can only be seen from this location.

Aomori Tourist Products Center ASPAM / 13th floor observation deck

Approximately 10 minutes on foot

Reflecting on a day of travel with a nice cup of coffee | COFFEEMAN good

As it was getting close to time to go home, our last stop was COFFEEMAN good, a place loved by locals. It's a cozy coffee stand in the middle of a shopping arcade, and the aroma of coffee fills the air.

Locals come to the shop one after the other, and customers naturally start talking to each other. This is the only place where you can experience the warm local atmosphere.

When you sit at the counter, the husband and wife manager will talk to you in a gentle tone. They will recommend a cup of coffee for you, and you can watch the coffee being brewed right in front of you. Let yourself go and enjoy the slow and gentle time.

Then, sit on a comfortable bench outside and enjoy a Nordic cafe latte (490 yen including tax) while reflecting on the day's journey. Immerse yourself in the memories of a time that flew by, yet was so meaningful.

Well, this is the end of the journey.

COFFEEMAN good

Approximately 35 minutes by airport limousine bus

Arrived at Aomori Airport. We had fun all day!

I arrived at the airport about 1 hour and 30 minutes before my return flight. My remaining balance was 99 yen. I covered "food," "activities," and "souvenirs," and thoroughly enjoyed my "solo, one-day, 10,000 yen trip!" in Aomori.

"Aomori is just over an hour away by plane, so you can go on a trip whenever the idea strikes you. Also, Aomori's tourist spots are close to the airport and can all be explored on foot, making it perfect for solo travelers! There was also plenty of food and activities to choose from, so it was a very fulfilling day!" said ERIKO.

When you want to travel freely or when you're too busy to take a long vacation, a day trip by plane is a casual and fulfilling way to go on a solo trip. If you want to travel but don't have any plans, why not start by planning a day trip to Aomori by yourself using the model itinerary introduced in this article as a reference?

Domestic Discount Fares Skymate

Limited to ages 12 and over and under 25!
Extremely affordable discount fares available for booking from the day of departure (4 hours before departure)