Downtown Aomori

Overlooking ASPAM

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Aomori, is the capital city of Aomori Prefecture in the Northern Part of Japan (Tohoku Region).

These pictures were taken when we went to Mt. Hakkoda Ropeway view and ASPAM tour last March 6. After we went to ASPAM's observation deck we headed to downtown Aomori to find a place to eat. We took a cab and paid 630 yen (~$7) coz it was chilly and raining that day. But when we were going back to ASPAM we decided to walk since we still have enough time for the boarding time schedule of our bus.

ASPAM Tourist Center, Aomori

ASPAM and Aomori Bay Bridge

Aomori Bay Bridge

March 6, 2010, we went to Mt Hakkoda Ropeway and Winter View Tour with ITT ( Information, Tickets and Travel) Tour bus. Since my husband is now deployed somewhere in Middle East we have the privilege of getting a "free" local tour with ITT, one free tour from Feb to April, I picked this tour. Our trip would cost $120 for 3 of us (if I have to pay it), adult is $45 (my 17 yr old daughter and myself) and my son is 9 yrs old which is only $30 for him (from 4 to 11 yrs old), not bad though. I don't have to drive up to the mountain (for 2 1/2 hours), I can relax myself to watch a movie on the bus and the best thing is, it's free! Unfortunately our trip to Mt Hakkoda was a wrong timing (dang!), we didn't see the beautiful view of the mountain and the snow. It was too foggy and hazy, didn't enjoy the ride on the ropeway, it's too crowded. We were inside with other skiers and snowboarders and we can't hardly move, I smelled something fishy LOL and I didn't know where it was coming from hehehe but definitely from those skiers/snowboarders hehehe. At least the trip was not only in Mt Hakkoda but we got to see the ASPAM tourist center after the ropeway (gondola) tour.

We just spent 1 hour and 15 minutes in Mt Hakkoda ski resort and we headed straight to downtown where the ASPAM is located. From Mt. Hakkoda to downtown Aomori is approximately 45 minutes.

ASPAM (Aomori Prefectural Center for Tourism and Industry) is a 14 story triangular building, prominent in downtown Aomori because of its architectural shape besides being the tourist center for Aomori prefecture. It has an observation deck at the 13th floor, we paid 900 yen for 3 of us. Note: Please do not ask me how they came up with the acronym ASPAM ;-)

The pictures above were taken last Sept 2009 when we were trying to look for the ASPAM building but we got lost and ended up going to the harbor and saw the beautiful view there and took that shot. We passed the ASPAM and took the road heading to the bay bridge (2nd picture). We didn't get the chance to see and visit it that time. I gave up looking for the right road towards its direction and chose to go to Auga Mall and the downtown stores where we accidentally reached that area.

By the way, Mt. Hakkoda is one of the most popular ski areas in Northern Japan, and this ski resort is not for beginners like me ;-)

Below are the recent pictures I took last Saturday. It was cloudy and drizzled a bit but it didn't snow.

Aomori Bay Bridge, taken from the observation deck

Mutsu Bay, taken from the observation deck of ASPAM

At ASPAM

Our english speaking Japanese tour guide

ASPAM entrance

Since we didn't get to see the scenic view of Mt Hakkoda, I found this link for you to enjoy the view and beauty of it. Click here.

Hirosaki Snow Lantern Festival

Building snow sculpture

Another view of the building snow sculpture

Animal Snow Sculptures

Not sure if this is Mickey Mouse (??)

I don't know the name of this snow sculpture, maybe Mama and baby bear (???) hehehe, this sculpture is big it's like a stage size

Different lanterns and overlooking Hirosaki Castle

Visitors are getting the candles once you enter this area and putting them anywhere they want to

&*^%$100 #@ ! (whatever that is hehehe)

Hello Kitty (has mumps LOL)

This Japanese farmer snow sculpture is taller than me

Snow lanterns

My son was inside the small igloo ;-)

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Hirosaki Snow Lantern Festival

This snow lantern festival was held from February 11 to February 14, 2010. We went last Saturday, Feb 13. This festival began in 1977 is now one of the five biggest snow festivals in Tohoku region (Northern Japan).

The snow lanterns have different sizes and shapes. There are some with pictures of samurai warriors and some come on different odd shapes like the heart and star shaped snow scultures.

Happy Heart's Day

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We went to Hirosaki Castle Park yesterday to see the Lantern Festival, it was awesome!!! Amazing ice sculptures. The weather was nice but of course it was too cold and a bit slippery along the walkway but over all.....I enjoyed it very much!

Since today is Valentine's Day (although I posted this a bit late already) I uploaded the heart shaped snow sculpture.

I will post more photos tomorrow.

Hard- Off Store

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Hard-off is one of Japan's largest recycle stores where you can buy used clothes, sports gear, shoes, furniture, bags, electronics, appliances, housewares and other stuff that you can think of :-)

This is where we bought my snowboard since we're just newbies to snowboarding we might as well buy used ones rather spending $300+ for just 1 snowboard excluding its binding which will cost you $100+. Too bad, we didn't find any snowboard shoes for all of us, the sizes were all small since most Japanese are short so what do we expect? of course small shoe sizes hehehe. Don't ask my shoe size, it's big too :-) I bought my snowboard w/ bindings already attached for 2300 yen (~$25).

If you are looking for branded bags they have them here too such as louis vuitton, gucci, prada, chanel, coach and more which are being displayed in a covered glass cabinet. So if you want used branded bags this is your store hehehe. I haven't tried buying one though ;-) And sorry I didn't take pictures what's inside the store.

By the way, why the h*** is it called "hard-off?" LOL


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Hard-off is located in Towada City, a 30 minute drive from Misawa.


Directions:

If you want the directions, leave a comment here hehehe

Farmtown/ Farmville in Misawa during Winter

Hay stacks covered with snow

Hay stacks

Rice Field covered with snow

Greenhouse

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These photos were "drive-by shots" along Misawa after the snow fall. I'm speechless right now, my hubby has been deployed to one of the countries in Middle East and can't think of anything to say just.....enjoy my photos!

Snow in Misawa Base

Main Entrance Right after the main gate

BX Parking Lot

Base jets display

Bldg 653 Parking Lot

Burger King

Abandoned car at the BX Parking Lot

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This post is a bit too late, sorry but I've been busy lately. These photos were taken 2 weeks ago when we had heavy snow. But now the snow is melting no slippery roads anymore.