Asamushi Kanko Hotel

We had excellent dinner and breakfast, both plentiful, with fresh seafood and vegetables and, of course, Japanese food. Don't come expecting a Continental breakfast. The staff were friendly and accommodated every request. The onsen has all the amenities, with indoor and outdoor baths plus two small but comfortable tubs for one person each. Every room has a great view, and the hotel is in a nice spot on the beach. The rooms are dated, though, and the corridor carpets have lots of dirty stains. Still, it's a nice place to stop in northern Honshu.

The hotel is in an okay location, and every room faces the ocean, but the service was horrible. We booked well in advance and asked for a large single bed. They told us there was only one room in the whole hotel with a king bed, and it wasn't available to us. I ended up in a corner room with no Wi-Fi signal. When I asked to move to a more central room, since I'd noticed a strong signal along the corridor, they said all rooms were reserved and sent me to the lobby to use Wi-Fi. I believe I was among the earliest to check in. Couldn't they have been flexible about switching rooms?

Every room, bath, and dining room faces the ocean, and there's a FREE shamisen performance each night from 8:30-9. Breakfast was wonderful too, with endless rice, miso soup, milk, and apple juice. For the price, this was one of the best hotel stays I've ever had!!

The outside looks pretty run down, but inside the rooms are really nice and well cared for. The family-style rooms and suites are spacious, and the futons are comfortable if you layer a couple. Both onsen baths, one indoors and one open air, look out over Mutsu Bay. The dinner and breakfast included with the stay were phenomenal. I strongly recommend having them. Asamushi Aquarium is literally across the street, along with a Mini Stop for snacks. There doesn't seem to be much else right nearby, but Aomori is a quick drive or train ride away.