Tsugaru in Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost part of Japan, is located on the west shore of the Tsugaru Peninsula, facing the East Sea. It is well-known for its breezy summers and heavy snowfall winters, as well as being home to a famous hot spring town called Owani Onsen. Kai Tsugaru's hot springs feature apples, a specialty of the Tsugaru region. You can truly relax and treat your body and mind while inhaling the fresh scent of the floating apples in the bathtub. A moment well spent blissfully by drinking local sake while enjoying the garden floating on the water, all made possible within the comfort of a bathtub filled with aromatic apples.

Kai Tsugaru located in the dense forest, had a large-scale renovation in 2019 and reintroduced the traditional craft "Tsugaru kogin-zashi," which has been passed down to Tsugaru from ancient times. Kogin embroidery is a technology developed with the wisdom of life because it strengthens the fabric, allowing kimonos to be worn for an extended period of time, and its enhanced warmth to withstand the cold in winter. The interior of the room can be said to be surrounded by Japanese customs and traditions, as it is unified with diamond patterns used for Kogin embroidery on the walls, porch lighting, washbasins, and mattresses in the room. There are five distinct types of accommodations, including cozy rooms with ample living room space and Western-style rooms with kogin-patterned lights on the ceiling to create a great ambiance.

The meal is a sumptuous Kaiseki (Japanese course meal) cooked with fresh seafood from Tsugaru. Among them is Oma maguro, which is well-known in Aomori and is referred to as a black diamond. It is a must-try.  Special Kaiseki changes its menu according to the season, allowing you to fully experience Aomori's freshest seafood, including abalone and crab. After enjoying a delicious meal, let's heal our travel-weary with a trip to the unique fruit bath that can only be found exclusively in Kai Tsugaru. If you have time remaining on your journey, let's head to the water terrace inside the lobby on the first floor, where you can have your favourite beverage, such as coffee or local beer. Spending unhurried time admiring the landscape of the water garden fairly containing the four seasons of Tsugaru would be the ideal approach to unwinding from the burdens of daily life.

Edited by STAYFOLIO
Designed by Hoshino Resorts KAI Tsugaru
Image © Hoshino Resorts KAI Tsugaru