Reality: Earthquake derailed the Shinkansen to Aomori.
- Scratched Shinkansen.
- Scratched Hachinohe.
- Scratched Towada Lake.
- Scratched Oirase River.
Flew to Aomori. Took the bus to Hakkoda Ropeway. High wind. The Ropeway wasn't operating.
- Scratched the ropeway and hiking at the top of the mountains. By the way, the ropeway was operating the day before and the day after. Just not the day when we were there.
Walked around in nothing but snow for 15 minutes. Googled and found an open-air museum called Sannai Maruyama Site back in the city. The museum was about Japanese prehistoric heritage. I thought, ok, let's do some education.
THE OPEN-AIR MUSEUM WAS CLOSED DUE TO COVID!!! It would be re-open two days after we left.
- Scratched education.
- Scratched the Shinkansen Station.
Not one store was at the Aomori Shinkansen Station. Walked half an hour to the closest mall because it showed a sign to Starbucks and McDonalds. No such things at the mall.
- Scratched coffee and burgers.
 |
| Aomori Pier |
 |
| Nebuta Museum |
Aomori was a dying town. There were barely anybody on the streets on Friday and Saturday nights. Math Teacher thought we were getting mugged because we walked down dark alleyways, but of course we weren't getting mugged because it was Japan. Went to an Italian restaurant and an Indian restaurant. We were the only table the entire time we were in there. Not even takeout orders. I felt bad. Both restaurants were high quality. I hope they survived.
Overall, Aomori was only good for half-day trip.