Dust & Drift: Lost in the Grey of Aomori
okay, so, aomori. seriously. i’m pretty sure i just blinked and it was here. like, a whole other dimension of grey. i’m talking the kind of grey that makes you question if you’re actually seeing things. the air’s thick, you know? like, you can almost taste the humidity. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 25.54 feels like 26, pressure’s holding steady at 1012, and the whole place just hums with this low-level, slightly anxious energy. it’s… interesting.
my phone’s dying, my feet are screaming, and i’m pretty sure i’ve developed a permanent squint. i’m a touring session drummer, so, you know, constant travel, constant lugging around a ridiculously oversized kit. it’s a nightmare, honestly. i’m currently holed up in this tiny guesthouse - ‘Sakura Dreams’ - which is less ‘dream’ and more ‘slightly damp cardboard box.’ but the owner, old man Hiroki, he’s a gem. he just gave me this weird, hand-drawn map of the city, all in charcoal, and mumbled something about ‘listening to the rain.’ which, honestly, is probably the best advice i’ve gotten all week.
I stumbled across this little ramen shop down a side street - ‘Kurokawa’ - and someone told me that the broth is made with water collected from a specific mountain spring. sounded intense. i went for the spicy miso, and it was… okay. definitely salty. i’m craving something sweet, desperately. i need a massive iced coffee. seriously, like, a gallon.
Speaking of locals, if you get bored, Aomori is just a short drive away. there’s this whole area called Hakkoda, apparently known for its autumn foliage. i’m not really feeling foliage right now, but maybe later. the neighbors are mostly older folks, tending small gardens and staring intensely at the rain. they don’t really speak much English, but they’ve given me these incredibly polite bows and offered me tiny cups of green tea. it’s… humbling.
I spent the afternoon wandering around Aomori Park - it’s huge, like, ridiculously huge. there’s a giant statue of a heron, which is… unsettling, to be honest. and a pond full of koi fish. they’re all just chilling, you know? like, ‘what’s the rush?’ i checked TripAdvisor and the reviews are mixed. someone said the park is ‘overwhelming,’ but another person called it ‘a peaceful escape.’ i’m leaning towards ‘overwhelming.’
Here’s the gear list, because apparently, that’s what people want:
My kit (obviously)
A ridiculously large backpack
Noise-canceling headphones (essential for surviving airports)
A portable charger (because my phone hates me)
A travel journal (mostly filled with doodles and incoherent ramblings)
A ridiculously oversized hoodie
A collection of random snacks (mostly gummy bears)
A small, slightly battered drumstick (a lucky charm)
I heard that the Aomori Nebuta Festival is insane - like, a full-blown sensory overload. i’m thinking about trying to catch a glimpse next year. maybe. probably not.
I’m seriously considering just buying a one-way ticket and disappearing. aomori isn’t winning any beauty contests, but there’s something… compelling about it. it’s like a forgotten corner of the world, shrouded in mist and quiet desperation. i found a local board with some interesting hiking trails - Aomori Hiking Trails - might check those out tomorrow, if i can find my way. and maybe a decent coffee shop. seriously, a good coffee shop.
Seriously, if you're looking for a place to just… be, aomori might be it. just don’t expect sunshine. and definitely don’t expect a lot of people talking to you.
Check out this Yelp review for Sakura Dreams: Sakura Dreams Yelp. It’s… enthusiastic.
And for more info on the Nebuta Festival: Nebuta Festival Website.
Okay, I’m going to go stare at the rain now. it’s… a thing.
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