Aomori Prefecture [青森]
Outline of Aomori Prefecture
Aomori Prefecture is the northernmost prefecture in Honshu island.
There is Hokkaido island to the north across Tsugaru Strait
Two large peninsulas extend from the north coast.
The eastern side is Shimokita Peninsula shaped like an ax.
The western side is Tsugaru Peninsula.
There is Mutsu Bay between these peninsulas.
Especially, the southwestern part of the bay is called as Aomori Bay.
And the eastern coast faces the Pacific Ocean, and the western coast faces the Sea of Japan.
The central city is Aomori city, and it is located on the northern coast at head of Aomori Bay.
It is a gateway to Hokkaido via rail and ship.
Generally, the western half of the prefecture is called as Tsugaru area, and the eastern half is called as Nanbu area.
In winter, most areas in the prefecture have much snow.
Especially, Tsugaru area is a heavy snowfall area.
Tourist spots in Aomori Prefecture
Aomori city & Nanbu area
Aomori city
Aomori city (青森) is the prefectural capital of Aomori Prefecture.
As the northernmost city of Honshu, Japanese National Railways ferries used to leave here for Hakodate in Hokkaido.
Currently, Shinkansen goes directly to Hokkaido through the undersea tunnel.
Aomori is a city surrounded by the sea and mountains, and it is a base for visiting sightseeing spots in various parts of the prefecture.
Photo by Aomori Prefecture
Aomori Nebuta Festival is one of three major annual festivals in Tohoku Region, and it is held around central Aomori city from August 2nd to 7th.
Many floats are paraded with many shouting citizens through the streets in the evening.
A big paper lantern in the shape of a warrior is on each float, and the lights inside the lantern create a fantasic sight.
One million tourists visit during this period every year.
Various tourist spots in Nanbu area
Tsugaru area
Hirosaki city
Hirosaki (弘前) is the central city of the Tsugaru region, located 30 kilometers southwest of Aomori city.
Hirosaki Castle was built at the beginning of the 17th century and developed as the central castle town of this area.
Additionally, because the city invited many missionaries for English teaching from the West in the late 19th century, many western-style buildings and churches were built in the city.
Fortunately, Hirosaki had no air raid during the World War II.
So, the old townscape still remains around the castle.
Hirosaki Castle is also famous for its cherry blossoms, and the best time to see them is in late April.
The area around Hirosaki is the largest apple producing area in Japan, and you can see the appeal of the town related to apples.
Photo by Aomori Prefecture
Hirosaki Neputa Festival is the Nebuta festival held in Hirosaki city.
In Hirosaki, it is called "neputa" instead of "nebuta".
It is held from August 1st to 7th.
In Aomori city, the paper lanterns on the floats are made of heroic warriors in three dimensions, but in Hirosaki, they are made of flat fans and samurai and beautiful women are painted.
It also has an elegant and traditional atmosphere compared to the energetic and urban festivals of Aomori city.
Over one million tourists visit during this period every year.
Various tourist spots in Tsugaru area
Local foods in Aomori Prefecture
Senbei-jiru
Senbei-jiri is a specialty dish from Hachinohe city in the eastern area of Aomori Prefecture.
Japanese Dashi stock is poured into a pot, and gobo (burdock root), carrots, mushrooms and chicken are simmered.
Senbei are cracker-like snacks made by mixing wheat flour with water and baking the mixture into a round shape.
The Senbei is broken into pieces and added to the pot mentioned earlier.
They soak up the delicious broth and take on a texture similar to pasta.
You can enjoy Senbei-jiru at the restaurants and izakaya (Japanese pub) in Hachinohe city.
Towada Bara-yaki
A large amount of thinly sliced onion and beef brisket are stir-fried on a hot iron plate in a sweet and savory soy-based sauce.
This is "Bara-yaki".
"Bara" means brisket and "yaki" means frying in Japanese.
This dish was invented in the area around Towada city where Lake Towada is located.
You can enjoy this dish at the restaurants in central Towada city, but it is also available at restaurants around Lake Towada which is located some distance away.
Kaiyaki-miso
A scallop shell about 20 cm in size is used as a pot.
Fish fillets and vegetables are placed on the shell, "miso" is added, and the shell is grilled over a fire.
Scallops were abundantly harvested in Mutsu Bay surrounded by two large peninsulas.
It is said that local fishermen have long prepared dishes in this style.
You can currently enjoy this dish at restaurants on the Shimokita Peninsula and in the Tsugaru region.
Jappa-jiru
Jappa-jiru is a fish stew cooked in miso soup.
Jappa means "remain" in Aomori dialect, then main ingredients are the head, guts, fishbone and other parts of fish except the fillet.
In short, the parts of fish which are normally thrown away are used.
Generally a codfish is used.
The parts of a codfish are cut into chunks, and are stewed with a few kind of vegetables such as daikon (Japaanese radish), hakusai (Chinese cabbage) and negi (green onion) in miso soup.
You can enjoy this dish at izakayas (Japanese pub) and restaurants serving local cuisine in Aomori city.
Ichigo-ni
Ichigo means "strawberry" in Japanese.
But ichigo-ni is not the dish of strawberry.
It is a clear soup with uni (sea urchin) and abalone, and the seasoning is only small amount of salt and shoyu (soy sauce).
Commonly chopped green perilla (Japanese basil) is added for flavoring.
Uni and abalone are very expensive, but this dish has been cooked using unsalable ones by fishermen.
A gracious man said that the orange uni looks like wild strawberries in the morning haze, then it is said that this dish got the name.
This is a local dish around Pacific Ocean coastline in eastern Aomori Prefecture.
So, you can eat it at the restaurants in Hachinohe City and the towns along the Pacific coast to the south of Hachinohe.
Local specialties in Aomori Prefecture
Apples
Apple is the most popular agricultural product in Aomori Prefecture.
The amount of production accounts for half of Japan's total harvest.
The apples are cultivated mainly in western part of Aomori Prefecture around Hirosaki. (Tsugaru area)
A lot of apples from Aomori are exported to Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and some other countries.
Especially, it is said that Taiwan people values highly Japanese apples.
Tsugaru-nuri (Tsugaru lacquerware)
Tsugaru-nuri is a lacquerware produced in Tsugaru area.
Main producing area is Hirosaki city.
It is that the feudal lord in Tsugaru started encouragement to develop the industry in 1646.
Lacquering and polishing are repeated again and again.
It takes over two months and more than 40 steps to complete the product.
Therefore, the product is beautiful and durable.