Amachan(woman shell diver) World!  jejeje!  in Kosode Coast (Kuji City)

amachan headmark
billboard on kuji department store
billboard on kuji department store

‘Amachan’ is a TV drama that lasted for half a year in 2013 after the earthquake, and if you don’t know this story, you cannot enjoy Kuji City and Sanriku Railway enough.

 

real amachan
real amachan

‘Ama’ is a diver who takes shells and sea urchins in summer without using equipment.
The story is a village revitalization by a local idol(this is an ama !) in the countryside . On the other hand, a Tokyo entertainment agency to which an idol group like AKB48

amachan house
amachan house

belongs secretly attempts to find idols in the countryside, which reminds us of searching for amber gemstone, which is a special product of Kuji.  Due to the Great East Japan Earthquake, Kuji’s gemstones will return to their hometown and help to revive the village as an idol and ‘ama’.   Sanriku Railway carries longing for the city and frustration, the warmth of hometown.
‘Jejeje ! ‘ is a buzzword when surprised in this drama and spread all over Japan .

sea urchin lunch
sea urchin lunch

Many fans still visit the facilities that appear in the story near Kuji Station. I am one of them.  The sea urchin bento(lunch) at Kuji Station is a popular product and will soon be sold out. After all, the cooking method is steaming here as well as Hachinohe.

 

sold out sea urchin lunch
sold out sea urchin lunch

The scenic Kosode Coast is also a base for ‘ama’ activities, and good quality and cheap kelp is recommended.  There is a lighthouse where ‘Amachan’ jumped into the sea in the drama, but don’t try to imitate it.

Kosode Coast (click photos)

Super huge market appears on the quay from too early morning(before dawn)

harbor
morning market
morning market

On Sundays, Japan’s largest morning market appears on a wide quay, like runways, where I really went except Sunday but no one was there.

TEBASAKI sold out
TEBASAKI sold out

 

 

Most of the things sold at the morning market are local seafood, vegetables, and prepared foods, but here you can find toys, DIY, sewing corners, fishing gear and much more.

handicraft
handicraft

I wonder why they handle such things, but in short, it makes sense to think of it as a festival venue in the countryside.  Anyway, it is in a chaotic state.   Feel this energy !

 

beef skewers in market
beef skewers in market

 

Furthermore, since the morning market is held before dawn, everyone procures breakfast here.  It is also pure to close one after another after eight o’clock.

 

market in front of station
market in front of station

 

Even if you miss the morning market(Tatehana-Ganpeki) on Sunday, you can enjoy it here because another morning market is held every day in front of the station. There is a table where you can gather your own food for 100 yen and eat breakfast.

 

Hachinohe Line

When you get on the Hachinohe Line, you can feel the endless beach and the blue forest (that is, the origin of Aomori).

hachinohe line
hachinohe line