Aomori prefecture | Japanese Countryside Travel Notes

2022-09-082022-09-08

Hachinohe-Sansha Festival (Aomori Prefecture)

Stages with dolls in gorgeous costumes protrude in all directions(10m height, 8m width) from the decorated floats, and ancient stories unfold on it. A long time ago, inspired by the movie “Truck Guy”, trucks decorated with lights transported supplies throughout Japan late at night.　 It seems to have originated in Hachinohe. If you are fun to watch NHK new year’s eve red-and-white singing contest program, the mechanism could remind you of the famous singer, Sachiko Kobayashi. Anyway, you are overwhelmed by its gorgeousness.

hacchi parade1 treasure boat

hacchi parade2 carp on the waterfall

hacchi parade6 1

hacchi parade4

hacchi parade3 Yang Guifei (the Best)

hacchi parade6 2

hacchi parade6 3

hacchi parade6 dojouji

hacchi parade8

hacchi parade7

hacchi parade11 demon extermination

hacchi parade9

hacchi parade10

hacchi parade12

hacchi parade13

hacchi parade14 Taro Urashima and princess

hacchi parade15 1

hacchi parade15 umihiko and yamahiko

hacchi parade16 happy new year

Packed decration float during the day on the road

I passed by the folded float during the day, and was impressed by how compact it was folded.

hacchi preparade2

hacchi preparade3

hacchi preparade4

hacchi preparade5

Cavalry battle similar to polo in Chojasan-Shinra-Shrine

Yabusame can be seen anywhere in Japan, but cavalry battles can only be seen here. A horse divided into red and white throws its own ball into the goal while disturbing the opponent’s ball insertion.　It’s hard to reach the goal even if there are no obstacles.　Prizes are given to the winners by the descendants of the Nanbu clan lords.

hacchi cavalry1

hacchi cavalry2 concentrate his own color ball

hacchi cavalry3 goal

hacchi cavalry4

hacchi cavalry5

hacchi cavalry6

hacchi cavalry8

hacchi cavalry9

hacchi cavalry10

hacchi cavalry11

hacchi cavalry12

hacchi cavalry13

hacchi cavalry14 prize

hacchi cavalry15 tired~ — hacchi cavalry15 tired…..tired…..tired…..

The Best Detour

The northern Tohoku region was a large living area during the Jomon period (the era when people changed from hunting to sedentary life). Gassho, meaning to join hands, clay figurine was excavated in Hachinohe. This is the only clay figurine with the spiritual meaning of gassho.

hacchi clay figurine2 national tresure

hacchi clay figurine3 national teue mark

hacchi clay figurine1

Goats are cleaners around the museum

Dinner of mackerel dishes and market for breakfast

hacchi mackerel dishes1

hacchi mackerel dishes2

hacchi mackerel dishes3

hacchi mackerel dishes4

hacchi hauchi

hacchi stall

hacchi market1 sun rise

hacchi market2 st.Mutsuminato

hacchi market3 300yen breakfast

hacchi market4

hacchi market5 lunch box on express

2020-10-062020-10-07

Lake Towada at twillight

Lake Towada is not far behind from Mt.Aso (in Kumamoto prefecture) as ‘Caldera Topography’. In the past, the subduction of the Pacific plate produced magma and many giant caldera volcanoes existed. The Caldera outer ring mountain is huge so always I’m wondering which mountain pass to choose as a panoramic view point.
Hakka Pass is too famous and you can find delicious apples, etc. with cheap price at the souvenir shop there but “Kankodai” is very calm especially at twillight.

We have visit Lake Towada even twice searching for nice weather. On the other hand we had also visit Mt.Aso even twice ! We never get tired of watching the caldera terrain.

Galley (click photo)

towada lake from Hakka pass

somma of towada lake

camp

twilight towada lake

2020-09-222020-09-23

Oirase Valley in the rain

It rains! It rains! It rains! …….

Is there something like this? Even thought it’s the highlight of the tourist spot ! But few tourists and the roof of trees as an umbrella made us refreshing.

oirase valley waterfall 3 — oirase valley waterfall here and there

Surprisingly a few person walk* from Ishigedo to Choshi-Ohtaki for 4 hours. Walking road almost goes along the Oirase river and is flat like the flow. Let’s watch slowly calm flow and attractive waterfalls here and there. Choshi-Ohtaki(big waterfall) flown from Lake Towada welcome you at the goal. Coincidentally we saw the moment when part of the waterfall wall collapsed with explosive sound. I’m sure the wallrock broke along the columnar joints.

*)You can pick up a bus almost every hour at several bus stops on the way. If you use a rental car, it would be difficult to find out your parking space at Ishigedo in high season, especially weekend.
At Ishigedo, the cup of coffee using Oirase flesh water after long walk was full of bliss !

Highlight from Ishigedo to Choshi-Ohtaki(click photo)

oirase valley start

oirase valley small waterfall

oirase river 1

oirase valley 1

oirase valley waterfall 1

oirase valley waterfall 2

oirase river 2

oirase river 3

oirase river 4

small animal on the beech

big tree in the valley

oirase river 5

oirase valley waterfall 3

oirase river 6

choshi big waterfall arrival

choshi big waterfall upper

oirase river 7

Start Point

Goal Point

2020-09-202020-09-20

Tsuta Swamp

tsuta swamp approach

Many photographers visit Tsuta swamp for the bright red autumn leaves illuminated by the morning sun. Therefore, general vehicles are restricted from early morning except for the shuttle bus during this period. You’ll have to choose between booking the historical hotel near here or giving up on the relaxing breakfast at other hotels to get a shuttle bus. Fortunately or unfortunately, we enjoyed a calm and fresh walk in the light rain. The hotel will lend you an umbrella and boots.

tsuta swamp

tsuta swamp right

The bathtub of Tsuta Hot Spring is deep and is filled with overwhelming hot water. And don’t forget that there is a fresh hot spring right under the bathtub. You can directly receive the blessings of the earth with delicious dinner.

tsuta hot spring

keiran Shiromisojitate Kurumi at Tsuta Hot Spring

2020-09-182020-09-19

Hakkoda Mountains and swamps

The origin of the name Hakkoda Mountains seems to be that there are many shell-shaped peaks and marshes. Therefore, it is a very complicated terrain. So the next tragedy may have been born.
What comes to mind at Hakkoda Mountains is the 1902 distress of 200 people during the snow march training of the Japanese Army. It seems preparing for the war against Russia. Meanwhile, another unit was also training at the same time, and it is said that it passed through the distress scene but was kept secret.

suiren swamp at hakkoda in autumn

Most travelers look at the rugs of autumn colors on the Hakkoda ropeway, but those who love the countryside want to immerse themselves in a quiet place. The route going through from Sukayu hot spring to Tsuta hot spring, which is opposite side of the distress, is one of my favorite driving roads. Stopping by at Suiren swamp is strongly recommended because Mt.Hakkoda mountains reflect on the surface of the swamp on a sunny day and in the silence, wild birds and toads ! (big frogs) echo their voices in the distance. Hell swamp with strong acid water near Sukayu hot spring, the photo of which is indicated on the top of this blog page, is also charming.

suiren swamp at hakkoda in other season

2020-09-162020-09-15

Johgakura Bridge with spectacular view

johgakura bridge

If you travel connecting Shirakami mountains and Hakkoda mountains or Lake Towada, going through Jougakura bridge is highly recommended especially in autumn season. The color around the bridge changes into red.

autumn leaves from bridge

You can walk on the bridge safely after parking at the edge of it. But strong winds on the bridge take away heat from the body.

Look down like a bird at the middle of the bridge ! Deep valley 122m below the bridge is trying to swallow you. The river is so acidic that no fish can live in it.

bird eyes

There is Sukayu Onsen(Hot Spring), the bath of which is made of Hiba wood and can accommodate 1,000 people at a time, but it is also strongly acidic and it makes you tingle when you take a bath, so be careful of people with sensitive skin. It is famous for mixed bathing, but there is a place to take it individually in the back.

sukayu hot spring

2020-09-152020-09-14

Apple Road to Shirakami mountains

On the way to Shirakami mountains (World Heritage), we drove through HIROSAKI city which is famous for apple production and Mt.Iwaki the shape of which is similar to Mt.Fuji.
The road connects many apple farms. Silver sheets under trees reflect sunlight and apples turn into red. The price of apples is rising due to typhoon damage nationwide, so be sure to buy fresh apples at the production area. It is said that “Apples don’t need a doctor.”

You can reach Shirakami mountains through this road seeing Mt.Iwaki named Mt.Tsugaru-Fuji with apple trees.

2020-09-132020-09-13

Shirakami mountains (World Heritage)

It is easy to approach the entrance to World Heritage, but places inside where a tourist could reach by himself were limited. Furthermore ‘Anmon Fall’* was closed due to typhoon damages. You should chose between to be satisfied with a glance or to spend all day. Next time I would like to challenge with a guide.

*)There are many approach routes to the heart of Shirakami mountains. ’Twenty ponds walking course’ is easily accessible　from the sea side with public transportation and you can feel variety of nature.

Galley(click photo)

shirakami mountains entrance

shirakami mountains walking 1

shirakami mountains walking 2

bear scratches

shirakami mountains walking 3

kumagera tapping the tree

shirakami mountains walking 4

shirakami mountains walking 5

shirakami mountains walking 6

2020-07-082020-07-08

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

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.

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.

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 !

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.

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).

2020-07-072020-09-21

walk on Tanesashi Coast with abundant landscape changes for 4 hours

Tanesashi Coast is not monotonous. There are reefs, sandy beaches, and green pine forests. And finally there is the natural turf, which is mistaken for a completely artificial golf course. Alpine plants grow along the coast because of the easterly wind blowing over the cold current from the north.

Panorama view from Ashigezaki (click photos)

ashige left

ashige middle not found hokkaido

ashige right

Root for 4 hours*

*)Community bus is available here and there on the root.

start from ‘Same’ station. Not the ‘same’ but shark in the meaning. Take a photo with the shark monument in front of the station. (walk next 15min)
Kabu island is occupied by a lot of black-tailed gulls and the sacred shrine on the top of the island was turned white due to their activity ! (45min)
Ashigezaki viewpoint is surrounded by reefs. It seems that Hokkaido can be seen if the weather is nice. (10min)
Nakasuka coast where It is unusual for various alpine plants to bloom (20min)
Osuka coast is like a tropical country with too long sandy beaches. (90min)
Yodo-no-Matsubara is green pine forest rising from the coastline. On the way huge remarkable round ‘white rock’ comes into view. ‘White’ came from activity of sea cormorants. (30min)
The natural turf suddenly spreads in front of you. I wonder why such a large lawn was created. (Goal !)

I stopped by Tanesashi Coast Information center near the turf to get certification for walking 10km on Tanesashi Coast and a pin badge.
Before going back to Hachinohe from Tanesasi Coast station, I charged energy with sea urchin bowl. Sea urchin is a food unique to this season and seems to be steamed rather than raw in this region.
How about taking public bath after walking exhausted. There are a lot of bathes opening in the morning around Hachinohe harbor, so the sailors can always take a bath after coming back on a long trip.