Route 40°
North Latitude------1
Discover Another
Japan Route

Lake Towada in the evening

An affluent culture developed in the northern Tohoku region long before the cultures of Kyoto or Tokyo prospered. Their remains, which date back over 10,000 years, reveal the wisdom and skills of their inhabitants. The battles of the samurai society continued until modern times. On this route, trace the origins of Japan, while surrounded by the beauty of nature which changes from season to season.

Bukeyashiki (Senboku City)
Kakunodate prospered as a castle town. The samurai houses line the town just as they did in the Edo period (from the 17th century to the middle of the 19th century).

Sannai-Maruyama Remains (Aomori City)
Successive discoveries of the remains of this large village from 4,000 to 5,500 years ago have contradicted general beliefs about this era. The jade, amber and other objects unearthed here reveal that the inhabitants had advanced skills and traded with distant places.

Lake Towada/Takinosawa Observation Area (Hirakawa City, Kosaka Town)
The western approach to Lake Towada overlooks the lake, with an especially splendid view of the changing foliage in early summer and autumn.

Lake Tazawa (Senboku City)
A crater lake with a circumference of about 20 km. This 423 meter-deep lake is the deepest in Japan. The plateau by the lake is a resort with hot springs and a ski resort.

Mt. Iwaki (Hirosaki City)
The graceful peak of Mt. Iwaki (1625 meters) towers over the Tsugaru region. At the foot of the mountain is a special production area for apples. In spring the lingering snow on Mt. Iwaki serves as a backdrop for the white apple blossoms.

Korakukan (Kosaka Town)
The oldest wooden playhouse in Japan, slightly Western in style, was built in 1910. Now it features regular public performances and an annual kabuki play.

Konjikido (Hiraizumi Town)
This National Treasure was completed in 1124. It is covered in gold leaf, and beautiful gold and silver balls stud the pillars. Four mummies, the feudal lords of the manor, lie here.

Appi Kogen (Hachimantai City)
A plateau of about 3,500 hectares around Mt. Maemori located on the 40th parallel. It features excellent facilities, including a ski resort, golf course, and horse riding club.

The Jomon Culture
The Jomon Period (circa 8,000 BCE to 100 BCE) is the era when earthenware decorated with rope-like patterns was produced. Recently, due to re-examinations of ancient village remains, like those at Sannai-Maruyama, the Jomon Culture has been re-evaluated. It is now believed to have been a highly developed culture which utilized cultivation and farming, conducted cultural exchanges, and practiced sorcery. Many remains from the latter part of this period and various examples of earthenware have been found in the Tohoku region.

Bukeyashiki (Old Samurai Houses)
Castle towns were built around the castles where the lords of the manors lived during the 16th and 17th centuries. The towns were divided according to social rank with, for example, areas set aside for temples and artisans. Samurai lived in areas called bukeyashiki. Northern Tohoku has two representative bukeyashiki, Nakamachi (Hirosaki) and Kakunodate. Both were selected as Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Historic Buildings. The dark wall boards preserve the original atmosphere of the towns.

The Golden City
For approximately 100 years between the end of the 11th and 12th centuries, four generations of the Fujiwara family, beginning with Kiyohara Fujiwara, reigned over all of Tohoku (formerly known as Oshu). Hiraizumi, the best gold producing district at that time, served as their base. Supported by lacquerware production and horse breeding, the Fujiwara family used their economic strength and political abilities to create a high culture that surpassed that of the capital in Kyoto. Konjikido with its gold leaf and pillars studded with gold and silver balls, conveys the brilliance of the golden city, Hiraizumi.

Life Sketch

The People of Northern Tohoku

The winter is longer and harder in the northern Tohoku area than in most other parts of Japan. For generations the local people have endured the harsh climate to cultivate the land. They are known for their perseverence, diligence, and tenacity.