Route 40°
North Latitude------3
Japanese
Homeland Route

Large farm (Ogata Village)

Rice remains Japan's staple agricultural crop. The rural landscape with its combination of clear water and beautiful seasonal changes paints a uniquely Japanese scene, sure to leave a lasting impression on any visitor. While such scenery is commonplace, modern agriculture in northern Tohoku combines the latest technology with the wisdom of past generations.

Shayokan (Goshogawara City)
Birthplace of the great writer, Osamu Dazai (1909~1948). The house, made entirely of Japanese cypress, was built by his father, Gen'emon Tsushima. Now, the site is an important museum of his life and work.

Cape Tappi 
(Sotogahama Town)
Located at the tip of the Tsugaru Peninsula, the cape is windy year-round, and a power plant using windmills was built to take advantage of this natural resource. The Seikan Tunnel, the longest in the world, runs directly underneath the cape connecting Honshu and Hokkaido.

Gongenzaki Cape (Nakadomari Town)
This peninsula juts into the Sea of Japan, forming a steep cliff face 229 meters in height. At its tip are two light houses along with a trail tracing the cape’s edge.

Oga Peninsula (Oga City)
This peninsula projects into the Sea of Japan. Lots of strangely shaped rocks and stones line the coast, which is also a good fishing spot. The sunset from Nyudozaki, the northern tip of the peninsula, is especially beautiful.

Senkokusenjukannontokyozo
 (Daisen City)
A bronze Buddhist engraving from the Fujiwara period (12th century). The surface is tinplated and shows a standing Senjukannon. A National Treasure.

The National Fireworks Competition (Daisen City)
The oldest and most prestigious event of its kind in Japan, drawing the best firework manufacturers from all over the country. 15,000 fireworks light up the summer sky. (Fourth Saturday of August)

The Hirayama Family's House (Goshogawara City)
This thatched-roof house, designated as a National Treasure, was built in the late 18th century by a rich farming family, who also brewed sake and ran a shipping company.

Nukazukahananosato
 (Akita City)
A national dahlia farm garden comprised of plants from fourteen countries. It boasts 650 kinds of dahlias and a total of 7000 flowers. Both in terms of quality and scale, the garden ranks alongside the best in the world. The hill on which the garden is situated looks like a sea of flowers.

Lake Juni (Fukaura Town)
The collective name for 33 lakes and marshes, including Aoike, with its cobalt blue water, and Keito-no-Ike, which is shaped like a rooster’s head. There are also three walking courses.

Lake Jusan (Goshogawara City)
A lake whose fresh water is mixed with sea water. Visitors can gather shijimi clams. It prospered as one of Japan's prominent trade ports during medieval times.

Chaguchaguumakko
 (Takizawa Village)
Over a hundred farming horses, wearing bells and ornate costumes, parade over a 15 km course. (2nd Sat in Jun)

Yakehashiri Lava Flow (Hachimantai City)
This lava flow from a great eruption in 1719 spreads out over an area 1.5 km wide and 4 km long.

Tono Furusato Village (Tono City)
See the buildings, sample the food, and experience traditional village life at this re-creation of a mountain village.

Rural Scenery
Serving as important parts of the natural ecosystem, rice fields function as dams in the plains and support both Japanese agriculture and wildlife. The scenery, with its abundant clear water, is quintessentially "Japanese." The Tohoku region is one of the main grain storage areas in Japan and also offers picturesque views throughout the year.

The Open Markets
At the markets, dealers buy and sell crops and marine products brought by local producers for auction. Some markets sell directly to the public, offering fresh products and inexpensive prices. There are many markets that specialize in marine products, mainly in the port towns of northern Tohoku. Famous markets can be found in Aomori City, Hachinohe City, Akita City, and Miyako City. The restaurants inside the markets are good eating spots where you can enjoy local foods made from fresh ingredients.

The Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean
Japan is an island country, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on the east and the Sea of Japan on the west. Naturally, fishing ports developed everywhere, and fish has been a precious food source since the Jomon Era. The fishing grounds in Tohoku are one of the three largest in the world, with a prime location in the center of the north-western Pacific Ocean. The area's large catches yield various kinds of fish. Numerous fish dishes have been created, reflecting the skills of fishermen and the economy of consumption.

Life Sketch

Traditional Arts and Crafts

Itaya artwork

Many traditional arts and crafts can still be found throughout northern Tohoku. An ever increasing number of places allow tourists to experience these arts and crafts. For example, you can try painting a kokeshi doll at Tsugaru Kokeshikan in Kuroishi City, Aomori. You can bake Nambu Senbei (rice crackers) and create bamboo artwork at the Morioka Handi-works Square in Morioka City, Iwate. You can also try your hand at creating Itaya artwork and birch bark artwork at Akita Furusato Village in Yokote City, Akita.