POINT1

Experience the spectacular Aomori Nebuta Festival

There are many tourist spots within walking distance around Aomori Station, the departure and arrival point of Resort Shirakami. When people think of Aomori, many people will think of Nebuta. Nebuta is a traditional event held in various regions of Aomori. The Hirosaki Neputa Festival, Goshogawara Tachineputa, and Aomori Nebuta Festival are famous events known as the three major festivals of Aomori.
Located on the sea side of Aomori Station is Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse, where you can experience the history and charm of the Aomori Nebuta Festival, a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Inside the museum, there are several large Nebuta floats on display that have actually enlivened the streets of Aomori. Seeing the Nebuta up close is a truly impressive sight! You can almost feel the excitement of the festival. You can watch the Aomori Nebuta Festival on a large screen and enjoy the Nebuta music performances by the staff. You can also try your hand at being a Haneto, a dancer who dances around the parading Nebuta, chanting "Rassera!" to liven up the festival.

POINT 2

A market where you can discover the deliciousness of Aomori

Located in the waterfront area near the east exit of Aomori Station, A-FACTORY is a market-like complex. It houses a cider brewery using apples grown in Aomori Prefecture, a shop selling Aomori-specific ingredients and souvenirs, and a variety of unique food and beverage tenants. Inside the building, you'll find a display of "Aomori's deliciousness," including gourmet food and snacks collected from all over Aomori, as well as locally-sourced processed goods. Craft items such as arts and crafts and folk art are also on display.
The glass-walled cider workshop is located in the center of the building. If you're lucky, you can see some of the brewing process, such as squeezing the juice. They brew cider and apple soda made from 100% Aomori apples. You can enjoy the delicate bubbles and refreshing sweetness that only apples can produce.
Climbing the stairs between the cider factories, you'll find a restaurant where you can enjoy galettes made with buckwheat flour from Aomori Prefecture, and a cider tasting bar. In addition to the cider brewed here, there is a lineup of several brands produced in the prefecture. There is a fee for tasting, but you can sample a variety to find your favorite flavor. You can choose your favorite cider and snacks to take home as souvenirs.

POINT3

A ride to enjoy the scenery of the Tsugaru Plain

On the return journey from Tsugaru to Akita, we boarded the hybrid system train "Aoike," which is modeled after the horizon of the Sea of Japan and the Aoike Pond of the Twelve Lakes. Like the "Kurenai," the train has large windows and reserved seat in the front car. Compared to the warm atmosphere of the "Kurenai," the interior is more stylish. This train also consists of four cars, with car number 2 having box seats. The other cars are spacious and have reserved seats. We recommend choosing a seat on the mountain side to enjoy the view of the Tsugaru Plain mountains.
A "boarding certificate" is provided on board Resort Shirakami. If you present this ticket at participating facilities, you can receive special offers such as discounts on admission fees and free drinks. There is also a "free shuttle taxi service voucher" available for travel from Itayanagi Station to Itayanagi Furusato Center. Make sure to take advantage of it if you stop by during your trip.

POINT4

Tsugaru's folk tales and culture have been passed down

There is also an observation deck-like space at the front of car 3, almost in the middle of the train, which is the Aoike event space. Depending on which "Resort Shirakami" you ride, you can enjoy events other than Tsugaru shamisen while the train is running.
One of these is the Kinta Mamezo Puppet Show, a tradition passed down in Nakadomari Town, Aomori Prefecture. Currently, Kimura, the representative of the Kinta Mamezo Puppet Troupe, performs the show almost entirely by himself, with some assistance from other performers. This puppet show, which tells the legends of the Tsugaru region through the comical dialogue between Kinta and Mamezo, is an intangible folk cultural asset inherited from his uncle. "I've made new puppets several times, but I still prefer these puppets with their traditional charm." The costumes for the puppets are handmade by Kimura, who said, "I've paid attention to every last detail, so I hope people will enjoy them too."
The other is the "storytellers" who will tell you old Tsugaru folk tales that have been passed down for generations. Kikuchi, who coordinates the Tsugaru Storytellers Association, has independently researched around 100 Tsugaru folk tales and written them out for reading aloud. Two storytellers will be on board when the performance takes place. Each will tell a short story of around six minutes. "On a clear day, you can see both Mt. Iwaki and Mt. Hakkoda. Listening to old stories while admiring the scenery from the train window will be an unforgettable memory." They will tell you old stories in simple Tsugaru dialect so that tourists can easily understand. (Japanese only)

• *Due to various circumstances, it may not be possible to hold performances or demonstrations on board the train.
• *Some of the photos have been provided with the cooperation of the facilities featured.

Article created by: Akita Town Information