POINT1

Who on earth could it be from?! Apple boxes on your doorstep are a common sight!

A windbreak room is often seen in houses in snowy regions. It is a double door with a glass-like enclosure around the entrance, and it prevents the front door from freezing in the cold of winter and prevents snow from piling up and making it impossible to open and close. Did you know that in the Tsugaru region of Aomori, there is an "apple culture" that takes place in these windbreak rooms?
Once the harvest season is over, when apple farmers work nonstop from morning to night harvesting and sorting the apples, it is common to see wooden crates of apples being placed in the windbreak.
The first snow in Aomori usually falls around November. If apple harvesting is delayed and snow accumulates on the apples, the apples cannot be touched until the snow melts. This is because the apples, cooled by the snow, would be shocked by the temperature of human skin and get burned.
Apples are so delicate, but even if they are bruised they still taste great!
The Tsugaru region has a deep-rooted culture of giving away delicious, ripe, nectar-rich apples to neighbors, even though they cannot be shipped.

POINT 2

The apple cardboard boxes are super cute!

Did you know that there are special cardboard boxes for gifting apples? The specifications of the cardboard boxes vary depending on the number of apples you are sending, whether that be for one layer or two layers.
There are many types of retro-designed cardboard boxes. Some can be easily purchased at home improvement stores, so be sure to check them out when you visit the Tsugaru region!

POINT3

What is the apple farmer's ally, commonly known as "Bage"?
Bague supports apple farmers!

The work vehicles that apple farmers use in their fields, commonly known as "bage," are also part of apple culture.
The "Bage" is impressive just by its appearance. It is actually a very useful vehicle that makes the work of apple farmers faster.
When moving through the fields with a normal light truck, it can get caught on the apple trees and the fruit can fall off, making it difficult to move smoothly. Therefore, the top half of the light truck was cut off so that it can move under the short apple trees. As it can easily move through the large apple fields, it is mainly used by apple farmers in the Tsugaru region.
Some "Bage" have doors left on, while others have no doors at all, reflecting the individuality of the farmer. This slightly unusual sight is sure to make you chuckle at this apple culture!

POINT4

Finally, They are putting the apple on the post...

Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, has the highest apple production and cultivation area in Japan... Perhaps their love is so deep that they have an "apple postbox." And there's more than one. Apple love is overflowing.
The apple postbox, which is just as heavy as the mailbox itself and contains apples, has a unique presence even at Hirosaki Station, in Apple Park, and near Hirosaki City Hall.
It's certainly unusual, isn't it? I often see tourists taking photos there.
Locals also use it as a meeting place. When you contact a friend and say, "Let's meet at Hirosaki Station!", you might get a reply saying, "I've arrived at the Apple postbox!"
The apple postbox is loved by tourists and locals alike, so be sure to look for it when you visit Hirosaki City.

POINT5

You're lucky if you find one! A super cute convex mirror

Aomori's love of apples continues. When you turn at an intersection, you'll see an apple-shaped convex mirror. The mirror is designed with apples all around it. The cute thing about it is that it even has apple vines and leaves. Taking a picture of yourself reflected in the apple-shaped convex mirror seems like it would be photogenic!
An apple-shaped convex mirror at an intersection near Ringo Park in Hirosaki City. Hirosaki is truly a city of apples, with apple motifs everywhere. The fact that they exist so boldly, as if it were the most natural thing in the city, is a standard in Hirosaki.
It may be difficult to find when you are heading to Ringo Park, but when you return, you will see a convex mirror straight ahead, so it should be easy to find.

POINT 6

How many heart-shaped apples are there? A great photo spot!

The Namioka district of Aomori City is located about 30 minutes by car or 15 minutes by train from Hirosaki City, which we introduced as the postbox convex mirror. In the square Namioka Station, there is a photogenic spot that is just too cute! The "Apple Heart" monument is based on the motif of an apple.
Namioka Station was renovated when the Tohoku Tōhoku Shinkansen was opened to Shin Aomori Station. The Apple Heart can be seen as soon as you leave the station, and you can also see it up close. You'll be amazed at its size! Akio Ishizawa, who created the Apple Heart, said, "I expressed the people's feelings, the bonds of the community, courage and energy through the shape of an apple and a heart."
It's also a recommended spot for taking photos! It's especially recommended when the sky is clear and blue. The red of the apple heart and the blue of the sky look very beautiful. Taking a photo with your partner will bring you happiness forever! Find the apple heart that makes you feel happy, right?

Have you been able to sense the love for apples that the people of Aomori Prefecture have, living in a city where apples are a part of everyday life?
It is normal to receive and share apples, and apple motifs can be found all over the town, so apples are more abundant than you might imagine. When you come to the Tsugaru region, why not enjoy walking around the town with the question, "Where are the apples?!" in mind?

Article created by: Consys Co., Ltd.

*This column is a reprint of an article from Meet the Heart 2020.