About Okutsugaru

Aomori prefecture can be classified into two regions regarding history and culture. One is ‘Tsugaru' and the other is ‘Nanbu'. Each regions were different political domains in Edo era (from 17 th century to mid 19 th century). This political condition restricted interacting between two regions. That is why Tsugaru and Nanbu are almost different as for dialect, disposition, culture, and others. Furthermore, there is a strong difference between two regions as for climate of winter (snow fall or not).

 

Tsugaru region falls into three parts.

‘Tousei Tsugaru' ( Eastern Tsugaru )
… Aomori city and the eastern coast of Mutsu Bay

‘Chunan Tsugaru' (Mid and Southern Tsugaru)
…Hirosaki city and its peripheral

‘Seihoku Tsugaru' (Western and Northern Tsugaru )
…Tsugaru peninsula and west coast

 

This website treats ‘Seihoku Tsugaru'(Western and Northern Tsugaru ) as ‘Okutsugaru'. Okutsugaru comprises Itayanagi town, Tsuruta town, Goshogawara city, Nakadomari town, Tsugaru city, Ajigasawa town, and Fukaura town.

This characteristic geographic and climate environment generates and has been preserving characteristic culture.

The word ‘Oku' of ‘Okutsugaru' means ‘dead end'. Okutsugaru region will satisfy visitors ‘we are visiting far away' .

On the other hand, Okutsugaru comprises Tsugaru peninsula, northernmost peninsula in Honshu island of Japan . In addition, there are few branches of enterprise and government offices in Okutsugaru. This condition cause little interchange of people among other region or prefecture. Therefore, the culture of Tsugaru has been being preserved in Okutsugaru.

The climate of Okutsugaru is very increment. The appearance of mountains and coasts has atmosphere which is not so much beautiful as reject human activity. In winter, frigid and strong wind blows from Japan Sea , and it cause blizzard called ‘Jihubuki' in Tsugaru plain.

This characteristic geographic and climate environment has been cultivating and preserving characteristic culture.

The word ‘Oku' means ‘dead end'. Okutsugaru region will let visitors feel that they are visiting far away.