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Aomori Prefecture's local lines are characterized by the large number of local lines, such as stove trains and school commuter trains, as well as coastal lines where you can enjoy views of Mutsu Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the Sea of Japan
What is the definition of local line?
In a broader sense, it refers to regional railway lines with few passengers, but here we selected them based on the following criteria.
Single track with few passengers, high possibility of closure
There are steam locomotive trains and sightseeing trains, and there are many spots for great photos.
In addition, routes that span two prefectures are considered local lines of the prefecture where the route starts.
Tsugaru Railway Line (Tsugaru-Goshogawara Station to Tsugaru-Nakazato Station: 12 stations, 20.7 km)
Known locally as " Tsutetsu"
Tsugaru Railway Line's Tsugaru 21 Series Diesel Car
The only semaphore signal in Japan is still in use here, and you can see the good old railway scenery, such as tablets and staff changes that are unique to single-track railways
Recommended points of the Tsugaru Railway Line!
Along the Tsugaru Railway Line, there are many attractions, including the former Kanagi Town, which was recognized as the area in Aomori with the strongest Tsugaru dialect on "Secret Kenmin Show,"Ashino Park , famous for its cherry blossom tunnel
Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum "Shayokan" (Kanagi Station)
The former Kanagi Town , which is famous not only as an area with a strong Tsugaru dialect but also as the birthplace of enka singer Yoshi Ikuzo and writer Dazai Osamu, is now Goshogawara City
Osamu Dazai Memorial Museum “Shayokan”
Near Kanagi Station is the birthplace of writer Osamu Dazai (a nationally designated important cultural property), which is open to the public as the Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum "Shayokan."
Shayokan＜Information＞
Name: Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum "Shayokan"
Address: 412-1 Asahiyama, Kanagi-cho, Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture
It has been in operation since 1936, and the current train is the fourth generation
A stove installed on the train
There is one potbelly stove on each row of seats, into which the conductor adds coal, and a grill for grilling dried squid is placed on top
Dried squid on the stove train
The tourist attendant will grill the dried squid for you, and you can enjoy it with a guide in Tsugaru dialect while sipping on local sake and gazing out at the silvery world
JR Ominato Line (Noheji Station to Ominato Station: 11 stations, 58.4 km)
This line, which runs along Mutsu Bay, is called the "Hamanasu Bay Line Ominato Line"
Ominato Line Kiha 100 series diesel railcar
This route runs through wilderness areas near the coastline and is dotted with many photo spots
Recommended points of the JR Ominato Line!
In Yokohama Town, located near Mutsu-Yokohama Station, a yellow carpet of rapeseed flower fields appears in May, attracting many tourists to the Rape Flower Festival
Ominato Base of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (Ominato Station)
It is responsible for guarding the Tsugaru Strait, and when the destroyer is in port, its majestic appearance can be seen from various places in Mutsu City
Ominato Base of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
The stone-built historical museum, Hokuyokan, was built in 1916 and was selected as one of Japan's finest buildings from the Taisho and Showa periods.
Speaking of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, there is the traditional "Friday Curry" from the former Imperial Japanese Navy, and in restaurants in Mutsu City you can taste the unique curry of each escort ship as "Ominato Maritime Self-Defense Force Curry."
Ominato District of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force <Information>
Name: Maritime Self-Defense Force Ominato District Unit
Address: 2-50 Ominatocho, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture, 035-0093
HB-E300 series (Special Rapid "Resort Asunaro Shimokita")
One round trip per day (two round trips during peak season) runs along Mutsu Bay, with tourist information monitors installed above the 2+2 rotating reclining seats, and an observation space behind the driver's seat from which to enjoy the scenery ahead
*The Resort Asunaro Shimokita service will end in 2023, and currently the special express train Hinabi Shimokita runs between Hachinohe Station and Ominato Station on the tourist train Hinabi (Sunny Travel), which was converted from the Resort Asunaro
JR Hachinohe Line (Hachinohe Station to Kuji Station: 24 stations, 64.9 km)
This route allows you to enjoy a variety of scenery, including views of the majestic Pacific Ocean and rural landscapes
Kiha E130 series diesel railcars (500 series) operating on the Hachinohe Line
The section between Hachinohe Station and Same Station is nicknamed the "Umineko Rail Hachinohe City Line."
Recommended points of the JR Hachinohe Line!
The seafood from the Pacific Ocean is delicious. The area around Hachinohe, where morning markets and alley culture are deeply rooted, is best enjoyed by people going on food and drink hopping
Hachinohe Morning Market
Tatehana Quay Morning Market
Hachinohe, a port town representing Aomori Prefecture, is rich in fresh seafood, so there are morning markets in various areas
Mutsu Minato Station Morning Market
Tatehana Quay Morning Market
Hachinohe Umineko Morning Market
Hachinohe sunset market
There are many other morning markets, so we recommend getting up early if you come to Hachinohe
The entire island, connected to the mainland, is a breeding ground for black-tailed gulls and has been designated a national natural monument
The grounds of Kabushima Shrine
Kabushima Shrine , and up to 30,000 black-tailed gulls fly around the area, so you need to be careful of "poop bombs." Umbrellas are available to borrow to protect you from the poop, so we recommend using them.
Kabushima Shrine <Information>
Name: Kabushima Shrine
Address: 56-2 Samemachi, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, 031-0841
It has been in operation mainly on weekends since 2013, and you can enjoy food prepared in a live kitchen while looking out at the Pacific Ocean
Restaurant train "TOHOKU EMOTION" (Kiha 110 series 700)
The train has seven private rooms and an open dining area with tables for two and four people. The outbound journey from Hachinohe at 11:06 offers an all-you-can-drink lunch course, while the return journey from Kuji at 14:18 offers dessert and tea, making it a popular train
There are many other local train lines in Aomori Prefecture that are loved by locals as a form of transportation
Konan Railway Konan Line (Hirosaki Station to Kuroishi Station: 13 stations, 16.8 km)
Konan Railway Konan Line "Rice Field Art Station"
It opened in 1927 and is the "Rice Field Railway." It is a school route used by high school students from Kashiwagi Agricultural, Onoe General, Kuroishi, and Kuroishi Commercial schools located along the line.
Konan Railway Owani Line (Owani Station to Chuo Hirosaki Station: 14 stations, 13.9 km)
Konan Railway Owani Line "Chuo Hirosaki Station"
the "Apple Orchard Railway ," it contributes to the commute of high school students from Hirosaki, To-o Gijuku, and Seiai, as well as Hirosaki Gakuin University, along the line.
The two lines of the Konan Railway are not connected and are independent lines
JR Tsugaru Line (Aomori Station to Minamaya Station: 18 stations, 55.8 km)
The view of the Shimokita Peninsula floating beyond the magnificent view of Mutsu Bay that unfolds from the train window is impressive
JR Tsugaru Line Kiha 40 series diesel railcar
Before the Hokkaido Shinkansen opened, sleeper trains and other trains operated on the Tsugaru Strait Line
The final stop, Minmaya Station, has just over 20 passengers per day, but has been selected as one of the 100 best stations in Tohoku
JR Gono Line (Higashi Noshiro Station to Kawabe Station: 43 stations, 147.2 km)
Gono Line local trains (Kiha 40 and 48 types) retired in 2021
"Go" stands for Goshogawara Station, but the final stop Kawabe Station in Inakadate Village .
The view of the Sea of Japan is spectacular, and on the tourist train "Resort Shirakami" you can enjoy live Tsugaru shamisen performances and the experience of listening to a Tsugaru dialect storyteller.
summary
All of Aomori's local train lines have a northern travel vibe to them, and we particularly recommend the Gono Line along the Sea of Japan. However, the line actually starts at Higashi-Noshiro Station in Akita, so we've covered it in detail in our article on local train lines in Akita Prefecture
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
![25110883_m](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/25110883_m-150x150.jpg.webp "The mysterious world of the Shimokita Peninsula of Geopark: "The northern limit of monkeys on Osoreyama and Butsugaura" [Aomori Prefecture]")
![4031_Noheji Gion Festival](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/27d8816076df6701eb2d6ec6c91e5169-150x150.jpg.webp "The gorgeous "Noheji Gion Festival" and Kitamae Ship port call "Noheji" [Aomori Prefecture]")
