This site is a web media that delivers all kinds of trivia, from sightseeing and gourmet spots in the six Tohoku prefectures to local, customs, and history.
Aomori Prefecture has many historic springs, many of which are loved by local residents for drinking
In particular, in the Tsugaru region, spring water is affectionately called "shitsuko" (clear water) in the Tsugaru dialect, and all of the famous spring waters selected by the Ministry of the Environment are spring water
This is said to be thanks to forests that support underground water sources, such as the vast forest area of the Hakkoda mountain range and the virgin beech forests of the Shirakami Mountains, a famous World Heritage Site
What is “famous water”?
Oirase Stream
Japan has many springs, rivers, and underground waters of high quality and abundant water, which support people's lives as drinking water, domestic water, and agricultural water.
Among these, the most refreshing water sources are known as "famous water sources." There is no clear definition or standard for this, but what all famous water sources have in common is that they are carefully protected by the local community to ensure that they remain clean
Selected by the Ministry of the Environment as ``100 Best Waters'' and ``100 Best Waters of the Heisei Era''
In 1985 (Showa 60), the then Environment Agency selected particularly excellent water environments from rivers and springs across the country, and selected them as ``100 Famous Waters'' with the aim of preserving them into the future. Ta.
In 2008, ``Heisei's 100 Famous Waters'' was released, which includes not only rivers and springs, but also irrigation water and groundwater.A total of 200 famous waters were selected, with 12 in each area in Tohoku. 24 locations are considered famous waters.
A famous water source in Aomori Prefecture, selected as one of the "100 Famous Waters Selected by the Ministry of the Environment"
Two historic springs in the Tsugaru Plain at the foot of Mount Iwaki were selected
Tomita's Pure Water: Kamizukicho, Hirosaki City
Tsugaru Nobumasa, the fourth lord of the Hirosaki domain, who built the domain's heyday, worked hard to develop and nurture papermaking and is said to have used this spring water.It is also a prestigious spring water that was used in tea and cooking during Emperor Meiji's tours
After that, the water came to be used not only for papermaking but also for daily life by the local residents
It is still well maintained, and there is a rule that the water should be used in the order of drinking, washing, vegetable washing, and laundry, starting from the spring outlet. The pool is also used as a place for local housewives to chat
INFORMATION
Facility name: Tomita no Shitsuko
Address: 5-2 Kamizukicho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
Phone number: 0172-36-0677 (Hirosaki City, Civic Life Department, Environment Division)
Konshin no Shimizu: Karataketakinozawa in Hirakawa City
The story of this spring water dates back to the time of General Sakanoue no Tamuramaro
Tamuramaro, who had an eye disease, had a dream in which he received a message telling him to find this spring water and wash his eyes with it, and his eye disease was immediately cured
The name "Igami" is said to be a variant of "Me no Kami," the god of eyes
It is drinkable, but it is recommended to boil it to disinfect it before drinking
INFORMATION
Facility name: Konshin no Shimizu
Address: 2-1 Takinosawa, Karatake, Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture
Phone number: 0172-44-1111 (Hirakawa City Hall, Economic Affairs Department, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division)
Aomori Prefecture's famous water, selected as one of the "Top 100 Waters of the Heisei Era" by the Environment Agency
Three springs outside the Tsugaru Plain have been selected as Aomori Prefecture's Heisei Famous Waters
Numabukuro Water: Towada City
There are four springs within Towada City's Meisui Park that produce 170 tons of water per day, and one of these springs out from the bottom of Lake Onuma within the park
On the west side of the park there is a fish farm for rainbow trout and carp, as well as a fishing pond, making it a place of relaxation for Towada citizens
INFORMATION
Facility name: Numabukuro Water
Address: 18-8 Akanuma Numabukuro, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
Phone number: 0176-51-6726 (Towada City Planning Support Division, Civil Affairs Department, Aomori Prefecture)
This spring is located in Osawauchi Reservoir Park within Ashino Ponds and Swamps Prefectural Natural Park, close to Osawauchi Station on the Tsugaru Railway, which is famous for its stove train
You can visit the park from the parking lot via a well-maintained promenade, enjoying the scenery of the reservoir
The water is drinkable, but the water level changes depending on the season and the water may become submerged, so it is best to inquire at the Nakadomari Town Tourism Department in advance
Pure water from Fukatsubo Pond: Fukaura Town, Nishitsugaru District
This famous spring is located in Lake Juniko, within Tsugaru Quasi-National Park, adjacent to the Shirakami Mountains, a World Heritage Site, and is blessed with abundant spring water
The water is piped in bamboo tubes from its source, Wakitsubo Pond, to the roadside, and at the nearby rest area, Junikoan, you can taste matcha brewed with this water, which is also used to make local doburoku sake and local craft beer
Top 3 delicious spring waters in Aomori Prefecture!
There are many delicious springs in the prefecture, but the three we will introduce below are particularly popular
Towada sacred spring: Namioka, Aomori City
Although it is located in Namioka, Aomori City, it is called "Towada" and there is a reason why it is considered the sacred spring of Towada Shrine
The spring water that collects in the depression is believed to be inhabited by a water god (dragon god) called "Towada-sama," and the area is called "Towada" because of the belief in worshiping this dragon god
Incidentally, Lake Towada is said to have been named after this belief. The spring water, which is cherished by the locals and known as "Towada no Shitsuko," is known for its soft texture and delicious taste, and many people visit every day to draw water
INFORMATION
Facility name: Towada Reisen
Location: Namioka, Yoshinoda, Kagoezawa, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Phone number: 0172-62-2511 (Aomori City Namioka Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
This spring water, managed by the Lake Towada Hometown Revitalization Corporation, is known for its delicious sweet taste, and is sold by the corporation as mineral water called "Oirase Source Water."
On the way to Lake Towada, you can enjoy cold-brewed coffee made with this water at the cafe in the Oirase Spring Water Museum, which is run by the public corporation
There is a water source nearby and anyone can draw spring water, but since it is the source of the water used to make the public mineral water, please be careful not to pollute it
INFORMATION
Facility name: Oirase Source Water (Oirase Spring Water Museum)
Address: 183 Okusetsu Tochikubo, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
Tokyo's Ochanomizu spring water originates from the spring water that was presented to the second Tokugawa Shogun, Hidetada, for the tea ceremony, and Hirosaki's Ochanomizu spring water was also presented to Emperor Meiji for use in tea and cooking
There is a well-maintained water pump located on the border between Hirosaki City and Owani Town, where you can enjoy the mellow and delicious spring water, although it is recommended that you boil it to disinfect it before drinking
INFORMATION
Facility name: Ochanomizu
Location: Nishinosawa, Ishikawa, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
Phone number: 0172-35-1128 (Hirosaki City Tourism Division)
In addition to the numerous famous springs introduced here, Aomori Prefecture has many other famous springs distributed throughout the prefecture, including the Shimamori Springs in Hachinohe City in the Sanpachi-Kamikita region in the eastern part of the prefecture, and the Ominato Springs in Mutsu City on the Shimokita Peninsula
Aomori Prefecture has many drinkable spring waters, so it would be fun to go on a walking tour to try some of these famous spring waters
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!
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