[Aomori Prefecture] 8 famous waters in Aomori Prefecture! A treasure trove of refreshing spring water nurtured by the blue forest!

Aomori Prefecture has many historical spring waters, many of which are loved by local residents for drinking.

Especially in the Tsugaru region, spring water is affectionately called "shitsuko" in the Tsugaru dialect, and all of the famous waters selected by the Ministry of the Environment are spring water.

This is said to be thanks to forests that recharge underground water sources, such as the vast forest area of ​​the Hakkoda Mountains and the virgin beech forest of the Shirakami Mountains, which is famous as a World Heritage Site.

What is “famous water”?

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, particularly refreshing water sources are called ``Meisui.'' There are no clear definitions or standards, but what all famous waters 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.

Aomori prefecture's famous waters selected as one of the 100 best waters selected by the Ministry of the Environment

Two historic Wakisui were selected in the Tsugaru Plain at the foot of Mt. Iwaki.

Tomita's clear water (Tomita no Shitsuko: Kamisugi-cho, Hirosaki City)

Nobumasa Tsugaru, the fourth lord of the Hirosaki domain, who established the heyday of the domain, strived to develop and foster paper-making, and is said to have used this spring water, as well as a highly prestigious water source that was used for tea and dishes during Emperor Meiji's tour. This is Wakusui.

After that, the water came to be used not only for paper making but also for the residents' daily needs.

Even now, it is kept in good condition, and there is a rule that water should be used from the source for drinking, washing, washing vegetables, and washing, and is used as a place for meetings among local housewives.

INFORMATION

  • Facility name: Tomita no Shitsuko
  • Location: 5-2 Kamisugicho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0172-36-0677 (Hirosaki City Citizen Life Department Environment Division)
  • URL: Hirosaki City Hall official website

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Clear water of the shrine

The origin of this spring water dates back to the time of General Sakanoue Tamuramaro.

It is said that Tamuramaro, who had developed an eye disease, was told in a dream that when he found this spring water and washed his eyes, his eye disease was instantly cured.

From Wikipedia

It is said that the name ``Igami'' came from the name ``Menkomi,'' the god of eyes.

From Wikipedia

Although it is drinkable, it is better to sterilize it by boiling it before drinking it.

INFORMATION

  • Facility name: Hunjin no Shimizu
  • Location: 2-1 Takinosawa, Karachiku, Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0172-44-1111 (Hirakawa City Hall Economic Department Commerce and Tourism Division)
  • URL: Hirakawa City Hall official website

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Aomori Prefecture's famous waters selected as one of the ``100 Best Waters of the Heisei Period'' by the Environment Agency

Three spring waters from areas other than the Tsugaru Plain have been selected as the famous waters of the Heisei era in Aomori Prefecture.

Numabukuro no Mizu (Towada City)

There are four springs in Towada City's Meisui Park that gush out 170 tons of water per day, and one of them gushes out from the bottom of Onuma in the park.

On the west side of the park, there is a 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
  • Location: 18-8 Akanuma Numabukuro, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0176-51-6726 (Aomori Prefecture Towada Citizens Department Town Development Support Division)
  • URL: Towada City Hall official website

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Wakitsubo (Wakitsubo: Nakadomari Town, Kitatsugaru Gun)

This wakusui is located in Osawauchi Ikeike Park in Ashino Ikenuma Prefectural Natural Park, close to Osawauchi Station on the Tsugaru Railway, which is famous for its stove train.

You can visit the park while enjoying the view of the reservoir on the promenade that has been set up from the parking lot.

Although it is drinkable, the water level changes depending on the season and you may be submerged, so it is best to contact the Nakadomari Town Tourism Department in advance.

INFORMATION

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Clear water from Wakitsubo Pond (Fukaura Town, Nishitsugaru District)

It is a famous water source with abundant spring water located in "Juniko Lake" in Tsugaru Quasi-National Park adjacent to the World Heritage Site Shirakami-Sanchi.

Bamboo tubes are drawn from the water source, ``Yakitsubo Pond'', to the roadside, and at the nearby rest area ``Junikoan'' you can taste matcha made with this water, as well as regional doburoku and local craft beer. It is also used in manufacturing.

INFORMATION

  • Facility name: Shimizu of Futsubo Pond
  • Location: Matsugami, Fukaura-cho, Nishitsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0173-74-4412 (Fukaura Town Tourism Division)
  • URL: Fukaura Town Tourism Official Website

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Top 3 delicious spring waters popular in Aomori Prefecture!

There are many delicious spring waters in the prefecture, but the three spring waters introduced below are particularly popular.

Towada Reisen (Namioka, Aomori City)

There is a reason why it is called "Towada" even though it is located in Namioka, Aomori City, and is considered the sacred spring of Towada Shrine.

The spring water that collects in the depression is said to be home to a water god (dragon god) called "Towada-sama," and it is called "Towada" because of the belief that this dragon god is enshrined.

By the way, Lake Towada was also named from this belief. Locally, Wakusui is called ``Towada no Shitsuko'' and is cherished by many people every day, as it is soft and delicious.

INFORMATION

  • Facility name: Towada Reisen
  • Location: Namioka Oaza Yoshinoda Kekoshizawa, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0172-62-2511 (Aomori City Namioka Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
  • URL: Aomori Spring Water Survey Official Site

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Oirase source water (Oirase source water: Oirase, Towada city)

This spring water, which is managed by the Towada Lake Hometown Revitalization Corporation, has a reputation as a delicious spring water with a sweet taste, and is sold by the corporation as mineral water called ``Oirase Genryu Water''.

At the cafe of Oirase Yusuikan, which is run by a public corporation and is located on the way to Lake Towada, you can enjoy cold-brew coffee made from this source water.

There is a water source nearby and anyone can draw spring water, but since it is the raw material source for the public corporation's mineral water, be careful not to pollute it.

INFORMATION

  • Facility name: Oirase source water (Oirase spring water museum)
  • Location: 183 Okuse Tochikubo, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0176-74-1212
  • URL: Oirase Yusuikan official website

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Ochanomizu (Ishikawa, Hirosaki City)

Tokyo's ``Ochanomizu'' originates from the fact that spring water from this area was presented to the second Tokugawa shogun Hidetada during his tea ceremony, while Hirosaki's ``Ochanomizu'' also originated from the spring water that was presented to Emperor Meiji for tea and cooking.

From the official website of Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Association, a public interest incorporated association

There is a well-maintained water pumping station on the border between Hirosaki City and Owani Town, where you can enjoy the mellow and delicious spring water, but it is recommended that you sterilize it before drinking it.

INFORMATION

  • Facility name: Ochanomizu
  • Location: Nishinosawa, Ishikawa, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
  • Phone number: 0172-35-1128 (Hirosaki City Tourism Division)
  • URL: Hirosaki City official website

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summary

In addition to the many famous waters introduced here, famous waters are widely distributed in Aomori Prefecture, including the Shimamori springs in Hachinohe City in the Sanya Kamikita region in the eastern part of the prefecture, and the Ominato springs in Mutsu City on the Shimokita Peninsula. There are famous waters such as springs.

Aomori Prefecture has many spring waters that are drinkable, so it's a good idea to enjoy a trip drinking the famous water.

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