Discover Ajigasawa: Coast, Culture and Nature

In the town of Ajigasawa, trip-planning options range from coastal scenery and river activities to winter sports, museums and regional cuisine. The focus of your trip also depends on the conditions for individual offerings: some activities are seasonal or available by reservation only, and event dates vary.

Culture and Sumo Tradition

The Ajigasawa Sumo Museum showcases the achievements, traditions and culture of local sumo wrestlers. These include former sekiwake Ayakawa and former komusubi Mainoumi. Exhibits include a dohyo, as well as Mainoumi’s topknot and ceremonial aprons from his active sumo career. At Kōshin-kō no Yakata, archaeological finds and old documents offer a glimpse into the past; a statue of Ōura Mitsunobu in armor stands in the forecourt.

Another cultural tradition is the Shirohachimangu Festival. It has a history spanning more than 300 years, is currently held every four years, and is also known as the “Tsugaru no Kyō Matsuri.” Check the date of the next edition before your trip.

Mountain Sports and Activities

Aomori Spring Ski Resort is located on the northern slope of Mount Iwaki. Its snowfall and snow quality are well regarded. The runs described include one through a beech forest and a steep run with a gradient of up to 30 degrees. From the gondola’s upper station, at an elevation of 921 meters, views stretch across the Sea of Japan and the Tsugaru Plain.

The resort also has a moderately difficult to challenging trail that runs about 11.6 kilometers each way; the stated duration is approximately four hours and 30 minutes. At Aomori Spring Golf Club, two different course features stand out: a challenging tournament course measuring more than 7,000 yards and an 18-hole resort course designed by Arnold Palmer.

Ōtakayama General Park has multipurpose sports areas for baseball, softball and soccer, tennis courts, go-karts and playground equipment. Since the availability of individual facilities should be checked, it is advisable to inquire before visiting.

River, Coast and Landmark Structure

Stand-up paddleboarding takes place on the lower reaches of the Nakamura River. You can listen to the sounds of nature and the calls of waterbirds, and see fish up close. The River Down SUP route runs from the trees along the riverbank through the townscape, beneath a bridge on the Gono Line and out to the Sea of Japan. The activity is seasonal and requires a reservation; check availability with the provider before your trip.

Along the Sea of Japan coast, you can watch sunsets on the horizon and deep-red evening skies from beaches and breakwaters from spring through autumn. Nagisa Bridge is a striking landmark that also helps with navigation: it opened in 2004 and is 112.3 meters long. Its design combines the advantages of cable-stayed and suspension bridges; it is described as the world’s first hybrid prestressed concrete (PC) cable-stayed bridge.

Kurokuma Falls, on the Takinosawa tributary of the Akaiishi River, is 85 meters high and 15 meters wide. It has long been regarded as a place of religious worship. Important for planning: the access road is currently closed due to landslide damage following the heavy rain in August 2022.

Regional Cuisine and Events

One of the town’s specialties is Ajigasawa Hirame-no-Zuke-don: flounder from Ajigasawa is marinated and served with a generous portion of rice. Each restaurant uses its own marinade. Participating restaurants and the conditions under which the dish is served may change, so check before visiting.

Regional products also tell the story of the area. Andō Suigun sake brewery was founded in the first year of the Meiji era and is the only brewery on Aomori’s west coast. It uses spring water from the Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage Site in its production. Ayu sweetfish from the Akaiishi River, fed by waters from Shirakami-Sanchi, are called “gold ayu” and eaten grilled with salt or as dengaku. On July 1, the start of the fishing season, anglers come from Aomori Prefecture and other regions. The fishing season and access are subject to current regulations; the town also sells sweets featuring a gold ayu motif.

At the annual Ajigasawa Squid Curtain Festival, visitors can hang squid out to dry themselves, then grill and eat them. Dates and arrangements vary from year to year, so check the information for that year’s event before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Hashikami, Kuroishi, Aomori, Goshogawara, Hiranai, Hirosaki, Nishitsugaru District, Akabonai

For the main travel guide: Aomori Prefecture.