⁴ᴷ Aomori: Chuo Hirosaki Station (青森県: 中央弘前駅) – Japan Walking Tour (October, 2026)
September was dominated by relentless rain, making headlines in Tokyo with over 35 consecutive days of precipitation. After more than a two-month hiatus, I finally set out on a new journey north through the Tohoku region.
My ultimate destination for this trip is the Tsugaru region in Aomori Prefecture. Back in high school, I was captivated by Osamu Dazai’s novel Tsugaru during a class. While I rarely read his other works, re-reading this travel essay after all these years rekindled my desire to explore the landscapes he depicted.
Route map for this trip:https://streetarchive.jp/route/K58tbD8Kfa9ydyZbMbvj
After reaching the Tsugaru region at the northwestern tip of Honshu and beginning my return journey south, I decided to turn back northward after entering Akita and returned to Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. Hirosaki flourished as a castle town under the Hirosaki Domain and remains the cultural heart of Tsugaru, widely celebrated for its summer “Hirosaki Neputa Festival.”
For this walk, I explored the charming neighborhood around Chuo-Hirosaki Station, the northern terminus of the Konan Railway Owani Line. Sadly, service on this historic line is slated to be suspended (effectively abandoned) at the end of March 2027. Walking past this nostalgic, atmospheric wooden station building, one cannot help but wonder what will become of this cherished landmark.
I also wandered through the nearby entertainment and nightlife district. Perhaps owing to the early hour or the day of the week, the streets were surprisingly quiet, with very few pedestrians or nightlife touts out. It was a poignant walk after sunset, capturing a quiet glimpse of a northern nightlife district and a local railway approaching the twilight of its history.
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Google maps (Chuo Hirosaki Station): https://maps.app.goo.gl/SBKnuSamjoyY7Poh6
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