青森・奥津軽・龍飛崎旅行がグルメ・絶景とコスパ最高で人生最高すぎた【青森旅行・観光・穴場】okutsugaru aomori, japan

青森・奥津軽・龍飛崎旅行がグルメ・絶景とコスパ最高で人生最高すぎた【青森旅行・観光・穴場】okutsugaru aomori, japan

Hey there! I’m Morry! They say travel is the best way to invest in yourself. So today, I’m taking you on a trip to a must travel spot Aomori—an underrated destination not many visit. Welcome to my Okutsugaru adventure at Cape Tappi! This place ranks high on my domestic travel list. With it’s stunning views and amazing food… it completely won me over. I almost don’t want to share it! But hey, I’m not one to gatekeep and I’ll let you in on the secret. This place is a hidden gem that everyone should visit at least once. So sit back, relax, and enjoy it on the big screen. Let’s get started! Cape Tappi, in Aomori’s Okutsugaru region, is famous for its coastline. It sits at the northernmost tip of the Tsugaru Peninsula. From here, you get breathtaking views of the Tsugaru Strait. The nearby town of Sotogahama has a population of about 5,000 people. It was once a key hub connecting Honshu and Hokkaido. For centuries, it thrived as a center for maritime trade. Cape Tappi was historically known as a challenging place for sailors. During the Edo period, a watchtower was built here. Later, in the Meiji era, ferries started connecting to Hokkaido. In the Showa era, Japan’s longest tunnel—the Seikan Tunnel—was built. You can learn about its history at the Seikan Tunnel Memorial Museum. The museum showcases fascinating artifacts from its construction. Cape Tappi is also called the “Cape of Winds.” It’s known for its extreme winter winds. Gusts here can exceed 30 meters per second. That’s why this area has something unique— The “Staircase Highway,” part of National Route 339. It’s the only highway in Japan made entirely of stairs. And yes, it’s still a popular tourist spot today. Now, let’s talk about food—this place is a seafood paradise. Especially the local tuna from the Tsugaru Strait—it’s incredible. To get here, take the Shinkansen to Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station. From there, hop on a Wando Taxi. There are scheduled and on-demand rides. It’s an affordable and convenient way to explore. And that’s exactly how I’m traveling this time. So let’s start this journey together! Exploring Aomori’s best-kept secret—Cape Tappi in Okutsugaru. Hey again! It’s Morry! You can never go wrong with traveling. Right now, I’m at Kobe Airport, ready for my flight. From today, I’m off to Aomori! Honestly, I think it’s one of Japan’s best travel spots. I can’t wait to get there. But I’m heading to a part of Aomori that most people don’t visit—the Okutsugaru region. I’ll be covering it in two videos. And here’s the twist—I’m doing it all without a rental car. And here’s the plan— I won’t be renting a car. I’ll be using taxis and trains instead. Driving on snowy roads? No thanks! This trip is perfect for those who feel the same. So let’s dive into it! I mean, who else would make a video like this? But as someone who loves hidden gem travel spots, I had to do it. I’m seriously excited! Let’s head to the wilderness! After exploring Okutsugaru, I’ll wrap things up by taking the Seikan Tunnel to Hakodate. A little Hakodate trip to top it off! Alright, let’s go! I’m flying with Fuji Dream Airlines today. Let’s go! They actually have a direct flight from Kobe to Aomori. That’s awesome! Super convenient. Uh-oh, my bag was over 20kg. Had to pay extra… So I moved 1kg to my carry-on. Crisis averted—just barely! Last one on the plane! The sign said to be at the gate 10 minutes before departure. So I got here 12 minutes early… and I was still the last one to board! What the heck? Seriously, how does that happen? At least I made it! Oh, by the way— Kobe Airport is launching international flights in 2025. That’s exciting! Flight: Kobe Airport → Aomori Airport Arrived at Aomori Airport! Alright, I made it to Aomori! Now that I’m here, I’ll take a bus to the station. The bus to Aomori departs from stop #2. Yup, this is the one. Is this the right bus? Yeah, this one’s heading to Aomori. Do I just put this in? Oh, it’s self-service! Nice, there’s an outlet! Time to charge my phone. We’ve arrived! The next day. 9:51 AM Shin-Aomori Station → Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station Arrived at Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station! Hey there! It’s Morry again! You can’t go wrong with traveling. Right now, I’m at Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station for the first time. I took the Shinkansen here from Shin-Aomori. So, what’s my plan this time? I’ll be splitting this trip into two videos. Exploring the Okutsugaru area. Most of you probably haven’t been to this part of Aomori, right? Even locals tell me they haven’t. That makes this a true hidden gem for travelers. I really think so. Even people in Aomori haven’t been to this area much. It’s exactly what you’d call an underrated spot. A hidden gem! At least, that’s what I think. Now, from here at Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station, there used to be a train that ran to Imabetsu Station. But it’s been discontinued. That’s right— *Currently suspended, set to be discontinued in spring 2027. So I guess that means no trip, huh? Or so I thought. But actually, I had no idea— there are some super convenient alternatives! They’ve set up replacement services. Right here! Look at this pillar. There are two options—Wando Taxi Scheduled and Wando Taxi Free. And this is the stop. Oh wow, it’s snowing like crazy! Filming date: January 14, 2025 So, the “Scheduled Wando Taxi” service— it’s like a train with set departure times. Basically, it’s like a bus. Just that it’s actually a taxi. Then there’s the “Free Taxi.” This one’s like a regular taxi—you book it, tell them where you want to go, but only within a specific area in Okutsugaru. And the price? Super cheap. I think… the “Free Taxi” is only 500 yen per ride. If you took a regular taxi, it’d probably cost you thousands of yen. But with this? Just 500 yen. So of course, I’m using it for my Okutsugaru trip! I could’ve rented a car, and driven around instead, but this is way cheaper— and safer too. With all this snow, driving would be rough. Snowy roads? No, thanks. Some of you might think, “Aomori in winter? No way.” But don’t worry. This trip will prove it’s totally doable! But with all this snow… a lot of places might be closed today. Hope that’s not the case… well, let’s see. I’ll check it out anyway! So for this trip, I’ll be covering Tappi Cape. You might’ve heard of it. It’s famous from the song *Tsugaru Strait Winter Scenery*. This time, I’m heading to Tappi Cape for a night. Then after that, I’ll explore the other side of the region. What kind of trip will this be? Let’s find out! Whoa—suddenly, it’s hailing! That’s intense! Oh man, this is bad! Alright, so— There’s a shop here at Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station called Askul. Wait, *that* Askul!? It’s like a souvenir shop. My taxi’s at 10:32. I think I have about 15 minutes. Might as well check it out. Let’s see what Askul has! Wow, it’s snowing even harder! This is what the place looks like. Oh, they even have Shinkansen schedules here. They sell all kinds of Aomori specialties. Oh, is kombu (kelp) a famous local product? They have plenty of it here. There’s even a restaurant inside. They serve a 200g Imabetsu beef steak… or an Imabetsu salmon rice bowl. Looks amazing! I won’t eat here, though. Gonna try another spot instead. But good to know it’s an option. Wow, some famous people have been here too. They even have a local version of “Horinishi” spice! Campers love this seasoning. Oh, and Mozuku udon! They say it’s a must-try. This thing called *arame*— apparently, you put it in miso soup, and it tastes great. Wait, what is this? Seaweed? Is this a type of seaweed? It’s kombu. Oh, so it’s kombu! Kombu is a big deal around here. They really do have a lot of it. Alright, time to hop on the Wando Taxi! This is the Wando Taxi. So, I just get on like this? Since it’s a scheduled service, it arrives at set times. No need to book in advance. But reservations are recommended before it fills up. Here’s the route it takes. It starts from Kanita Station… and goes all the way from Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station to Tappi Cape. So basically, it takes you to all the key sightseeing spots. Pretty convenient for exploring Okutsugaru. It also has enough space for multiple passengers. Feels more like a mini-bus than a taxi. Super useful! Alright, thank you! Let’s go! Who actually operates the Wando Taxi service? Oh, it’s run by JR? That makes sense. So it’s kind of like a replacement for a train. That’s why… it stops at stations along the way. Wait, is this a station? What’s the name? Ōkawatai Station. Well, technically not a station. The actual station is further ahead. But since it’s too small for the taxi to enter, this is the waiting area instead. Oh, you can book online too? As long as it’s the day before. You can book both the scheduled and free taxi services. And each ride only costs 500 yen! Oh, are there any conditions? Like, any special rules? If you’re a local with a My Number card, it’s just 300 yen. Same for senior citizens—also 300 yen. And if you’re traveling from Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station… and have a JR Youth 18 Pass or a Senior Travel Pass, then it’s completely free. Free!? So it’s included in the pass? Yeah, between stations, it’s free. But the Tsugaru Line’s final stop is Minmaya Station. That line is actually discontinued now. So if you want to go from there to Tappi Cape, it costs 300 yen. That’s for people using the JR pass. But if you’re like me, a regular traveler… then it’s just 500 yen per ride. So whether you go from here… to Minmaya… or all the way to Tappi Cape, it’s still 500 yen. That’s super cheap! Wait, the scheduled taxi goes to Tappi Cape? Yep! It does. Wow, that’s a long distance… and it’s only 500 yen!? That’s a steal. But if you get off at multiple stops, you’ll pay 500 yen each time. If you don’t have a pass. Right, exactly. Compared to a regular taxi… Oh man, a normal taxi would be crazy expensive. Like, no joke. From Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station to Tappi Cape is nearly 10,000 yen. But this is just 500 yen. Yep. This is a must-use service! Oh yeah, Tappi Cape is about 18 km away. Yeah, that’s quite a distance. A normal taxi would definitely cost 10,000 yen. Oh, I see a convenience store up ahead. This is Imabetsu Station. It’s going to be discontinued, right? Yeah, that’s right. Thank you! JR Imabetsu Station. I could’ve just taken the scheduled taxi all the way to Tappi Cape… but I wanted to check out each spot on the way. So, here we are at Imabetsu Station. This station has already been scheduled for closure. A historic place. For train enthusiasts, this must be a pretty sentimental spot. There’s nothing in use here anymore. I’m not even sure how far I’m allowed to walk in. The snow has completely buried the tracks. Only the station sign is left standing. From here… I think I’ll explore a bit. Maybe find a place to eat around here. If it’s at least an hour before, I can reserve the free-route taxi. So I could grab some food, book a taxi… then head to the next spot. Still just 500 yen per ride! That’s insanely cheap. Super easy to use. It’d be amazing if I could just call one instantly. But honestly, booking just an hour ahead is already great. So convenient! What a generous service. Normally, you’d just take the taxi directly… but instead, I’m going to walk through Imabetsu town. Alright, let’s head to the next station. If I walk normally, it’ll take about 30 minutes. But worst case, I can take a break somewhere… and call the free-route taxi. Still, honestly, it’s kind of amazing how… people live normal daily lives in a place with this much snow. Japan is pretty unique in that way. People just go about their lives like it’s nothing. That’s impressive. Man, it’s really cold. Right now, it’s about 3°C. And with the snow falling… Oh wow, what is this? That’s beautiful! It’s so quiet out here. Seriously, this is amazing. Seeing people living here, it really makes me curious. Like, how did they end up here? Why did they choose to live in this area? There must be so many different reasons. Everyone has their own story. And this is how they spend their lives. It’s incredible. Look at all that firewood. Oh, a store selling shovels? Walking alone in a place like this, I can feel people looking at me like, “Who the heck is that guy?” And yeah, fair enough. Wow. “Personalized perms that bring out your individuality.” Nice! And the houses here— you can tell. They look totally different from houses in Kansai. Even just looking at that makes this walk interesting. Looks like there’s also a local circulator bus, not just Wando Taxi. That’s pretty convenient. If you mix and match different options, getting around should be easy. If you really master this system… And honestly, the people around here seem so friendly, if I just went, “Hey, can you give me a ride?” they might actually do it. Oh, wow! That truck is carrying snow. And these JR tracks here— they’re no longer in use, right? At some point, they’ll probably be gone too. Man, this feels nice. I may be a snowman, but I’m also a sunshine guy—look at that, it’s clearing up. Oh, that’s a Wando Taxi! It’s going back and forth a lot. Ah! There’s the circulator bus. So the circulator bus runs separately, huh? Looks like it runs every hour… But actually, there are quite a few times you can catch it. Though at night, there aren’t many. “Orion Beauty Salon Stop”— So there’s a salon. Man, there are a lot of hair salons around here. Imabetsu Hachiman Shrine. This looks nice. It has that classic tobacco shop vibe. So this is the Hachiman Shrine. Let’s take a quick look around. Yep, there’s the shrine. Looks beautiful. And with the snowy backdrop, even better. This shrine has a really nice atmosphere. Imabetsu Hachiman Shrine. The footprints here mean someone’s already stepped inside today. One of the things I secretly love about using the Wando Taxis instead of renting a car is that you can drink! No need to worry about driving. Was this part of the old railway? Looks like it. I think a train used to pass through here. Yeah, definitely seems like it. You can still see the tracks up on that bridge. There’s something a little sad about a closed railway. For a second, you think, “Man, that’s too bad.” But then you see services like Wando Taxis pop up, adapting and making things even more convenient. And because of Wando Taxis, more people might start visiting this area. That’s what you call progress. It’s a way of thinking we should all adopt. Instead of clinging to old methods, why not innovate and improve? Not just repeating what’s been done, but actually making it better. That’s how we should approach things. And that’s something we can learn from. Man, I’m getting out of breath! Ideally, it’d be great to have both trains and Wando Taxis. Well, with all this snow… most places around here are closed. But someone must’ve walked all the way here. That means… These footprints are fresh. Someone’s been here recently. This area isn’t an island, but… there’s barely any information about it. It feels like I’m on a remote island trip. There aren’t really any major tourist attractions here. So in a way, it’s like an island! You can see the ocean too. It’s got that island trip vibe. This is amazing. I’m getting excited. Can you feel it too? It’s that feeling of discovering a place hardly anyone knows about. Just imagining how surprised people will be, how much they’ll enjoy it… makes me happy. That sign over there… It points towards Tappi. And it also says Sotogahama. Sotogahama (via Tairadate)— That’s for later. The day after tomorrow, I think? Yeah, I’ll explore that area the day after tomorrow. But today, we’re heading to Tappi! They told me back in Aomori that it’s gonna be crazy windy. Sounds like it’ll be quite the adventure. This place has that old-school vibe. There’s a metal workshop over there. And look—Fuji Color! This place is straight out of the Showa era. I can see the ocean! I wanna get a closer look. It’s the northern sea! The ocean is right there. Living this close to both the ocean and snow… That’s amazing. The wind turbines are spinning too. And if you turn this way, there are beautiful mountains. Incredible. Wow, this is nostalgic. And it’s still open! Fuji Color is still here. Haven’t seen one in ages. This used to be a general store. This area… it’s interesting. People are just living their daily lives here. There’s even a chiropractic clinic. Fujita Chiropractic. Never saw this on Google Maps. See, usually, I rely on Google Maps to find places when I travel. But this place— Some of these spots don’t even show up. I swear there was a place called Musubi here. But I don’t see it anywhere. Where was it? Let’s go back a bit. It’s on Google Maps, though. Where’s Musubi? Wait, what!? It should be around here. Right around here. Google Maps says there’s a restaurant called Musubi. It was supposed to be an izakaya, but I don’t see it. Is this it? No sign or anything. No way to tell. Yeah… it’s not here. Wait… did it close!? Or just closed today?? Damn it! Wow, this is impressive. People are really living their daily lives here. Hongo Store—it’s open! They’ve got all sorts of things for sale. Hongo Store. There are quite a few shops in this area. Even a flower shop—Nakajima Flower Shop. Co-op Aomori. Oh, they do home delivery here. You know, remote areas like this have become a lot more livable. Even small islands are more accessible now. Thanks to Rakuten, Amazon, and other services, you can get deliveries almost anywhere in Japan. That alone makes it easier to live in remote areas. And with the internet, many jobs can be done remotely. So honestly, choosing to live somewhere like this for cheaper rent… That’s a solid option. Compared to the past, the barriers are much lower now. In some countries, the idea of Amazon deliveries is unheard of. But now, even on remote islands, you’ll see Amazon packages being delivered by boat. So of course, Amazon delivers here to Okutsugaru. There’s even a post office, so mail service is solid. Everything works fine here. There’s even a traffic light. And a medical clinic… Oh, yeah. A full-on clinic. That’s good. Medical facilities are always an important factor. Having a clinic like this makes a big difference. Looks like they have multiple departments. Internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics— And they’re open right now. Oh! Look at this. There’s a soba restaurant called Sarashina. So you can get soba around here too. Oh, this is a nice sign. Where should I go next? Winter is all about Tappi Cape. Summer is for Arauma. That’s in Goshogawara. Local specialties of Imabetsu— Imabetsu Beef! Imabetsu Salmon! I saw these at Askul earlier. They even grow Shine Muscat grapes. And Arauma, the famous local sake. I wanna try that tonight. “Ikkyo Nyukon Kabocha”—that name sounds powerful. I put just as much effort into my videos. A town where kids and seniors alike can live happily and safely. Love it. Amazing. Fureai Library & Rest Stop. Huh, what’s this? Looks like a cycling map. Cycling would be nice around here… Oh! There are tons of books here. Is this like a mini library? Here’s the map. So right now… I’m here. I see Sarashina Soba marked here. And there’s the clinic. Looks like there’s a lot more up ahead. And this spot here… This is where I am now. So I came from here. I started in Imabetsu and walked all the way here. This could be a cycling route. Seems like a great way to explore. That’s for another trip, though. Today, I’m heading this way. This direction. There used to be a train line all the way to Minmaya. But the line from Kanita Station to Minmaya is being discontinued. That’s the reality here. Still, plenty to see. Like the Seikan Tunnel Entrance Park. That sounds interesting. The Shinkansen still runs here. Right along these lines. This purple line here is the Shinkansen route. That’s still operational. But the local rail service is being discontinued. Okay I finally get it now. Wait, so I came here not even knowing that? Oh, there’s a dentist here too. That’s good to know. Another hair salon!? People really get haircuts a lot here. Do people in cold places grow their hair faster or something? I feel like that could be true. Or maybe the opposite? Wait, what’s this? I have no idea what kind of store this is. Another shop here. Sakuraba Clothing Store. Honkakuji Temple. Oh, there’s a temple over there. Honkakuji Temple. Nice! You can see the ocean. Oh, there are ducks! Even Imabetsu has ducks. Hey, don’t run away! They totally noticed me. Whoa, look at this. That’s a lot of flowing water. Is it melted snow? The sea! Whoa, whoa, whoa… Amazing. Are those seagulls? Black-tailed gulls? So cold! Walking like this, I’m getting hungry. This is basically a workout, right? There’s a Jizo statue here. Shogyoji Temple. Another temple. Whoa! So many birds. They’re everywhere. Seriously, there are so many. That must mean there’s a lot of fish in these waters. Now that I’ve walked this far, I don’t see many shops anymore. Mostly just houses now. But wow, the view is stunning. Looks like there’s a school nearby—Imabetsu Elementary. There’s a sushi restaurant. Kaiseki Cuisine Sansui. Google says it’s rated 4.3 stars. Sounds like it’s delicious. It’s run by a married couple. If I keep going straight, will I reach the station? Is this place open? Doesn’t look like it… Oh no. This is disappointing. I’m really getting hungry. I need to find a place to eat… Oh! There’s a railroad crossing. The crossing is still intact. The sky looks like a battle between my sunny-side and my snow-bringer side. Beautiful. Snow clouds mixed with patches of clear blue sky. Since the train isn’t running anymore, this crossing will never lower again… That’s wild. This is a rare sight. The tracks are completely buried in snow. For real, railway fans must be loving this shot. It’s gotta be a dream for them. Wow… seriously, isn’t this amazing? You don’t get to see this every day. Oh, that must be the station. There was so much to see along the way— I walked for 30 minutes before I even realized it. Honestly, it wasn’t that bad. Oh, there’s a map. Ah! That’s the school. There’s a walking map of Imabetsu. Here it is. Right now, I’m at Tsugaru-Hamana Station. There’s quite a lot around here. Places like Namowamo and a Nebuta float storage. And Sazanami Park. I actually wanted to check these out. Oh, a yakiniku place! That looks good. I wonder if they serve Imabetsu beef. There’s also a café called Jiminy. So many options. Wait, hold on. Something’s not right. Oh… shoot. I totally forgot to go to Namowamo. I need to go check that out. Can’t believe I missed it. Yeah, I need to backtrack. JR Tsugaru-Hamana Station. This is Tsugaru-Hamana Station. You can still see the remains of the station here. Or rather, I mean, of course it’s still here. Wow. Seeing the tracks completely buried in snow— that’s pretty rare. Wow. And over there is the school. Oh, wait… There’s even a sign. Right here—this Chinese restaurant, Yakiniku Eitaro. I thought maybe they serve Imabetsu beef. But when I looked it up— It turned out they’re permanently closed! That’s so disappointing. That was close… I almost walked all the way there. Since the yakiniku place didn’t work out… Maybe I’ll go to Keishoku Jiminy. I thought about going there, but when I checked… It turns out this place is closed for good too. What’s going on here? No way… It seems like nowhere is open. I’ll try going to a place I missed earlier. If nothing is open on the way, I’ll go back to the starting point. Not here, not in Imabetsu either. Further back… Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station. There’s a place there that serves Imabetsu beef. Going back there might be a good idea. Normally, going back would be a hassle, but I can just take the Wando Taxi for 500 yen. That’s totally a viable plan. Going back and forth. Even a round trip would only cost 1,000 yen. 500 yen each way. That works. Namo-Warmo. So, earlier… I missed my chance to visit Namo-Warmo. A dining spot. Huh!? What? Namo-Warmo is closed for the season!! They ended their operations on December 27. Filming date: January 14, 2025. What a disaster… I was thinking of going back, but maybe I should go to the next station instead. I could take the scheduled ride, or maybe use the free ride service. Alright, let’s go. To the next station! Hamadoro-Kai. So, here we are. I’ve arrived at the dining spot “Hamadoro-Kai.” This place looks amazing… But… No way… Closed? Are you serious… No way. It’s actually closed?! For real? This is so frustrating. What’s happening here? I could call a taxi right away, but I’d have to wait a bit. There’s a place called “Hidetoshi.” It looks like it’s open, so I’ll walk there. It’s only a 10-minute walk. But before that… Here… Yoshitsune Kaigan Park. And right in front… I thought it was Yoshitsune-dera, but it’s actually pronounced Yoshitsuneji. Apparently, Yoshitsune has ties to Okutsugaru. Yoshitsuneji. Do I have to climb up there? Might as well go check it out. I looked up Yoshitsune on ChatGPT. Yoshitsune & Okutsugaru. I wondered if there’s any connection. There are several legends and places related to Yoshitsune. Especially in the Tsugaru region, there are many legends about Yoshitsune passing through while fleeing. Yoshitsune and his connection to Okutsugaru. Minamoto no Yoshitsune lost in a conflict with his brother Yoritomo. He fled north and is said to have stopped in the Tsugaru region. Yoshitsune is believed to have traveled from what is now Iwate Prefecture, continued further north, passed through the Tsugaru region, and eventually crossed to Hokkaido and even to the mainland in the “Northward Legend.” This Yoshitsuneji temple is said to have been built to mark the spot where Yoshitsune passed through. The Mimmaya area also has sites like Yoshitsune’s lodging remains, and “Yoshitsune Boat Hiding Place.” Even Cape Tappi is believed to be a place Yoshitsune passed through on his way. There’s a romantic legend about Yoshitsune crossing by boat. Looking over the Tsugaru Strait, you can think of its history. Unlike now, there was no Seikan Tunnel or bullet train back then. But seriously… what is this? This climb is tough… Am I really climbing this? But the view is nice. You can overlook the ocean. Wow… I’ve been walking a lot today, so I’m looking forward to a good meal. Still more to go? I made it. Finally here. Yoshitsuneji Temple. Oh… Impressive. Quite grand. Yoshitsuneji Temple. Magnificent. And the lights are on. There’s a large temple bell too. The Bell of Happiness. And then… Wow, amazing. Really magnificent. And the view is stunning. Wait, I can’t ring the bell? The Bell of Happiness. I wanted to ring it. But it’s chained… What the heck… Even this place is “closed for business”? There’s a small bell. What the heck is this? I couldn’t ring the big one, but I can ring this one. Oh… that’s loud. That’s embarrassing. Whoa! This… It’s wonderful. I can see the whole town of Mimmaya. The sea is so calm. There are tuna in this area too? Amazing. That over there… is that it? Yoshitsune Park. That one in the distance. Spectacular. The air is so clean, it feels great. There’s a bus here, I see. Right in front of Yoshitsuneji Temple. Alright, let’s walk. Time to head towards Hidetoshi. But for a fishing port… it’s really quiet. Such peaceful silence. This area is called Mimmaya, it seems. Originally, it was further ahead, but the train… this was the last stop when trains were running. Oh, that’s how you read “Mimmaya.” That’s a tough one. Whoa, look at that. Those boats must be for squid fishing. Wow! There are so many squid fishing boats. This place has a nice vibe. Oh! What’s that? Co-op Smile Delivery. Mobile sales trucks like this are a big help. Visiting places like this is different from regular sightseeing spots. Seeing how people live here. There are so many ski boards. Oh, there’s a shrine over there too. What’s that… a contact station? I can faintly see the word “ramen,” but is it closed down? Dried squid. Oh, there’s a photo studio over there too. So many photo studios here. Do people take commemorative photos often? Post office. Mimmaya Post Office. There’s even a police box. “Don’t fall into the hands of evil.
Don’t be deceived.
Don’t give up.” Huh? I can’t pass through here? There’s a convenience store. It says “Nigiri Sushi.” There’s a sushi place around here!? Getting close. Really close. Just around this corner. There it is, there it is! Found Hidetoshi Sushi! It says “Tuna.” I’ve arrived! All of a sudden there’s just a really proper-looking restaurant. Thank goodness. The sign is so faded, it’s barely visible. Tuna… Mimmaya Tuna? Come here, look! A sushi restaurant with a 4.3 Google rating. Hidetoshi Sushi. Wow, the tuna looks amazing. Is this what they call Mimmaya Tuna? “Kaikyō Tuna.” So it’s called Kaikyō Tuna? From the Tsugaru Strait. Tsugaru Strait Tuna. If caught elsewhere, it gets a bigger name. But since it’s caught in the strait… Does this eventually become “Ōma Tuna”? It depends on where it’s processed… So the name changes depending on where it’s caught? By pure luck, today… this too… Wow, amazing. Aomori Prefecture’s branding is incredible. Nori kelp. Seaweed. Miso soup with nori kelp. Mimmaya Tuna Rice Bowl (Special). Alright then. Time to dig in. On this trip, using the scheduled “Wando Taxi” or the free-ride option has its perks. Usually, I rent a car for my trips, so I have to hold off on drinking until night, but now I can drink freely. Thank you. Cheers! This is incredibly fruity. Yeah. Delicious. …Though it’s not usually this fruity. Is this something you can only drink now? You can only get it in December, since it’s brewed once a year. Once the fresh rice grains are ready, we brew it. So it’s available in December, and now it’s January 14th, so I got lucky. Lucky indeed. I even stocked up on a little extra… Now, let’s try the miso soup. Wow, the miso soup is amazing! Warms me up. I’ve been walking all day, so I was freezing. Alright… time for the tuna. Here goes. This is it. Man… it was worth coming all this way. It’s unbelievably good. So glad I made it! It just melts instantly. Incredible. And it pairs perfectly with this. What a perfect match. With the “Wando Taxi” free ride service, you can come straight here for just 500 yen. Use the savings to splurge on this meal. Go for the special-grade sushi. This meal alone makes coming to Okutsugaru worth it. Seriously. And with the “Wando Taxi” free ride, you can get here from the Shinkansen station for just 500 yen. What a great deal. How much would it cost to rent a car? Especially in the northern regions, the prices tend to be high. Even taking a taxi is expensive. It’s no joke. Do you keep your restaurant open throughout winter? Yes! We’re open year-round. That’s amazing. A lot of places were actually closed. Many places shut down for the winter season. Yeah, we saw a lot of that. But we’re open all year! That’s incredible. I do want to take a break, though. Oh, you’d like to? Honestly, I’m thinking about retiring soon. It’s been half a century. 50 years? Wow. So I think maybe it’s time… But if you retire, there won’t be anywhere left to eat like this around here. Well, you know… I don’t really do this for others, but for myself… That makes sense. Yeah, totally. It’d be nice if someone could take over. How about it? Would you do it? Move here and run the place? There’s an opportunity waiting! Honestly, though, if this place closes, I’ll be in trouble. If you retire, do you have any plans? I’d like to travel while I’m still healthy. Yeah, I bet. You all should come here while you’re still healthy, too! That’s another lesson learned today. There are things you can only do while you’re still fit. Like traveling. The same goes for visiting Okutsugaru. If you keep saying, “I’ll go someday,” you might never make it. So why not go now? I wish they had a “Wando Taxi” from Kobe, where I live. So, the people who catch the tuna and the ones who buy it are separate? Yeah, exactly. I see. Has the amount of tuna changed compared to the past? Not really? Other fish, yeah… They used to be more abundant, but now, due to climate change, they’re harder to catch. I hear that a lot. But what about tuna? Tuna’s still the same. So, it’s stable? Yeah, no changes. Sounds like a great business opportunity. Maybe I should move here and start fishing. Is Okutsugaru a good place to live? Yeah. Do you like living here? If you love nature, the sea, and mountains, it’s great. And the air… It’s incredibly fresh. It really is! The food’s great too, but… Shopping and hospitals can be a struggle. But you can buy stuff online now, right? Yeah, we do. Everything gets delivered. Amazon and all that. So shopping is still a bit inconvenient? We’re practically “shopping refugees.” I can still drive, so it’s okay. But once I’m unable to drive anymore, it’ll be tough. Ah, I see. You need to make reservations? Yeah, if you can book in advance that would be best. So just showing up like how I did isn’t a thing here? I got lucky this time, but… Everyone, make sure to reserve in advance! Are you open at night too? Yeah, but… Most customers are daytime tourists. Do you get a lot of foreigner customers? Yeah, we do! Oh, they know about this place? They sure do! Honestly, these days, foreigners know more about these spots than Japanese people. Their research skills are amazing. Yesterday, I was drinking near Aomori Station. A guy from Shanghai sat next to me. He said he wanted to try all the recommended dishes. And he actually ate everything. People from Shanghai are really refined. The image we had of Chinese tourists before is totally different now. Same with people from Taiwan. They follow the rules and manners properly. Yeah, exactly. They’re really polite. Maybe even more so than Japanese tourists. Honestly, they’re really impressive. Absolutely. The same tuna. But in Ōma… This one piece… Well, more like this chunk. How much do you think it costs? Over 10,000 yen? 12,000 to 13,000 yen. But it’s the exact same tuna, right? Just caught in a different location. The name alone changes the price. So, the tuna from Minmaya and the tuna from Ōma are the same, but just the name makes a difference in price? If I rebrand myself as “Ōma’s Mōri”… Would my value go up too? Wow, I’m learning so much. Names really do matter. Should I change my channel to “Ōma no Mōri”? Here’s what the sushi course looks like. The premium sushi set. Only 2,200 yen? That’s cheap. The 6,000-yen omakase course… Includes sashimi, local specialties… And sushi, too. Lots of options, it seems. This looks great. I need to come back here. Yeah, definitely. The fat on this tuna is incredible. My grandson, he’s a high schooler and he said it was too rich for him. During New Year’s. He absolutely loves tuna, though. Like, really loves it. A while back, he ate around 30 pieces. All toro… Two meals a day, and both were this. That’s insane. That’s why we put him on the poster at the entrance. I’ll have to go get a shot of it later. He was just three years old. Started appreciating premium flavors at three, huh? Oh, they ship nationwide too! This is it. A three-year-old eating that rich toro… That’s wild. That was delicious. Alright, from here, I’m heading to my ryokan (Japanese Inn) for the night. Taking the Wando Taxi Free Ride service! Quick detour! Minmaya Village Exchange Center “Kabuto” So, I was supposed to head straight to the ryokan, but on the way, I spotted an interesting place. Had to make a stop. Let’s check it out. Minmaya Village Exchange Center “Kabuto.” That’s the place. Wait… what? Closed!? The sign says, “Out of order, please open manually.” Okay so that’s what it meant. Close call… It’s closed tomorrow! Filming date: January 14, 2025. That was close… Looks like they serve food here too. Shaved ice, rice balls, hot pot-style gyudon… Minmaya’s local specialties. “Wakao Onigiri.” They also have fishing gear displays. Dried squid snacks… Stored in the fridge like this? Squid noodles too. This place really specializes in fresh seafood products. That rice ball is called “Wakao Onigiri.” Oh, there it is! That pork bowl looks amazing too. It’s made with pork marinated in grated onions and Aomori apples. Here it is! I just ate, but… This thing is huge. So, this is the onigiri. Alright, even though I just had that amazing tuna bowl… I’m gonna try this rice ball. This thing is massive. It’s more than just a rice ball— It’s literally a meal. Look at this… It’s rice completely wrapped in kelp. This is something else. Alright, here we go. The saltiness and aroma of the kelp… It’s incredible. And inside, you’ve got this warm, fluffy, delicious rice. This is so good. It’s simple, but absolutely amazing. Ahh, it’s warm and delicious! Who knew kelp and rice went this well together? Honestly, when I first decided to travel here, there was barely any info on Google Maps. I was like, “How’s this gonna go…?” I thought I’d be struggling to find food, completely lost on what to do. That’s what I expected. But once I got here, turns out, there are so many great places to eat. And with services like Wando Taxi, it’s super easy to get around. Even walking is fun here. You really won’t know until you go. I think now, after watching this video, you guys have a pretty good idea of what this place is like. So you can visit without any worries. But I was really nervous at first. So I’m grateful. I mean, who would’ve thought there’d be something like this onigiri? The rice they use is Akita Komachi. Akita was an amazing trip too. Wait… Did I eat it the right way? I mean, I ate it, but— Wait, is there a “correct” way to eat it? You didn’t know? So, the kelp… It’s wrapped in a certain way. The layers are arranged like this. So if you bite from this side, because of the way it’s layered, it should tear easily. But if you bite from the other side, it just keeps stretching forever. That’s how it works. …But I didn’t really notice that. Maybe I just got lucky. Or I just chomped through it. By the way, can you swim in the sea here in summer? Yep, you can. Even in a place like this? That’s awesome. Does the temperature get pretty warm? Isn’t it too cold to swim? Does it actually get hot in summer? Lately, it’s been warm enough for swimming. Thank you! Oh, that’s Kabuto Rock. That’s the famous Kabuto Rock. So people swim here? If I jumped in now, that’d be insane. Good thing this isn’t that kind of challenge channel. Wow. A snowy landscape with the ocean… I’ve never seen anything like this. Let’s look up Kabuto Rock. Kabuto Rock… Let’s ask ChatGPT. It’s a scenic spot tied to the legend of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. The rock is shaped like a kabuto (samurai helmet), hence the name. “The Place Where He Abandoned His Helmet.” Legend has it that Yoshitsune threw away his kabuto to hide. His helmet sank into the sea, and the rock took on its shape. I see. So, in the end, he fled to Mongolia? Interesting. By the way, have you watched my Mongolia videos? Apparently, Yoshitsune made it all the way there. Oh, look over there. At first, I thought those were seagulls… But they’re actually black-tailed gulls. Seagulls and black-tailed gulls look alike, so I asked ChatGPT what the difference is. Apparently, black-tailed gulls make a “meow” sound, like a cat. Whereas seagulls just screech loudly. Sounds like an insult, doesn’t it? Also, seagulls have plain yellow beaks, while black-tailed gulls have black and red markings. Black-tailed gulls stay here all year, but seagulls only show up in winter. It’s a subtle difference. They’re about the same size, but black-tailed gulls are slightly smaller. Honestly, you’d barely notice. By the way, that onigiri I had earlier… Apparently, they don’t use any salt at all. They just dry the kelp straight from the sea. So it’s literally just the natural flavors of the ocean. That’s some healthy food right there. Oh, looks like they’re selling land here. That beach we were at earlier is just around the corner. You could build a house right near the ocean. As I was walking, I noticed… Every house around here has an oil tank or something. Mimmaya’s local specialty, Ubatama. Heading to a 4.5-star-rated Japanese sweets shop. Sado Confectionery. Wait… is it even open? Ah, it is open. And they’re selling stuff! Hello! Do you only sell them in bulk? They come in packs of ten? Oh, so I have to buy ten? Alright then. So, what exactly is this Ubatama? What’s it made of? Honestly… I don’t really know. Wait, what!? Someone looked it up for me. Oh, there was someone who looked it up for you? I heard they have it in Kyoto too. Oh really? It’s mentioned in Heian-era poetry. It’s a poetic word related to dreams. It means something like “a bird’s feather jewel.” Honestly, I can’t really explain it well… Now I’m even more confused. Wait, what? So… what? I mean, what exactly is it? Does it have red bean paste inside? Is it filled with anko? Is it kind of like mochi? The outside is covered in gyuhi flour. Gyuhi flour? What’s that? It’s rice flour. Oh, rice flour? And the outer layer is mixed with sugar and a kind of rakugan powder. Then it’s dusted all over. I guess I won’t know until I try it. Alright, I’ll take some. Thanks! Have you been running this shop for a long time? Yes, I have. How many years…? Well, I married into this family 60 years ago. So, you’ve been running it for 60 years? And even before that… way before. Oh, so it’s been around for generations? That’s amazing. So, about 100 years in total? My grandfather ran a confectionery in Hakodate. But in 1934, it was lost in a great fire. My grandmother was originally from around here. So, they moved back and started over. Wow… So your grandfather was born in Hokkaido? He originally ran the business there? Yeah, that’s right. But eventually, they settled here. So this sweet really has a long history. Ryūhi Ryokan. Here we are at Ryūhi Ryokan. Thanks for having me. I’ll be having dinner here tonight. Apparently, this place has been around for over 100 years. They’ve taken me to the second floor. Wow, this is really nice. There are different kinds of rooms here. From here, you go downstairs… And that’s where the bath is. Over here, we have the toilets. And the shared washroom space. Then you walk down this hallway… I’ve left my luggage here. And this is my room. Ahh… This is nice. It’s snowing a little outside. And there’s a heater too. That’s all I need. It really has that island lodge feel. The futon is already laid out. And the windows… They make the whole room feel really open. There’s a TV too. And they even have yukata. Plus, the heater. And a rack for hanging clothes. Perfect. I really like it. I love how spacious it feels. If it weren’t for this open space… I might’ve felt a little cramped. But this really makes it cozy. This openness gives it such a relaxing vibe. There are outlets here… And over here too. Very convenient. And there’s even a desk, so I can get some work done. That’s really helpful. And the view from this hallway… Absolutely stunning. A snowy landscape. What a luxury. I was wondering why this wasn’t turning on… Turns out, I just forgot to plug it in. 6°C… It’s freezing in here. Let’s warm this place up. Now, let’s check the Wi-Fi speed. Oh! Not bad. Definitely fast enough to work with. That’s a relief. Even way out here in Okutsugaru… You can still get high-speed Wi-Fi. You could totally move here. And work remotely. Run a tuna shop on the side. Sounds like a solid plan. I know you’ve all been waiting for it. “When is he finally going to eat that thing?” Yeah, I kinda got sidetracked with the inn. But you were curious about those sweets, right? What was it called again? I already forgot. Just rewind and figure it out. Alright, here it is. Let’s give it a try. Looks good. I have no idea what it’s gonna taste like. Ahh… Totally not what I expected. The red bean paste is the main star. With mochi, the mochi itself is the main part. And the red bean paste is inside. But with this… It’s all about the red bean paste. And it’s just lightly wrapped in something soft. That’s the vibe. So fluffy. It’s different from mochi but just as good. It’s kinda mochi-like… But not as chewy as mochi. It’s super soft and airy. This is really good. I need coffee. Or maybe tea. There was water, so water it is. Guess I’ll use the next few days and take my time eating these little by little. Wait, would that even be okay? I totally forgot to ask about the expiration date. Whatever, it’s delicious. Absolute perfection. Hinoki bath. Oh! This looks amazing. Absolutely perfect. And the scent is incredible. This is fantastic. Time for a soak. Ahhh… This is pure bliss. The warmth seeps into my frozen bones. So soothing… This is heaven. Man, this is just perfect. Today really felt like a proper journey. And tomorrow… The main event: Cape Tappi. Super excited for it. Tsugaru Straits Winter Landscape… The real deal. I’m gonna see it. Can’t wait. This warmth… unreal. Absolutely incredible. Dinner time. Dinner at the inn. This is pure luxury. Sashimi. Tempura. Hot pot. Mozuku seaweed. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Too much foam again! Alright, let’s start. Beer after a bath? Absolute perfection. Alright, let’s dig in. Starting with the mozuku. Let’s try it. I always thought mozuku was just an Okinawan thing… Mozuku. Aomori-style mozuku. Whoa. This texture is incredible. Okinawan mozuku is great too… But this Aomori mozuku? A completely different experience. Can you hear this? This crunch… unreal. So good. And of course, That perfect balance of vinegar tanginess. I could eat this all day. I could honestly go for a hundred bowls of this. Alright, time for some sashimi. Yellowtail. Let’s dig in. Mmm. This is some next level stuff. Now, let’s try… Tuna. Earlier, I had tuna from Minmaya. This one’s from Tappi. Different name, but probably the same fish. Mmm. Yep, no doubt. Amazing. Sea bream. I eat sea bream a lot back home in Hyogo, so I wonder how this compares. Let’s find out. Here we go. Oh, it’s soft. Not firm and chewy— it’s got a delicate texture. Tender and translucent, a totally different kind of delicious. This is incredible. Next up, sea bass. Sea bass. Mmm. Sweet and buttery soft. Wow. This is disappearing fast. Asahi Super Dry. Cheers. Now, let’s try some tempura. I think this one’s a mushroom? Delicious. Even the mountain food is amazing here in Aomori. This place is unreal. So good. Absolute perfection. Alright, let’s try the sardine. Grilled sardine. That looks amazing. This one’s definitely gonna pair well with rice. Yep, another winner. Oden. Mmm. Oden… den… den… Man, I could go for some Dassai. That thought just popped into my head. Tsugaru Vidro. Oh, is this glassware made from it? Apparently, you should drink from this when eating tuna. That’s the proper way, huh? Alright, Dassai is here. Time to have a sip. How does this compare to the Yamahai I had earlier? Both are amazing. Still fruity, but this one has a sharper finish. A bit more crispness to it. Yeah, this is great. Dassai never disappoints. I kind of want to take some home. Even though I hardly drink at home. But when something tastes this good, I always end up buying it. And before I know it, my collection piles up. Aomori’s got some serious potential. Everything here is top-tier. Oh, speaking of which, something I noticed— there aren’t that many apples around. Aomori’s famous for apples, but they’re not really promoting them here. It’s not in your face at all. Anyway, let’s try the hotpot. Jappa-jiru. I wonder what it tastes like. Oh, there are clams in it. Even tiny ones. Warms you right up. This is seriously delicious. Everything just works so well together. Now, let’s try the salmon. Salmon. When I think of salmon, Norway usually comes to mind. But Aomori has its own? Didn’t expect that. Let’s see how it tastes. Oh wow. Aomori’s salmon is incredible. Why isn’t this more well-known? This is seriously top-notch. We gotta preserve places like this. These gems are irreplaceable. What a hidden treasure. That was an amazing meal. Picked up some local Aomori snacks. Found these at a convenience store. Alright, let’s try this one first. Special butter senbei. Butter senbei? What even is that? Here it is. Aomori has a lot of snacks like this. You see them everywhere. Super simple. I thought it’d be more like a buttery cookie, but it’s really light. Just a subtle hint of butter. A basic rice cracker with a gentle butter aroma. This could be addictive. The more you eat, the more it grows on you. Really good. Now, onto this one. Ground sesame. I actually had this before in Hachinohe. It was so good back then. Mmm. It’s kind of like brown sugar. Sweet. With sesame, you wouldn’t expect much flavor, but this is seriously good. I could eat this every day. I love wasabi-flavored Kaki-Pi, but this might be my new favorite. What a lineup. This is top-tier. These local specialties are always the best. Aomori, Okutsugaru, Cape Tappi – Day 2. Here’s my breakfast. Let’s dig in. Just having a warm miso soup in the morning feels like a blessing. Time to head out. On to the first stop of the day. Cape Tappi. Alright, our first destination today— we took the Wando Taxi Free Service and arrived at the Cape Tappi Lighthouse parking lot. Here we go. Alright, from here on… some spots are a bit far apart. If you book the free taxi service in advance, you can schedule it in 30-minute intervals. That way, you explore for 30 minutes and move to the next spot. That’s the best way to do it. But be warned— last-minute bookings might be full, so book early. Highly recommended. That said… it is freezing. What the heck? No, no, no. The wind is insane. My wig— My wig is about to fly off! This is brutal. So freaking cold! But this view… is breathtaking. Oh wow, look at that! This is a killer view. Okay my ears are frozen. And check this out—this vending machine… is completely empty. Even vending machines can take days off. What is happening here?! This one still works, though. And they even have hot drinks! Blessed. But this other one? Completely shut down. Closed for business. This is the only survivor. Hanging in there. And even the souvenir shop… is closed! What’s going on?! Oh, it says they’re “hibernating.” The northernmost souvenir shop in Tsugaru Peninsula is closed for winter. Well, makes sense. I mean… this wind is absolutely insane. Even the timetable sign for the taxi service got knocked over. Let’s at least stand it back up. So there’s a set schedule, too. You can take the fixed-route service. Oh wait, I see. So if you take this one, you can only go back? Damn. This is one next level view. There’s a staircase here. Looks like we can use it to reach the next spot. But man, it’s freezing! Seems like we can go further down from here. I really wanna check out the lighthouse, but… Wait, the lighthouse is closed too?! Seriously? Looks like we can still walk up there. Somebody’s footprints are here. Let’s check it out. This place is insane. I heard this part of Tsugaru is known for its strong winds. But yesterday, it wasn’t that bad. I thought I’d be fine. But nope. Today, it’s going all out. But what a stunning sight. You don’t see this every day. There it is—Tappi Lighthouse. Finally made it! That’s the lighthouse. Absolutely breathtaking. And over there… is that an observation deck? This is crazy. What a view. We made it. Tappi Misaki—Tsugaru Peninsula. Here it is! Yes! Whoa. That’s the Tsugaru Strait! The famous one. And over there… That’s Hakodate! I can see Hakodate from here. The wind is brutal. This is insane. Seriously, this wind! From the northernmost tip of the Tsugaru Peninsula… Don’t forget to subscribe! Travel is the best self-investment! We made it. Just incredible. What is this wind?! No, no, no. It’s way too cold! This is insane! But amazing. Just look at this view! Wow. My face is freezing. Seriously, my face is frozen! This is unreal. Absolutely breathtaking. Unbelievable. That building over there is Rest House Tappi. But… It’s closed for the winter. Makes sense. No way they could keep it open in these winds. Alright, let’s head down there. Gotta check it out. Alright then. Let’s make our way down. Wait, what is that? An umbrella? Something’s… coming this way. Something’s flying toward me. It’s an umbrella! This is crazy. I mean, really? Coming all the way out here in this cold? Am I insane? I can see people saying that. But listen. There’s just something about places like this. Going to the edge of the world, the northernmost tip— It’s about the romance of it. If you only live life rationally, it’s not that interesting, is it? If you wanna be totally rational, then travel itself is unnecessary. That’s what it comes down to. But life… We only get one. So we gotta do what we can. We gotta experience it. And places like this— Look. The northernmost tip of Tsugaru Peninsula. There’s something special about it. At least once in your life, you’re gonna wanna come here. That’s what this place teaches you. The northernmost point of Tsugaru Peninsula, Tappizaki.
1745
01:19:36,138 –> 01:1937,806
It really is… A perfect example of how travel is an investment in yourself and how it’s always worth it. Seriously, travel is self-investment. I was about to come up with a whole new phrase just now. What is this? Huh? No way… These footprints… they’re not human! Look, look, look! A cat? Nah, too big for a cat. This is bad… seriously. What is this? A bear!? Oh man… Who do these footprints belong to? A kid!? These are tiny footprints… They’re all over the place. Wait, look over there! It says “Staircase National Road.” A national road? I thought roads were only for cars… But this is an actual staircase national road? That’s pretty cool. But seriously, what are these footprints? A child, maybe? No, these are definitely not human. Compared to human footprints, they’re like half the size. It’s gotta be an animal. Something’s lurking around here… Alright, we’ve made it down. The Staircase National Road. Oh! The famous stair road! “Risk of ice formation” “Closed.” Are you kidding me? Wait, stairs can have an off-season? No way… But hey, even just being here feels like an adventure. Honestly… I’d love to come back during the summer. It must feel totally different. But still, Tsugaru Strait… You gotta see it in winter. That’s the real deal. That’s what it’s all about. You can actually walk down these stairs. Yeah, you can follow the Staircase National Road down. Oh, look at that! A statue of the Tsugaru Strait… Wait, no. It’s more like a monument. Let’s go check it out. I hear some kind of music playing. Tsugaru Strait Winter Scenery Song Monument. Wait, could it be…? Is it THAT? I’ve been holding back from saying it out loud… But is this really what I think it is? I made it to the Tsugaru Strait Winter Scenery Song Monument! This has to be it, right? Here we go! Tsugaru National Park, Cape Tappi. Sayuri Ishikawa! Here it is! I finally made it. Tsugaru Strait Winter Scenery. This is THE Tsugaru Strait Winter Scenery. Absolutely breathtaking. 〽︎ “From the moment I got off the night train from Ueno…” I only remember this song from watching New Year’s Eve music shows as a kid. Just the beginning and the end. That’s all I remember. For people my age, that’s probably the case. The lyrics even mention Cape Tappi. It’s right there in the song. “Look, there’s Cape Tappi.” 〽︎ “Look, there it is, Cape Tappi, the northernmost tip…” This song is amazing. Such a classic. Oh! There’s a button. Does it play the song!? Nothing’s happening. It’s not working. Yeah… no sound at all. I really wanted to hear it. Wait, I could just play it on my phone… Oh, but if I do that… I can’t put it on YouTube. Damn. And right at this moment… The snow starts falling hard! This is it! 〽︎ “From the moment I got off the night train from Ueno…” 〽︎ “Tsugaru Strait Winter Scenery…” Perfect. Tsugaru Strait Winter Scenery. And with that, remember—travel is the best self-investment! There’s a place called “Tappi Diner” over there… Of course, it’s closed. Closed? More like shut down for the winter. Man… Everything’s closed around here. “Business operations have ended for this year.” Wait, it’s already 2025 though. Let’s hope the 2025 season hasn’t ended before it even started. Filming date: January 15, 2025. It’s January 15th. Come on! Please open this year! Osamu Dazai Literary Monument. Osamu Dazai Literary Monument. There are so many monuments here. And… a lion? That’s kinda random. Osamu Dazai… Here we are. Oh… wait. This is actually a monument for Makino Itsuzō. Not Osamu Dazai. What the…? What’s going on here? And what’s with the lion? Seriously, why is there a lion? Ah, here’s the real Osamu Dazai monument. Born in Kitatsugaru, Aomori Prefecture. His book *No Longer Human* is really famous. This monument features a passage from *Tsugaru*, a book he wrote after traveling through the region. He did his research here from May 12 to June 5, 1944, and published the book in December that year. So this is it—Osamu Dazai. He called this place “the dead-end of Honshu.” The snow’s picking up. Whoa. Oh man. What’s this? More monuments. This one says “Road Completion Commemorative Monument.” Well, this is actually kinda nice. Alright then. It’s just within walking distance, so I walked over. And guess what? You can actually do some island hopping on the Tsugaru Peninsula! See that little island up ahead? That’s Obi Island. And you can walk to it. Yeah, you can walk there… but man, this wind. It’s freezing. I wonder what the sensible temperature is. How cold is it actually? The thermometer says 0°C, but I swear it feels way colder. Definitely lower than that. Alright! Stepping onto Obi Island! Benzaiten Shrine. What’s this? Looks impressive. So many torii gates. This is actually pretty cool. Rows and rows of torii gates. What exactly is on this island? What… what is this place? Such a mysterious little island. That path over there is a dead end. And this side is just a wall of rocks. Yeah, another dead end here. What is this thing? Am I supposed to climb up here? A hike… at this point!? You gotta be kidding me. Nope. That looks way too dangerous.
*Do not attempt this! Wait… are we really supposed to climb? I mean, it *looks* climbable, but… Uhh… Oh wow. Made it up here. Incredible. Absolutely stunning. That was quite a climb. Alright. At first, this place seemed like nothing special. But apparently, there’s a legend about Yoshitsune. He tried to head north to Hokkaido from here. Yoshitsune himself. That’s what makes this island historically significant. It’s pretty famous. The story goes that when he was about to set off north, he stopped here to tighten his *obi* (belt). That’s how it got the name “Obi Island.” Didn’t know that! Once again, travel is the best self-investment! Heading to a Japanese restaurant inside a hotel. Dining spot *Kaikyō*. Man, the snow is coming down hard. Time to get some food. Oh, they have day-use hot springs here. Starts from 3 PM, though. So this place is actually a hotel. Oh wow. This menu looks amazing. Marinated tuna rice bowl. Tsugaru pork bowl. Looks so good. Ramen. Sea Strait Ramen. They even have Yoshitsune Don. And Benkei Udon. Wow. So many things I wanna try! And there’s also a gift shop. It’s called “Ryūhi Souvenir Shop.” They even have apple juice. Finally, the apples have made an appearance! And there’s sake too. Look at that, Ryūhi-zaki sake. Aomori is also famous for garlic, right? Tsugaru wine. And Hakkōda. Ryūhi-zaki Matsukawa Karei Bowl. This is their top recommendation. Yeah. On a clear day, you can see Hokkaido from here. Not today, though. Here it is! The Ryūhi-zaki Matsukawa Karei Bowl. This looks seriously good. And I think this is miso soup. Apple juice. “Fujiko-chan.” Alright, let’s dig in. This is my first time having this. Even the miso soup tastes a bit different. The seaweed is way more flavorful. And man, this really warms you up. I was freezing out there. Alright, time for the main dish. Ryūhi-zaki Matsukawa Karei. Mmm. The texture is amazing! Oh wow. This is really good. What’s this topping? Maybe a different cut of the fish? This one… This one tastes more like sashimi. Super crunchy texture. This place actually… Had ramen on the menu too. And a seafood bowl topped with uni. Marinated tuna bowl. Tons of good stuff. It was really hard to choose. But they said this was their top recommendation. And yeah, no regrets. You can’t get this anywhere else. Totally worth coming all the way to the northern tip of Tsugaru. Uni and shiitake mushrooms. This pairs so well with rice. It was just too cold out there, so instead of sake, I went with apple juice. Turns out, the juice is cold too. Starting to feel that Aomori vibe now. Actually, from here… I could just end the trip now, but there’s something I just can’t forget. That one thing— the Imabetsu beef I saw at Askul near Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station. That beef. I can’t stop thinking about it. So yeah, I’m going to go get some. It’s quite a trek back, though. But with the Wando Taxi ride, it’s only 500 yen. And since tonight, I’m heading back to the same inn as last night, a round-trip is just 1,000 yen. Super affordable. So yeah, next stop: Back to Imabetsu. Restaurant hopping. This is the best. If I took a regular taxi, the fare would be ridiculous. So with that money saved, I can afford two meals instead. This is the way to travel. The scenery outside is changing too. But my camera won’t focus on it. It keeps focusing on the raindrops on the window. Oh, here we go! Can you guys see Hokkaido? If you empty your mind, you might just be able to see it. I can see it. I have some time before my Wando Taxi ride arrives, so I figured I’d take a quick dip in a day-use onsen here. It’s open during hours when hotel guests aren’t using it, so perfect for a quick soak while I wait. That was the plan. But guess what? Turns out… They’re doing maintenance today. It won’t open until 3 PM. Are you kidding me!? Usually, it’s open, so if you guys ever come here, just call a Wando Taxi, grab a meal, and then soak while you wait. That’s the best way to do it. Checking out the area while waiting for the Wando Taxi. Nearby, there’s the Seikan Tunnel Museum and the Michi-no-Eki Minmaya rest stop. But yeah, they’re both closed for the season. Wando Taxi. This Wando Taxi service has been a game-changer this trip. Let me give you a quick rundown. You can book it online or by phone. Online bookings open from a week in advance up to the day before. But if you need a ride on short notice, same-day bookings are by phone only and must be made at least 60 minutes ahead. I originally booked mine for 2 PM today, but since I couldn’t use the onsen, I wanted to leave earlier. So I called, and they let me move it up by an hour. It’s now 12:30, so I switched it to 1:30 PM. Since phone reservations can get busy, I highly recommend booking online about a week in advance. That way, you can avoid last-minute stress. Waiting in the hotel lobby, I suddenly heard something. Like a deep rumble. When I looked around, I realized— right beneath this hotel, the Seikan Tunnel runs through. And whenever the bullet train is about to pass, the ceiling lights flash in rainbow colors as a signal. Just now, they lit up. Looking at the time—yep. Exactly. 1:22 PM. That was the Hayabusa No. 22. It just passed through. If I wanted to see another one, it’d be in about two hours. Next one’s at 3:22 PM. But I won’t be here to see it. Dang. Right below. The train runs directly under us. Here comes the free-route Wando Taxi. That’s my ride. Man, it’s freezing. There’s also a fixed-route service here, but I booked the free-route one. Now I’m heading back to Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station. I could have taken the fixed-route service, but if I did, I’d have to wait until 2:28 PM. So I went with the free-route booking instead. Alright, let’s go. Are there a lot of free-route bookings? Well, it depends on the day… Not so much this time of year, but yeah, it varies. Thank you very much! Back at the starting point. I’ll be starting from here again tomorrow. Man, the wind is strong! Super grateful for this free-route service. Alright then, time to grab some food. Michi-no-Eki Imabetsu Askull. Alright, we’re back again. I’m starving! Starving! Even though I just ate, huh? Imabetsu Beef. I came all the way here just to try the Imabetsu beef, but… Wait… wait… No way. You gotta be kidding me. The 200g Imabetsu beef steak… is unavailable today. This is heartbreaking. Maybe this one? The Imabetsu beef yakiniku set? This “Okutsugaru Beko Hotpot Set” looks interesting too. Or the Wild Boar Hotpot Set. Mozuku Udon? Looks like they use the mozuku udon they sell here. This “Boar Healthy Bowl” sounds intriguing. I didn’t know they had days off for the steak. Of course, today is one of them. Well, I’m heading to Hakodate on the last day, so maybe I can get my revenge before then. Here it is! The Beko Hotpot Set! Looks delicious. Alright then, this will be my final meal for today. Wait, final meal? That sounds weird. The final meal of the trip. Since I’m using the Wando Taxi, I can drink! So, I’ll enjoy a beer with this. A hotpot to warm me up. Gotta be good. Let’s dig in. Whoa, my beer is practically frozen. This is perfection. Can’t think of a better way to end the day. So this is the Okutsugaru Beko beef. And this is Imabetsu beef. I was planning to try it today, but no luck. Basically, there’s a breed called Okutsugaru Beko beef, and the ones raised in Imabetsu are called Imabetsu beef. So technically, I’m still eating Imabetsu beef. I mean, it’s the same cattle, right? It’s like tuna—just depends on where it’s caught. Same thing. Alright, let’s dig in. Here we go. Mmm… So tender. And it’s got this nice, natural sweetness. It’s got a kind, gentle flavor. Kinda like the warmth of the people in Okutsugaru. Alright, next up… Mozuku seaweed soba for the finisher. Let’s give it a try. I think the mozuku seaweed is kneaded into the noodles. It’s really light. And the aftertaste has a nice hint of the seaweed. But with this hot pot, the soup’s flavor is really strong, so it kinda overpowers the soba itself. Still good, though. Ahh… Man, just a few hours ago, I had that rice bowl at Cape Tappi. But I can still eat. That’s how good this is. If it’s delicious, there’s always room for more. I swear, food like this is unlimited. What an incredible trip. Okutsugaru… This time, I mainly explored Cape Tappi. But what did it look like from your perspective? It really had that remote island vibe. Just walking around the town, you can feel the atmosphere from the people living here. So many interesting spots. So much to take in. And the history with Yoshitsune, too. Tracking his journey made it even more fun. Even just soaking in the scenery was incredible. And of course… the seafood—especially the tuna. Every single dish was amazing. Seriously, this place is full of hidden gems. If the train line shuts down and no one can get here, that’d be such a waste. But thanks to the Wando Taxi service, it’s easier to visit than ever. This is definitely a place you have to visit at least once in your life. Seriously. It was amazing. Tomorrow, I’m heading to the opposite side— the eastern area. I’m really looking forward to it. Hope you guys check that out too! Traveling in winter… I mean, so many places were closed for the season. Seasonal closures, temporary closures… And even with all that, I still had an amazing time. Now imagine if everything was open. I bet it’d be even better. I’d love to come back in summer. Oh, and here, they have this “One-Shot Pumpkin Soft Serve.” I was about to try it, but… It’s only available in fall. Oh well, guess that’s something to look forward to in autumn. Each season has its own charm. And look at that—perfect weather for the ending! Absolutely beautiful. What a fantastic trip. Hey everyone, do you use a “wearable backpack” when traveling? I’ve got one on right now. Check this out. At first glance, it doesn’t look like it holds much, but actually, it’s packed! I’ve got my wallet in here, business cards, passport, earphones… Everything I need. And if I suddenly feel like playing, I’ve got my Nintendo Switch too! Wanna battle? No problem. Got an extra controller in here. And it still stays super slim. Oh, and keys! You can clip your car keys here too. Or throw in your wallet. Though, at this point, how many wallets do I need!? And on the outside, there are two extra pockets. Perfect for disinfecting wipes or small stuff. And guess what—on the back, there’s even a spot for a water bottle! Just when you think, “Wow, that’s a lot of storage,” there’s even more! On the back, you can fit a laptop. With this, you’re totally set. Going out for food while traveling? Might wanna game on your Switch. Maybe some work pops up. Or you just get thirsty—who knows? No worries, it all fits. Backpacks are great, but there’s always the risk of pickpockets. With this wearable backpack, travelers, this is a must-have! Invest in your journey!

提供：青森県

今回は一生に一度は行って欲しい青森なのになかなか誰も行かない奥津軽旅行・龍飛崎編をお届けいたします！
自分の中の国内旅行ランキング上位に入るほどの素晴らしいグルメと絶景に
心奪われる旅になりました！

青森県の奥津軽地域にある**龍飛崎（たっぴざき）は、
津軽半島の最北端に位置し、津軽海峡を望む絶景の地として知られています。

この地域の中心となる外ヶ浜町（そとがはままち）の人口は約5,000人。
※参考
外ヶ浜町HP統計：4,978人（2025年1月31日）
青森県庁HP住民基本台帳人口：4,930人（2025年1月）
公益財団法人国土地理協会：5096人（2024年4月）
ウィキペディア推計人口：4,637人（2025年1月）

かつては本州と北海道を結ぶ交通の要所であり、古くから海上交易が盛んな地域でした。
龍飛崎の歴史をたどると、この地は航海の難所として知られ、江戸時代には津軽藩の監視所が置かれていました。
明治時代以降は、北海道との連絡船が運航されるようになり、昭和には日本最長の青函トンネルが建設されました。龍飛崎には、その歴史を伝える青函トンネル記念館があり、トンネル工事の貴重な資料を見ることができます。

龍飛崎はまた、「風の岬」としても知られています。冬は強風が吹き荒れることで有名で、風速30メートルを超える突風が吹きつけることもあります。そのため、この地域には「階段国道」と呼ばれる珍しい国道があり、現在も観光地として人気です。

※以下Amazing AOMORIより
「なぜここが国道になっているのかは諸説ありますが、階段があったところを含めて道路整備をする予定で国道に指定したものの、70mという高低差・民家が密集という条件に阻まれて階段部分は改良がなされぬまま時が過ぎ現在に至るとか。」

この地域のグルメといえば、新鮮な海の幸が自慢です。
特に、津軽海峡で獲れるマグロは絶品です。また、ホタテやイカも名産で、シンプルな焼き物や刺身で食べるのが一般的です。さらに、地元の郷土料理であるじゃっぱ汁は、魚のアラを使った温かい味噌汁で、寒い季節にぴったりの一品です。

アクセスは奥津軽いまべつ駅から乗合タクシーわんタク定期便・フリー便を使えば快適に観光することができます。今回の旅でもわんタク定期便・フリー便を使いこなして旅をしています。

「わんタクフリー便・定時便」は、青森県津軽エリアで運行されている乗合タクシーサービス。

料金：利用区間に関係なく、1回の乗車につき中学生以上は500円、小学生以下や障がい者、75歳以上の高齢者、免許返納者、JR津軽線（蟹田以北）区間を含むJRのおトクなきっぷまたは定期券所有者、今別町・外ヶ浜町在住のマイナンバーカード所有者は300円で利用できます。

「わんタクフリー便」は、津軽エリア内の指定された運行エリアで利用可能です。

利用には事前予約が必要。WEB予約は24時間受付で、乗車の1週間前から前日まで可能。電話予約は8:00～20:00の間で、乗車の1週間前から当日の60分前まで受け付けています。支払い方法は、現金のほか、Suicaなどの交通系電子マネー、クレジットカード、QRコード決済が利用可能です。

詳細や最新情報は、公式サイトで確認してください
https://wantaku.jp/

教えたくない！いやでもこっそり教えたい！
そんな一生に一度は行くべき大人の穴場旅行先！
ぜひ大画面でゆっくりご覧くださいませ！

もーりーチャンネルのメンバー募集中！表では言えない裏話や非公開動画見れます！
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfNVLQ0xYJyjHVEdlOyuHcQ/join

※2025年1月撮影

「着るリュック。」や旅は自己投資Tシャツはこちらから
https://morryshop.com/

———————————————————
関連動画
———————————————————

絶対に失敗しない函館の巡り方2泊3日旅行【おすすめ・観光・居酒屋・グルメ・ラーメン・ホテル・北海道函館】

【本当は教えたくない】死ぬまでに行きたい青森混浴秘湯グルメ巡り旅したら人生最高すぎた【不老ふ死温泉・酸ヶ湯温泉・弘前・青森駅・観光・絶景】Aomori, Japanhttps://youtu.be/uyUE_rUUpes

青森ねぶた祭・弘前ねぷた祭り飲み歩き

【保存版】星野リゾート　青森屋のサービスが人生最高すぎた！ねぶた・りんご・温泉・グルメが感動レベルだった【徹底解説・旅行・観光・客室・宿泊記】

【保存版】予約困難！青森で究極に癒されるラグジュアリーホテル/星野リゾート奥入瀬渓流ホテル/絶景温泉風呂＆渓流スイートルームが最高すぎた【青森・旅行・グルメ・観光・客室・徹底解説宿泊記】

【青森】八戸で欲望のままにはしご酒。ご当地絶品グルメを食べ飲みまくる旅行【八食センター・みろく横丁・平目漬丼・八仙・東北・観光】全国47都道府県制覇の旅

———————————————————　
再生リスト
———————————————————
オフ旅だけを観たい人、与論島動画だけ観たい人、温泉旅行だけ観たい人、、、それぞれまとめて動画を見ることができます！ぜひご活用くださいませ！
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfNVLQ0xYJyjHVEdlOyuHcQ/playlists

———————————————————
もーりーの自己紹介
———————————————————
旅は自己投資！旅して稼ぐ40代社長もーりーが一生に一度は行きたい大人な穴場の旅行先、ホテルレビュー、飛行機・船等の乗り物のレビューといった旅全般の動画配信をしていきます。ビール・日本酒・焼酎・ウイスキー・ワインなどお酒も好き。
ぜひTVなど大画面でご覧ください。
Google評価4.0以上のグルメ優良店・観光スポットを狙っていきます！

旅の情報だけではなく、少しでも多くの方が自由な生き方ができるようになることを願ってビジネス視点も交えながら発信していきます！
公式JALトラベルレポーターとしても活動。
SNS【X（旧Twitter）/Instagram】のフォローもよろしくお願いします！

・知られざるホンモノのスポットを知りたい方
・40代以上のある程度ゆとりのある方
・ポジティブな方
・お酒好きな方
・単なる価格ではなく価値を重視する方
・安全で大人な旅を望む方

こんな方に観ていただきたいです！

取材依頼はお気軽にお問い合わせくださいませ。
もーりーを右腕役として一緒に仕事したい方はお気軽にメッセージくださいませ。

———————————————————
旅程
———————————————————
神戸空港
青森空港
JR青森駅

【翌日】【青森・奥津軽・龍飛崎の旅 1日目】
JR奥津軽いまべつ駅
JR今別駅
今別八幡宮
JR津軽浜名駅
なもわーも
浜どころ 海
義経寺
秀鮨
三厩村総合交流促進センターかぶと
佐渡菓子店
（宿泊）龍飛旅館

【青森・奥津軽・龍飛崎の旅 2日目】
龍飛崎
津軽海峡冬景色歌謡碑
太宰治文学碑
道路竣成記念之碑
帯島
弁財天宮
龍飛崎温泉 ホテル竜飛
食事処 海峡
青函トンネル記念館
道の駅いまべつアスクル

———————————————————
タイムスタンプ
———————————————————
0:00 オープニング
0:51 青森県・奥津軽・龍飛崎 基本情報
2:24 青森・奥津軽・龍飛崎の旅スタート
5:17 青森空港に到着
6:10 JR青森駅に到着

6:23 【翌日】新青森駅からJR奥津軽いまべつ駅へ向かう
6:30 奥津軽いまべつ駅を散策
10:48 乗合タクシー「わんタク」に乗る
13:48 JR今別駅に到着
14:57 JR今別駅周辺散策
18:01 今別八幡宮を観光
21:04 JR今別駅周辺散策
31:02 JR津軽浜名駅に立ち寄る
32:46 なもわーも
33:43 浜どころ 海
34:27 義経寺を散策
41:15 秀鮨で三厩鮪丼（特上）を食べる
50:19 三厩村総合交流促進センターかぶとで名物「若生おにぎり」を食べる
56:24 佐渡菓子店で「うばたま」を購入
58:33 （宿泊）龍飛旅館
1:01:08 部屋で「うばたま」を食べる
1:02:26 入浴
1:04:06 龍飛旅館で夕食
1:10:59 部屋で青森のお菓子を食べる

1:12:32 青森・奥津軽・龍飛崎の旅 2日目
1:13:21 龍飛崎を観光
1:21:23 津軽海峡冬景色歌謡碑を観光
1:24:21 太宰治文学碑を観光
1:25:23 道路竣成記念之碑を観光
1:26:40 帯島に上陸
1:26:59 弁財天宮を観光
1:27:24 帯島を散策
1:29:40 龍飛崎温泉 ホテル竜飛内の食事処 海峡で龍飛崎マツカワガレイ丼を食べる
1:35:15 青函トンネル記念館
1:35:28 乗合タクシー「わんタク」について説明
1:36:26 龍飛崎温泉 ホテル竜飛
1:38:41 道の駅いまべつアスクルで奥津軽べこ鍋定食を食べる
1:43:47 青森・奥津軽・龍飛崎の旅の振り返り
1:44:28 エンディング

#もーりーチャンネル#観光#旅行#グルメ#青森#奥津軽#龍飛崎#三厩#津軽半島