Have you ever seen an apple flower? The apple flower is slightly pink on the outside and white on the inside. Once it fruits it gradually changes from bright green to a red. At the onsen inn Asobenomori Iwakisou you can enjoy many tour options surrounded by those apples, just relax at an onsen, eat local delicacies, and listen to Tsugaru-jamisen live music.
Overjoyed by being surrounded by apples on Apple Road
Historically Mt. Iwaki has been said to be the home of god as Moriyama and called Asobenomori. To get to Iwakisou take the Ohu Line to the Hirosaki Station, by car take the Tohoku highway and take the Ohwanihirosaki IC exit and go past Apple Road to the inn. This Apple Road is surrounded by apple orchards as far as the eye can see, and when you stop the car on the way you can be overjoyed by being surrounded by apples!
Although apples are close to our daily lives, but have you ever seen an actual apple tree?
I went in early August but there were many apples that were starting to blush and on the cusp of changing bright red.
Trying to master Tsugaru dialect in a large bath house that has a strong hinoki aroma
First thing after reaching the inn is heading to the onsen! The main reason why I chose this inn is its onsen built out of Aomori Hiba (a type of hinoki Cyprus). The scent of Hiba is known for its calming effects not just for smelling great, so here you can feel the warmth of wood while the aroma deeply relaxes you.
There is also an outdoor bath that utilizes the natural contours of the land and natural rocks to create it, making it popular among locals. This also makes it a perfect place to try to master the Tsugaru dialect of Japanese! Of course the inn staff all speak this too so listen carefully when they guide you around.
Although I didn’t understand one bit of it, Tsugaru dialect feels very welcoming and nostalgic even.
By the time you leave you will learn some basic Tsugaru dialect, enough to actually have a conversation.
Take advantage of the contact with the locals and learn some Tsugaru dialect yourself it is definitely a challenge!
To no know that there were tones that can make your heart quiver like this…
Next up is the Tsugaru-jamisen live music after bathing here at Iwakisou. The idyllic Tsugaru dialect, and the sounds of the shamisen made my heart quiver. There were no assigned seats or anything just everyone gathered around comfortably to lend an ear. After relaxing body and soul, I was so moved a tear rolled down my cheek.
I wonder what it is here that makes me feel like I just came home to my homeland, on just the second time I visited Tsugaru.
Eating Kaiyaki, a Tsugaru local delicacy
There are many different tour plans here at Iwakisou, and based on which one you choose you can choose what is included for the meal.
You can cook your own food like if you rented a summer home, or a full course meal like a normal inn, and plan it how you like to have your own tailored tour packages. From the rooms you can see a panorama of Mt. Iwaki! Allowing you to be comforted by the view no matter where you are in the inn.
This time I chose to eat the local delicacy by the hearth. The image is of Kaiyaki, which is eggs and scallops that has a very subtle miso flavor to it.
At this inn you can enjoy all of what Iwaki has to offer!
As long as you are taking at trip of course you want to make it custom to your wants and needs right? This time I was able to enjoy the Aomori Nebuta festival from spectator seats. I went to 1 day each of the Aomori Nebuta, and Hirosaki Nebuta festivals. There is a bus from the inn that takes you and watching the festival from the spectator seats is a memory I will never forget. There are plans where you can experience being one of the dancers in the matsuri festivals while chanting “Lassela~” to excite the crowds, or you can hike on Mt. Iwaki, or even pick apple flowers, any of which are unique to Tsugaru and available year round.
Nearby there is the Mt. Iwaki Shrine and the beech forests of Shirakami Mountains, the squid grilling shop where the dog Wasao stays who was put in a movie, and finally the legendary corn called Dakekimi can be had making this area full of fun surprises.
Each option needs prior reservation and are limited by season, so check first with the inn.
Go on vacation here to enjoy a customized and extravagant trip to enjoy all that Tsugaru has on offer!
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