• CONTENTS:
• Historic buildings
• Culture related to Western-style buildings
• Museum

Nationally designated special historic site
Sannai Maruyama Site (Aomori City)

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This site is the remains of one of Japan’s largest communities in the Jomon period of approximately 4,000 to 5,500 years ago.  A number of remains including the remains of large pit dwellings, and buildings with columns embedded in the ground have been discovered.

• Approximately 25 minutes by bus from the JR Aomori Station

Osamu Dazai Museum in Kanagi Town Shayo-kan (Kanagi Town)

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This is the birthplace of Osamu Dazai, the most prominent writer from Aomori.  In the warehouse, there is an exhibition room displaying manuscripts written by Osamu Dazai, and his favorite cloak.

• Approximately seven minutes on foot from the Tsugaru Railway Kanagi Station

Hokoji Temple (Nanbu Town)

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Shoyoto is the tallest three-story pagoda in Japan, and it houses the oldest Buddha’s ashes in Japan.  There is also the 650-year-old Senbonmatsu (one thousand pines), which is a prefectural protected species, and 1000-year-old Jiisugi (Japanese cedar).  Visitors can also experience Zen sitting meditation.

• Approximately 15 minutes by car from the Aoimori Railway Kenyoshi Station

National important cultural property
Five-story pagoda in Saishoin Temple (Hirosaki City)

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The five-story pagoda was built in 1667 in order to hold a service for the war deaths of friends and enemies alike at the time of unifying Tsugaru.  Of all the five-story pagodas in Honshu, Japan, this five-story pagoda of 31.2 meters in height with a beautiful contrast of copper-red walls and white stucco is located in the northernmost part of Honshu.

• Approximately 15 minutes by bus from the JR Hirosaki Station

Iwakisan Shrine (Iwaki Town)

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The Iwakisan Shrine was built at the base of Mt. Iwaki called Tsugaru Fuji about 1,200 years ago.  A two-story giant gate of 22 meters in height, an inner gate, the hall of worship, and the main shrine were designated as important cultural properties.  The main building with richly colored, elaborately carved sculpture is quite impressive.

• Approximately 40 minutes by bus from the JR Hirosaki Station

Jesus Christ’s grave (Shingo Village)

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It is said that a legend that Jesus Christ secretly came to Japan was found in ancient documents discovered in 1935.  Even now, crosses that are said to the graves of Jesus Christ and his little brother Jesus Chri stand next to each other.

• Fifty minutes by car from the JR Hachinohe Station

National treasure Akaito-odoshi Yoroikabuto/Osodetsuki (Hachinohe City)

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This armor was made of red-dyed plaited threads and black lacquered scales in the early Kamakura period.  The armor is also called “Kikuichimonji no Yoroi” because it is adorned with ornamental plated metal in a chrysanthemum pattern with a straight horizontal line symbolizing number one.

• Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine Approximately 10 minutes by car from the JR Hachinohe Station