Tsugaru

Tsugaru refers to the western part of Aomori Prefecture, Japan, encompassing the Tsugaru Peninsula and surrounding areas. The name derives from historic Tsugaru Province, a former administrative region that covered much of the area during the Edo period.

Geography: The Tsugaru Peninsula extends southward into the Sea of Japan, with its eastern coast facing Mutsu Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The northern boundary is formed by the Tsugaru Strait, which separates Honshu from Hokkaido. The Seikan Tunnel, an undersea railway tunnel under the strait, connects Aomori with Hakodate and has been in operation since 1988.

Culture and economy: The region is associated with Tsugaru-jamisen, a three-stringed shamisen style noted for fast, virtuosic playing. The Tsugaru dialect (Tsugaru-ben) is widely recognized within Japan. The economy relies on fishing, agriculture, and tourism; Hirosaki and the surrounding area host historical sites such as Hirosaki Castle and the Sannai-Maruyama archaeological site.

History: In the Edo period, the Tsugaru region was ruled by the Tsugaru clan as part of Hirosaki Domain in Mutsu Province. Following the Meiji Restoration, the area became part of Aomori Prefecture.