Kuroishi
city in Aomori Prefecture, Japan
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Understand
editGet in
editGet around
editThe historic district is within walking distance of Kuroishi Station. There are buses to the Kuroishi Onsen area.
See
edit- 1 Tsugaru Kokeshi Museum (津軽こけし館). The museum is on the second floor of the building. It features kokeshi dolls from each of Tohoku's kokeshi schools along with specifics about the Tsugaru-style kokeshi. On the first floor, you can see "Japan's Biggest Jumbo Kokeshi", a 4.219m tall kokeshi painted to mimic the style of Mori Hidetaro, the founder of Tsugaru Kokeshi, to commemorate the opening of the Shin-Aomori Shinkansen Station the year it opened in 2010. On the first floor, they sell a wide variety of kokeshi and kokeshi-themed goods. They also offer kokeshi-painting (see "Do") ¥300.
- 2 Takahashi Residence (高橋家住宅). 09:00-16:00 from late April to mid-November. A National Important Property, it's an Edo Period building used to supply the Kuroishi Domain with rice husks. It was also used as a secret meeting place for high-ranking officials. There was a hidden room with ways to sneak in undetected that has a moon-viewing window. The building has remained with the Takahashi family and as of 2025 the owner is the 14th generation of the family who operates a cafe from the building.
- 3 Kanehiranarien Garden (金平成園). 9:30-16:00 from late April to Nov, Closed Mo. A garden completed in 1902, it is considered to be an exemplary Oishi Bugaku-ryu-style garden, which originates from and was popular in Aomori at the time. ¥400.
Do
edit- Kokeshi Painting. 9：00-17：00. You can paint your own Tsugaru Kokeshi under the guidance of an actual kokeshi artisanat the Tsugaru Kokeshi Museum. Same-day reservations are possible for single travelers or pairs, but advance reservations are required for larger groups. They can accommodate groups of up to 200 people. ¥1500.
- 1 Nuruyu Onsen (鶴の名湯 温湯温泉 Tsuru no Meitō Nuruyu Onsen). 05:00-22:00. A daytripper onsen in the Kuroishi Onsen area. ¥300.
Buy
edit- 1 Tsugaru Komise Eki (津軽こみせ駅). 8:30-17:15. A souvenir shop on the historic Nakamachi Komise Street where you can buy Tsugaru kokeshi and other local products and snacks. They also have live Tsugaru shamisen performances.