‘Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫)’, a masterpiece that Miyazaki Hayao spent 16 years developing the concept and 3 entire years making it. Miyazaki urged Ghibli studio to create this piece before he’s too old, as there are lots of action scenes and the theme is very serious comparing to others.
Shirakami Sanchi (白神山地)
Located across Aomori and Akita Prefecture in the Northeast of Japan, this is the reference for the village that Ashitaka, the main role lives. The forest is around 170 sq. km big with natural habitats, no wonder it becomes UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Twelve Lakes ‘Jyuni-ko’ (十二湖)
As the forest is not easily accessible and tbh it is quite a normal forest… Jyuni-ko, meaning ’12 lakes’, is the most worthy place to visit. The area has got more than 12 lakes, and is close to a train station.
Aoi Pond (青池) is very famous for its beautiful sapphire blue color. The clear water shimmering under sunlight, the space, the voice of nature (birds, waterfalls, waves…) and the weather of Aomori summer (around 16-20 degrees) provide a revitalizing experience.
Good thing of not many tourists is, there are free stuff. At the tearoom next to Ochiguchino Pond (落口の池), you can receive a free cup of green tea with Japanese traditional snacks.
A few steps from the tea room, you can collect water from Wakitsubo Pond (沸壷の池), being nominated as one of the ‘Heisei era best 100 water’ (平成の名水百選). The water was sweet (in a natural way) and cold. All good coz I didn’t have tummy trouble.
Unlike Tokyo or Osaka, it’s a rare choice of traveling, but also a good choice to enjoy interactions with the locals. People in Aomori are really nice and helpful. Just make sure don’t go there in winter, freezing cold and all paths to the mountains are closed.
Special Express ‘Resort Shirakami’
Take a break from car rental, coz the special train ‘Resort Shirakami’ can’t be missed! It travels between Aomori and Akita. It is not only for commute, it’s a tour itself!
Remember to grab a free postcard and stamp the train model pattern on it. Also don’t forget to buy apple ice-cream from the bar (Aomori is famous for apple)! And yes, this train has a bar, with alcohol and snacks 🙂
The whole journey makes a few stops, each has ~15mins for you to get off and take pictures. Like tour couch, there are announcements explaining all the spots outside the window, and sometimes there is performance of the traditional music instrument ‘Tsugaru-jamisen’ on 1 of the cabins.
Access & station info
Just get off at Jyuniko station and interchange for the bus to Aoi Pond. But you may have to wait for around an hour.
To kill time, go have lunch ‘Omakase set’ at Seikanso Tsunamoto Restaurant (静観荘網元), right across the station. The seafood are super fresh and delicious! And surprisingly, the set above only cost me 1000 yen!!!
If you don’t have enough time, try the Aoi Pond ice-cream at station shop. It said yoghurt flavor, which is weird but not bad.
Do not take the last bus/train.
There are basically nothing around the area.
Norms & Weirdos 