Tohoku 2016 東北の旅 - Goshogawara JR Station 五所川原駅, Agetai Shop Miwaya あげたいの店 みわや

Goshogawara JR Station 五所川原駅, is a train station on the Gono line 五能線 in Aomori Prefecture. Here, passengers can alight and transfer to Tsugaru Railway line 津軽鉄道 for trains heading southwards to its terminus station of Nakasato 津軽中里駅 in Tsugaru Peninsula. Goshogawara is most well known for its Tachineputa festival 五所川原立佞武多 which is held between 4 to 8 Aug and attracts more than 1 million visitors every year. Apart from that, there is a special type of apple variety named Goshogawara 御所川原 (same pronunciation but different characters) which is exclusively grown in this town. This apple is red both inside out (both the flesh and meat are red) and contains three times more polyphenols (antioxidant) than the normal ones. For those who are unable to catch its harvesting season (in autumn) to taste the fresh fruit itself, soft serve made from Goshogawara apple juice can be enjoyed all year round at the cafe in Tachineputa Museum.

Limited express / sightseeing trains serving this train station include:
(1) Resort Shirakami リゾートしらかみ, a limited express sightseeing train which commutes between Aomori 青森駅 and Akita 秋田駅 via Ou main line 奥羽本線 and Gono line 五能線. A total of three round trips is made per day (on most days) by a fleet of train comprised of three different themes - Buna 橅, Aoike 青池 and Kumagera くまげら.
https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/shirakami.html

======

What’s nearby?

(1) Tachineputa Museum / Tachineputa no kan 立佞武多の館, about 5 minutes walk from the train station.
Operating hours: 0900 - 1900 hrs (Apr - Sep); 0900 - 1700 hrs (Oct - Mar)
Admission fee = 600 yen
http://www.tachineputa.jp/

Goshogawara Tachineputa 五所川原立佞武多 is one of Aomori’s three largest scale “nebuta” festival held in August. Here, there is a museum in the town dedicated to this important summer festival and for those who are unable to participate in the actual annual event. Gigantic Tachineputa lantern floats, which can go as high as 23 m tall (equivalent to 7-storey building), are put up for display in the museum. Visited this museum when I was in Goshogawara and I was totally awed by the level of details portrayed on these colourful floats. This is a place of interest that should not be missed in Goshogawara.

(2) Agetai Shop Miwaya あげたいの店 みわや, about 7 minutes walk from the train station.
青森県五所川原市字上平井町99
Operating hours: 0930 hrs - Evening or till sold out; closed on 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month

Taiyaki 鯛焼き, a bream fish (called "tai" in Japanese) shaped cake which comes in various fillings (such as red bean paste and custard), is a well known snack that originated from Japan. In Goshogawara, this other version of taiyaki called agetai あげたい is popular among the locals. This snack is created by deep frying taiyaki to crispy golden brown with fine sugar sprinkled on top. How agetai came about is like a Eureka moment - as it was wasteful to throw away the leftover taiyaki, the stall owner decided to deep fry them and the outcome was surprisingly well received, to the point it was elevated to become a specialty snack of Goshogawa. After visiting Tachineputa Museum, I made my way to Miwaya which offers many agetai choices - ordered an agetai filled with red bean paste. At Miwaya, the taiyaki is only sent to the deep frying after an order is placed, to ensure patrons can enjoy fresh and piping hot agetai right at the spot. 

======

Commemorative stamps:

Tsugaru Railway Goshogawara Station


Tsugaru Railway Goshogawara Station