Geography

Aomori is located at the northernmost end of the Ou Mountain Range. It embraces the Hakkoda Mountains and both sides of Mutsu Bay, whose east side is Shimokita Peninsula and west side is Tsugaru Peninsula. The mountain range separates the area with the eastern side facing the Pacific Ocean. That area enjoys a milder winter with sunny days and light snowfalls. But at times summer brings a cold wind called Yanasei, and thick fog can damage the crops. The western side faces the Japan Sea and experiences heavy snow, but sunny days in the summer.

Industry & Economy

Aomori is famous for its apples, producing close to half of the nation's crop. Other important crops are rapeseed and garlic with 70 to 80% of the nation's total. 30% of the nation's canned mackerel and squid come from Aomori, the highest in the nation. However, the lack of heavy industries along with the hard weather force many to seek employment in the bigger cities during the winter. The prefecture has struggled to revitalize depressed areas. The new atomic power plant at Mutsu City was a bright spot, but the nuclear waste disposal, pollution and environmental issues have turned it into a large disappointment.

Cultural Background

Since Aomori sits at the northernmost point of Honshu the area has been called Mutsu (end of the road) since antiquity. Though the opening of the Seikan Tunnel joining Aomori and Hokkaido lessened the feeling of remoteness, the traditions and customs established long ago still have a powerful hold. Even in a city like Misawa with many American military bases and Japanese self-defense forces, very little has changed. A national survey showed that the people here were the most reluctant to meet new people. This shows their conservative nature and weakness in making new relationships. However, once a relationship is established, it becomes very deep and warm.

Religious Milieu

Religious influence is seen in many ways here. The Nebuta Festival (Aug. 3-7) is one of the three major festivals of the Tohoku area and attracts many tourists. Mount Osore is famous for the many spiritual mediums/sorceresses called Itako. Mt. Iwaki is also an important Shinto site for worship, and the folklore known as Oshirasama has deep roots in the people's faith. It is not uncommon to see whole families and communities visiting the temples and shrines during festival times, and even on ordinary days.

The Mission

A Iord of the Tsugaru clan converted to Christianity during the Kirishitan era (beginning in mid-1500s), and many others followed him. At the beginning of the Meiji era Mr. Yoichi Honda became a Christian in Yokohama. He later became the first superintendent of the Japan Methodist Church. He established a special training school (To'o-Gijuku) at Hirosaki and was able to ed-cate many Christians. Rev. Juji Nakada, the founder of the Holiness Church, is another influential Christian leader from Hirosaki. Honda invited John Ing, a missionary from America, to briefly help in the work. During that time Ing introduced apples to the area, Iater to become the symbol of Aomori. Postwar missionaries have done outstanding Christian work here.