Tsugaru, Coastal city in northern Aomori Prefecture, Japan
Tsugaru is a city on the west coast of Tsugaru Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture, with Mount Iwaki standing to the southwest. The city spans across a landscape that combines coastal areas with mountain views and includes a mix of rural neighborhoods and developed zones.
The region was held by the Tsugaru clan during the Edo period before becoming an official city in 2005 through a merger. This administrative change brought together Kizukuri and surrounding villages into a single municipal entity.
The Tachineputa Museum houses three large festival floats that are central to the Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival, one of Japan's major summer celebrations. These floats display the local artistic traditions and remain key to how the community marks this seasonal occasion.
The Gonō train line and Tsugaru Expressway connect the city to surrounding areas, making travel accessible for visitors and residents alike. Schools and local services are distributed throughout neighborhoods to support daily life.
The city name is written in hiragana script rather than the traditional kanji characters, making it an exception among Japanese municipal names. This unusual spelling choice sets it apart from nearly all other cities in the country.
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