I went to see the Cape's winter pasture, Ataka, in Shiriyazaki, where the winter horses can withstand the wind and snow.
At Cape Shiriya, located at the northeastern tip of the Shimokita Peninsula, horses called ' Kandachime ' are kept free under the management of Higashidōri Village. Following
Tourist Spot - Higashidōri Village
http://www.vill.higashidoori.lg.jp/nousui/page400001.html
Here's what it looks like in summer. In the past, they were allowed to graze freely around the Shiriyazaki Lighthouse, but in recent years, a roped-off grazing area has been set up a short distance away from the lighthouse.
I went to see how the cold-water horses of Shiriyazaki, Aomori spend their summers - GIGAZINE
In winter, the cows are kept in a winter pasture called 'Ataka.' To get to Ataka, we used a video posted on the Higashidōri Village official YouTube channel.
As with my summer visit, I wanted to use public transportation as much as possible, but the only route to get to Cape Shiriya and the Shiriya village beyond is the Higashidori Village reservation-based Shiriya Line taxi. However, the first bus to Shiriya leaves at 12:00, which is quite late, so this time I decided to go to Shimokita Station and rent a car.
First, head to Shimokita Station on the Ominato Line from Aomori Station.
There is a lot of snow outside the train window, but the weather isn't that bad.
We picked up a car at a rental car office near Shimokita Station and headed straight for Shiriya. There was only a few centimeters of snow, and the roads were well cleared, so we didn't feel any danger as long as we drove safely in our rental car equipped with studless tires.
There is a fair amount of truck traffic here, as the Nippon Steel Mining Shiriya Mine is located just before Cape Shiriya.
We arrived in front of the visitor center, at the entrance to Shirayazaki Lighthouse.
The road is closed for the winter from December 1st until the end of March, and the gate is closed.
If you continue straight on the road in front of the gate, you will come to the village of Shiriya and the fishing port, and if you go further, just before the eastern gate, you will come to 'Ataka,' a winter pasture for Kantachi horses.
A signpost leading to Ataka at the entrance to Shiriya Fishing Port. At first glance it looked like '10km left' which made me feel quite anxious, but it was actually '1.0km left', so there was not much left.
Going straight down the road we came to the eastern gate, which was closed.
Just before that, on the sea side, there is a gate and temporary toilets like this. This is the entrance to 'Ataka'.
You are free to observe the Kantachiuma, but there are some points to note: 'Do not approach from behind' and 'Do not feed the animals.' Also, although it is not written here, people with pets should not take them out of their cars.
There are signs posted with the words 'Fu' for '
The large gate is locked and vehicles cannot enter.
However, there is a manual gate on the right hand side for entry and exit.
Remove the rope loop attached to the pillar to open the gate.
Once you open it and go inside, close the gate and hook the rope loop onto a post to prevent the horse from escaping.
This is the pasture. It's so vast that it seems difficult to spot the Kantachiuma at a glance.
Also, be careful as there is crumbled droppings of the cold-water horses at your feet.
This time I was able to spot the horse right away.
A dozen or so horses stand still near the trees, sheltering from the wind.
There was also a horse standing alone at a distance.
The situation on site is like this.
The horses barely moved, just stood or sat still.
Once you've finished your tour, you can quickly exit, close the gate and head home.
We are back in the center of Mutsu City. This large building was originally a department store called 'Mutsu Matsukiya', and when it closed in October 2023, the tenants included 'Supermarket Satocho Mutsu Matsukiya Store' and 'Restaurant Epic'. After that, the first floor of the building became a bus waiting room.
However,
The menu looks like this, with soba and udon as the main focus. The beef tendon curry and yakisoba at the bottom right will be discontinued on Friday, December 27, 2024.
Being able to eat some hot soba noodles while waiting for the bus was a very welcome thing, but it wasn't just people waiting for the bus who were there; I also saw quite a few people just stopping by for lunch before heading home.
Matsukiya Shokudo will close on Friday, December 27, 2024. It will reopen next year on Monday, January 6, 2025 from 10am.
The site of the Mutsu Bus Terminal, which was abolished in 2022, has been turned into a nursing home.
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