A recommended trip to Goshogawara, Aomori in winter by stove train!

  • Aomori
  • Sightseeing
The "Stove Train" is full of attractions!
Aomori Prefecture experienced record-breaking snowfall last winter. The weather in Aomori in winter can be unpredictable, and you may not have many options.
However, it is precisely because it is winter that we are able to introduce some of the best sightseeing spots in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture!

Heading toward Goshogawara for the stove train!

From JR Aomori Station, take the Ou Main Line to JR Goshogawara Station, changing at JR Kawabe Station to the Gonoh Line.
On the day of the interview, there was a mild sunny day in the morning.
On the train heading to JR Goshogawara Station, I looked outside and saw Mt! Rice paddies white with snow, snow on the top of the mountain, clouds and blue sky. The train ride was truly a winter wonderland!
Snow and Mt.
After arriving at JR Goshogawara Station, the station building of Tsugaru Railway "Tsugaru Goshogawara Station" is on the right side just outside. We had about an hour before the stove train departed, so we bought our tickets ahead of time.
Tsugaru Railway Ticket Office
Hard ticket" is now rare *As of November 2025, the price of a hard ticket is indicated as 1,000 yen.

Miwaya", a long-time favorite "Agetai" store

While waiting for the stove train, I took a walk around Goshogawara Station!
So, we immediately headed for Miwaya, an Agedashi store located about a 10-minute walk from Goshogawara Station.
Miwaya's store exterior. The streamer tells how strong the wind is.
Miwaya's "Agetai," which has been introduced on various TV programs and newspapers, is a specialty sweet of Goshogawara City.
This time, we had "Agetai" and "Chocotai!
Affordable prices that make you want to buy all kinds! *Prices will remain the same as of November 2025!
The "Agetai" is filled with the well-known sweet bean paste. The crispy outside and fluffy inside are a perfect match with the sweet red bean paste. Even though it was soft, the chocolate was still very rich. The taiyaki is filled to the tail with anko (red bean paste) and chocolate, and I couldn't stop eating it!

It is said that "Age-tai" is also eaten as a good luck charm for good luck, success in school, winning a prize, and many other things.
There is also an eat-in space inside!

Board the stove train!

By the time we arrived at Tsugaru Goshogawara Station again, there were many people waiting for the ticket gate! I saw not only Japanese but also several foreign customers. About 20 minutes before the departure time, the ticket gate started and we headed for the platform. I couldn't stop being excited while getting on and off the platform.
Exterior of the stove train
Finally, you will meet the stove train, and at the same time, you can smell the aroma of surume (dried herring roe) before you get on the train. We are almost ready to taste the specialty of the stove train, the surume seared on the stove installed in the train! We sat right in front of the stove, but if you want to be too close to the stove, it gets too hot, or if you want to take a picture of the entire stove, I recommend you take a seat across from the stove or a seat without a stove.â
Taiyaki, surume, and hard ticket
When we took our seats, the attendant announced that those who were going to grill the surume should open their bags and wait. At the same time, in-train sales were also held, so some passengers purchased surume (Japanese sea cucumbers), sake, and coal cookies that resemble fuel for the stove train! To avoid crowds, surume and other items are also available for purchase at the waiting room kiosk before the ticket gates.
*Please note that all items other than "surume" are prohibited to be roasted on the stove.

When you place the surume on the stove, you can smell the aroma and see them curling up and back again as if they are dancing. It seemed to dance as it curled up and back again. The attendants split open the freshly baked and hot surume, and not only are the meat and body parts delicious, but the legs are crunchy and delicious as well! I couldn't stop alternately eating the sweet taiyaki and the tasty surume. Once the train started moving, the attendants started guiding us. She explained the history of the stove train, the cars, the view outside, and just before arriving at Kanagi Station, she sang Tsugaru Kaikyo Fuyunkei (Winter scenery of the Tsugaru Straits) for us! The stove train is a unique local way to enjoy the food, scenery, and stories. The stove train operates during the winter season from December to March every year, so be sure to take a ride when you visit.

*The stove train is not in operation due to the coupling separation that occurred on December 29, 2025. (As of January 8, 2026)
Inside of the train applauding the attendant's singing

Enjoy a sumptuous lunch using locally grown ingredients at "Sanchoku Meros.

After riding the stove train, we arrived at Kanagi Station. Kanagi is famous for its horse meat! First, it is time for lunch at "Sanchoku Meros," located about a 7-minute walk from Kanagi Station. At the "Meros Shokudo" inside the restaurant, you can enjoy ramen and hot pot using local ingredients, as well as the nostalgic "Mukashi Chuka Soba" (old-fashioned Chinese noodles)! Goshogawara City is also home to the world's rare "red apple," whose flesh, flowers, young leaves, and even branches are red, and you can enjoy soft-serve ice cream made from this apple! There are also other sweets such as sasa-mochi shiruko (winter-only), etc. ♪ This time, I had the "horse soup hot pot" and "horse miso ramen" to feel Kanagi Town.
Horse miso ramen and horse meat hot pot
In addition to slow-cooked horse meat, the "horse meat hot pot" is richly flavored with shiitake mushrooms, yams, and green onions from Aomori Prefecture. The stewed horse meat is very tender and tender! The set meal comes with rice made from Kanagi-machi rice and two small bowls of cooked rice! The "Horse Miso Ramen" is also filled with horse meat from Kanagi Town, of course. The soup is light and goes well with the medium-thick noodles. The stir-fried vegetables that are topped together include cabbage, onions, bean sprouts, kikurage mushrooms, and many other varieties, making it a luxurious dish where you can enjoy the flavor of horse meat and sweetness of vegetables all at once.
Souvenir shop "Meros
Souvenirs full of apples
"Sanchoku Meros" sells souvenirs, local freshly picked vegetables and fruits, seafood products including shijimi clam from Lake Jusanko, horse meat from Kanagi Town, and Aomori's Aomori's traditional handicrafts, and more. If you visit Aomori, you must try the apple juice at least once! In the store, you can find apple juice in cute bottles, juice made from the red apples I mentioned earlier, and more...
There are many varieties, from sour to sweet, so why not find one to your liking? They have a variety of small and large sizes, so they make great souvenirs!
For the official website of "Sanchoku Meros," click here

Speaking of Kanagi Town! Osamu Dazai's birthplace, Shayokan!

The next stop was the Shayoukan, located right in front of Sanchoku Meros. Shayokan is a mansion built in 1907 by Genemon Tsushima, father of Osamu Dazai. It is now designated as a National Important Cultural Property and is loved by many fans as the Osamu Dazai Memorial Museum "Shayokan. When we actually toured the house, we were overwhelmed by the mansion, which was much larger than we expected, both on the exterior and interior. From the magnificent mansion with its storehouse and spacious garden, visitors can peek into the daily life of Osamu Dazai until he entered junior high school.
Exterior view of Shayoukan
The building was divided into the first and second floors, with the first floor mainly consisting of Japanese-style rooms and a two-story storehouse. The Japanese-style room was large and spacious, but the partition of the Japanese-style room was removed and used as a banquet hall with 63 tatami mats! Inside the storehouse, everything from daily necessities used at the time to scribbles in notebooks are on display, giving visitors a sense of Dazai Osamu's humanity. The staircase and landing also have Western elements, and the Western-style room on the second floor, which is the only room in the house, is very luxurious. As one would expect from a modern Japanese-style house, it is a sight to behold! The store on the right after the entrance sells a variety of goods featuring Osamu Dazai and the Shayokan.
Western-style room on the second floor
Store next to the entrance

Take a break with delicious cake and tea at "Carnet d'Or".

The last stop on this trip was the confectionery store carnrt dor, located about a 2-minute walk from JR Goshogawara Station. Exit the station and go straight down the street in front of it, and you will see it on the left. It is the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon tea to end your trip♪
Carnedor exterior
The name of the store, Carnet d'Or, means "golden pocketbook" in French. The lovely cakes and baked goods made by female confectioners are loved by the locals! While I was charmed by the parfait, which is only available at the store, I ordered the "Cake of the Day Set" this time... ♪ I chose a cup of tea from a selection of several drinks. After much deliberation, I fell in love with the small forest-like appearance of the cakes and ice cream, and ordered the "green tea tiramisu" and black tea as individual items!
Cakes in the showcase
Eat-in space inside the store
The cake set on the day of the interview was a chocolate cake called ganache. The chocolate was rich yet moderately sweet, and the crunchy chocolate and walnuts topping on the cake accented the texture and I ate it in no time! The matcha tiramisu has a surface covered with crunchy cocoa and matcha powder for both texture and aroma. The matcha layer inside is also soft and fluffy, but you can taste the matcha flavor and it goes perfectly with warm black tea! The day of our visit was in the evening, and customers were coming in one after another for cakes and baked goods.
Matcha Tiramisu (as of January 2025)
Today's cake ganache (as of January 2025)
In addition to seasonal cakes such as the green tea tiramisu, we also have other regular items that we recommend. The most popular item other than shortcakes, "Mont Blanc" is a chestnut mousse topped with a generous amount of Italian marron cream. The chocolate cake "Ganache" is loved by both children and adults for its mild taste, and the crumbled chocolate is crunchy and accents the texture! The "Framboise" is a mousse with just the right amount of acidity, and inside is a sponge sheet and a few framboise berries. It has a refreshingly smooth texture and goes well with black tea.
*This information is current as of November 2025.
Mont Blanc (as of November 2025)
Raspberry (as of November 2025)
For carnrt dor Instagram, click here

There are still many attractions!

In this issue, we have introduced the charms of Goshogawara in winter. It was a wonderful trip where you could feel the history of Goshogawara and taste delicious food and sweets! Why don't you visit Goshogawara in winter?

Let's combine your favorite train and lodging to save money!

You can make your own original trip!

The JR East View Dynamic Rail Package is a variable-price individual travel product available only on the web, allowing you to choose your train and accommodations freely and make a reservation at once. Depending on the timing and conditions of your reservation, you may be able to save even on the day of departure at the earliest! We also offer one-day trip plans! Enjoy your own personalized trip according to your schedule and purpose.

Click here for details

For train + accommodation reservations in the Aomori area, book the JR East View Dynamic Rail Package.
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