Shimokita Peninsula

Japanese: 下北半島 - しもきたはんとう

At the northern tip of Honshu, this peninsula juts out in the northeast of Aomori Prefecture in the shape of an axe. It faces the Tsugaru Strait to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the east, and embraces Mutsu Bay to the southwest. Cape Omazaki, at the northwestern tip of the peninsula, is the northernmost point of Honshu. In the center of the peninsula, forming the head of the axe, is the Osorezan Mountains, an extension of the Ou Mountains. The western side of the mountains is a 500-700m fault cliff, and below the cliff are scattered reefs of tuff eroded by the sea, creating the scenic spot of Hotokegaura. The center of the Osorezan Mountains is the Osorezan volcano, with the caldera lake Lake Usoriyama in the center, and it is surrounded by somma mountains such as Mt. Ozukushi. The eastern part of the peninsula, the handle of the axe, is made up of the Shimokita Hills. Topographically, it is a lowland between the Kitakami Mountains and the Ou Mountains. Between the Osorezan Mountains and the Shimokita Hills is the Tanabu Lowland, and the city of Mutsu is located in the southern part of the lowland.

The Shimokita Peninsula is the most unfavorable climate area in the prefecture, with low temperatures in winter (average temperature in February -4°C) and cold easterly winds from late spring to early summer. There is nothing of note in terms of industry, and transportation depends on buses, with roads also not well maintained.

[Hiroshi Yokoyama]

Shimokita (Nature, Culture, Society) (1967, Heibonsha), edited by the Shimokita Research Committee of the Nine Academic Societies Union

Hotokegaura
A unique coastal landscape created by the erosion of the green tuff cliffs by the sea. The rocks, large and small, are named 500 Arhats, Kannon Rock, Thirteen Buddhas, and so on. It was once considered to be one with Mount Osore, and many pilgrims came to visit. Part of Shimokita Peninsula Quasi-National Park. Nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty Nationally designated Natural Monument Sai Village, Shimokita District, Aomori Prefecture ©Shogakukan ">

Hotokegaura

Omazaki
Located in the northern part of the Shimokita Peninsula, facing the Tsugaru Strait, this is the northernmost point of Honshu, and is also the shortest point between Honshu and Hokkaido. At the tip of the cape stands a monument marking the northernmost point of Honshu. The island offshore is Bentenjima. The surrounding waters are well known for tuna line-fishing. Part of the Shimokita Peninsula Quasi-National Park. Oma Town, Shimokita District, Aomori Prefecture © Aomori Prefecture ">

Omazaki

Mount Osore
A volcano located in the northern part of the Shimokita Peninsula and belonging to the Nasu volcanic belt. The sulfurous fumes create a desolate scene. Part of the Shimokita Peninsula Quasi-National Park. Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture ©Shogakukan ">

Mount Osore

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

本州の北端、青森県北東部に斧(おの)の形をして突出する半島。北は津軽海峡、東は太平洋に臨み、南西部に陸奥湾(むつわん)を抱く。半島北西端の大間崎(おおまざき)は本州の最北端にあたる。半島中央部、斧の頭部をなすところが恐山山地(おそれざんさんち)で、奥羽山脈の延長部である。山地の西側は500～700メートルの断層崖(だんそうがい)で、崖下には海食作用を受けた凝灰岩の岩礁が点在し、仏ヶ浦(ほとけがうら)の名勝をつくっている。恐山山地の中心は恐山火山で、中央にカルデラ湖の宇曽利山(うそりやま)湖があり、大尽(おおづくし)山などの外輪山で囲まれている。半島の東部、斧の柄の部分は下北丘陵からなる。地形的には北上山地と奥羽山脈の間の低地をなしている。恐山山地と下北丘陵の間は田名部低地(たなぶていち)で、低地の南部にむつ市の市街地がある。

　下北半島は県内で気候条件のもっとも恵まれない地域で、冬は気温が低く（2月の平均気温零下4℃）、晩春から初夏にかけては冷たい偏東風のやませが吹く。産業面でもみるべきものがなく、交通もバスに依存するが、道路の整備も十分ではない。

［横山　弘］

『九学会連合下北調査委員会編『下北（自然・文化・社会）』（1967・平凡社）』

仏ヶ浦
緑色凝灰岩の断崖が海食作用を受けてつくり出された特異な海岸景観。大小さまざまの岩は、五百羅漢、観音岩、十三仏などと名づけられている。かつては恐山と一体の地とされ、巡拝する者も多かったという。下北半島国定公園の一部。国指定名勝　国指定天然記念物　青森県下北郡佐井村©Shogakukan">

仏ヶ浦

大間崎

恐山

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