Takko Village 田子町

Takko is located in Aomori Prefecture, in the far north of Honshu, in the Hakkoda Mountains. Takko means "the small hill" in the language of the Ainu who lived here before.

Garlic from the northern forests

For a long time, the village of Takko prospered thanks to the exploitation of forests, forestry. Then in the 1960s, it was oil that replaced charcoal and began the decline of the main activity of the village. The young people then had the idea of betting on growing garlic , which was already growing very well thanks to the favorable climate of the region. In Aomori, the winters are long and harsh, which suits garlic particularly well; protected under the thick layer of snow. In the spring, pretty white pods appear. Its taste is firm and sweet. It fills the whole mouth and melts on the tongue. Takko's garlic will become a real institution. This is how the whole village will develop its industry and its communication around this speciality. Today, Takko lives from its garlic farming, but also still from forestry and animal husbandry .

Read : Culinary specialties of Aomori

my beautiful village

Recently, the Japanese Rural Heritage Association has taken inspiration from the French model to classify the most beautiful villages throughout the territory. Since 2017, there are 64 villages on the list, including Takko. There is a typical landscape of the Japanese countryside here. In Takko, the district of Shinden, conceals an authentic water mill , in service since the Edo period. It has historically been used to grind buckwheat for the purpose of making soba .

Read also : Utsukushii mura, the most beautiful villages in Japan

Among the natural beauties to discover, there is the Miroku waterfall , located in a forest of beech trees, a gigantic rock rises over which long white threads of water flow down to your feet. This will be your cool summer stroll!

On the cultural side, with 450 years of history here is a traditional dance, the Takko Kagura . Like an offering to the kami (deities), this dance, which is passed down from generation to generation, is performed during the Yasaka-jinja festival .

Tapukopu Sôyû Mura is an interesting place to visit. It is a village reconstituted as 100 years ago. Old thatched-roof houses and several workshops are offered (paying upon reservation) to make konnyaku (konjac), senbei or soba , and even make pottery . Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April to November. Closed on Tuesdays and all winter.

Taste the specialties of Takko

You shouldn't miss the garlic-based specialties before leaving Takko, and too bad for the languorous kisses! At the Takko Garlic Center (open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), you can taste 200 kinds of garlic-based products such as Takkola (garlic-based cola), beer, shôchu , senbei , furikake or even kuro ninniku (black garlic), which is obtained through long fermentation, its taste becomes sweet like a dried fruit. The detox effect is guaranteed and it is very good for fighting fatigue.

On site, a restaurant welcomes you from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to taste local products: grilled Takko garlic, garlic and Takko beef curry, garlic pizza, garlic ramen, garlic ice cream ... The choice is vast! To wash it all down, you can end up with Koroshu , red wine with black garlic.

Video of the Takko Garlic Center