On April 2, the sightseeing bases "Tsugaru Lounge" and "BRICK A-FACTORY" opened in the East-West Free Passage in Hirosaki Station.

"Tsugaru Lounge" is a waiting room and a facility to display tourist information, and "BRICK A-FACTORY" is a select shop with ciders and souvenirs in the Tsugaru area. As part of a partnership agreement between JR East Akita branch office, Hirosaki city, and Aomori prefecture, it opened at the site of "View Plaza Hirosaki station" in front of the ticket gate.

The "Tsugaru Lounge," which is approximately 102 square meters in size, has not only the function of a waiting room, but also an exhibition function that conveys the charm of the event space and the Tsugaru area. The display will use a wooden box of apples and a ladder used for apple work, and beech will be used for lighting. The counter table uses wood made from recycled apple crates.

At "BRICK A-FACTORY", raw cider (150 ml = 500 yen) that is "brewed and sent directly" from "A-FACTORY Hirosaki Yoshinocho Cider Studio" that opened last year, a set of two drinks (800 yen), and a pastry shop An apple pie (330 yen) supervised by "Bonjour" (Hirosaki City) will be offered. You can also eat in coffee and apple tea (200 yen or more). In addition to selling 30 kinds of cider in Aomori prefecture, we also have apple juice.

The shop next to the ticket gate has also been renewed as "Petit Appli". In addition to take-out curry and pasta from Yaohachi Spice (Tomita Town), it also sells delicatessen items, aiming for daily demand. The waiting space can still be used.

At the sales floor in the free aisle, the new lineup of "Tsugaru dialect" began to be sold on the same day. "Tsugaru dialect" is a bento that reflects the regional characteristics of Tsugaru, and is certified by the "Hirosaki Station Free Passage, etc. Bustle Creation Project Executive Committee" (Shimoshiroganecho). This year marks the 11th year, and it was planned to announce the "Tsugaru dialect" that was solicited as the 10th anniversary event last year, but it was postponed for one year and announced on the same day.

On this day, seven new "Tsugaru dialects" such as "Tsugaru Hirosaki Walk" (1,100 yen) and "Tsugaru Tamatebako" (1,200 yen) will be on sale. Some are currently under development and will increase in the future. The store also sells "Hitokuchi-dake" (1,350 yen) packed with 24 items and Tsugaru's Isaribi lunch (750 yen).

Along with the opening of the "Tsugaru Lounge," Art Hotel Hirosaki City (in front of the station) donated a grand piano to Hirosaki City and installed it as a station piano on the second floor of the Hirosaki Station Free Passage. Anyone can use it if it is disinfected. Use time is from 7:00 to 23:00.

Business hours are "Tsugaru Lounge" "BRICK A-FACTORY" = 8:30 to 19:00, Petit App = 7:10 to 19:30, Free passage sales floor = 8:30 to 19:30 (Ends as soon as the lunch box runs out).