Aomori Itayanagi citizen group "Motsu House" is currently accepting orders for original parkas and trainers for the first time in four years.

"Motsu House" is a citizens' group that disseminates the barbecue culture of the Tsugaru area, led by Hiroki Aizu, an apple farmer. The hoodie and trainers have a logo with the kanji characters for "house" and "pig's nose" as motifs, "MOTSU HOUSE", and the words "Let's motsu with us!"

Mr. Aizu says, "In the Tsugaru area, motsu is something you can casually grill and eat on a barbecue. Mainly among apple farmers, there is a custom of enjoying barbecues with family and friends in fields and warehouses. When I introduced the barbecue on social media, it was viewed as a rarity, especially by people outside the prefecture, and I began to want to introduce it as part of Tsugaru culture."

Activities started around 2015. It all started when we accepted farm stays and started barbecuing as a place to exchange information and communicate with students and farmers from outside the prefecture. “A relative's vacant house where we had a barbecue was called 'Motsu House,' but before we knew it, it became the name of our activity,” says Aizu.

In 2018, he started calling himself “Motsu House,” and the following year he made a “Motsu House” parka and sweatshirt. More than 100 orders have been received, including one from Kumamoto. “I was surprised at how big the reaction was to making the parka, with comments like ‘cute’ and questions such as ‘Do you have a store?’” says Aizu. “Motsu House is just the name of our activity.

Currently, samples of hoodies and trainers are on display at the direct sales antenna shop "Toretate Ichi" (Itayanagi-cho). Mr. Aizu said with a smile, "I want you to pick it up and check the size and texture. It's been four years since we've asked for orders, so if you're interested in this opportunity, please wear it with us." show.

The price is 5,500 yen for both the parka and sweatshirt (2XL or larger = 6,000 yen). Order deadline is April 15th. Delivery is early May.