Aomori

Aomori City is the "apple city." Aomori Prefecture is Japan's #1 apple production area. Aomori's population is about 270,000. Capital of Aomori Prefecture. Aomori is near Honshu's northernmost tip. For Aomori residents, "snow" is the enemy. Winter is long (November-April). Snow is deep. Aomori's annual snowfall is about 8 meters. Aomori residents fight snow. Shovel snow. Install studless tires. For Aomori residents, driving is "survival." Snowy roads are slippery. Drive slowly. Rushing causes accidents. For Aomori residents, "speed" is danger. Aomori is far from Tokyo. About 700km. About 3 hours by Shinkansen. About 9 hours by car. For Aomori residents, "Tokyo" is a distant world. Aomori residents live "locally." Grow apples. Catch fish. For Aomori residents, "cars" are "work tools." To go to apple orchards. To go to fishing ports. But not "hobbies." Aomori has no circuit. Nearest is Ebisu Circuit (Fukushima Prefecture, about 300km). For Aomori residents, circuit is "too far." Aomori residents live at Honshu's northernmost tip. Furthest from motorsport centers (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka). For Aomori residents, motorsport is "another world." Aomori residents dedicate their lives to growing apples. Not interested in the "urban culture" called motorsport.