施設の老朽化に伴い2020年から閉館となっていた青森県立郷土館が弘前市に移転する事が決定した。歴史的背景から青森県には3つの中核都市がある。太平洋側の港町として発展してきた八戸市、津軽藩が城を構えた弘前市、そして地政学的な観点で県庁所在地となった青森市だ。
It has been decided that the Aomori Prefectural Folk Museum, which had been closed since 2020 due to the aging of its facilities, will relocate to Hirosaki City. Historically, Aomori Prefecture has had three core cities: Hachinohe City, which developed as a port town on the Pacific coast; Hirosaki City, where the Tsugaru Domain established its castle; and Aomori City, which became the prefectural capital for geopolitical reasons.
（県立郷土館の）移転先として、この3市が受け入れ表明してきたが、青森市から弘前市に移転することとなった。施設を失う事となった青森市は納得できないだろうが、近年、青森市や八戸市への大型公共施設の整備が進んでいる事を勘案すると、郷土館の弘前市移転により、県施設の偏重が是正される。桜とねぷた祭で有名な弘前市は県内随一の観光地だ。通年で観光客を呼び込める施設は弘前市にとって大きな前進となる。訪日客も興味を示す展示施設になる事を期待したい。
Although these three cities had expressed their willingness to host the (Prefectural Folk Museum) as its new location, it has been decided that the museum will relocate from Aomori City to Hirosaki City. While Aomori City, which will lose the facility, is likely to be dissatisfied, considering the recent development of large-scale public facilities in Aomori City and Hachinohe City, the relocation to Hirosaki City—which had no such plans—will help correct the imbalance in the distribution of prefectural facilities. Famous for its cherry blossoms and the Neputa Festival, Hirosaki City is the prefecture’s premier tourist destination. A facility capable of attracting tourists year-round would be a major step forward for Hirosaki City. We hope it will become an exhibition facility that also draws the interest of foreign tourists.
