
日本列島・本州最北端の青森県は、三方を海に囲まれています。その海岸線総延長は約790q、うち手つかずの海岸、いわゆる“自然海岸”はその35%にあたり、多くの景勝地が存在します。
太平洋側では三陸復興国立公園の種差海岸、下北半島では尻屋崎や仏ヶ浦、陸奥湾では夏泊半島、津軽半島では高野崎や龍飛崎・小泊、日本海では西海岸が主なところです。
同時にこういう“自然海岸”の貴重性で忘れてならないのは、天然が保たれているだけに植物生態系が豊かなことです。
草本類の植物種数が多く、特有の海浜植物が生育します。
低い気温等が関係しているのか、通常は山岳部でしか見られない植物が海抜数メートルの海岸部で確認できたりもします。
群落も醍醐味で、花が群れ咲く様は、海の青さに花の色が冴えて、筆者には山で見るよりロマンチックに映ります。
青森県の海辺に咲く花々を6年ほど取材して1冊(『あおもり海辺の花紀行』(山内正行著・泰斗舎刊・定価1200円=税別)にまとめてもいます。
本ブログでは、花々はもとより海辺に建つ文学碑にも少し触れていくほか、筆者おすすめの立ち寄りスポットも紹介してまいります。
切に願うのは、この海岸部も含めた青森県全体の自然の保護・保全です。ここに暮らす私たちの手で守っていきたいものです。
写真:津軽半島高野崎。ハマナシ(浜梨)、カセンソウ(歌仙草)の花の向こうに見える赤い「潮騒橋」(しおさいばし)と「渚橋」(なぎさばし) 7月中旬撮影
"Aomori Seaside Flower Guide Part 1: Prologue Photographs and text by Masayuki Yamauchi (editor, based in Aomori City)
Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture in the Japanese archipelago of Honshu, is surrounded by the sea on three sides. Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture in the Japanese archipelago of Honshu, is surrounded by the sea on three sides, with a total coastline of approximately 790 km, of which 35% is unspoiled coastline, or "natural coast," with many scenic spots.
The main scenic spots are Tanesaki Coast in the Sanriku Fukko National Park in the Pacific Ocean, Shiriyazaki and Hotokegaura in the Shimokita Peninsula, Natsudomari Peninsula in Mutsu Bay, Takanozaki, Tappizaki and Kodomari in the Tsugaru Peninsula, and the West Coast in the Sea of Japan.
At the same time, we should not forget that the preciousness of these "natural coasts" is that they are rich in plant ecosystems because they are kept natural.
There are a large number of herbaceous plant species, and unique beach plants grow here.
Perhaps due to the low temperatures and other factors, some plants that are normally found only in mountainous areas can be found on the coast, just a few meters above sea level.
To me, the sight of flowers blooming in clusters is more romantic than seeing them in the mountains, as their colors stand out against the blue of the sea.
I have been covering the flowers that bloom along the seashore of Aomori Prefecture for about six years, and have published a book ("Aomori Seashore Flower Travel" by Masayuki Yamauchi, published by Taitosha, price 1,200 yen (excluding tax)).
In this blog, I will introduce not only flowers, but also literary monuments along the seashore, as well as places to stop by that I recommend.
My sincere wish is to protect and preserve the nature of Aomori Prefecture as a whole, including this coastal area. I sincerely hope that those of us who live here can help protect it.
Photo: Takanozaki, Tsugaru Peninsula. The red "Shiosai-bashi" and "Nagisa-bashi" bridges can be seen beyond the flowers of "Hamanashi" and "Kasenso".