This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and we interviewed Ginji and Takero Okajima, ambassadors for Rakuten Eagles. In the first part, they talked about their time playing for Tohoku and why they decided to become ambassadors. In the second part, we asked the two about their favorite Tohoku gourmet foods and tourist spots.

[Part 1] With the memory of 3.11 in our hearts: Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles ambassadors Ginji and Takero Okajima talk about their 15 years together with Tohoku and the future

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--The 2026 season will also see Rakuten Eagles host official regular season in each prefecture of Tohoku, titled the "Tohoku Series Supported by Daito Trust Construction." What gourmet food would you recommend to fans from all over Japan visiting Tohoku?

Ginji (hereafter referred to without honorifics): There are a lot of delicious things in Tohoku.

Okajima-san (hereafter, titles omitted): Sendai is definitely the best, beef tongue. Aomori has delicious tuna, Akita has Kiritanpo and Inaniwa udon, and Yamagata has soba. What about Iwate and Fukushima?

Ginji: There's a lot in Iwate! We have wankosoba, hiyashimen, and jajamen. Also famous are Iwaizumi yogurt and Fukuda bread, which Shohei Otani said were delicious. Fukushima has Kitakata ramen.

Okajima: Ah, Kitakata ramen! There's a lot more noodles overall (laughs).

-Do you have any favorite shops in Tohoku?

Ginji: Maybe Chinatown. It's a champon restaurant from Akita. Miso champon is the standard, but I prefer salt. Another one is Tonkatsu Katsuko near Kesennuma Station (Miyagi Prefecture)! Sandwichman's Date (Mikio) told me, "You should definitely go here," so I went. The tonkatsu is delicious when eaten with salt from Sanriku.

Okajima: I love soba, so I'd like to recommend a soba restaurant called Sanbyakubo in Yamagata City! I found this restaurant while searching for soba restaurants, but it's in a remote location. It's quite high up in the mountains, and you end up in an area that makes you wonder, "Is there really a soba restaurant here...?" The restaurant has a very old-fashioned look and a great atmosphere, and their ita-soba noodles are incredibly delicious. It's really tasty, so I hope you'll give it a try.

-Where do you go when you go out on your days off?

Okajima: Hot springs, I guess. There are a lot of hot springs in Tohoku, right?

Ginji: That's right. I really liked Meigetsuso in Kaminoyama Onsen, Yamagata. The food was delicious, and you could take a bath while looking out at Mount Zao, so you could enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Okajima: I like Akiu Onsen. I stayed at a hotel called KAI Akiu by Hoshino Resorts. The autumn foliage season had already ended when I went there, but I imagine the view from the hotel during the autumn foliage season must be amazing! (laughs)

Ginji: Also, I like fishing, so I'd like to recommend Lake Hibara in Urabandai, Fukushima Prefecture. The autumn leaves are really beautiful there. It's nice to fish while looking at Mount Bandai, which is mentioned in the lyrics of the team song. I've been fishing in various parts of Tohoku, but I haven't been to Aomori yet. I'd love to go tuna fishing in Aomori someday!

--Tohoku is rich in nature and has many beautiful places. Is it because you find it so appealing that you continue to live in Sendai, which is not your hometown, even after retiring from active competition?

Okajima: I really love Sendai, Miyagi, and Tohoku. It's a great place to live, and I don't want to leave.

Ginji: It's certainly a nice place to live. There are hot springs nearby, mountains, the sea, rivers, golf courses, and even the food is delicious.

Okajima: It only takes an hour and a half to get to Tokyo.

Ginji: It's also convenient.

Okajima: And, as it is known as the "City of Trees," the city of Sendai is truly beautiful.

--Your love for Tohoku is evident! Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for this year's ambassador activities.

Okajima: This is my first year, so I'd like to follow Ginji-san and learn as much as I can. I think there are probably still many people who don't know about Rakuten Eagles. I want to work hard so that the whole of Tohoku can come together to support Rakuten Eagles, and so that as many people as possible will think, "I want to support them."

Ginji: This year, as always, I want to do my best to liven up Tohoku. I'll be touring the six prefectures of Tohoku and doing my best to promote Rakuten Eagles and Pacific League baseball.

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Interview and text by Yuna Takahashi