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

[Part 1] With the memories of "3.11" in their hearts: Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles Ambassadors Ginji & Takero Okajima's 15 years walking together with Tohoku and what lies ahead.

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--The 2026 season will also feature the "Tohoku Series Supported by Daito Kentaku," with Rakuten Eagles hosting official first-team regular season in various prefectures throughout the Tohoku region. What gourmet food would you recommend to fans from all over Japan who will be visiting Tohoku?

Ginji (hereinafter, honorifics omitted): Tohoku has so many delicious foods, doesn't it?

Okajima (hereinafter, honorifics omitted): Sendai is definitely known for its beef tongue. Aomori has delicious tuna, Akita has kiritanpo and Inaniwa udon, and Yamagata has soba. What about Iwate and Fukushima...?

Ginji: There are lots of them in Iwate too! There's Wanko Soba, Reimen, and Jajamen. Also, Iwaizumi Yogurt and Fukuda Bread are famous, which Shohei Ohtani said were delicious. Fukushima has Kitakata Ramen.

Okajima: Ah, Kitakata ramen! There's a lot more noodles overall, isn't there? (laughs)

--Do you have any favorite shops in the Tohoku region?

Ginji: Maybe Chinatown. It's a champon restaurant in Akita. Miso champon is their signature dish, but I personally prefer the salt-based version. Also, there's Tonkatsu Katsuko near Kesennuma Station (Miyagi Prefecture)! Mikio Date from Sandwichman told me, "You absolutely have to go there," so I went. Their tonkatsu, served with salt from the Sanriku region, is delicious.

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