The "Mameko bee" is a small bee with a body length of about 1 cm. It has been used for pollination of apple flowers in the Tsugaru region for about 80 years.
In Itayanagi Town, a ceremony is held every year at this time of year when pollination work is in full swing. About 20 people, including apple growers, participated in the ceremony on the 8th of October. The participants thanked the bees for their work and offered skewers with prayers for this year's bountiful harvest.