A Culinary Journey Through the Aomori Prefecture of Northern Japan

The Aomori Prefecture, located in the northern part of Japan, is well-known for its delicious food. The region is blessed with an abundance of fresh seafood, local vegetables, and fruits. If you are a foodie, Aomori Prefecture should be on your bucket list.

Fresh Seafood

The proximity to the sea has given Aomori locals access to a variety of fresh seafood. You can try a range of local specialties like the Sanriku Hoya, oysters from Mutsu Bay, squid, salmon and tuna. Aomori is also known for its delicious crab dishes- specifically, the famous Snow Crab.

Apples

Aomori prefecture is known for their apples and their motto is, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” The apples are large, juicy, sweet and crunchy. You can try different apple varieties such as Fuji, Tsugaru, and Jonagold apples. You can taste the apples in many forms like apple juice, apple pie, and candied apples.

Japanese Sake

Aomori Prefecture is also famous for its sake or rice wine production. The region has a long history of sake making and is known to produce some of Japan’s best sakes. You can visit local breweries and try different varieties of sake, including the famous apple sake, made with locally grown apples. Pair the sake with some freshly caught seafood or a traditional Japanese dish to experience the best of Aomori’s sake culture.

Traditional Japanese Dishes

Aomori is also famous for its traditional Japanese dishes. Some of the popular dishes include seafood dishes like Sasakamaboko and Ika-no ikizukuri (live squid sashimi) and Hachinohe Senbei-jiru, a soup made with little senbei (a kind of rice cracker) and miso soup. You can also try some unique regional specialties such as “Karasumi,” sun-dried mullet roe that has a rich umami taste.

Conclusion

A culinary journey through the Aomori Prefecture of Northern Japan will leave you with a gastronomic experience that you will never forget. From fresh seafood to sake and traditional Japanese dishes, Aomori has something to offer to everyone. So, if you ever visit Japan, don’t forget to add Aomori to your bucket list.