Soul food of Aomori Prefecture? What are kujiramochi and bekomochi?

The Tohoku region is home to many delicious foods, some of which are introduced as "local delicacies" and quickly become popular nationwide

Among them, are you familiar with "Bekomochi" and "Kujira (Kujira whale) mochi," which are known as the soul food of Aomori Prefecture?

Even if you know the difference, you may still think that "bekomochi" and "kujira (Kujira whale) mochi" are the same thing

This time, we will introduce in detail what each food is

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What are "Kujira (Kujira/Whale) Mochi" and "Bekomochi"?

The names of the mochi, such as "Kujira (Kujira/Whale) Mochi (Whale?)" and "Bekomochi (Cow?)," seem to evoke animals, but what kind of mochi are they?

Kujira (Kujira, Whale) Mochi

"Kujira Mochi"is eaten in Tohoku, not just in Aomori Prefecture, but the meaning differs depending on the region when it is written in kanji.Nagai Kujira Mochi Shop,which"May it be a good mochi that will be cherished for a long timewrites the kanji"久慈良餅"as

The "Kujira Mochi" of "Itofuku," which has its main store in Furukawa, Aomori City, is written in hiragana. Currently, there is only one mochi shop, "Honpo Murakamiya," in Ajigasawa Town, but in the past there were four or five mochi shops. The mochi is written in kanji as "kujira mochi," and the name is said to come from the fact that it is made up of two layers, black and white, and resembles the cross-section of whale skin

And even outside Aomori Prefecture, in the Mogami and Murayama regions of Yamagata Prefecture,"Itofuku", but there are several theories about the origin of the name. One"Kujiramochi" (whale mochi) because it was a "good mochi that lasts a long time"theory is that it was namedit was larger than it is now, and its size was likened to a whale.

.the idea that it resembled salted whale meat, which is made by salting the blubber of a whale with its skin still attachedThere are many theories about the origin of the name, even just within Yamagata Prefecture, including

While there are various spellings and theories depending on the region, and although there are slight differences in the manufacturing method, it is basicallymade by kneading glutinous rice and non-glutinous rice flour with water, spreading it in a box, adding shelled walnuts and sugar water, and steaming it in a steamer.In the past, it was valued as a preserved food, and its chewy texture is irresistible.

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Bekomochi

Bekomochi is a beloved local dish in the Shimokita region of Aomori Prefecture, and is said to be commonly eaten mainly during seasonal celebrations

"Bekomochi" is said to originate from "kujira (kujira) mochi" (whale rice cake), and it is a soft rice cake made from glutinous rice and non-glutinous rice flour, sweetened with sugar. Originally, it only came in two colors, white and black, butnowadays many "bekomochi" have patterns that look like paintings, and their appearance is very beautiful,like a work of art.

However, while Bekomochi continues to evolve daily while preserving its traditions, the reality is that there are fewer people making it

Meanwhile, in Higashidori village in the Shimokita region of Aomori prefecture, you can learn how to make bekomochi from local mothers in a "bekomochi making experience," so if you live nearby, you might want to take this opportunity to learn how to make it

As is typical of Aomori Prefecture, where living environments vary from region to region,are beloved soul foods among the people of the Shimokita region"Kujira Mochi" and "Beko.

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The history of "Kujira (Kujira/Whale) Mochi"

From here, we will briefly introduce the history of each local confectionery

As mentioned above, there are various theories about "Kujira Mochi" (whale rice cake), but its history is long. It is"Kujira Mochi," which was a Kyoto confectionary, was brought to Yamagata Prefecture and then Aomori Prefecture by Kitamae shipssaid that

In the Mogami and Murayama regions of Yamagata Prefecture,this dish was made as military rations during the Edo period, about 300 years ago, under the third lord of the Shinjo domain, Tozawa Masatsune.It is also said that Shinjo City in the Mogami region may be its place of origin.

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The history of "Bekomochi"

Bekomochi is an evolution of the kujira mochi (whale mochi) that was made in Ajigasawa Town, Aomori Prefecture and near Asamushi Onsen in Aomori City

"Bekomochi"eaten during the Boys' Festival (Tango no Sekku), and in the Shimokita region, this rice cake made with precious rice is considered a celebratory food. It is said"the process of making it resembles the back of a cow" and "the combination of brown sugar and white sugar resembles the spotted pattern of a cowbecause".

Since mochi is eaten at celebratory occasions,many varieties are made using the natural colors of food ingredients to create patterns of camellias, irises, wisteria, and pine trees.

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If you want to buy "Kujira (Kujira) Mochi)" or "Bekomochi," this is the place to go

If you want to eat "Kujira (Kujira whale) mochi" and "Bekomochi" in Aomori Prefecture, this is the place to go! We will introduce you to this restaurant

Nagai Kujira Mochi (Kujira Mochi)

• Address: 51-5 Sakamoto, Asamushi, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 017-752-3228
• URL:http://www.kujiramochi.jp/index.html
• Business hours: [Main store] 7:00-18:00 [Bypass store] 9:00-17:00
• Closed: 12/31, 1/1

GOOGLE MAP

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Kikuya Mochi Shop (Kujira Mochi)

• Address: 64-3 Hotarudani, Asamushi, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 017-752-3268
• Business hours: 8:00-17:30
• Closed: Irregular holidays

GOOGLE MAP

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Specialty Whale Mochi Honpo Murakamiya (Whale Mochi)

• Address: 72 Honmachi, Ajigasawa-machi, Nishitsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0173-72-3021
• Business hours: 8:00-17:00
• Closed: Open all year round

GOOGLE MAP

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Itofuku (Whale Mochi)

• Location: 1-3-7 Shinmachi, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture Festival City AUGA, basement floor, Fresh Market
• Phone number: 017-773-4933
• URL: https://www.itofuku.jp/
• Business hours: 5:00-17:00 (Monday-Saturday), 9:00-13:00 (Sunday)

GOOGLE MAP

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Confectionery shop Kanmido (Bekomochi)

• Address: 5-50 Kamikawacho, Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0175-23-7822
• URL:https://www.kanbidou.com/
• Business hours: 10:00-18:30
• Closed: Sundays

GOOGLE MAP

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summary

We introduced Aomori Prefecture's soul food, "Kujira Mochi" and "Bekomochi."

There are various theories about the origin of "Kujira (Kujira/Whale) Mochi," and because of the many theories, it is an essential and beloved local sweet. Not only that, but its further evolution has led to the creation of "Bekomochi."

Although both are made in a similar way, they look very different, and it is said that "Bekomochi" looks like a work of art

If you're traveling to Aomori Prefecture, why not take a little trip out and buy some Kujira Mochi and Bekomochi? Of course, they're also available in Aomori City, so be sure to pick some up along the way

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