Soul food from Aomori Prefecture? What are whale mochi and beko mochi?

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 (Kujira) Mochi" is eaten in areas other than Aomori Prefecture in the Tohoku region, but the meaning of the characters varies in each region. Nagai Kujira Mochi Shop, which writes it in kanji as "Kujira Mochi" with the meaning of "May it be a good mochi that will be cherished for a long time to come."

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

Outside of Aomori Prefecture, in the Mogami and Murayama regions of Yamagata Prefecture, it is "Itofuku" , but there are various theories about the origin of the name. One theory is that it was named "Kujiramochi" because it was said to be "a good rice cake that lasts a long time" another theory is that it was originally larger than the current ones, and its size was likened to a whale,

There are many theories about the origin of the name in Yamagata Prefecture alone, including it looks like salted whale, which is whale blubber with its skin still attached and salted

There are various descriptions and theories depending on the region, and although there are slight differences in the manufacturing method, it is basically made by kneading glutinous rice and non-glutinous rice flour with water, stretching it in a box, adding shelled walnuts and sugar water, and steaming it in a bamboo steamer.In the past, it was a popular 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

It is said that the name "Bekomochi" comes from "Kujira (Kujira) Mochi" (whale rice cake), and 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, but nowadays many "Bekomochi" have painted patterns on them, and they look so beautiful they are like works 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

It can be said that this is unique to Aomori Prefecture, where living conditions vary from region to region, "Kujira (Kujira/Whale) Mochi" "Bekomochi" are loved as soul foods by the people of the Shimokita region

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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 the origin of "Kujira (Kujira/Whale) Mochi," but its history is long. It is said that , "Kujira Mochi," a Kyoto confectionery, was brought on board the Kitamae ships and then to Yamagata and Aomori Prefectures

it was first made in the Mogami and Murayama regions of Yamagata Prefecture as military rations during the reign of Tozawa Masatsune, the third lord of the Shinjo domain, around 300 years ago during the Edo period, and it is also said that it may have originated in Shinjo city in the Mogami region.

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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 on Boys' Day , and in the Shimokita region, mochi made from precious rice is considered a special food. It is said to have been named "beko (cow) mochi" because "in the making process, it is shaped like a cow's back" and "the combination of brown sugar and white sugar resembles the spotted pattern of a cow .

many of them are shaped using natural food colors and .

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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 days: 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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