Grapes, melons, and cherries? Aomori Prefecture: A surprising fruit kingdom

While applesAomori, that's not all. The prefecture cultivates an astonishing variety of fruits, including cherries, grapes, melons, apricots, pears, plums, and blackcurrants. Some of these fruits are among the top-producing in the country, so Aomori's capabilities should not be underestimated.

This time, we will introduce the charms of Aomori, this little-known fruit kingdom

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Aomori is not just about apples! It's actually a fruit kingdom

[Cherry] Luxury brand "Juno Heart" is a hot topic

Cherries in Aomori Prefecture are mainly produced in the southern part of the prefecture, including Nanbu Town, Hachinohe City, and Gonohe Town. Nanbu Town is the largest cherry producing area in the prefecture, and from mid-June to mid-July, cherry picking at tourist farms becomes a popular activity. In recent years, cherry cultivation has also begun in Aomori City and Hirosaki City, making use of apple pruning techniques

The heart-shaped luxury brand "Juno Heart" is characterized by its rich sweetness and large size, and among them, the top-of-the-line "Aomori Heartbeat" once sold for 500,000 yen for a box of 15 at the first auction of the year... In 2024, the price settled at 1,080 yen for a box of 2, but that's still quite expensive at 540 yen per fruit.

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[Western Pears] Popular for their mellow fragrance! Nanbu Town is the number one producer in Japan!

Western pears in Aomori Prefecture are grown in Nanbu Town, Sannohe Town, Hirosaki City, Aomori City, and other areas. Nanbu Town, in particular, is the number one producer of General Leclerc pears in Japan! The temperature difference between day and night increases the sugar content, resulting in a smooth texture and mellow fragrance

[Apricots] The number one producer in Japan! A hidden specialty of the southern part of the prefecture and Tsugaru

Aomori Prefecture is the top producer of apricots in Japan. They are cultivated mainly in the southern part of the prefecture, centered around Nanbu Town, Hachinohe City, Sannohe Town, and Gonohe Town, and are also grown in parts of the Tsugaru region

Apricots are famous throughout Japan for being used in jams and syrups, but in the Tsugaru region, "apricot wrapped in shisoleaves" is a deeply rooted local delicacy. The popularity of apricot wrapped in shiso leaves in Aomori Prefecture may be related to the fact that apricot production is thriving there.

[Peach] A new type of peach that uses apple-growing techniques!?

Peaches in Aomori Prefecture are grown in Hirakawa City, Nanbu Town, Sannohe Town, Hirosaki City, and other areas

," utilizing apple cultivation techniquesTsugaru peaches. The characteristic of Tsugaru peaches is their firm flesh, which is unlike that of other peaches. You probably imagine soft, juicy flesh, but Tsugaru peaches have a crisp texture! Just because they're firm doesn't mean they're unripe; on the contrary, they're incredibly sweet! The intense sweetness, a result of the large temperature difference between day and night in the region, and the firm flesh, which is unlike that of other peaches, are its charms, and it's a fruit with many fans both inside and outside the prefecture.

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[Grapes] Tsugaru, the Kingdom of Steuben!

Among grapes, the "Steuben" variety from Aomori Prefecture is nationally famous. Its main production areas are in the Tsugaru region, including Hirosaki City, Tsuruta Town, and Itayanagi Town. It's characterized by its high sugar content and easy-to-peel skin. Used not only for fresh consumption but also as an ingredient in juices and wines, it has become a staple autumn delicacy.

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[Melon] The star of summer, grown on the sand dunes of Tsugaru City

Tsugaru City, located in the western part of Aomori Prefecture, is also known as a melon-producing region. The well-drained sand dunes and the large temperature difference between day and night create the perfect conditions for growing high-sugar melons, and varieties such as Takami, Kiss Me, and Lennon are cultivated here. Shipping peaks from late June to August, and these melons are very popular as gifts!

During the harvest season from July to August, many melon shops line the Byobuyama Wide Area Agricultural Road, which stretches from the production area of ​​Ajigasawa to Goshogawara, and National Route 101, which stretches from Ajigasawa to Akita Prefecture

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[Prunes] Expanding in the two major production areas of Tsugaru and southern Okinawa

Prunes are also produced in Aomori Prefecture, and are grown in Hirosaki City, Ajigasawa Town in Nishitsugaru County, and Nanbu Town. Aomori Prefecture boasts the third largest production volume in the country, and demand is increasing as health consciousness grows due to the abundance of vitamins, iron, and dietary fiber

Dried prunes are the most famous type of prunes, but in Aomori Prefecture, fresh, raw prunes are the norm. Many people plant them in a section of their apple orchards, and when the harvest season arrives in early summer, you might receive a basket full of prunes...in a way, it can be said to be a symbol of early summer in Tsugaru, Aomori

[Blackcurrant] Aomori City's specialty fruit, boasting the highest production volume in Japan

Blackcurrant cultivation is thriving in the eastern Aomori region, centered around Aomori City. In fact, Aomori is the number one producer of blackcurrants in Japan. Although small, they have a strong fragrance and are highly valued for jams, liqueurs, and cake toppings. In recent years, they have also been used in sweets such as smoothies and cheesecakes, and are attracting attention from outside the prefecture

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Why does Aomori grow so many fruits?

The secret to its sweetness is the difference in temperature between day and night

One of the reasons why fruits in Aomori are so sweet is the difference in temperature between day and night. Sugar is produced during the day through photosynthesis, and the cold of the night reduces consumption, allowing the fruit to retain its sugar content. This difference in temperature is the result of the region's mountainous terrain and the unique climate of a northern region

A rich environment nurtured by mountains and snow

The meltwater from mountains such as the Hakkoda Mountains and the Southern Mountains brings minerals to the soil, creating an ideal environment for fruit trees to grow in. In addition, the soil containing volcanic ash has good drainage and is suitable for fruit tree roots to take root, making it possible to cultivate a wide variety of fruits

Quality supported by the wisdom and experience of farmers

Fruit cultivation in Aomori is supported not only by the climate and the power of the land, but also by the time, effort and wisdom of the farmers. In addition to applying techniques such as pruning, thinning and bagging developed in apple cultivation, farmers also meticulously manage the fruit according to the characteristics of each tree. Thanks to the techniques they have developed over the years, they are able to maintain the quality of Aomori's fruit, which is highly acclaimed nationwide

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summary

Aomoriis strongly associated with apples, it actually cultivates a diverse range of other appealing fruits that cannot be described by that alone. The warm climate of the southern region, the cool temperatures of Tsugaru, the abundant water and soil, and above all, the passion of the fruit-loving producers—all of these factors are what have elevated Aomori to the status of a "fruit kingdom."

The next time you visit Aomori, be sure to check out the fruits other than apples. You're sure to discover new flavors

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