Grapes, melons and cherry? Aomori's surprising fruit kingdom is a story [Aomori Prefecture]

When you think of Aomori, the image that comes to mind is " apples ," but in fact, that's not all. The prefecture grows an astonishing variety of fruits, including cherries, grapes, melons, apricots, pears, prunes, and black currants. Some of these fruits are among the top in the country in terms of production volume, 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 known for its rich sweetness and large fruit, and the top-of-the-line "Aomori Heart Beat" was once sold at its first auction for 500,000 yen for a box of 15 fruit. In 2024, the price settled at 1,080 yen for a box of two fruit, but at 540 yen per fruit, it is still quite expensive.

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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 nationwide for their jam and syrup, but in the Tsugaru region, " apricots wrapped in shiso " are a deeply rooted favorite local delicacy. The popularity of apricots wrapped in shiso in Aomori Prefecture may be related to the region's thriving apricot production.

[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

Hirakawa City in particular has made use of apple cultivation techniques and is a famous producer of peaches known as " Tsugaru peaches ." Tsugaru peaches are characterized by their firm flesh, which is hard to believe they are peaches. Most people imagine soft flesh that drips with juice, but Tsugaru peaches have a crunchy texture! Although they are hard, this does not mean that they are unripe, but rather that their sugar content is outstanding! The strong sweetness that can only be found in an area with extreme temperature differences between day and night, and the firm flesh that is unusual for peaches, make this fruit popular with many fans both within and outside the prefecture.

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[Grapes] Tsugaru, the Kingdom of Steuben!

Among the grapes, Aomori Prefecture is famous nationwide for its " Steuben " grapes. The main producing areas are the Tsugaru region, including Hirosaki City, Tsuruta Town, and Itayanagi Town, and they are known for their high sugar content and easy peeling. They are not only eaten raw, but are also used to make juice and wine, and have become a staple of autumn.

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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

Aomori is often associated with apples, the prefecture actually produces a wide variety of fascinating fruits that go beyond that. The warm climate of the southern part of the prefecture, the cool temperatures of Tsugaru, the abundant water and soil, and above all, the passion of fruit-loving producers - all of these factors have elevated Aomori to the status of "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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