Aomori's sea urchin is also top-notch! We introduce its charms that are just as good as those of Sanriku and Hokkaido!

.urchins with HokkaidoMany people might associate sea

In fact, in 2019, Aomori Prefecture was ranked third in Japan for domestic sea urchin production. What's more, locals have the opportunity to enjoy plenty of extremely fresh sea urchin at an affordable price. In this article, we'll introduce the appeal and secrets of Aomori sea urchin, as well as unique local ways to enjoy it, from a local perspective

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Surprisingly little known: Aomori is a sea urchin producing region

In fact, it has one of the highest catches in the country

Aomori Prefecture is one of Japan's leading sea urchin producing regions. In 2019,it ranked third in the nation for domestic sea urchin production. With the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Sea of ​​Japan to the west, Aomori Prefecture has two distinct sea areas, and different types of sea urchins are landed in each.

Thanks to these geographical features, Aomori offers a unique experience where you can enjoy sea urchins with different flavors depending on the season and region.sea urchins that are rooted in everyday lifeHere, you'll find

Where can you catch sea urchins in Aomori?

Hashikami Town and Hachinohe City on the Pacific side

Sea urchin fishing is popular in Hashikami Town and Hachinohe City, located on the Pacific coast of Aomori Prefecture. Fresh sea urchins are caught and lined up throughout the summer

Sai Village and Oma Town in the Shimokita region

In the Shimokita region, where Mutsu Bay is located, sea urchins with a rich sweetness and umami flavor are harvested. In particular, Sai Village holds the "Sai Village Sea Urchin Festival" every year, where sea urchin rice bowls are offered at incredibly low prices.

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Why is Aomori sea urchin so delicious?

Sweetness and umami nurtured by abundant seaweed

The taste of sea urchins varies greatly depending on what they eat. The coasts of Aomori are rich in seaweed, such as kelp, sea lettuce, and wakame, which sea urchins love, and this is what gives sea urchins their sweet, rich flavor

"the taste of sea urchins is determined by the seaweed they eat," highlighting the importance of the quality of their food. The marine environment of Aomori directly impacts the deliciousness of the sea urchins.

Sea urchins, which grow slowly in the cold ocean, are exceptional

The water temperature in Aomori's ocean is low throughout the year, and the sea urchins grow slowly. This allows the flesh to firm up and the flavor to be concentrated. During the summer fishing season, freshly caught sea urchins are lined up, and you can eat them right there, removed from the shell

Aomori sea urchin has a mild flavor and a refined sweetness. It has a gentle taste rather than a rich one. It's not tiring to eat, yet it's memorable. That's the type of sea urchin it is

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A local way to enjoy sea urchin

Even as prices rise, Aomori sea urchins have an excellent balance of quality and quantity. Compared to the prices in tourist areas, they offer overwhelmingly better cost performance! The advantage of being a production area is that you can get extremely fresh sea urchins at low prices not only at direct sales outlets at fishing ports but also at supermarkets

Strawberry stew is a treat for special occasions

Among Aomori's sea urchin dishes,special" one, is considered"Ichigo-ni," a local dish from the Nanbu region. This luxurious seafood soup, made with sea urchin and abalone, originally originated as a fisherman's dish in the Hachinohe region. The name comes from the fact that the sea urchins floating in the soup resemble "wild strawberries."

Nowadays, in southern Aomori Prefecture, it is a popular dish for special occasions such as New Year's and weddings. It is also sold as a canned product and is a popular souvenir for people outside the prefecture

If you want to try sea urchin rice bowl, head to Sai Village

Sai Village, located at the tip of the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture, is a hidden gem known as the "holy land of sea urchin rice bowls." Every year in June and July, a "Sea Urchin Festival" is held, and rice bowls generously topped with locally sourced sea urchins are extremely popular with tourists. This year, a sea urchin rice bowl piled high with sea urchins was offered for 2000 yen. It's unlikely you'll find a sea urchin rice bowl at this price anywhere else!

During the event, and at restaurants near the fishing port, you'll have the perfect opportunity to try the freshest sea urchin on the spot. A bowl of this dish, packed with the boldness and deliciousness you'd expect from a port town, is definitely worth the trip

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Sea urchin isn't just Hokkaido. Aomori might be the "hidden gem"

Aomori's sea urchin may not be as well known nationwide as Hokkaido or Sanriku. But that's precisely why it's so appealing as a place where you can find delicious, lesser-known sea urchin. In Aomori, it's commonplace to enjoy high-quality seafood. And the fact that it's available at an affordable price is something the locals can be proud of

If you're visiting as a tourist, be sure to check out not only the apples and garlic, but also the summer sea urchin. You'll surely find a treat that exceeds your expectations

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