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

" When you think of sea urchin, you think of Hokkaido " - that may be the image that comes to mind for many people. Or, some may think of the shelled sea urchins of Sanriku. However, Aomori's sea urchins are just as good.

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 the leading sea urchin producing areas in Japan. In 2019, it ranked third in the nation for domestic sea urchin production . Aomori Prefecture is bordered by two different sea areas, the Pacific Ocean to the east and the Sea of Japan to the west, and different types of sea urchin are caught in each area.

Due to these topographical characteristics, Aomori is unique in that you can enjoy sea urchins with different flavors depending on the season and region. Here you can find sea urchins that are rooted in everyday life

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, sweet, flavorful, and rich sea urchins are caught. In particular, Sai Village holds the " Sai Village Sea Urchin Festival " every year, where sea urchin bowls are served at an exceptional price.

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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 urchin is determined by the seaweed ." The marine environment of Aomori is directly linked to the deliciousness of sea urchin.

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, the local dish "Ichigo-ni" (strawberry stew), from the southern region, is considered to be special ." It is a luxurious soup made with sea urchin and abalone, and was originally created as a fisherman's dish in the Hachinohe region. The name comes from the fact that the sea urchin floating in the soup looks like "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 known to those in the know as the " holy land of sea urchin rice ." Every year in June and July, the " Sea Urchin Festival " is held, and rice bowls topped with plenty of locally caught sea urchin are extremely popular with tourists. This year, the sea urchin rice bowl, topped with a generous amount of sea urchin, was offered for 2,000 yen. Where else can you eat a sea urchin rice bowl for this price?

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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