Aomori prefecture has a high reputation for its local brews. Enriched by the beautiful natural environment, the land of Aomori prefecture enjoys pure natural water that flows from the surrounding mountains including the World Natural Heritage Shirakami Mountains. In addition, Aomori is a major producer of rice and produce used for the production of local brews, such as sake made with sake-brewing rice or malted rice. The prefecture boasts top-quality brews that use local produce, grown in the rich soils of Aomori.
Japanese Sake – Hanafubuki/Hanaomoi-
sake brewing, also known as shuzo-kotekimai. In comparison to regular rice, shuzo-kotekimai has a higher starch content which is necessary for the sake brewing process, and a lower protein content which is important for the flavor of the sake.
Hanafubuki is used in the brewing of Junmai sake, while Hanaomoi is used for premium quality sake such as Kinjoshu and Daikinjoshu.
Local Sake Brewery List
Local breweries are scattered all around Aomori prefecture. Most breweries have been family-owned through generations with close ties to the local communities.
While some sake are made year-round, breweries generally begin the production process in the fall, reaching the busiest period during the coldest months in the winter. The final product becomes ready in the spring. Some breweries offer tours that allow visitors to enjoy the unique historic atmosphere and aroma of the breweries, and it is highly recommended.
Please contact the breweries directly for information about tours.
| Brewery | contact | tour |
|---|---|---|
| Nishida Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. | http://www.densyu.co.jp/ | – |
| Hatomasamune Co., Ltd. | http://www.hatomasa.jp/ | Tours available |
| Momokawa Brewing Inc. | https://www.momokawa.co.jp/en/ | Tours available |
| Sekinoi | http://www.sekinoi.co.jp/ | – |
| Morita Shobee Co., Ltd. | http://www.morishou.co.jp/ | Tours available |
| Ozaki Shuzo Co., Ltd. | http://www.ozakishuzo.com/ | Tours available |
| Osanai Shuzo Inc. | 0173-46-2005 | Tours available |
| Takenami Shuzo-ten Inc. | 0172-73-2161 | Tours available |
| Narumi Jozo-ten Co., Ltd. | https://furusatobin.jp/kikunoi/ | Tours available |
| Nakamura Kamekichi Co., Ltd. | – | – |
| Rokka Shuzo Co., Ltd. | http://www.joppari.com/ | Tours available |
| Matsumidori Brewery | https://matsu-midori.com/en/ | – |
| Kaneta Tamada Shuzo Co., Ltd. | – | – |
| Shirakami Shuzo Co., Ltd. | http://www.aomori-sake.or.jp/kuramoto/shirakami.html | – |
| Miura Shuzo Co., Ltd. | 0172-32-1577 | Tours available |
| Marutake Shuzo-ten Co., Ltd. | 0172-86-2002 | Tours available |
| Hachinohe Syurui Co., Ltd. | https://hachinohe-syurui.com/ | Tours available |
| Hachinohe Shuzo Co., Ltd. | https://www.mutsu8000.com/ | Tours available |
| Godo Shusei Co., Ltd. Hachinohe Factory | https://www.oenon.jp/ | Tours available |
| Rokkasho Chiiki Shinko Kaihatsu Co., Ltd. | 0175-71-3335 | Tours available |
Shochu
In Aomori, locally grown produce and the natural artesian water are used for making shochu.
Shochu from Aomori is unique as it uses local produce such as naga-imo yam, tsukune-imo yam, soybeans, rape flower blossoms, dake-kimi (a specialty corn grown in Hirosaki, Dake area), or rice along with artesian water from the Shirakami mountains.
Aomori Apple Cidre
Aomori prefecture is often associated with its local specialty apples. Though nothing can beat the taste of a fresh Aomori apple, they are also used to make sparkling wine “cidre.” As the top producer of apples in Japan, the cidre made in Aomori uses the freshest apples harvested at their peak season.
Sumibi Yaki Gottsuri 
Uoshokuya Kinki-Tokyo Pales Building Branch 
Torino 
Aomori Nebuta World 
Aomori PR Izakaya Ringo no Hana 
Izakaya Joppari 
Gotochi Sakaba Aomori-ken Mutsu Shimokita Hanto 
Aomori Ryori Kappou Nakamura 
Minato 
