Aomori prefecture is surrounded by the Tsugaru Strait, the Sea of Japan, and the Pacific ocean. With Mutsu Bay in its heart, Aomori is a rich source of not only fish, but also shellfish and seaweed.
Particularly, sea scallop, “hotate,” is an Aomori specialty, farmed in near-natural conditions established over many years of research and development. Hotate from Aomori is distributed nationwide and is highly valued for its quality and flavor.
Other notable seafood produced in the mineral rich ocean surrounding Aomori are rare delicacies such as sea cucumber, “namako,” and sea pineapple, “hoya,” as well as seaweeds such as “kombu”, “wakame”, and “mozuku.”
Seasonal Shellfish, Seaweed, and Other Seafood
Spring | Helmet Crab, Wakame |
---|---|
Summer | Sea Urchin, Sea Scallop, Sea Pineapple, Mozuku, Freshwater Clam Shijimi |
Fall | Kombu |
Winter | Surf Clam, Sea Cucumber |

Sea Scallops
Aomori is one of the largest producers of sea scallops, or hotate. Mutsu Bay, surrounded by the Shimokita and Tsugaru peninsulas, is a major source... more

Abalone
Abalone, specifically Ezo-Abalone, can be found throughout the coast of Aomori prefecture. Abalone caught in Oma is especially appreciated for its quality and as such... more

Sea Cucumber
Sea cucumber, or namako, has long been part of the Japanese food culture, being exported actively as early as Edo period. Japan has the longest... more

Sea Urchin
Sea urchins, or uni, belong to the phylum of echinoderms, the same as sea cucumbers. Though there are approximately one hundred and sixty types of... more

Shijimi Freshwater Clam
Shijimi is a type of freshwater clam that is a common ingredient in Japanese household cooking widely available in grocery stores and seafood shops. Shijimi... more

Kombu
Kombu is a type of seaweed widely established as a dashi and umami flavor ingredient. It grows in the ocean at depths of 5~7 meters... more

Wakame
Wakame is a type of seaweed that belongs to the same family as kelp. Wakame can be found throughout Japan, and wakame farming is an... more

Mozuku
Mozuku is a type of edible seaweed. In Aomori, mozuku typically refers to ishi-mozuku (Sphaerotrichia divaricata) belonging to the family Chordariaceae. Unlike farmed okinawa-mozuku, another... more

Surf Clam
Surf clam, known as “uba-gai” or “hokki-gai,” is the king of winter clams. The Kitahama Waters from the coast of Hachinohe to Misawa are great... more

Sea Pineapple
Sea pineapple, or hoya, is known for its unique acquired taste that is favored by connoisseurs. The taste is defined by its freshness. Fresh hoya... more

Mantis Shrimp
Mantis shrimp, or shako, is also known as “gasa-ebi” in Aomori prefecture. Though the term “ebi” means shrimp, mantis shrimp is not in the same... more

Helmet Crab
Helmet crab, or togekuri-gani, is a type of crab that comes into season in the spring. In Aomori, it is also referred to as “sakura... more