Explore the northernmost hidden gem of Honshu by JR and feast on delicious Pacific bluefin tuna

Situated at the northern end of Honshu, Aomori Prefecture is Japan’s most proud apple-growing region. Beyond its eye-catching fruits, the premium tuna from the Ōma Fishing Port and the diverse seafood offerings from the Shimokita Peninsula have made Aomori’s rich harvest and unique marine delicacies a highlight of its cuisine. To truly experience this remote northeastern treasure, one must indulge in its exquisite food to grasp the unparalleled charm of this culinary paradise.

The Shimokita Peninsula of Aomori Prefecture, just across the Tsugaru Strait from Hokkaido, is shaped like an axe. As many people use the railway to travel directly to Hakodate, this seemingly isolated northernmost part of Honshu still preserves beautiful nature and the bounty it provides, resembling a modern-day utopia. To personally visit this stunning land, JR East Japan has specially introduced advantageous ticket packages such as the “JR East Pass” for foreign tourists this year. To explore the Shimokita Peninsula, take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Hachinohe, then transfer to the Tōhoku Main Line and then the Ominato Line. This route features many scenic spots, and travelers can take advantage of the unlimited ride benefit during the validity period of the PASS to get off and explore along the way.

The Shimokita region of Aomori Prefecture boasts many traditional delicacies. For example, the “Little Calf Rice Cake,” offered to gods and Buddha on June 5th (Tango no Sekku, or Japanese Children’s Day based on the lunar calendar), is a beautifully patterned cake made from glutinous and non-glutinous rice flour. There is also Miso Scallop Stew, which uses scallop shells as containers. Miso is dissolved in broth along with ingredients such as scallops, squid, and tofu. Once boiled, the mixture is topped with egg and simmered until thickened. These rustic dishes from the former coastal fishermen of Rikuchū Bay have broth full of the briny aroma of seafood, with every bite offering a rich taste of umami.

In addition, in Rikuzen-Hamada, located south of Mutsu City, from mid to late May each year, the soybean fields in the area become covered with blooming rapeseed flowers. The planted rapeseed fields here are the largest in Japan, offering a breathtaking 360-degree view of dazzling golden-yellow blooms. Mutsu-Hamada also has a variety of rapeseed-themed products, such as rapeseed doughnuts, oil pressed from rapeseed seeds, and even rapeseed honey—all of which are equally delicious.

Although somewhat remote, Ōma City in the northern part of the Shimokita Peninsula is a pilgrimage site for food lovers in Japan. The tuna caught here has rich fat marbling and firm flesh, considered the finest in the eyes of the Japanese. Hence, “Ōma Tuna” has become synonymous with the highest-grade tuna—even Japanese people rarely get the chance to enjoy this dreamy delicacy. The tuna fishing season runs from the end of July to mid-January the following year. Visiting Ōma during this time allows you to experience the bustling port atmosphere and thrilling tuna disassembly shows, and best of all, taste the freshest, most delicious tuna possible.

From the spring rapeseed blossoms to the tuna season in autumn and winter, the lush forests turn into a snowy white world—the Shimokita Peninsula is truly one of the best choices to experience northern Japan’s ambiance and savor legendary, dreamlike cuisine. Travelers can make great use of the JR East Japan PASS to explore this hidden paradise in Aomori’s Shimokita Peninsula. From now until May 4, 2010, simply leave a comment online sharing your thoughts or impressions about traveling in the Shimokita Peninsula of Aomori and include your E-mail address for a chance to win a mysterious gift from Japan’s Tohoku region.

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