Why This Japanese Town Eats BEARS

@Abroad in Japan

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Explore Aomori Prefecture's unique culinary scene, from rare bear meat and wild boar to local apple cider and pies, on a two-day road trip through Japan's northern tip.

1 plan · 6 places · 3 experiences

Plan · 6 places · Aomori, Japan

Aomori's Wild Flavors Road Trip

“Our two-day road trip across Aomori Prefecture kicks off in Aomori City, then heads west to experience local delicacies, unique sights, and traditional culture.”

Experience · 1 place
Morning Cider Shot at A-FACTORY
Kick off your morning at A-FACTORY with a shot of local apple cider from the vending machine for 200 yen. My favorite is Kimori cider, a sweet and crisp alternative to coffee. It's a small shot, probably a good thing since it's only 9 AM and you can't drink and drive on a road trip!
1
A-FACTORY
Souvenir store · Aomori
4.3 (205)Closed · opens tomorrow 10 AM
Creator's voice
Aomori City's tribute to its number one export: apples. This factory and shopping complex offers various apple products, including local ciders. It's a great place to start your day and experience Aomori's apple culture.
A-FACTORY, 1 Chome-4-2 Yanakawa, Aomori, 038-0012, Japan
Kimori Cider · ¥200 — A sweet and crisp apple cider, available from a vending machine for 200 yen. It's a refreshing way to start the day, especially if you're a fan of apples.
2
Tsuru no Maihashi (Dancing Crane Bridge)
Tourist attraction · Tsuruta
4.1Closed
Creator's voice
Japan's longest wooden triple-arch bridge, constructed from local cypress trees. Walking across it is said to bring good luck and longevity. It offers a beautiful view with Mount Iwaki in the background. Despite its traditional appearance, it was built only 23 years ago.
Tsuru no Maihashi Bridge, Osawa Mawarizeki, Tsuruta, Kitatsugaru District, Aomori 038-3542, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Exotic Meat Banquet at Yamano Hotel
Indulge in the 'Hunter Uma Chef's Recommendation Course' at Yamano Hotel, featuring an assortment of local meats. Start with the deer sashimi, lightly cooked on a surface and served with garlic and sauce – it tastes surprisingly like regular sashimi and is super good. Next, try the wild boar with mushrooms, which is usually a safe and delicious bet. Finally, experience the rare local bear meat, grilled and seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic. It's chewy but has a satisfying meaty flavor, a special meat to try. I'd rate the deer a 9/10, the wild boar a 10/10, and the bear an 8/10.
3
Yamano Hotel
Hotel · Hirosaki
4.3
Polished hot spring inn with 2 restaurants & mountain views, plus indoor & open-air thermal pools.
Asobenomori Forest Iwakisou, Terasawa-28-29 Hyakuzawa, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-1343, Japan
Traditional Japanese Room — A spectacular traditional room with unique character, featuring elaborate artwork, pottery, embroidery, and lighting. It's a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing space to unwind after a day of travel.
Deer Sashimi — Lightly cooked deer sashimi, served with sauce and garlic. It tastes surprisingly like regular sashimi and is described as 'super good' by Ryotaro.
Bear Meat — A rare local delicacy, bear meat is grilled and served with salt, pepper, and garlic. It's chewy but offers a really satisfying meaty flavor. It's considered a very special meat to try.
Wild Boar with Mushrooms — A dish featuring wild boar and mushrooms, described as a reliably good and delicious option among the exotic meats.
Experience · 1 place
Morning Prayer at Iwaki-yama Shrine
Experience a traditional morning prayer at Iwaki-yama Shrine. The pattern to follow is to bow twice, clap twice, say your prayer, and finish with a final bow. Make sure to pray for something good, like conquering the world at 9:30 in the morning, as Ryotaro suggests. The tranquil surroundings, especially with fresh snow, make for a peaceful experience.
4
Iwaki-yama Shrine
Shinto shrine · Hirosaki
4.5 (2,740)Closed · opens tomorrow 9 AM
Hilltop temple with imposing torii gates, ornate wooden carvings & views over surrounding fields.
Iwakiyama Shrine, Terasawa-２７ Hyakuzawa, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-1343, Japan
5
Hirosaki Apple Orchards
City park · Hirosaki
4.3Open · until 5 PM
Creator's voice
Orchards on the outskirts of Hirosaki City, famous for their highly prized apples. Aomori Prefecture accounts for over 50% of Japan's apple production, with Hirosaki being a particularly renowned area.
Hirosaki City Apple Park, Terasawa-125 Shimizutomita, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8262, Japan
6
Taisho Roman Tea Room
Cafe · Hirosaki
4.3Open · until 4:30 PM
Creator's voice
A coffee shop in Hirosaki City, known for its unique variant of apple pie. Hirosaki is famous for having many coffee shops, each offering their own take on this local specialty, and there's even a map to guide you to them.
Taishō Roman Tea Room, 藤田記念庭園洋館 1F 8-1 Kamishiroganecho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8207, Japan
- Apple Curry — A unique curry dish with slices of apple inside. The combination of sweetness from the apple with beef and curry is described as really nice and goes well together.
- Apple Pie — A must-try local dish in Hirosaki, with each coffee shop offering its own variant. The video highlights the importance of trying apple pie when visiting Aomori.

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