Enjoy Chikuwa Fish Cakes in Aomori City

Aomori is the northernmost prefecture on Honshu, Japan’s main island.

Also a part of the country’s northeastern Tohoku region, Aomori is beloved for its summer Nebuta Festival, sweet-tasting apples, exceedingly fresh seafood, and unspoilt nature, namely the virgin beech forests of World Heritage Site Shirakami-Sanchi. The prefecture’s capital, Aomori City, developed along Mutsu Bay—an area where the Sea of Japan and Pacific Ocean meet—and once stood as mainland Japan’s primary connection to Hokkaido Prefecture.

Aomori City’s location and rich past have shaped it into a captivating destination where nature, history, gastronomy, and culture thrive. From its hiking, camping, and winter sports opportunities to its art museums and cultural sites, the city has it all. And of course, let’s not forget about Aomori City’s mouthwatering seafood scene.

In addition to its endless kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) eateries, Aomori City is also the birthplace of Maruishi Numata Shoten, a company that has been crafting quality kamaboko and chikuwa since 1918.

What are kamaboko and chikuwa?

Kamaboko is a type of traditional Japanese fish cake that typically consists of surimi (white fish pounded into a paste), salt, sugar, egg whites, fish sauce, and sake. The resulting blend is then formed into a log or other shape and steamed, baked, fried, or poached. Kamaboko has a mild fishy taste with a texture that is simultaneously chewy and smooth.

Thanks to its light flavor, kamaboko is a versatile ingredient found in an array of Japanese dishes. While it is most often associated with osechi-ryori, which are traditional Japanese New Year dishes, many people enjoy it year-round in bento boxes, as a garnish for ramen and udon, and as a drinking snack.

Chikuwa is a type of fish cake that is formed around a mechanically-rotating metal stick—traditionally bamboo—and grilled. The word “chikuwa” literally translates to “bamboo ring” since the fish cake resembles the cut end of a bamboo stalk. Chikuwa has a similar flavor profile to kamaboko though stands apart with its subtle smoky notes. Texture-wise, it is slightly more firm than kamaboko and has a hollow center.

Chikuwa is eaten year-round as a drinking snack, as a side dish, in tempura form, and as an ingredient in oden. You may even come across Western-inspired iterations where chikuwa’s center is filled with meat, cheese or vegetables.

Maruishi Numata Shoten: A leader in Aomori City’s chikuwa industry

Now in its 106th year of business, Maruishi Numata Shoten specializes in the production of fish cakes, with chikuwa being its most popular, followed by kamaboko. The factory is located at the mouth of Tsutsumi River, which runs through the center of Aomori City and connects to Mutsu Bay.

The ocean waters in this area have long fueled Aomori’s seafood legacy, and the city itself prospered as a producer of yaki-chikuwa, which is broiled chikuwa. In the 1930s, an Aomori City sightseeing guidebook listed yaki-chikuwa as one of the city’s food specialties. Maruishi Numata Shoten was one of the pioneers of Aomori City’s chikuwa-making industry, and its prestige has earned it numerous visits from Japan’s Royal Family throughout the years.

Try Maruishi Numata Shoten’s renowned products

If Japan’s royalty has visited Maruishi Numata Shoten for a taste of its renowned chikuwa, then you definitely do not want to miss out on this culinary experience.

Maruishi Numata Shoten’s chikuwa are made with a high percentage of fish, and the company grinds this fish using a traditional millstone to achieve the product’s smooth mouthfeel. During the grilling process, the chikuwa bloom with golden markings reminiscent of peony petals, which inspired its nickname “botan-yaki chikuwa” (botan is the Japanese word for peony).

For its kamaboko, the company only uses high-grade surimi, and follows an exceptionally hygienic shaping method in which the products are steamed and deep-fried in a vacuum. Afterwards, the company rests the kamaboko at a low temperature for a day to ensure a resilient texture. The kamaboko’s elasticity and depth of flavor make it an addicting product.

Where can you find Maruishi Numata Shoten’s products?

Maruishi Numata Shoten sells its products at a number of establishments in Aomori City. One of the most recognizable destinations among tourists is the Aomori Prefectural Center for Industry and Tourism, ASPAM. This iconic triangular building is situated directly on Mutsu Bay. You cannot miss it.

ASPAM’s first floor features an impressive souvenir store to the right of the entrance, called Aomori Product ASPAM head shop, that boasts a large collection of Aomori products. Here, you can find apple sweets and juices, local agricultural and fishery products, Aomori sake, and more. Maruishi Numata Shoten’s products are located in the store’s refrigerated section. Opt for singular fishcakes, or pick up a box set to try a variety of its unique flavors. We recommend its original chikuwa, as well as its cheese-filled and dried sausage-filled chikuwa.

How to eat chikuwa and kamaboko

The simplest way to enjoy chikuwa and kamaboko is raw. Slice the products into bite-sized pieces and savor them as high-protein snacks or as food pairings with Aomori sake and beer. The cheese-filled chikuwa matches well with wine. If you are feeling adventurous and have the means to cook, you can even try one of Maruishi Numata Shoten’s recipes. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Sightseeing in Aomori City

Aomori City’s urban landscape, seaside location, and mountainous north hold a seemingly infinite number of culinary, cultural, and nature-focused opportunities. Check out some of the city’s top sightseeing spots below.

Nebuta Museum WA RASSE

The Nebuta Festival, held annually in Aomori City from August 2-7, is one of Japan’s most famous festivals. This lively celebration attracts a large number of people every year from across Japan and abroad. During this energetic festival, Aomori City’s streets become abuzz with colorfully-dressed Haneto (Nebuta dancers), traditional music, and of course, massive Nebuta floats. These mesmerizing floats glow from within and resemble fierce warlords, historical figures, and characters from kabuki and mythical stories. Size-wise, the floats measure approximately nine meters wide, seven meters deep, and five meters high.

Although the Nebuta Festival only occurs for six consecutive days out of the year, you can still experience its grandeur year-round at the Nebuta Museum WA RASSE. This museum introduces the history of the festival and showcases each aspect of the event.

The museum’s main lure is its display of four full-sized Nebuta from the most recent festival. In the spacious hall, you can admire the floats’ painstaking details up close, compare different Nebuta artists’ styles, and enjoy the floats’ atmospheric glow. Additionally, the museum offers Haneto dancing experiences, exhibits live footage of the displayed floats during the festival, introduces the history of the festival and the evolution of nebuta-crafting techniques, and even offers the rare experience of touching a Nebuta. Given the festival’s internationally-renowned status, this museum is a must-visit.

Furukawa Fish Market (also known as Aomori Gyosai Center)

Create your own Nokkedon, a “build-your-own” rice bowl, at Furukawa Fish Market. Here, 2,000 yen earns you 12 tickets that you can exchange for a variety of fresh toppings across over 20 stores. In general, each topping equals one or two tickets. Start with a base of rice for one ticket, or exchange two for extra rice. Then, the fun begins!

The collection of stalls sell everything you could want in a seafood bowl, including tuna, shrimp, octopus, sea urchin, salmon, crab, scallops, ikura (salmon roe), Japanese rolled omelet, and more. The market even has vegetable and meat options. Some vendors also sell products for yen only, such as sweets and Aomori apple juice. Once you craft your culinary masterpiece, you can enjoy it at one of the tables in the center of the market. The bustling energy of the market paired with your active involvement in choosing ingredients makes for a unique and immersive dining experience.

Showa Daibutsu at Seiryu-ji Temple

Resting on the outskirts of Aomori City’s urban sprawl, Showa Daibutsu is an enormous Buddha statue located at Seiryu-ji Temple. This peaceful complex is home to numerous temple buildings that sit in harmony with nature. As you explore the grounds, the quiet ambience will set your mind at ease.

At the complex’s entrance, you will first see Daishido, a brilliant vermillion hall, followed by the Kondo (Main Hall), Bouki-tei (a Japanese rock garden), and a mesmerizing five-storied pagoda. The Main Hall and pagoda feature masterful woodwork and are excellent places to rest and enjoy the views.

Further down the foliage-covered path—past a small eatery and additional temple statues—is Showa Daibutsu. At 21 meters tall, the statue is Japan’s tallest bronze seated statue and exceeds the height of Nara’s Daibutsu by 5.5 meters. The statue’s meditative expression perfectly encapsulates the serene atmosphere of the temple grounds. The base of the Buddha statue, which you can enter, houses Buddha carvings and traditional Japanese paintings. After spending time by the sea, the temple is an excellent place to reconnect with the green side of nature and explore Japanese culture.

Visit Aomori City

Shin-Aomori Station, located in Aomori City, is the last stop on the Tohoku Shinkansen and thus, is easily accessible from a number of departure points between Tokyo and Aomori. For instance, from Tokyo Station, Shin-Aomori is about a 3 to 3.5-hour train ride.

Perched on the northern end of mainland Japan, Aomori City is teeming with pristine nature, rich culture, and an endless supply of fresh seafood. Do not miss out on this memorable destination, and while you are in the area, be sure to grab some of Maruishi Numata Shoten’s beloved fish cakes.

Looking for more Tohoku seafood?

Maruishi Numata Shoten’s chikuwa and kamaboko are just the start of your Tohoku seafood journey. Visit our Seafood Journey feature page to dive into northeastern Japan's culinary delicacies and discover more passionate seafood and marine product processors.