You can easily pick up souvenirs at both the airport and in train stations, including popular Aomori souvenirs and local sake at the duty-free shop in Aomori Airport.

JR Shin-Aomori Station has the Aomori Shunmikan shop, while the Youtree shop near JR Hachinohe Station offers around 2,000 Aomori-themed items. At JR Hirosaki Station, the APPLIESE mall is an excellent stop for local specialties from the Hirosaki area.

Looking for even more variety? Head to A-FACTORY and the Aomori Prefecture Tourism Information Center ASPAM near JR Aomori Station. With hundreds of products and tasty samples, these two spots are perfect for all things Aomori.

Just a 2-minute walk from JR Aomori Station, you'll find the A-FACTORY complex, which houses restaurants, local product shops, and an apple cider workshop, as well as being a convenient spot for both dining and picking up souvenirs. When you step inside, you'll be greeted by the Food Marche store, which offers a wide variety of local products, including snacks, seasonings, apple juice, alcohol, and more. One of the most popular items is the 'Aomori Apple Canned Fruit,' which contains apple slices in six different flavors: original, black tea, rum, Aomori black currant, ginger, and apple juice. They go great with yogurt — it's a fresh, delicious snack!

Since A-FACTORY is so conveniently located and offers a great selection of Aomori products and souvenirs, it's a perfect place to stop by at the end of your trip. You can have a meal, pick up some unique local treats, or grab a bottle of apple cider to bring home and share with friends and family.

For details, see the official website: https://afactory-abc.com/.

The Aomori Prefecture Tourism Information Center ASPAM is a 15-story complex located about an 8-minute walk from the east exit of JR Aomori Station. Inside, you'll find a variety of local product shops, traditional craft stores, and a hands-on experience area. The ASPAM Product Shop on the first floor is one of the largest souvenir shops in Aomori, offering a wide range of items.

On the second floor, you can check out the famous Tsugaru handcraft, 'kogin-zashi,' a traditional form of embroidery. Here, you can watch artisans as they create bookmarks, coasters, and other products. Kogin-zashi originated during the Edo period when farmers from the Tsugaru region were prohibited from wearing cotton clothing. To stay warm during the harsh winters, they would layer multiple pieces of hemp clothing, and to reinforce the fabric and add warmth, the women would embroider it with cotton threads, giving birth to kogin-zashi.

On the 13th floor, there's an observation deck offering a stunning panoramic view of Aomori city and a 360-degree view of the Shimokita, Tsugaru, and Natsudomari peninsulas. On clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of Hokkaido!

For details, see the official website: https://www.aomori-kanko.or.jp/aspam/.

The apple cider workshop inside A-FACTORY was created with the purpose of showcasing Aomori apples in a fresh and exciting way through sparkling apple wine. The facility houses eight fermentation tanks dedicated to producing a variety of Aomori Cidre as well as non-alcoholic apple soda. Here, visitors can watch the entire cider-making process up close.

Cider is a sparkling fruit wine made from fermented apple juice, originating in Europe. It's known for its fine bubbles and crisp, refreshing taste. With a relatively low alcohol content, it's easy to enjoy, even for those who don't usually drink alcohol. A-FACTORY's cider is made exclusively from locally grown Aomori apples and is carefully crafted bottle by bottle by skilled artisans. One of its flagship products, 'A-FACTORY AOMORI CIDRE Sparkling', even won a gold medal at the International Cider Challenge 2021 in the UK!

The Nebuta Goldfish Mini Yokan is an irresistibly cute, bite-sized sweet that resembles the goldfish lanterns children carry during the Aomori Nebuta Festival. Made by Joboshi Takeuchi, a long-established local confectionery shop, this apple-flavored yokan (a traditional Japanese sweet made from red bean paste and agar) is crafted using pureed Aomori-grown Jonathan apples, giving it a rich, layered flavor. The yokan itself is shaped into small, round pieces, resembling tiny apples.

Opening the package is part of the fun - just poke it gently with a toothpick, and the smooth outer layer peels away effortlessly. This playful way of eating makes it a hit with kids! The Nebuta Goldfish Mini Yokan is a popular find at souvenir shops in Aomori and can be stored at room temperature, making it an ideal take-home gift. Not only is it adorable and delicious, but it's also a perfect summer treat when chilled in the fridge for a refreshing bite.

Joboshi Takeuchi also offers other traditional Aomori sweets, including Tsugaru Ame, a famous candy made without refined sugar; just high-quality starch syrup for a natural sweetness. If you're curious, be sure to stop by Joboshi Takeuchi and explore their nostalgic treats!

Thanks to Aomori's abundant sunshine, pure water sources, and ideal climate, the rice grown here is highly regarded across Japan. Among them, Seiten no Hekireki, currently celebrating its 10th anniversary, stands out as Aomori's first-ever rice brand to receive Japan's top 'Special A' rating — a testament to its exceptional quality and taste.

What makes Seiten no Hekireki unique is its perfect balance of stickiness and lightness, with a refined sweetness that lingers in every bite. Its versatility makes it an excellent match for any dish, elevating the experience of enjoying rice to a whole new level. The thoughtful packaging design also reflects its Aomori roots. The blue-green hues symbolize the sky, sea, and forests, while the lightning bolt cutting through the sky represents the bold and striking flavor of the rice spreading in all directions.

Aomori's century-old confectionery shop, Okinaya, is well known for its traditional Japanese sweets, but also make a special Japanese-style apple pie called 'Tawawa.' This unique pastry features a buttery, handmade crust, generously filled with Aomori-grown Jonathan apples that have been soaked in liqueur and sugar. The result? A perfect balance of sweet and tart apple flavors, rich buttery aroma, and a deep, satisfying taste. Tawawa offers a distinctively Japanese twist on apple pie.

Tawawa was even presented to Japan's Emperor Naruhito when he was still Crown Prince. If you're curious to try a pastry once enjoyed by royalty, make sure to add Tawawa to your must-buy list when visiting Aomori!

Hatoya Seika offers a popular snack called 'Thick-Cut Dried Apples,' made by slicing fresh Aomori apples into 1cm-thick pieces, removing the core, and then freeze-drying them. The result is a soft, chewy texture with an intensely rich apple flavor and aroma in every bite. With no additives or preservatives, this all-natural treat is safe for kids and a great option for anyone looking for a wholesome snack.

You can find a Hatoya Seika store inside Aomori Shunmikan on the first floor of JR Shin-Aomori Station. These thick-cut dried apples are also available at A-FACTORY and Aomori Prefecture Tourism Information Center ASPAM, making them easy to grab while exploring Aomori!

Ragueneau, a confectionery company from Aomori, offers a wide variety of sweets, but one standout treat is their 'Patissier's Apple Pie Sticks.' Made with Aomori apples, these apple pie sticks are filled with sugar-preserved apple filling and paired with sponge cake, all wrapped in a buttery pie crust and baked to perfection. The apples are cut into two different sizes, creating a perfect balance of crispness and the moist, flaky texture of the pie crust — a combination loved by both kids and adults alike.

These apple pie sticks have won several prestigious awards, including the Gold Medal at Japan's 26th National Confectionery Exposition and have been recognized for three consecutive years by Monde Selection, a Belgian international quality label. In addition to the classic flavor, you can also try variations that are just as popular: the 'Patissier's Apple Pie Sticks Chocolate' or the 'Tohoku Mix' version, which combines flavors from all six prefectures of Northeast Japan. The shop also offers various gift packaging options, making it easy to bring these treats home as a souvenir.

Unlike typical apple pies, which are made by chopping or mashing the apple filling, Aomori has a luxurious twist — they bake an entire apple right inside the pie crust! This creation also comes from Ragueneau.

The product is whimsically named 'The Apple That Catches Your Attention,' and features a whole Aomori apple that's sugar-preserved and then wrapped in pie crust before being baked. The unique method of preparation used by the shop ensures that the apple maintains its crisp texture, adding an extra layer of freshness to each bite. To prevent the apple's moisture from making the pie crust soggy, the shop fills the apple's core with a sponge cake, creating a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Not only does the pie look gorgeous, but it's also delicious — a perfect example of the shop's thoughtful craftsmanship. As the name suggests, it's definitely an apple pie that'll catch your attention!

The 'Aomori Red Apple Fruit Cheesecake' from Hatoya Seika is made with locally grown Jonagold apples, a variety known for its distinct tartness and aromatic flavor. These apples are often used in apple-based products and desserts, and are widely cultivated in Aomori.

The bakery takes fresh Jonagold apples, sugar-preserves them, and bakes them inside a rich cheesecake base. The fluffy, creamy cheesecake is handmade with care and blends perfectly with the sweet-tart preserved apples, creating a wonderfully layered flavor and texture. If you're a fan of cheesecake, you definitely won't want to miss this special apple cheesecake!

Aomori Prefecture produces about 70% of Japan's garlic, with Tago in the southern part of Aomori being a major garlic-producing area. The garlic from Tago is known for its large cloves and full, single segments and bright white color.

Snack maker Ragueneau offers a unique treat called 'Garlic Senbei,' made using 100% garlic from Tago. Each piece is the perfect bite-sized snack, crispy and full of flavor. The right balance of spicy garlic kick stimulates your taste buds, and before you know it, you'll have finished an entire bag! These crispy garlic crackers also make a great snack for pairing with drinks, so they're an excellent gift for friends or family who enjoy a good drink.

This round baumkuchen, resembling an apple, reveals a whole honey-glazed apple hidden within layers of cake when sliced. The 'Apple Baumkuchen' was created by the pastry maker 'Komukai Seika,' who spent countless hours perfecting the recipe to produce a distinctly Aomori-inspired gift.

The process involves layering cake batter made with a generous amount of eggs over a whole apple that has been glazed with honey and aged. Each apple is unique in size and texture, so the baking process requires constant adjustments to ensure the final product has the appearance of an apple. In addition to its round shape, the makers focus on maintaining the apple's crispness, making this an intricate, labor-intensive dessert.

Due to its charming appearance and the delightful surprise inside, this apple baumkuchen makes a perfect souvenir. It's delicious on its own at room temperature, but chilling it first adds an extra layer of flavor!

The popular 'Hakkoda Morning' cheesecake, which sold an incredible 350,000 pieces in just four days, is a bestseller from cake shop Arpajon. Made with fresh eggs and milk from Aomori, this cheesecake stands out from usual varieties. It's a light, moist soufflé-style cheesecake that melts in your mouth, giving you the perfect balance of egg and cheese flavors.

The secret to its deliciousness lies in the method used: the egg yolks and sugar are carefully mixed, then cheese and soft whipped egg whites are added. The skilled bakers even adjust the baking temperature and the cake batter's consistency based on the weather, to gives it a distinct soft, airy texture. The name 'Hakkoda Morning' symbolizes the misty morning scenery of Aomori's Hakkoda Mountains and reflects the pride in using local ingredients.

Take note that the cake can be stored in the freezer for up to 180 days, but if kept in the fridge, it should be enjoyed within three days. Of course, it's best fresh, so be sure to enjoy it soon after buying!

Aomori Prefecture is surrounded on three sides by the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and the Tsugaru Strait. This area where warm and cold ocean currents meet provides a rich variety of seafood. Aomori is home to the Hakkoda Mountains, the World Natural Heritage site Shirakami Mountains, and impressive Mt. Iwaki in the Tsugaru region. These mountains offer crystal-clear water that nourishes the land, creating a rich environment that gives rise to Aomori's famous delicacies, including apples, garlic, scallops, burdock root, and yams.

Among Aomori's many agricultural and marine products, apples are certainly the most famous. Aomori produces more apples than any other region in Japan, accounting for about 60% of the country's apple production. The Tsugaru region, centered around Hirosaki City, has an ideal climate for apple cultivation, with temperature fluctuations between spring and autumn, hot summers, and cold winters. These extreme variations help create apples that are not only more flavorful but also easier to store. With over 40 varieties of apples grown in the region, each with its own unique taste and texture, Aomori offers a wide range of apple-based sweets and products.

When looking for souvenirs from Aomori, don't forget to consider locally brewed alcoholic beverages. In addition to the previously mentioned apple sparkling wine, Aomori is also home to the incredibly popular sake called 'denshu' - a must-buy if you're visiting the region. And of course, while you're enjoying the local food, be sure to try a glass of Aomori's finest sake to make your meal even more delightful.

Compared to other popular tourist destinations in Japan, Aomori sees fewer visitors, making it a much more relaxed and peaceful experience. Here, you can easily explore the vast beautiful natural landscapes on foot, and if you have the chance, hop on the Tsugaru Railway's famous 'Stove Train' for a cozy journey. Take time to savor local dishes made from Aomori's fresh ingredients. And before you leave, be sure to double-check the must-buy list in this article and pick up some perfect souvenirs that represent Aomori's charm!