If you want to enjoy amazing onigiri (rice balls), start here! 6 popular spots by major area in Aomori Prefecture

Photograph:ShigeP_Bishoku

Komehachi is a restaurant in the dining area of Hasshoku Center, a huge market that sells seafood and fresh vegetables. You can enjoy rice based dishes such as onigiri (rice balls) and Rice bowls.

The onigiri are also available for Takeout, making them perfect to bring along on a trip to Aomori.

Photograph:にゃりポン

This shop is said to offer an especially wide variety of onigiri (rice balls), from ones that seem like they would be a hit with kids to ones that would go well as snacks with drinks.

The photo shows the “hotate (scallop) and wakame (seaweed) iso onigiri (sea flavored rice ball).” When you take a big bite, the ocean like flavor spreads all through your mouth, making it really tasty.

Photograph:ShigeP_Bishoku

Aomori's local dish, senbei-jiru (cracker soup), is something you'll want to order with the onigiri (rice balls). The broth has a gentle sweetness and rich depth, and people say its full-bodied flavor is excellent.

The chewy senbei, almost like pasta, are also said to be superb.

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Omusubi you is an onigiri rice ball shop in a great location, about a 2-minute walk from Hachinohe Station. The menu covers the walls inside, and just choosing what to order is part of the fun.

They also have a full lineup of noodle dishes, so even people who want a filling meal are likely to leave Manzoku.

Photograph:こめぱん62

The onigiri (rice balls) at this shop are known for their softly shaped texture that looks like it might gently fall apart. The nori (seaweed) also bites through cleanly, making them easy to eat and highly satisfying.

The photo shows the "sujiko (salmon roe in skein)." It is filled with plenty of sujiko, and since the saltiness is said to be a little strong, it seems like a great match with the rice.

Photograph:Banilla

If you want a hearty meal, it is a good idea to order a set with onigiri (rice balls) and noodles.

The soba (buckwheat noodles) is said to have just the right level of salt, with tororo kombu kelp clinging to the noodles, making it an easy bowl to slurp down.

Photograph:あやのすけふみたろう

NICOMARU is an onigiri (rice ball) shop in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. Its gorgeous onigiri plates, which you can enjoy with both your eyes and your taste buds, are hugely popular.

The staff's service and the atmosphere inside are also pleasant, and guests say they are happy to relax in the Semi-private room seating.

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The lunch set "Nikomaru Pureto," which comes with two kinds of onigiri (rice balls), a kobachi (small side dish), tonjiru (pork miso soup), and a sweet, is very popular. You can choose the onigiri from several different kinds.

The photo shows the "Mentaiko (spicy cod roe)" and "ebi tenmusu (rice ball with shrimp tempura)." They are said to be packed with fillings all the way to the center, making them satisfyingly substantial.

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The Takeout container is stylish, so it is sure to be a hit as a gift.

The "ajitama (seasoned egg)" with a face is said to hold its shape well even when carried around, so you can enjoy eating it while it still has its cute face intact.

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Farm36 is a cafe restaurant on the first floor of Sakurano Department Store Hirosaki. Since it uses fermented ingredients, genmai (brown rice), and rice flour, it is also recommended for health-conscious diners.

Its signature item is onigiri (rice balls) made with organic genmai, and one of its big draws is the wide selection, said to be so extensive that it is hard to try them all.

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Perfect for lunch, the omusubi (rice ball) plate with tonjiru (pork miso soup). The Kara-age uses soy meat, so it is also a vegetarian-friendly option.

Both the onigiri and the tonjiru are said to be lightly seasoned, making this a good choice when you want to take a relaxing break.

Photograph:komachi diary

The sweets that make you want to get Takeout are all made with health in mind.

The "muffin" in the photo is made with gluten-free rice flour. If you warm it up again, it becomes soft and fluffy, making it even tastier.

Photograph:ジョニー７２

Musubiya Showa is an izakaya within walking distance of Aomori Station that is known for its tasty onigiri (rice balls). The owner has a warm personality, and the welcoming atmosphere is part of what makes this place so appealing.

Inside, there are counter and table seats, plus seating for Banquet gatherings, so it is a convenient choice for all kinds of occasions.

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The onigiri (rice balls) are made to order, so you can enjoy them while they are still nice and hot.

The photo shows a sujiko (salmon roe) onigiri that lets you fully enjoy the feel of Aomori. It has a rich flavor and is said to be excellent.

Photograph:ジョニー７２

The "Showa no Banshaku Set" is a great deal and very popular, coming with 2 drinks, a kobachi (small side dish), sashimi, and onigiri (rice balls).

The "Chokotto Sashimi assortment" is an assortment with tuna, torotaku (fatty tuna with pickled daikon), scallops, and more, and every item is said to be delicious.

Photograph:た☆か★し

Kokorosukubi is a shop where you can enjoy a wide variety of onigiri (rice balls), from classic fillings to more elaborate ones.

Takeout is the main focus, but there is also an eat-in space. The miso soup and pickles served with the onigiri are also said to be high quality, so it is a great spot when you want to take a short break.

Photograph:た☆か★し

A feature of this restaurant’s onigiri (rice balls) is that you wrap them yourself with the separately served nori (seaweed) right before eating.

The photo shows the “saba (mackerel),” which is said to give a sense of Aomori. The saltiness of the mackerel pairs perfectly with the flavor of the nori, making it very tasty.

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The brightly colored “Dazai Osamu ga Aishita Sujiko Natto.” Dazai Osamu was one of the leading novelists of the Showa era from Aomori Prefecture, and you can enjoy sujiko (salmon roe) and natto (fermented soybeans), a classic combination for people in Aomori Prefecture.

It is said to be packed with fillings not only on the surface but all the way through, so you can enjoy it right to the last bite.