Aomori Scallops: An Insider’s Look Into the Popular Kari-Pori Kaihimo

Asamushi Onsen: Loved by Aomori Residents for Decades

Asamushi Onsen is a mere 30-minute drive from Aomori City. The hot-spring resort accessible along the Aoimori Railway has been dubbed the “Atami of Tohoku” (*). Aomori residents have loved it for decades.

There are many sightseeing spots within the Asamushi Onsen area, but Yunoshima Island is especially popular. It’s a small island that almost appears to be floating in the blue sea. The torii gates are visible from Asamushi Beach and add a mystical charm to the island.

*Atami: A hot spring area in Shizuoka Prefecture. It has flourished as a resort area for hundreds of years.

Asamushi Onsen is an area filled with the elegance of a hot spring resort and was loved by many literary masters. It has also appeared several times in Japanese literature.

There are many hot spring inns near Asamushi-Onsen Station as well as sightseeing spots like Michi-no-Eki Asamushi Onsen and Asamushi Aquarium. We recommend staying in Asamushi Onsen if you’re interested in Aomori.

How Aomori’s Famous Scallops are Born

Hiranai, the next town from Asamushi Onsen, yields the highest production volume in Japan from scallop farming for many years. This time, our writer was invited to see what scallop fishing is like in the town.

The average person would still be asleep at four o’clock in the morning during the scorching hot summer. It’s around the time when the night sky faintly begins to brighten that many fishers in Hiranai’s fishing port depart to catch scallops that were raised with difficulty.

The sky brightens in a blink of an eye once out at sea.

Within ten minutes, we arrived at a nursery in the middle of Mutsu Bay. The fishers are quietly seated and preparing themselves for the hard labor in the fishery.

Unloading Their Catch Then Immediately Cleaning

The scallops we typically eat are young wild shellfish raised and grown on rope lines. Several thin ropes connect to one thick rope to which the scallops are attached. Over a year, the scallops will grow bigger along these ropes.

The fishers pull up the rope with all their strength. While watching on the sideline, our writer could feel how heavy the rope must be.

The fishers then tie the rope to a machine with skilled technique. The scallops are pulled up from the water with mechanical power. Then, the catch is thoroughly cleaned after being moved to a wash tank.

Scallops often have parasites or algae stuck to their shells during cultivation. This is due to the lengthy amount of time they spend in the ocean.

This is why the outer shells are power washed in a wash tank of seawater. Afterward, the scallops are packed by hand into a box. The total weight of one box can amount to 70 kilograms.

Once the scallop harvesting is finished, the boat heads back to the port. The stern of the boat is piled high with scallops.

The haul for this day totaled 900 kilograms. If a layperson heard this, they may think 900 kilograms is a ginormous number. However, according to the fishers, the yield was smaller than usual due to the daily heat and rising sea water temperature.

The scallops are transported to a nearby factory upon arriving at the port. They are cleaned once more at the factory, then frozen and reinvented into various processed goods.

Arakou Fishery’s Processed Scallop Products

Executive Director Yumiko Arakawa
Arakou Fishery, located in Hiranai, is a company that works with scallops, dried sea cucumbers, and other processed seafood products. They also provide live fish and shellfish for restaurant tanks. Additionally, they sell products for the average consumer alongside high-quality wholesale ingredients for professional chefs.

The company was established in 1986 to use scallops produced in Hiranai to develop the region further.

Kari-Pori Kaihimo, a signature souvenir of Aomori, is a product made by Arakou Fishery. Their other processed seafood products—made from scallops, sea cucumbers, and other seafood—are exported to countries such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

The Reason Aomori Scallops Are So Delicious

The delicious taste of Aomori scallops is not only due to the excellent aqua farming technology in the industry. It is also thanks to Mutsu Bay having the ideal topography for cultivation.

Mutsu Bay is surrounded on three sides by mountains and connects to the ocean through a narrow exit. This is why the breeze is light while the waves remain calm inside the bay. The area also sees very few natural disasters. Minerals and phytoplankton flowing into the waters from the surrounding mountains and forests can also be retained in the bay. Lastly, the water temperature is known to be relatively low.

The bay is also blessed with clean water and the necessary nutrients for scallops. This results in scallops in Mutsu Bay growing to be large, sweet in flavor, and have a soft, fleshy texture.

Arakou Fishery’s Reliable Production System

Staff processing boiled scallop mantles.
Arakou Fishery’s processed seafood products are manually manufactured at an in-house factory.

The processing factory is kept at a temperature of 18° Celsius year-round to preserve the freshness of the scallops at their most delicious state.

This time, Arakou Fishery granted our writers special permission to observe the manufacturing process of Kari-Pori Kaihimo, a popular product.

Kari-Pori Kaihimo is entirely manufactured by hand from ingredient sorting to frying, seasoning, packaging, and shipping. This adds a human touch to Kari-Pori Kaihimo’s delicious taste.

Kari-Pori Kaihimo: A Popular Souvenir From Aomori

Kari-Pori Kaihimo suggested retail price: 600 yen (tax included). *Prices may vary at different retailers.
An item you’ll come across at convenience stores and souvenir shops when visiting Aomori is Arakou Fishery’s Kari-Pori Kaihimo.

This is what the person in charge of development for this product had to say.

“Originally, product development began because we wondered whether we’d be able to reuse the mantle, which is normally discarded after processing the scallops. Over the course of several years, we got our employees, their families, and business partners to sample our test products while conducting further studies. It was released for sale when we were unanimously told it tasted great. For it to become such a popular product was unexpected.”

The company currently manufactures eight different varieties. Limited edition versions are made by specific manufacturers.

Kari-Pori Kaihimo is a product deep-fried in oil, but is very low in calories for one bag. It has an addictive flavor that makes it hard to stop eating once you start. This also makes it an ideal snack to have with beer. We recommend snagging some Kari-Pori Kaihimo if you’re visiting Aomori!

Scallop Cream Stew: Tastes Delicious on Its Own or on Pasta and Gratin

Scallop Cream Stew suggested retail price: 830 yen (tax included). *Prices may vary at different retailers.
Scallop Cream Stew is a great product for those who love cooking. It can be heated up and eaten on its own. Alternatively, it can be used as an ingredient in pasta and gratins. There are numerous ways to cook with this product!

Hotate Don (Scallops Over Rice)

Hotate Don suggested retail price: 830 yen (tax included). *Prices may vary at different retailers.
Hotate Don (scallops over rice) is a convenient product that can be enjoyed by heating it up and topping it over white rice. You can taste authentic Aomori scallops right at home. It’s a product that any scallop lover will want to buy!

Don’t Skip A-FACTORY for Aomori Souvenirs

A-FACTORY, located next to Aomori Station, is a souvenir shop that has garnered attention in the last few years. Here, you’ll find notable local specialties from Aomori Prefecture and across the Tohoku region.

The shop became incredibly popular after its opening due to its bright, gorgeous interior design.

The store not only carries quintessential Aomori souvenirs, but you can also buy Kari-Pori Kaihimo here! Don’t forget to visit A-FACTORY and buy souvenirs like Kari-Pori Kaihimo to bring home!

A-FACTORY

1-4-2 Yanagawa, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture 038-0012

Eat Scallops When in Aomori!

The fresh, delicious scallops can’t be left out of the discussion when it comes to seafood in Aomori. There are various processed scallop souvenir products out there. The next time you visit Aomori, be sure to stop by A-FACTORY!

Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center is another souvenir shop in Aomori City that’s equally as popular as A-FACTORY. They also carry many of Arakou Fishery’s delicious scallop products!

Written by Jacky Chen
In cooperation with Arakou Fishery Ltd.
Sponsored by Reconstruction Fishery Processing Industry Market Recovery Promotion Center