Hasshoku Center, Aomori

Hasshoku Center stands as one of northern Japan's largest indoor marketplaces, serving as both the culinary heart of Hachinohe City and a vibrant gathering place for locals and travelers. This expansive facility showcases the rich food culture of Aomori Prefecture's southern region, drawing its fresh seafood directly from nearby Hachinohe Port where both Pacific Ocean and Sea of Japan catches arrive daily from fishing boats.

The marketplace features more than 60 shops arranged along a 170-meter long main market area called Big Street. Unlike Tokyo's famous Tsukiji Market, Hasshoku Center operates all day, allowing visitors flexibility in their shopping and dining experience. The facility represents a complete food destination, offering not only pristine seafood such as tuna, squid, scallops, and sea urchin, but also locally grown produce, traditional dried goods, regional miso products, pickles, sweets, and an impressive selection of Aomori sake brands including Michinoku Hassen and Hachitsuru.

The center's most distinctive attraction is Shichirin-mura (Charcoal Grill Village), an interactive dining area where visitors purchase fresh ingredients from market stalls and grill them personally over charcoal braziers. Guests pay a ¥500 per person fee at reception, receive a shopping basket, and are guided to their grilling station. This hands-on experience has become immensely popular with both tourists and residents as an authentic and affordable way to enjoy Hachinohe's marine bounty. Beyond Shichirin-mura, the facility contains two additional dining zones: Kuriya Stadium, featuring restaurants serving conveyor belt sushi and all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu, and Aji Yokocho, which houses casual eateries offering ramen, soba, and udon noodles.

The center hosts seasonal festivals and special events throughout the year, including the annual Hasshoku Ramen Festival, live music performances during summer, live tuna-cutting demonstrations, and cooking classes at the Hasshoku Cooking Dojo. For families, a free children's play area called Wanpaku Hiroba provides entertainment for younger visitors. The facility also includes an extensive souvenir section stocking regional crafts, Nambu Senbei crackers, and exclusive sake products available only at Hasshoku Center.

Reaching Hasshoku Center from JR Hachinohe Station takes approximately 10-15 minutes by car or 11 minutes by the special 100-yen bus service that departs from the station's east exit. From Hachinohe city center areas like Jusannichi-machi, the journey takes about 20 minutes and costs ¥200 by bus. Drivers will find the facility convenient with free parking for up to 1,500 vehicles. Visitors should budget approximately two hours to fully explore the market, select seafood, and enjoy the grilling experience. Most vendors accept cash, and some accept credit cards and electronic payment, though currency exchange is not available on-site.