"Misawa Hokki Donburi" is a local B-class gourmet dish made with surf clams, a representative winter delicacy of Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture. Some tourists visit just to eat "Misawa Hokki Donburi".

Let's explore the characteristics and history of Misawa Hokki Donburi.

Characteristics of Misawa Hokki Bowl

The Misawa Hokki Bowl, made with surf clams from Misawa Fishing Port, one of the largest fishing ports in Japan, is a local B-class gourmet dish that is only available during the winter. Fishing is allowed from December 1st to March 31st.

Misawa surf clams are sweet, crunchy and full of umami, making them a juicy treat. They also contain a wealth of nutrients that can help prevent adult diseases.

There is no specific definition for Misawa Hokki Donburi. As long as you use Misawa-produced Hokki, you can choose the seasoning and cooking method as you like. You can enjoy a variety of flavors, such as raw Hokki Donburi, Hokki Donburi fried in butter, Hokki Donburi covered in egg, and more. You can also try the slightly more unusual Kimchi or Sukiyaki flavors.

Trivia about Misawa surf clams

Surf clams are long-lived shellfish that grow 1cm per year and can live for over 30 years. By the way, the official name of surf clams is "Ubagai".

Surf clams can be caught all year round, but in the summer after spawning (May to June) the clams become thin and underweight. Therefore, in Misawa, they are only caught in the winter, when they are at their most delicious. The clams used in Misawa Surf Clam Bowl are an average of 10cm long, so it takes 10 years for them to reach a size suitable for shipping.

Also, the surf clams from Misawa have a different characteristic from those from other regions. Surf clams generally have blackish shells and the flesh turns red when cooked. However, surf clams from Misawa are washed on the shallow, sandy seabed, so their shells are whitish and the flesh turns pink when cooked.

When you eat it, it's thick and juicy, with a delicious, sweet flavor that spreads throughout your mouth. The freshness and quality of Misawa surf clams are so well-maintained that they are highly rated nationwide.

The History of Misawa Hokki Don

Misawa City wanted to develop a local gourmet dish that made use of a traditional ingredient, and so they focused on surf clams.

With the desire to have more people enjoy our prized surf clams, the fishing cooperative, the tourist association, the chamber of commerce, and food and beverage industry-related organizations came up with the idea for the Misawa Surf Clam Bowl. The Misawa Surf Clam Bowl, which can be easily eaten at restaurants, was launched in 2009.

Initially, only a few stores participated, but after being featured in various media outlets, Misawa Hokki Donburi quickly became well-known, and is now served in many restaurants as a local delicacy in Misawa City.

Each store prepares its own seasoning and cooking method, so you can enjoy comparing the different varieties and never get bored of eating them. Misawa Hokki Donburi is loved not only by locals but also by tourists.

Aomori Tourism Information

Aomori Prefecture, where you can eat Misawa Atka mackerel bowl, has many tourist attractions. This time, we will introduce three popular tourist spots in Aomori Prefecture.

Hirosaki Castle

The construction of Hirosaki Castle was planned by Tsugaru Narinobu, the first lord of the Hirosaki Domain who unified Tsugaru. The second lord, Nobuhira, built the castle in 1611. It is one of 12 castles with surviving castle towers. The castle originally had a five-story, five-storey tower, but it was burned down by a lightning strike. The tower was then renovated and a three-story, three-storey tower was built. The castle is now maintained as Hirosaki Park, and within the park are a historical museum, an information centre, a botanical garden and more. It is known as one of Japan's leading cherry blossom viewing spots.

Oirase Gorge

Oirase Gorge, which stretches for about 14 km from Lake Towada's Nenokuchi to Yakeyama, is one of the most scenic spots in Towada-Hachiman National Park. With many things to see, Oirase Gorge is a popular walking spot. The promenade is very long, so many people rent bicycles. It is a popular tourist spot that is also known as a famous spot for viewing fresh greenery and autumn leaves.

Nebuta House Wa Rasse

Aomori is famous for its Nebuta Festival, which is held in August. Nebuta House Wa Rasse is a place where you can experience Nebuta regardless of the season. Every year, they exhibit the large Nebuta that was used in the festival, and introduce the history and charm of Nebuta. You can enjoy the world of the Nebuta Festival in a space where shamisen, flutes, and Nebuta music are played.

How to get to Aomori

Aomori is an attractive place for both gourmet food and sightseeing, and there are various ways to access it. It is also conveniently located near the three largest cities in Japan: Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.

If you want to get to Aomori quickly, we recommend flying. Aomori Prefecture has Aomori Airport and Misawa Airport. If you fly from Tokyo, Osaka, or Nagoya, you will arrive in Aomori in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Aomori. Find the best way to get there.

Location of Misawa City, Aomori Prefecture

summary

The Misawa Hokki Bowl, made with surf clams from Misawa, one of the top fishing areas in Japan, is a local B-class gourmet dish that is only available in the winter. Each store offers the sweet and crunchy Hokki bowl with its own unique seasoning and cooking method.

If you visit Aomori Prefecture, be sure to try the Misawa Hoki Donburi.

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