How to Make the Most of Supermarkets for a Rich Food Life in Aomori
For long-term residents and international students wondering, ‘Is there a Vietnamese supermarket or an Asian grocery store where I can buy food from my home country in Aomori Prefecture?’ or for locals wanting to enrich their daily home cooking. While there aren’t many dedicated ‘Vietnamese specialty supermarkets’ in Aomori City, you’ll find reliable import food stores that serve as great alternatives, large supermarkets that support your dining table with incredible cost-performance, and local markets where you can get fresh seafood and deli items unique to Aomori.
In this article, we’ve carefully selected five highly-regarded supermarkets and markets easily accessible from Aomori Station. More than just store introductions, we provide in-depth information directly relevant to real-life shopping, such as ‘This is where to stock up on meat,’ ‘Payment tips,’ and ‘Must-try local deli items.’
Jupiter Aomori Store
📍 Address: JR 1F, 1-2-3 Yanagawa, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture 038-0012, Japan
Located on the 1st floor of ‘LOVINA,’ the station building directly connected to Aomori Station, ‘Jupiter’ is an oasis for international students and ethnic food lovers, offering a rich selection of imported foods and coffee beans from around the world. Similar to Kaldi, it handles a wide variety of ingredients, but its characteristic wide aisles and low shelves make for a relaxed shopping experience, even with a cart.
In addition to Italian pasta and German dressings, you’ll find a wide range of Korean spicy ramen and Southeast Asian seasonings. If you’re looking for Asian ingredients like nam pla (nuoc mam) or pho, which you might find in a Vietnamese supermarket, this is the first place to check. They also carry trendy black tea (concentrated black tea) and imported gummies, allowing you to enjoy a taste of international flair just by browsing.
You can purchase delicious 100% Arabica coffee beans at reasonable prices, with regular sales taking place. While the customer service at the register might sometimes feel a bit stern, the convenience of being able to source a variety of international ingredients all at once in front of Aomori Station is an irreplaceable draw. A bakery is also located right next door, making it a perfect spot for preparing weekend brunches.
Lopia Aomori Store
📍 Address: 1F CiiNA CiiNA Aomori, 1-14-1 Hamada, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture 030-0843, Japan
‘Lopia Aomori Store,’ which opened on the 1st floor of ‘CiiNA CiiNA Aomori,’ a commercial complex built on the former site of Ito-Yokado Aomori, lives up to its claim of ‘unbeatable cost-performance.’ It’s become the ultimate cooking partner for hungry international students and local large families. The meat section, in particular, is incredibly well-stocked, featuring high-quality cuts like Kuroge Wagyu and ‘Minamoto Beef’ at surprisingly low prices, making you hesitant to buy steak anywhere else.
Inside the store, you’ll find a wide array of large-volume deli items for big groups, much like Costco, and their famous super-sized pizzas. The product lineup also offers a charming blend of local flavor and amusement, such as ‘Babahera Ice’ (Chirin-Chirin Ice), unique to Aomori, being sold in bags.
However, the biggest trap to be aware of here is that ‘payment is cash-only (food section).’ If you fill your basket with many cheap vegetables and meats, your bill can quickly reach tens of thousands of yen. Make sure to fully replenish your wallet before heading there. Also, popular items like sushi and pizza often sell out by the evening or before closing, so if you have a specific deli item in mind, it’s best to visit in the morning.
Celest
📍 Address: 1F THREE ANNEX Building, 1-6-12 Shinmachi, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture 030-0801, Japan
‘Celest,’ located on the 1st floor of the ANNEX building of ‘THREE,’ a new multi-purpose facility opened on the former site of Chu-san department store on the east side of Aomori Station, is a sophisticated and urban food market. While it might appear to be a high-end supermarket at first glance, it actually offers many affordable items perfect for daily use, earning strong support from both locals and tourists.
The quality of its bento (lunch boxes) and deli items is exceptionally high, with a reputation for being ‘better than the price suggests.’ On nights when heavy snow makes dining out difficult, or when you want to enjoy a leisurely dinner in your hotel room, we recommend picking up a slightly luxurious gyumeshi (beef bowl) or incredibly fresh sashimi like Aomori salmon, scallops, and oysters here. Furthermore, they stock high-quality wines that are hard to find even in liquor stores within Aomori City, and with excellent storage conditions, it’s also convenient for anniversary or party shopping.
Also not to be missed is the fact that it’s a treasure trove of Aomori souvenirs. Locally beloved items like Shiny’s ‘Kiniro Nebuta / Gin-iro Nebuta’ juices and ‘Stamina Gen Tare’ sauce can sometimes be purchased here for less than at souvenir shops. Ice for cooling is provided after checkout, and combined with the friendly staff, it offers a highly satisfying shopping experience.
THE AOMORI MARKET
📍 Address: 1F, 1-2-3 Yanagawa, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture 038-0012, Japan
If you want to easily experience the depth of Aomori’s food culture, ‘THE AOMORI MARKET’ on the 1st floor of Aomori Station building ‘LOVINA’ is an absolute must-visit. It’s a stylish local grocery store, much like a select shop, packed with the ‘deliciousness’ of Aomori.
Inside, seasonal direct-from-farm vegetables and delicious local processed foods are tastefully displayed. The absolute must-buy item here is their handmade, extra-large ‘onigiri’ (rice balls). In particular, the sujiko (salted salmon roe) onigiri, generously filled with sujiko—Aomori Prefecture boasts the highest consumption in Japan—is an exquisite delicacy you won’t forget once you’ve tried it. You’ll also find a lineup full of local love, including ‘tokoroten’ (agar jelly noodles) and health-conscious side dishes made with fuki (butterbur).
The real joy of this store isn’t just shopping, but ‘discovering an Aomori you didn’t know and feeling the seasons.’ Its convenient location near the station makes it a wonderful spot full of temptation; you’ll find yourself buying delicious things almost unconsciously just by dropping by on your way home from work/school or during your travels.
A-FACTORY
📍 Address: 1-4-2 Yanagawa, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture 038-0012, Japan
After finishing your supermarket shopping or for a weekend refresh, ‘A-FACTORY,’ located on the waterfront right outside Aomori Station, is a great place to visit. This facility, with its impressive cluster of six triangular roofs, not only offers Aomori’s specialty products and sophisticated souvenirs but also serves as a relaxing gathering spot for locals, thanks to its excellent location overlooking the sea and the Aomori Bay Bridge.
The facility also houses an apple cider brewery, and at the ‘TASTING BAR,’ you can purchase a special card, insert it into a machine, and enjoy a daytime cider tasting (e.g., 4 types for ¥1,000), sampling various ciders from dry to fruity. The surprise of how different the flavors can be, even from the same apple, makes it perfect for a small adult indulgence.
If you’re after sweets, we recommend ‘SKIP EGG”s apple pie. Its classic flavor, with a crisp pastry and a perfect balance of apple sweetness and tartness, is so popular it often sells out quickly. Even if you enter ‘just to look,’ you’ll find yourself surrounded by appealing items like artisanal apple jams, dried fruits, and processed scallop and garlic products, and before you know it, you’ll be leaving with both hands full – a delightful trap awaits!
Conclusion: Strategic Shopping is Key in Aomori’s Supermarkets
To enrich your life in Aomori Prefecture, it’s crucial to choose your supermarkets based on your purpose. If you’re looking for Asian seasonings from your home country, like those found in Vietnamese supermarkets, head to ‘Jupiter.’ If you want to keep daily expenses low and enjoy plenty of meat, grab your cash and go to ‘Lopia.’ And for days when you desire slightly luxurious deli items or good wine, make your way to ‘Celest.’
Furthermore, by utilizing ‘THE AOMORI MARKET’ and ‘A-FACTORY,’ you can experience fresh seafood and apple culture unique to Aomori, allowing you to enjoy the local cuisine more deeply. We hope you use this article as a guide to fully enjoy your self-catering life during your long-term stay and discover local gourmet delights.
