Discover Japan #7: Aomori Prefecture (THE EAST Campaign in Association with Japan National Tourist Organization London Office)

The forestry, aquaculture, and agriculture industries of Aomori are especially well developed compared to many other prefectures in Japan.
The Tsugaru region is famous for its production of rice and apples, while the regions along the Pacific coast are major areas of vegetable and livestock production.
Aomori is one of the foremost agriculturally successful prefectures nationwide.
In particular, the prefecture boasts the highest production of apples, yam, garlic and burdock root in Japan.
Aomori Prefecture has 640,000 hectares of forest, accounting for 66 percent of the total area of the prefecture.
The Tsugaru and Shimokita Peninsulas are home to the Hiba tree (Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondai).
Beech trees can be found in the Hakkoda and Shirakami Mountains, and the Pacific Coast region has Japanese red pine.
Japanese cedar is found throughout the prefecture and totals about 200,000 hectares in area.
The Hiba of Aomori Prefecture, make up one of the the “Three Great Beautiful Forests in Japan,” and is known for its beautiful wood, germ resistance and pleasant aroma.
The ancient beech forest in the Shirakami Mountains is also a designated World Heritage Site.
Aomori Prefecture is surrounded on three sides by water, including the Mutsu Bay, which all contribute to the flourishing fishing industry of the prefecture.
In order to protect the rich fishing grounds and ensure the sustainability of the industries in the future, the prefecture has promoted the development of scallops, salmon, flounder and abalone aquaculture while implementing healthy fishery management practices, and monitoring the numbers of important fish such as flounder and the flatfish.
The tertiary sector, including the service industry, and in particular the retail and wholesale industries, is a vital part of the prefecture’s economy.
As large-scale stores open in the suburbs, the prefecture is working on vitalizing shopping districts in the downtown areas.
The prefecture is also promoting four key sectors of the service industry: information technology, industry support systems, tourism and culture, as well as health and welfare.
Aomori Prefecture is also working to utilize local resources to nurture the development of strong regional manufacturing industries.
The prefecture is particularly committed to developing high-tech industries (flat-panel displays, nano-technology, etc.), as well as strengthening the agricultural and manufacturing industries, the medical health and welfare industry, and pioneering projects in environmental energy fields.