Seafood and sake in Hachinohe
ARE we tired of Japan yet? It doesn't seem like it, going by the whopping, almost 37 million international visitors to the Land of the Rising Sun in 2024, and a forecast of 60 million by 2030. But if you're feeling crowded out of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and the like, the time is now to head out to lesser-explored prefectures and cities.
If all you know about Aomori is its apples and cloudy apple juice, look further to discover the smaller coastal cities within the prefecture that you've probably never heard of. Such as Hachinohe, which may not get much of a shout-out in terms of scenic wonders (its Tanesashi coastal trail is not to be sniffed at, though) or famous attractions, but its sea-facing location makes it a treasure trove of the freshest – and reasonably priced – seafood that you can enjoy to your heart's content. Not to mention washing it down with local sake brewed from Aomori-grown rice.
In this week's BT Lifestyle, we take you on a tour of the edible treasures that make this unassuming city worth a stop.
It's also Mother's Day weekend; so what's on the agenda for the mum in your life? Check out our guide to the best books for her to browse through, and a shopping list of thoughtful gifts – cherry-picked to suit the myriad tastes of that very special lady.
And in Dining, we get to sample the mod-Singapore cuisine of young chef Marcus Leow, who juggles local flavours in surprising ways at his new restaurant Belimbing.
For all this and more, don't miss this week's BT Lifestyle. Make this Mother's Day a memorable one too.
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