Aomori residents wake up early in the morning.
According to the prefecture’s database, “Picachi-Data: Aomori Prefecture 2023,” Aomori ranks first in the nation in going to bed early and getting up early. This is due to the short daylight hours and early morning farm work in Aomori or geographical factors such as early sunrise, but there are many theories.
Morning Activities (1) Morning Bath
In Aomori Prefecture, there is a morning activity in which everyone nods in agreement.
First and foremost is the “morning bath. The term “morning bath” here refers to going to a public bathhouse (“Furoya”) in the early morning. According to the “Aomori Prefecture 2023,” Aomori Prefecture has the highest number of public bathhouses per capita in Japan. It is as if the people of Aomori Prefecture can walk anywhere in Aomori and be sure to encounter a bathhouse. Moreover, they are usually open from 5:00 to 6:00 in the morning, which is surprisingly early.
In Aomori Prefecture, a car-based society, many people carry a set of bathing utensils in their cars so they can go to a bathhouse anytime they want. The standard style is to keep shampoo and body soap in a mesh basket for accessible water draining in the bathhouse. Recently, a prefectural official created a sticker representing the custom of prefectural residents, “bath tools IN CAR,” just like the “BABY IN CAR” sticker, which has become popular. If you are interested in this sticker, you can find stores (mainly bathhouses) selling the sticker by searching on X.
【Photo: Bathroom tools, Bathroom tool stickers】
What is surprising to those outside the prefecture is the low cost of bathing. Based on the Price Control Ordinance, the prefectural governor sets the upper limit for bathing fees, and Aomori Prefecture’s limit is 480 yen. Most bathhouses in Aomori Prefecture offer natural hot spring baths, and many also offer outdoor baths and saunas, allowing visitors to enjoy the luxury of bathing for a single coin.
There are also bathhouses in town, so travelers are encouraged to get up a little earlier and experience a morning bath. Many bathhouses are equipped with shampoo, conditioner, and body soap, and many offer towels for rent. Of course, you can bathe during the day or at night.
【Photo: Inner and open-air baths】
Morning Activities (2) “Morning Ramen”
Another morning activity familiar to Aomori residents is “Asa Ra” (morning ramen).
In other words, eating ramen in the morning. Of course, it may not be unusual to find ramen shops in the city that open in the morning. Still, Aomori Prefecture has a very large number of stores offering asa-ramen for a regional city. According to our research, there are more than 20 such restaurants in Aomori City alone. The standard morning ramen in Aomori Prefecture is “Niboshi ramen. There are two types of Niboshi ramen: light and thick, but if I talk too much about Niboshi, I would run out of space, and a Niboshi debate (there are so many people who talk about Niboshi ramen in Aomori Prefecture) would break out, so I will leave the detailed explanation for another time. Anyway, Aomori is the kingdom of Niboshi ramen.
【Photo: Kudo Ramen bowl, inside Kudo Ramen store】
The most effective feature of morning ramen is being guilt-free. Ramen after a late night of drinking is sensually delicious. Still, many people are plagued by regret the next day. However, morning ramen is guilt-free and calorie-free. The best morning ramen for travelers is the “Ramen (small)” from Kudo Ramen, a long-established ramen restaurant in Aomori City (the most common surname in Aomori Prefecture is Kudo, according to the restaurant). The ramen has a light and delicate flavor, with the lovely aroma of Niboshi (dried sardines) and Yakiboshi (grilled bonito) gently wafting through, making it a quick and chic dish.
Visitors to Aomori Prefecture are bound to eat and drink heavily in anticipation of this gastronomic treat, so we urge you to take a morning bath and try the morning ramen the following day to prepare your body and soul.
【Photo: Owner of Kudo Ramen】
One more thing: Morning Baseball.
In Aomori Prefecture, morning baseball is very popular.
I am also a member of a morning baseball team, but we play at 5:15 a.m. and meet at 4:30 a.m. Isn’t that too early?
We also have games on weekdays, so I go straight to work after the game, but I am out of energy by noon. Every time I wake up on the morning of a game, I feel like quitting, but when I have an entire course of morning activities on my days off: morning baseball, morning bath, and morning ramen, I think, “Well, I’ll just keep going.”
Written by Kodoh
Born in Hirosaki City and currently resides in Aomori City. Moved to Tokyo for college but returned to Aomori to escape from crowded trains. I love morning baths and quiet coffee shops.