A-FACTORY

A-FACTORY is a tourism and gourmet complex located near JR Aomori Station in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, at the foot of the Aomori Bay Bridge. Situated in the waterfront area facing Mutsu Bay, its beautiful glass-walled building with a series of triangular roofs won the Good Design Award in 2010. Especially at night, it is illuminated, creating a fantastical view in combination with the Aomori Bay Bridge.

Food Marche and the Appeal of Local Ingredients
On the first floor, the “Food Marche” features a wide selection of agricultural products, seafood, and processed goods cultivated by Aomori’s rich natural environment. Sweets, spices, and snacks made with Aomori apples, scallops, and dakekimi corn are sold in beautifully designed packaging, making even browsing a pleasure. They are very popular with tourists as souvenirs or for personal use.

There is also a sweets shop using eggs and vegetables from Aomori, as well as restaurants and a food court that focus on local ingredients, allowing visitors to enjoy the unique flavors of Aomori on the spot. In addition, a café restaurant serving galettes made with Aomori buckwheat flour may appear on the second floor depending on the season, offering a relaxing break amid sightseeing.

Cidery Workshop and Tasting Experience
One of A-FACTORY’s major highlights is its cider production workshop, which uses apples grown in Aomori Prefecture. The workshop area on the first floor is glass-walled, allowing visitors to observe the brewing process, including fermentation and bottling, up close. Only carefully selected Aomori apples are used, such as the prefecture’s prized Fuji and Jonagold varieties.

On the second floor, there is a tasting lounge where visitors can purchase a prepaid tasting card and enjoy small servings of cider from dedicated tasting machines. For example, the lineup includes the clean-tasting “Standard,” the apple-sweet “Sweet,” and the crisp “Dry,” allowing guests to compare varieties according to their preferences.

For those who do not drink alcohol or for children, apple soda made with Aomori apples is also available, making it a family-friendly destination. Bottles of favorite cider can also be purchased at the first-floor market.

Winter Light Event: “Aomori Light and Paper Pageant”
Every winter, the “Aomori Light and Paper Pageant” is held around A-FACTORY. At this event, washi paper objects created using Nebuta techniques, as well as “Snowman-maru” made by local residents, emit a warm glow, enveloping the entire bay area in a fantastical light. A romantic winter scene unique to Aomori unfolds, captivating many visitors.

A-FACTORY is ideally located just a short walk from JR Aomori Station, making it the perfect place to visit at the beginning or end of a trip to Aomori. Its indoor setting, which is less affected by the weather, is another major attraction for tourists.

A-FACTORY is a sightseeing hub where visitors can experience Aomori’s local ingredients, traditions, design, and craft cider culture all in one place. It offers a compact way to experience the charm of Aomori, making it an excellent spot not only for first-time visitors but also for returning travelers.