Japans most prized bluefin tuna comes from a town called Ōma where a HON-MAGURO auctioned in Tsukiji once fetched $1.4M (2003). Oma Maguro is a brand. Just the location its caught increases the price of the tuna by as much as 20%! I traveled to the town on the tip of Japans Honshu Island in Aomori prefecture to find out if the taste lives up to its reputation.

★ OUT TO SEA
First I go out to the middle of the Tsugaru Straight between Honshu and Hokkaido to see where the maguro come from. The sea is rough out there and fisherman challenge themselves with line and pole to catch a prized bluefin.

★ CUTTING UP A TUNA
I visit Oomanzoku to watch owner Takeuchi-san cut up a newly purchased hon-maguro from Tsukiji. He puts on a show 3-4 times a week and after the cut, I went in for a sashimi platter (3000 yen / $30)

★ AT THE RESTAUARNT
I moved on to HAMA SUSHI for a 7-course meal consisting of only OMA MAGURO! Menu listed below.

★ WHY IS OMAS BLUEFIN TUNA THE BEST IN JAPAN (and the world)?
According to Takeuchi-san, the bluefin in this area eat a lot of squid and that gives their meat extra tasty fat and good consistency which is prized in Japan. The Otoro (light pink fatty tuna) is by far the best Ive ever tasted!

Google Map:
Ōma, Aomori Prefecture 青森県大間町
goo.gl/maps/s8ku6zUf32G2

HOW TO GET THERE:
From Hakodate: take the ferry to Oma / 2.5 hours
www.tsugarukaikyo.co.jp/timetable/timetable_route2/
From Tokyo: Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori or Flight to Aomori Airport

NOTE about Bluefin Tuna overfishing / endangered status:
I was concerned about this but what I learned is that the maguro here are not net fished by big boats. They are pole and string caught meaning local fisherman dont catch more than a few at a time.
Please take note that Aomori prefecture has laws in place and although other prefecture have different laws, the fisherman of Ōma have a profound deal of respect for the hon-maguro. Despite what you hear in the news, I did not see any kind of abuse. I personally do not eat much maguro because of the news, and any maguro that is too cheap has most likely come from larger ships over fishing an area and of low quality. Omas fishing practice is the opposite, its reputation important to the city. * I felt it important to include this.

Restaurants:
Oomanzoku 大間んぞく
oomanzoku.com/menu.html
Sashimi Teishoku 3000 yen / $30

Hama Sushi 浜寿司
oma-hamazushi.com/maguro.html
7 course maguro dinner 7300 yen / $70

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