About Us

Our name, Aomori, is taken from the northernmost prefecture of Japan’s largest island, Honshu. Aomori is interpreted as “blue” or “green forest,” likely referring to a wooded hill that once served as a landmark for sailors approaching the harbor. It’s also the place where our owner and chef, Masa Miyake, grew up—and, coincidentally, Maine’s sister state.

The connection between Maine and Aomori dates back to 1889, when a ship from Bath wrecked off the coast of Aomori. Local villagers cared for the survivors, creating a bond between the two places that has lasted for more than a century.

Aomori and Maine share much in common: snowy winters, rugged coastlines, and industries shaped by the land and sea. Masa was born in Aomori, moving to Tokyo as a teenager, then to New York, and finally to Maine in 2010, where he has lived since. Although halfway around the world, Masa found Maine comforting and familiar.

Our Aomori is a way of acknowledging the regional parallels—two places connected by history, landscape, and the people who call them home.