Exhibiting at Seafood Expo North America 2025

Ajino-Kakunoya Co., Ltd., based in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, Japan, is a renowned food manufacturing company specializing in premium canned and processed seafood products. Established with a deep respect for regional culinary traditions and modern food safety standards, Ajino-Kakunoya has become synonymous with high-quality seafood craftsmanship in Japan and abroad.

Core Business

Ajino-Kakunoya’s core business focuses on the production and distribution of canned and ready-to-eat seafood delicacies. The company takes pride in sourcing raw materials from Japan’s northern coastal waters, particularly the rich fishing grounds off the Sanriku Coast, and applying traditional Japanese cooking methods to deliver shelf-stable, flavorful products.

Ajino-Kakunoya serves a wide customer base including:

• Domestic Japanese retailers and supermarkets
• High-end department stores and gift suppliers
• International gourmet food distributors
• Food service and hospitality sectors

Product and Service Offerings

Ajino-Kakunoya offers an elegant and curated portfolio of regional seafood specialties, including:

• Canned Sea Urchin Soup (Ichigo-ni)
  A luxurious traditional soup made from fresh sea urchin and abalone, representative of Aomori’s culinary heritage.

• Hachinohe Mackerel Canned Products
  Lightly seasoned, rich in umami, and expertly processed to preserve the fatty, flavorful profile of mackerel sourced from local fisheries.

• Seasoned Snow Crab Meat
  Meticulously cooked and seasoned crab meat, ideal for sushi toppings, salads, and ready-to-eat meals.

• Boiled Scallops
  Whole scallops processed for softness and sweetness, available in light seasoning or natural brine formats.

Each product is carefully packaged to maintain freshness, taste, and aesthetic appeal, often used in luxury gift sets and premium retail displays.

Specialization and Core USP

Ajino-Kakunoya’s core strength lies in its commitment to traditional Japanese seafood preservation techniques combined with advanced food safety and quality control systems. Key unique selling points include:

• Specialty in “Ichigo-ni”, a dish historically prepared for nobility in Aomori, now adapted for gourmet retail
• Rigorous sourcing standards ensuring traceability and sustainability
• HACCP-based manufacturing facilities designed for small-batch quality
• Artisanal production methods that prioritize taste and texture over volume

The company also collaborates with local fisheries and cooperatives to ensure that regional economies benefit from its growth.

Financial Overview

As a privately held company, Ajino-Kakunoya does not disclose detailed financials publicly. However, sector data and local business publications confirm the following:

• Annual production volume: Over 1 million canned units across product categories
• Retail partnerships with over 500 stores across Japan, including Mitsukoshi and Isetan
• Steady year-over-year revenue growth attributed to rising interest in Japanese gourmet exports
• Increasing export activities driven by demand in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the U.S.

The company is also a recipient of regional government support programs promoting traditional food SMEs in Northern Japan.

Shipment and Export Data

Ajino-Kakunoya exports premium canned seafood products to international gourmet and Asian specialty markets:

• Primary export destinations: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States
• Products most frequently exported: Ichigo-ni soup, Snow Crab, and Mackerel cans
• Partnered with trade programs like JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) to expand distribution

Logistics include cold storage warehousing, domestic and international distribution partnerships, and participation in major trade fairs such as FOODEX Japan and Gourmet World Hong Kong.

Target Market

Ajino-Kakunoya’s customers fall into the following segments:

• Domestic luxury food retail and high-end supermarket chains
• Department stores and premium gift set providers
• Gourmet food importers and online platforms abroad
• Restaurants and hotels serving authentic Japanese cuisine
• Health-conscious consumers seeking high-quality protein with clean labels

The brand’s focus on tradition, quality, and design makes it especially appealing to premium buyers and gift markets.

Capabilities

• In-house product R&D and recipe development based on traditional Japanese cuisine
• Modern canning and preservation systems ensuring shelf stability and safety
• Traceable, locally sourced seafood from certified Japanese fisheries
• HACCP-compliant and Japan Agricultural Standard (JAS) registered manufacturing facility
• Seasonal limited-edition product lines and private label capacity for B2B clients

Certifications and Compliance

Ajino-Kakunoya maintains stringent food safety and production standards:

• HACCP Certification for seafood processing and packaging
• JAS (Japan Agricultural Standards) Certified Factory
• FDA Registration for exports to the United States
• Compliance with EU and Codex Alimentarius labeling standards for international markets

These certifications support its expansion in highly regulated import markets.

Customer Testimonials

“Ajino-Kakunoya’s Ichigo-ni is unlike anything else on the market—deep flavor, delicate textures, and the soul of Aomori in a can.”
— Chef and Culinary Author, Tokyo

“Our customers love the authentic taste and premium presentation of Kakunoya’s crab and scallop products. They sell out every gifting season.”
— Specialty Food Buyer, Hong Kong

Major Achievements

• Recognized by Aomori Prefecture as a flagship exporter of regional seafood cuisine
• Featured in Nikkei Gourmet Magazine for top artisanal canned foods in Japan
• Official participant in JETRO Japan Pavilion at international food exhibitions
• Ranked among Top 10 specialty seafood processors in Northern Japan
• Over 30 years of production history preserving traditional Japanese seafood recipes

Ajino-Kakunoya continues to bridge the gap between age-old culinary craftsmanship and modern food safety, offering global consumers a taste of Japan’s northern seas through its elegantly crafted seafood products.