Low-key and beloved by locals, this historic izakaya (a Japanese tavern) has become somewhat of a Hachinohe institution and is a must for food-focused travellers. Perch yourself at the countertop and order one of each of the five specials scrawled on the whiteboard. There’s no menu and no price tags but everything will hit the mark. If sea urchin and botan shrimp are on the menu, order extra portions – they’re particularly moreish.

Room for dessert? Strictly speaking, Maneido is a sweet shop but we’re bending the rules a bit as it’s too good to miss. Most people flock here for the Tsuruko Manju that have been made using a recipe that’s transcended generations. The treat is filled with a sweet paste of red bean and dark sugar, and topped with rice flour and sugar shavings. It’s not too dissimilar to a macaroon. The cream-cheese variation is one of our favourites, and ideal for post-sightseeing snacking.

Garlic-infused ice cream. Garlic-flavoured cola. Black garlic-smothered steak. No, you haven’t been transported to Dracula’s nightmare kitchen, but to Japan’s one-of-a-kind garlic centre. Celebrating the Sannohe District’s culinary claim to fame, it creates more than 100 products crafted from the black and white garlic grown on the farm. The garlicky cherry on the proverbial cake? A four-course, garlic-centric tasting menu. Thankfully, it’s finished with refreshing, odour-busting gummies.