À La Ringo is an apple specialty store located on the first floor of A-Factory in Aomori City. It opened on 19 April 2024, marking its eighth location nationwide and the first in Aomori City, following the original store’s debut in Kōbe in May 2019. The shop offers a broad selection of apple-based baked goods that showcase the diversity of Aomori apples through pies, tarts, pound cakes, and soft serve.

À La Ringo features over 10 apple varieties throughout the year, with three in rotation at any given time. Each apple pie reflects the unique flavour and texture profile of the apple used.

Kinsei Apple Pie (¥480 each)

A soft-textured pie with little bite, reflecting the naturally tender Kinsei variety. Filled with almond cream and blackcurrant from Aomori, which provided aromatic depth and a hint of tartness to balance the sweetness. The pastry was buttery and flaky, with a resemblance to a Danish.

Sun Fuji Apple Pie (¥480)

The most texturally defined of the three. Cubes of Sun Fuji apple provided a pronounced bite and a lively presence in the filling. The blackcurrant at the centre offered contrast through acidity and aroma, resulting in a well-balanced pie with fresh acidity and sweetness.

Ōrin Apple Pie (¥480)

Less sweet than Kinsei and softer than both Kinsei and Fuji. This pie had a floral, mellow apple character with a smooth purée-like consistency. While delicate in profile, it remained flavourful.

Apple Pie Stick (¥200)

A slim, layered pastry stick with a crisp, flaky texture and tender interior. The filling was sweet with a light cinnamon note, offering a balanced and comforting bite. Enjoyable and worth repurchasing.

Apple Pound Cake – Plain (¥380)

Moist and rich with a buttery crumb, made with semi-dried Aomori apples and soaked in apple syrup. The apple pieces retained a gentle tartness that complemented the sweet base. A small chocolate accent added extra depth. Not at all dry.

Apple Pound Cake – Marron (¥380)

A seasonal variation combining apple with chestnut. The chestnut added a warm, nutty sweetness to the moist cake, making it particularly suited to autumn. Balanced and satisfying.

Apple Soft Cream (¥380)

Bright Fuji apple flavour with a pale pink hue and a smoother, creamier mouthfeel than the version sampled at Apple Park in Hirosaki. Creamy without being overly milky, and notably more refined overall. Refreshing and texturally pleasant.

À La Ringo offers an impressive range of apple-focused confections with clear attention to variety-specific qualities. The Sun Fuji pie was the standout for texture and balance, while the soft cream provided a refreshing finish. A return visit would prioritise their signature tarte tatin. It’s a worthwhile stop in Aomori for both tourists and locals seeking high-quality regional apple desserts.

À La Ringo is located at 1F, A-Factory, 1 Chome-4-2 Yanagawa, Aomori 038-0012, Japan.