Gallery-restaurant opens in Aomori back alley with art and seasonal pasta

A new gallery-restaurant hybrid called "Gallery Restaurant Roji" opened in June 2026 in a back alley of Aomori City's Namiyoke district, aiming to provide casual access to culture and art. The space features ceramic and fabric works by local and regional artists for display and sale, with a dining area beyond. Owner Karen Fukushi, an artist herself, curates pieces she personally admires, and the menu includes seasonal dishes like the "Dake-kimi and smoked salmon cream pasta" (1,200 yen) with a drink during lunch. The restaurant offers an open, art-filled environment where visitors can enjoy both visual works and meals, with the pasta praised for its sweet, crunchy corn and rich cream balanced by salty salmon.