Hiroka Hirosaki Chuo Seika Kabushiki Gaisha
Corporate brand
UnclaimedAomori-based fruit and vegetable wholesale market operator and apple distribution specialist, known for the Tsugarian private brand and Hello Kitty Forest Banana.
Last updated September 28, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile yet.
Overview
Hiroka Hirosaki Chuo Seika Kabushiki Gaisha is a fruit and vegetable wholesale company headquartered in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. It operates the Hirosaki General Local Wholesale Market (弘前総合地方卸売市場), the core wholesale market for the Hirosaki distribution area, and handles the wholesale of fruits and vegetables. The company is also one of Aomori Prefecture's leading storers and distributors of apples, and its group includes a dedicated apple wholesale market, a flower wholesale company, a marine products market, logistics, insurance, real estate and food-service businesses. The company's origins trace to 1960, when the predecessor Maruyoshi Ōnaka Shōten opened a produce market in Daikanmachi, Hirosaki. After relocations and a name change to Maruyoshi Ōnaka Seika, the current company was established in December 1971 through cooperation among Ōnaka Seika, agricultural cooperatives, buyers and employees. It received local wholesale market and wholesale business licenses under the Wholesale Market Act in 1973, and added a flower wholesale market license in 1974. Hiroka is known for its private brand "Tsugarian" (つがりあん), which promotes agricultural products from the Tsugaru region and aims to brand the region as a whole. It also sells "Hello Kitty Forest Banana" under a partnership with Sanrio, donating part of the proceeds to conservation and environmental activities such as those for the Shirakami Mountains. The company operates a ski racing club, and one of its affiliated athletes competed in the Nordic distance events at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. In 2023 it received the Aomori Apple Medal for contributions to the prefecture's economy and culture through apples.
History
The history of Hiroka Hirosaki Chuo Seika begins with its predecessor, Maruyoshi Ōnaka Shōten, which opened a produce market in Daikanmachi, Hirosaki City, in May 1960. In May 1964 the business moved to a newly built facility in Watokumatsugae, Hirosaki City, and in May 1967 it was renamed Maruyoshi Ōnaka Seika Co., Ltd. In February 1968 an apple market was established alongside the existing business, and in January 1969 a dedicated apple wholesale market was newly built and relocated to Watokutawaramoto, Hirosaki City. In December 1971, through the cooperation of four parties—Ōnaka Seika, agricultural cooperatives, buyers, and employees—the current company, Hiroka Hirosaki Chuo Seika Co., Ltd., was established. Operations began in January 1972 using the facilities of the former Ōnaka Seika market. In June 1973 the company received a local wholesale market establishment license and a wholesale business license under the Wholesale Market Act, and in August 1974 it obtained a license to open a flower wholesale market. In March 1987, following the death of founder Ōnaka Masamoto, Ōnaka Takeshi became Representative Director and President. In October 1989, Hirosaki Suisan Local Wholesale Market Co., Ltd. was established, and in June 1990 Hiroka Logistics Co., Ltd. was founded. The Hirosaki Suisan Local Wholesale Market opened in November 1990. In November 1993, Tsugaru Ringo Market Co., Ltd. was established, and it opened in August 1994. In March 1999, following the death of Ōnaka Takeshi, Yamamoto Tadamichi became Representative Director and President. In December 2000, Hirosaki Hana Co., Ltd. was established. In May 2004, Hiroka Sogo Research and Development Co., Ltd. was established, Ōnaka Tadashi became Representative Director and President, and Yamamoto Tadamichi became Chairman. Yamamoto Tadamichi died in September 2006. In December 2008, the company acquired 50% of the shares of Skole Co., Ltd. and brought it into the group. In February 2009, the insurance divisions of Hiroka Logistics and Skole were integrated to establish Hiroka Insurance Service Co., Ltd. In December 2011, Hiroka Insurance Service and Cosmo Road Co., Ltd. merged to form Hiroka Cosmo Insurance Service Co., Ltd. In September 2014, the fourth wholesale building was completed. In October 2015, Hiroka Apple Orchard Co., Ltd. was established. In June 2020, Ōnaka Tadashi became Representative Director and Chairman, and Kasai Shizuo became Representative Director and President. In February 2023, the company received the Aomori Apple Medal, awarded to individuals and organizations that have contributed to the prefecture's industrial and economic development through economic and cultural activities related to apples. Regarding the market name, with the enforcement of the revised Wholesale Market Act on June 21, 2020, when the company received re-certification from Aomori Prefecture under Article 13, Paragraph 1 of the Act, the certified market name was changed from the previous "Local Wholesale Market Hiroka Hirosaki Chuo Seika Co., Ltd." (same as the wholesale company name) to "Hirosaki General Local Wholesale Market."
- 2015
Hiroka Apple Orchard Co., Ltd. established.
- 2014
Fourth wholesale building completed.
- 2011
Hiroka Insurance Service and Cosmo Road merge to form Hiroka Cosmo Insurance Service Co., Ltd.
- 2009
Hiroka Insurance Service Co., Ltd. established by integrating insurance divisions of Hiroka Logistics and Skole.
- 2008
Acquires 50% of Skole Co., Ltd. shares and brings it into the group.
- 2006
Chairman Yamamoto Tadamichi dies.
- 2004
Hiroka Sogo Research and Development Co., Ltd. established; Ōnaka Tadashi becomes President, Yamamoto Tadamichi becomes Chairman.
- 2000
Hirosaki Hana Co., Ltd. established.
- 1999
Yamamoto Tadamichi becomes Representative Director and President after Ōnaka Takeshi's death.
- 1994
Tsugaru Ringo Market opens.
Products and positioning
Regional wholesale market operator and agricultural brand builder in the Tsugaru region, specializing in Aomori apples and local produce.
Tsugarian brand melons and produce
Private brand promoting agricultural products from the Tsugaru region, aiming to brand the entire region.
Hello Kitty Forest Banana
Bananas processed with the proprietary HSB method and ripened in P-Plus freshness-retaining bags, sold under a Sanrio partnership; part of proceeds donated to Shirakami Mountains conservation and environmental groups.
Apple wholesale and storage
One of Aomori Prefecture's leading apple storage and distribution operations.
Flower wholesale
Flower wholesale handled by group company Hirosaki Hana within the market.
Marine products wholesale
Operated by subsidiary Hirosaki Suisan Local Wholesale Market on adjacent land.
Sources6 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/hiroka-hirosaki-chuo-seika-kabushiki-gaisha · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled