Did you know? Spring is shellfish season. We asked the professionals about shellfish all over Japan and a delicious trip.

At Tsukiji Watanabe in the Tsukiji Outer Market, there are a variety of shellfish, large and small, from familiar to unheard of. You can see that they are fresh and lively, with air bubbles floating in them and splashing water outside the crates filled with seawater. These are delicious shellfish gathered from all over the country.

At Tsukiji Outer Market they sell to the general public, but at Toyosu Market they act as a wholesaler for professionals, and apparently they receive inquiries from all over the world.

"Summer is the spawning season for bivalve shellfish, so they store up nutrients from spring onwards and become tastier. Shellfish such as clams, clams, scallops and abalone are in season in the spring."

This was explained to us by Yukio Watanabe, the third generation owner of Watanabe Shoten. He says that he has been dealing in popular fish since Tsukiji Market opened in 1935, but that it was only during his current generation that he started to focus on shellfish.

"It started with me. Because I love shellfish."

The third generation owner, a shellfish lover, is now renowned as a shellfish connoisseur. We asked Watanabe about the best spring shellfish to try and the best places to get them. Starting from the north, we'll introduce them, along with their appeal as travel destinations.

Spring shellfish #1 "Hokki" × Oshamanbe (Hokkaido)

"Spring surf clams are yellowish in color, which is proof that they are packed with nutrients. The professional technique is to quickly blanch them in boiling water to bring out the contrast between yellow and purple. The flesh is really sweet and the broth is rich, so it stands up even when combined with strong flavors. Locally, it's a standard ingredient in curry."

The appeal of Oshamanbe as a travel destination

It is also a gourmet spot known for its specialty products such as hairy crab and scallops, in addition to surf clams. And if you visit Oshamanbe, you can't miss the hot springs. Oshamanbe Onsen, located on the seaside, is a sodium chloride spring. The water quality is known to be gentle on the skin. How about a retreat trip where you can relax in the hot springs and enjoy the seafood?

Spring Shells #2 "Akagai" × Yuriage (Miyagi Prefecture)

"Recently, Chinese and Korean shellfish have been appearing on the market, but the most famous and delicious is still Miyagi's Yuriage. You can't go wrong with this one. It's crunchy and has an iron-like smell, but this is the unique flavor of the ark shell, and it's irresistibly delicious. It's a round, black bivalve shell, so it takes some courage to buy it as a souvenir. It's really difficult to peel, and you have to smash it open to peel it. I would like people to try it locally if possible."

The appeal of Yuriage as a travel destination

Yuriage, which has since been merged into Natori City, is famous for its ark shells. Known as a castle town, Natori City is rich in historical sights. In addition to the ruins of Natori Castle, there is also the Iinozaka Tomb Group, which recalls ancient life. Within an hour's drive, you can also find Sendai City and Matsushima, known as one of the Three Most Scenic Spots of Japan. If you're traveling around Sendai, be sure to stop by in search of ark shells.

Spring Shellfish No. 3 "Hamaguri" x Kujukurihama (Chiba Prefecture)

"The best clams are, without a doubt, Kujukuri. It's a matter of personal preference, but from May onwards, tiny ones called 'Mamehama' come out. Even though they're small, they have a very strong fragrance and are incredibly tasty. They live in fairly shallow waters, so they're great for clam digging. Mamehama clams come out in large numbers, so you can buy them cheaply. They also make a great souvenir."

The appeal of Kujukuri Beach as a travel destination

Boasting one of the longest beaches in the Japanese archipelago, this vast sandy coastline is recommended as a beach resort. It is also popular as a surfing spot. There are many beach huts and restaurants, and one of the specialties is grilled clams. You can also enjoy beach seine fishing and clam digging.

Spring Shellfish No. 4 "Abalone" × Kamogawa (Chiba Prefecture)

"The king of shellfish, abalone, also comes in the spring. This is because many beaches open their season for abalone in May, and Chiba is one of them. Chiba abalone are world famous, and are purchased by request from Hong Kong and China. Most of the demand is for dried abalone, but the flesh of Chiba abalone hardly shrinks at all. It is so densely packed that it has a good fragrance and a strong flavor and sweetness. It is so delicious that even chefs drool over it, and there are professional abalone that only buy abalone from Chiba."

The appeal of Kamogawa as a travel destination

Kamogawa City, where abalone is caught, is one of the most attractive travel destinations in Chiba Prefecture. There are plenty of attractions, such as Kamogawa Sea World, where you can see dolphin shows and a variety of marine life, and Oyama Senmaida, known as the closest rice terraces to Tokyo. There is also Kamogawa and Kominato Onsen, so you can enjoy a trip with many ups and downs.

Spring Shellfish No. 5 "Clam" × Lake Hamana (Shizuoka Prefecture)

"The clams were originally famous for their Edomae flavor, but now they are hardly harvested at all. They are produced all over the country, but Lake Hamana's clams are particularly famous. At this time of year, the clams are plump and big. They're plump and delicious. They're great in pasta, steamed in sake, or simply grilled."

The appeal of Lake Hamana as a travel destination

Lake Hamana, which spreads across the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, has many attractions. It is well-known as a major eel farming area, but marine activities are also recommended. It is also known as a fruit producing region, and Tateyamadera Onsen is located nearby.

Spring Shells #6 "Tairagai" x Chita Peninsula (Aichi Prefecture)

"In the past, the Seto Inland Sea was said to be good, but now Aichi, such as the Chita Peninsula, is good. Tairagigai (scallops) are huge, like a fan, and the bigger they are, the tastier they are. When the flesh is bright yellow, it's proof that it's ripe and full of flavor. It's delicious to lightly coat it in soy sauce, grill it, and then wrap it in seaweed and eat it like Isobe-yaki. By the way, they're good value for money, with one shell costing almost the same as a scallop."

The appeal of Chita Peninsula as a travel destination

Aichi Prefecture is a treasure trove of shellfish, boasting one of the highest catches in the country. The Chita Peninsula, where tairagai shellfish are found, is also an excellent travel destination. The beautiful coastline is perfect for swimming and enjoying marine sports. Okazaki City, known as the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, is also rich in historical attractions, including Okazaki Castle.

Spring Shellfish No. 7 "Corbiculatus" × Lake Shinji (Shimane Prefecture)

"Lake Shinji in Shimane Prefecture is synonymous with clam production. Although most of the clams are small, the clams here produce a lot of broth. They are rich and full of flavor. They are great in miso soup. They are sold in large quantities as souvenirs, but it is important to remove the sand. If you soak them in plenty of salt water for half a day, then remove them from the water and leave them for 2 to 3 hours, the flavor will become even stronger."

The appeal of Lake Shinji as a travel destination

Lake Shinji is a lake rich in nature located in the northeastern part of Shimane Prefecture. It is a lake rich in nature where you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons, but Tamatsukuri Onsen, located on the lakeshore, is a spot you should definitely visit. It is known as a famous hot spring that has been around since ancient times. It also faces Matsue City, where Matsue Castle is located. How about a hot spring trip where you can enjoy history and gourmet food?

Shellfish are also recommended as a souvenir to take home as a destination on your food trip.

As you can see, there are many delicious shellfish producing areas all over Japan. They are great for enjoying as gourmet food during your trip, or as souvenirs. Watanabe says there are some points to keep in mind if you are bringing them home.
"It would be a complete waste if the shellfish died during transport. It is best to put them in seawater, but this is quite difficult, so wrap them in newspaper soaked in seawater before taking them home. One of the characteristics of shellfish is that their taste changes depending on how they are cut. Cut them into as large pieces as possible, and if possible, into dices. Even if they are not top-quality, the flavor and sweetness will be conveyed in a totally different way. Don't be stingy, just eat as much as you can."

The destinations introduced here have plenty of restaurants serving delicious shellfish dishes. You can also buy freshly caught shellfish at local markets, fishmongers, and roadside stations. If you are reading this article before June, you are in luck. Delicious shellfish are waiting for you at your travel destinations, eagerly opening and closing their shells. So, head out with an empty stomach and a newspaper in hand.

Tsukiji Watanabe

Related article

Why not enjoy beef while traveling? Top 10 exquisite brand beef from all over Japan, from north to south

The reputation of domestic wagyu beef has been increasing year by year, and it has now become a coveted ingredient that impresses gourmets around the world. Now that there are many famous brands competing with each other all over the country, choosing a delicious destination is also a good choice. We will introduce you to some must-try brand beef from all over the country, and the restaurants in the producing areas.

ontrip.jal.co.jp

9 recommended gourmet spots to eat while walking around Tsukiji! Enjoy high-quality fish and meat at reasonable prices

Tsukiji has been supporting the food of Tokyo for over 80 years. With over 400 specialty shops lining the streets, Tsukiji Outer Market (outer market) is one of Japan's leading gourmet spots. We will introduce recommended spots that are high quality and packed with attention to detail.

ontrip.jal.co.jp

9 recommended places to eat at Toyosu Market. A gourmet tour of famous restaurants that open early in the morning

The restaurant area of Toyosu Market (Tokyo Central Wholesale Market), known as Tokyo's kitchen, is known as a high-quality gourmet spot. In this article, we have selected nine restaurants from different genres, including famous seafood restaurants and long-established restaurants that have been loved since the Tsukiji era. We will introduce a variety of restaurants where you can enjoy your meal from early in the morning.

ontrip.jal.co.jp