Miyazaki is actually the number one place in Japan for the amount of bonito caught by pole and line fishing in the coastal waters! A gourmet trip to taste the seasonal flavors in the "town of bonito"

*Prices include tax.

Registered as an agricultural heritage site: Miyazaki's inshore skipjack tuna pole-and-line fishing

As the name suggests, pole-and-line fishing is a method of fishing where bonito are caught using a single rod. The main reason for using pole-and-line fishing, rather than purse seine fishing, which is more efficient and aims for large catches, is that it allows bonito to be caught without compromising quality.

When bonito are caught in a single net, they struggle and bump into each other in the net, and their body temperature rises, causing the flesh to burn and deteriorating in flavor. On the other hand, when they are caught by pole and line fishing, there is no interference and they are not injured.

Another advantage is that since they only target skipjack tuna, there is no bycatch of other fish species, and they are less likely to become overfished. Miyazaki Prefecture is the most active in Japan in this sustainable skipjack tuna fishing method, which is kind to the marine environment.

The history and deliciousness of bonito caught in Miyazaki

The history of skipjack tuna fishing in Miyazaki is long, and the Engishiki, a book compiled in the mid-Heian period, states that "Hyuga was the tribute area for skipjack tuna." It is said that pole-and-line fishing was introduced from the Kishu Domain (Wakayama Prefecture) to the Obi Domain (central and southern Miyazaki City to Nichinan City) in the mid-to-late Edo period, and Nichinan City is currently the most prosperous area for skipjack tuna fishing.

Nichinan City is famous for its fishing grounds for bonito and other fish, with the Kuroshio Current flowing in offshore Hyuganada Sea and the nearby seas. Fishermen have practiced pole and line fishing in this favorable environment for many years, and in order to build fishing boats, the area has been working on artificial forestation of Obi cedar, which is suitable for boat materials.

The traditional fishing method that utilizes forestry has been recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and in 2021, the "Nichinan Bonito Pole and Line Fishing Fishery" was recognized as a Japanese Agricultural Heritage Site. In response to this praise, local residents are actively promoting bonito as a way to revitalize the town.

Miyazaki Prefecture's enthusiasm for bonito is growing year by year, being encouraged to make menu items such as "katsuomeshi," a local dish of bonito sashimi marinated in a special sauce placed on rice and enjoyed with dashi or tea, and "Nichinan Ipponzuri Katsuo Aburiju," a new local delicacy in which you grill marinated bonito yourself, and also there are events to promote bonito consumption are held in various regions.

In Nichinan, it is popular to eat bonito raw as sashimi. However, seared bonito is not eaten very often. This is because the fishing port is nearby and the bonito is very fresh, so searing is not necessary.

Generally, bonito is said to lose its freshness quickly, but it could be said that the seared bonito did not spread much in Nichinan, where fresh pole and line fishing-caught bonito can be enjoyed. This article introduces local bonito gourmet dishes that have been deliberately made with extra care, but if you do happen to be in the area, try the sashimi version.

Learn how to enjoy bonito in a local way

From here, we will introduce famous shops and events in Nichinan, the prefecture's bonito mecca. Please make use of this information for meals and souvenirs.

Very satisfying to be able to taste the local specialties all at once. "Bibinya"'s seared bonito rice bowl

After the war, the second generation owner converted the diner that started in Nichinan into a restaurant at Aburatsu Port, and the third generation owner took the opportunity to move to the front of the port and opened "Bibinya" in 1998. "Bibi" means fish in the Nichinan dialect, and the restaurant serves over 100 types of local dishes using local fish.

The third-generation owner trained at a Japanese restaurant in Tokyo, and has a first-class eye for quality and knife skills. The popular "Bibinya Set" (1,900 yen), which includes a choice of main course such as tempura or fried seafood, sashimi, udon, chawanmushi, and other dishes, as well as the local dish "Gyo Udon" (750 yen), the noodle is made with minced fish, are only available here, but the "Nichinan Pole and line fishing-Caught Seared Bonito Rice Bowl" (1,500 yen) is a must-try.

This is a new local gourmet dish developed by Nichinan City in 2010 in collaboration with local restaurants. It is a lacquered box meal with two types of marinated bonito served with a charcoal grill. The restaurant offers two types: an olive oil sauce made with salted and fermented bonito and wasabi, and a gochujang sauce with the aroma of sesame oil. The set also includes local dishes such as chicken nanban and mini fish udon, making it very satisfying in terms of taste, quantity, and value.

Can be eaten raw, freshly caught bonito is served marinated. It can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: first as is, then seared and served with rice, or finally with bonito broth as a sort of ochazuke.

Another great thing about this set is that it comes with the traditional Nichinan specialty, fish udon. It has a new texture that is plump and chewy, different from kamaboko or hanpen, and the round, satisfying thick noodles go perfectly with the rich dashi broth. It's so popular that people line up before the store opens on weekdays, but it's well worth it.

Bibinya

Enjoy creative gourmet cuisine and local food. Charcoal grilling and bonito rice at a "bonito specialty store"

"Nichinan Sakedokoro Katsuo Senmonten" is an izakaya that is easily accessible by train, just a three-minute walk from JR Nichinan Line's Aburatsu Station. As the name suggests, the menu is specialized in bonito dishes, with over 20 different dishes available, from classics to local dishes and original dishes.

It was opened in 2021. One of the co-owners comes from a family of bonito fishermen, so the restaurant is directly related to fishermen and can offer high-quality, extremely fresh bonito at reasonable prices. The first masterpiece we would like to introduce at this professional restaurant is the "charcoal-grilled chunky bonito meat" (pictured is the medium size, 1,250 yen).

This is an original dish inspired by Miyazaki's famous charcoal-grilled chicken, where bonito is grilled over charcoal. The grilling brings out the strong flavor of the bonito, and the charcoal grilling gives it a meaty aroma. It has been highly praised by locals who are used to eating delicious bonito, saying it has a "new taste" and "it's like steak," making it the restaurant's most recommended dish. Another dish we would like to introduce is the "Katsuo Rice" (750 yen).

This dish is found all over Japan as a fisherman's meal, but in Nichinan it is popular to enjoy it with marinaded and bonito dashi ochazuke. Fresh, rich-flavored bonito goes well with the sweet Kyushu soy sauce, and even when dashi is poured over it, it still has a strong flavor. The restaurant has a wide selection of alcohol, including local potato shochu, so be sure to enjoy a drink with one of the many bonito side dishes.

Nichinan Sake Shop, a specialty bonito restaurant

If you're looking for Nichinan bonito souvenirs, head to Minato no Eki Meitsu in front of the fishing port.

Among the several bonito fishing ports in Nichinan City, Meitsu Port is the base. "Minato no Eki Meitsu" is a gourmet spot located in front of the fishing port where the Tatsuyoshimaru, the ship that was the number one in Japan in terms of catch, is moored.

In addition to the products store and restaurant, the Meitsu Community Center and other facilities are annexed to it, have become a community for the local area, and it is always bustling with customers. Fresh fish and processed foods can be purchased at prices lower than market prices, so it is highly trusted by local residents and the product lineup is reliable.

In addition to everyday foods such as side dishes and bento boxes, the products store also has a wide selection of processed foods and products from the mountains and seas, making it a great place to buy Nichinan souvenirs. Of course, there is a wide lineup of products using bonito, and they come in a variety of formats, including room temperature, refrigerated, and frozen.

Some of the products are original to Minato no Eki Meitsu, such as "Katsuo rice sauce" (702 yen), "Katsuo curry" (500 yen), and "Katsuo rice chips" (350 yen). The most popular are the "Katsuo rice chips," which sell more than 10,000 pieces a year.

Hard to imagine how it tastes, the taste of these "Katsuo-meshi Chips." When you try them, the chips are thick and have a unique crispy and fluffy texture. They have a sweet and salty soy sauce flavor that is typical of Kyushu, and as you eat them, you can feel the rich seafood flavor of the bonito. At 88g, they are more filling than you would expect, and are very satisfyingly delicious. This is probably the only place where you can find bonito rice chips. If you visit Nichinan, be sure to stop by Minato no Eki Meitsu.

Portside Station Meitsu

Enjoy a tour of bonito fishing boats and pole-and-line fishing experience

Nichinan City, the mecca for bonito, also holds unique events on an irregular basis. For example, you can tour the inside of a bonito fishing boat with a boatman as your guide, try out a simulated fishing experience using a real fishing rod and a model of a bonito, or stroll around the port and town and try bonito dishes. For more information, such as schedules, please check the website.

Nango Town, Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture

As it is the best in Japan, the taste and variety are top-notch. Let's go on a trip to Nichinan to explore bonito!

Nichinan has many tourist attractions, such as the power spot "Udo Shrine" and "Sun Messe Nichinan" famous for the official Easter Island Moai statue, but if you are looking for local gourmet food, you should try the best pole and line fishing caught bonito in Japan. Please use this article as a reference and enjoy a gourmet trip exploring bonito!

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