On a culinary journey: Mie’s changing seasons expressed in sushi.

Rich with nutrients from the mountains, the three Kiso rivers in the north and the Miya River in the south nourish the Ise Bay.

At the same time, the Pacific embraces the deeply indented coastline of southernmost Mie, where nutrients wash down from the mountains and into the sea in this dynamic landscape.

Stewed Clam Sushi
Stewed Clam Sushi (Kuwana - Mie Sushi Road HP)

Spring. Spring in Ise Bay brings catches of konago, shirasu, and shiraou (whitebait and sardine fry). In Kuwana, a city in northern Mie, the region’s famous clams are just coming into season. At the peak of the season, all around Mie aosa (seaweed) can be seen draped like green tapestry to dry in the sun.

In Shima, noted in the Manyoshu (an 8th century collection of Japanese poems) as the supplier of sea foods to the Imperial court, the fishing season opens for Mie’s prized awabi (abalone). Thus spring turns into summer.

Iwagaki Oysters
Iwagaki Oysters

Summer. Aka uni (red sea urchin), sea bass, and shirogisu (Japanese whiting) are abundant. Summer oysters, the enormous iwagaki oyster, are at their succulent peak. In eastern Kishu, southernmost Mie, rumors of catches of highly sought-after meichidai (large eyed sea bream) bring the locals running.

Autumn. Visitors form long lines at the famous oyster shacks of Toba and Shima. The talk is of amadai (tilefish) turning up in fishermen’s nets, and rafters in eastern Kishu are festooned with plump sanma (Japanese mackarelle) hung out to dry. Shorter days herald the coming of winter.

Large trawler (Owase)
Large trawler (Owase)

Winter. In Owase, on the Pacific coast, large trawlers haul their rich catches to the small fishing towns that dot the shoreline. Fishermen clamber aboard the boats as cries of “Bait! Bait!” hang white in the cold early morning air. Amongst this clamor a wide variety of fish are brought ashore. Kitsune or hagatsuo (striped bonito) fetch the highest prices. However, the season is closed on the Ise lobster, the pride of Mie. Late into the night the muffled gurgling of diesel engines can be heard echoing across the dark water as the fishing boats head back out to sea.

Winter is fugu season. In Owase and northern Kii, bonito and buri (yelllowtail) start to run up the coast, and soon shirao (whitebait) sushi begins to appear on menus in Kuwana, announcing the arrival of spring.

Illustration of Mie’s Sushi Toppings

Image (Mie’s Sushi Road HP)

Mie’s long coastline runs from the northern edge of Ise Bay to the Pacific Ocean in the south. Its numerous fishing grounds provide a multitude of local specialties that inspire unique sushi.


From this multitude let us investigate the so-called “Phantom Oyster”, watarigaki oysters. Watarigaki oysters, raised in Kihoku Town, are an autumn delicacy and are often enjoyed as sushi. As recently as ten years ago, these oysters were consumed almost exclusively by locals, their existence unknown to the people of nearby towns. In light of this fact, “phantom oyster” seems a fitting sobriquet indeed.

watarigaki oyster territory

While most of Mie’s oysters are raised in sea water, the phantom watarigaki oysters are raised in an estuary where sea water and fresh water mingle.

———“We give our oysters a strict upbringing”

Mr. Azechi is in charge of watarigaki oyster production in Kihoku Town.

These are the words of Mr. Azechi, who is in charge of watarigaki oyster production in Kihoku. He is the fourth generation president of his seafood production company, which has been in business since 1927.

So what does “giving oysters a strict upbringing” mean?

the river that feeds the watarigaki oyster beds.

This area gets some of the highest annual rainfall in all of Japan, and is particularly famous for the fury of its rainstorms.

“I can remember, as a junior high student, being caught in a rainstorm and thinking “Ouch, this stuff hurts!”. Hard to believe, isn’t it? If you wore rain boots on rainy days, the water splashing up from the ground would get inside the boots and you’d end up all wet, so we just packed a towel and walked to school in sandals. That’s how hard it would rain.” relates Mr. Azechi.

watarigaki oyster beds

The watarigaki oyster beds are located in Shiraishi Lake, where river waters mingle with the sea. Due to its particular geography, water from the river, the mountains, and the sea collect here. The heavier cold sea water flows underneath the warmer fresh water at the surface. Blended by the action of tides and typhoons, the water is in perfect balance. No doubt it is this extreme environment that sets watarigaki oysters apart from oysters raised in the usual manner.

Watarigaki oyster production

Mr. Azechi continues. “In oyster farming, usually adolescent oysters are brought in from other prefectures and raised, but this is not possible in an extreme environment like Shiraishi Lake. Our oysters must be born and raised in these waters. Only watarigaki oysters have the DNA necessary to survive and thrive here. Our method of oyster farming is quite rare in Mie, I’ve been told.”

It is a bright and clear day. Sitting in his boat, admiring the dynamic scenery while listening to him talk about raising oysters like they were his children, I find myself feeling a little envious of Mr. Azechi.

Mr. Azechi, head of watarigaki oyster production in Kihoku.

———Sealed up tight against the harsh environment and brimming with nutrients from mountain and sea, the flavor of these “phantom oysters” is...

“Because watarigaki oysters are raised in this blend of salt and fresh water, they have none of the bitterness found in most oysters. The flesh has a golden hue, which indicates the presence of large amounts of glycogen. This glycogen is what gives watarigaki oysters their rich umami flavor. Because they keep their shells tightly closed, they have an excellent texture as well.” explains Mr. Azechi.

Whatever the reason, even children who hate oysters will happily eat watarigaki oysters.

The flavor is so different from other oysters that people trying watarigaki oysters for the first time are often surprised. “Hm? Is this really an oyster?” is not an uncommon remark.

Eager to discover this difference for myself, I repaired to a nearby sushi shop.

———Sampling the phantom watarigaki oyster

This sushi shop in Kihoku entertains guests from Osaka, Kyoto, and even Tokyo who come in search of watarigaki oysters.

The master in his shop

“Folks from other prefectures who come to visit Ise Shrine make their way down here to enjoy a meal.”

So says sushi shop owner Mr. Okamura. With its lunch menu full of local delicacies from this rich landscape, plentiful seating, and neat rows of reserved bottles, this place is obviously loved by the locals as well.

The menu board
Here one can experience the full flavor of the local seafood.

First, I try some raw watarigaki oysters in order to experience their natural flavor.

watarigaki oysters

Usually, when eating multiple raw oysters, it isn’t long before one becomes aware of an unpleasant bitter aftertaste. More than a few people have had the experience of sitting down to a plate of raw oysters but only eating a few before having the rest roasted or fried.

Surprisingly, watarigaki oysters have none of that typical bitter oyster aftertaste. Now I understand what the oyster farmer was telling me. Indeed, these oysters have a rich umami flavor. It may sound like a boast, but I could eat raw watarigaki oysters all day!

Next up is watarigaki oyster sushi.

watarigaki oyster sushi

A local speciality, watarigaki oysters stewed in a sweet and sour broth and served on vinegared rice have a tang that goes very well with karashi mustard. The lack of bitterness and the tangy sauce help to bring out the deep umami of the oyster. I could easily put away any number of these! Now I see why so many people go out of their way to come here.

I recall an anecdote from Mr. Azechi. “We had some folks from Canada visit, and when they tried watarigaki oysters, they kept saying things like “Clean!” and “Clear!”” he told me.

With no unpleasant aftertaste, no quirks, and a deep umami flavor, word of watarigaki oysters has even reached foreign folks.

———Making the Mountain God Laugh: The Tale of the Sargassum Fish

When paying a visit to a sushi shop, it is a good idea to try some of the other local specialties as well. I took the opportunity to try deep fried sagassum fish, a deep sea dweller often caught in eastern Kishu. As it turns out, in neighboring Owase there is an old folktale in which the sargassum fish plays a prominent part, Mr. Okamura informs me.

Deep Fried Sargassum Fish

Long ago in Owase, the god of the mountains and the god of the sea decided to have a little contest, which the god of the mountain lost. In order to cheer up the god of the mountain, the sea folk snuck up to where the god of the mountain was sitting and placed a sargassum fish in front of him. When the god saw the sargassum fish, he burst out laughing at its bizarre shape, and his spirits were lifted.

(for the Japanese version of this story please visit https://www.kankomie.or.jp/mMukashi/)

To this day a traditional event is held in Owase every year commemorating this tale.
Making the journey to this place and hearing this story makes a wonderful memory.
As for the taste, winter sargassum fish are firm, flavorful and delicious.

———The Art of Oshizushi

oshizushi
Kamasu (barracuda) oshizushi

While eastern Kishu is known for its sanma bozushi (pressed stick sushi), oshizushi (pressed sushi) is also a popular traditional dish. Mr. Okamura’s sushi shop has developed its own original kamasu (barracuda) oshizushi. Protecting wonderful traditions while crafting new tastes is a growing trend in sushi shops all over Mie prefecture.


In the process of preparing this report, I was able to experience the pleasure of local cuisine. In Mie, whatever the season, delicious sushi abounds. I invite everyone to come experience the pleasure and flavor that can only be had at the source!

———One Final Journey

I heard that the sushi shop I visited for this report also operates a lunch counter near the fishing port of Hikimoto in Kaisan township. I took a trip to see it after finishing my report, and found a row of storefronts reminiscent of the 1960s.

Storefronts

Rows of shops

I heartily recommend having a meal here while soaking up the great retro atmosphere!


(November 29, 2016)
Produced for Web Magazine OTONAMIE by Yusuke Murayama.

Mie’s Connections to Food (with Craftsmen of Cuisine content)
http://www.shoku.pref.mie.lg.jp/jp/contents12.html

Mie’s Sushi Road
http://www.kotobuki-mie.co.jp/mie-sushikaidou/

Prepared with the cooperation of

一冨士(Ichifuji)
http://ichifuji-kihoku.com
Mie Ken Kita Muro Gun Kihoku Cho Aiga 1992-8
Tel 0120-124-469

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