Freshness is the key! Toyama is proud of its red snow crab, "Koshino red crab

  • Toyama
  • Sightseeing
Photo courtesy of Toyama Tourism Promotion Organization
Crab is one of the most popular winter foods.
Among various types of crabs, Toyama is famous for red snow crab, which is characterized by its red shell and legs even before it is boiled.

Morning sun of Toyama Bay "Koshi-no-Akagani" (red crab of Koshi)

Red snow crab Photo courtesy of Toyama Tourism Promotion Organization
Red snow crab caught in Toyama Bay is branded as "Koshi no Beni Gani" (red crab of Toyama) and is gaining popularity.
Grown in Toyama Bay, where nutrient-rich melted snow and spring water from the Tateyama Mountain Range flows in, the succulent meat and rich crab innards make it an exquisite Toyama gourmet delicacy.
The fishing season for red snow crab begins on September 1, a year earlier than for snow crab, and can be enjoyed until May of the following year. The season is from November to December, and since the catching of females is prohibited, only males are available in the market.
Because they live in the deep sea at depths of 800m to 2,500m, where water pressure is high and water temperature rarely changes, they have soft shells and a high water content, which makes their meat fresh and juicy.

The secret to its deliciousness lies in its freshness!

Because red snow crabs live in deep waters with low water temperatures, the crabs themselves store proteolytic enzymes that break down the bait. This is not a problem while the crab is alive, but when it dies, its own enzyme causes the crab to self-digest its muscles, causing the meat to dissolve and disappear. For this reason, it is important to distribute the fish as fresh as possible after it is landed.

What is a "day auction"?

Photo courtesy of Toyama Tourism Promotion Organization

Due to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake of 2024, we have suspended accepting orders for the time being and plan to resume in early March. (As of February 15, 2024)

Toyama Prefecture is known as a "natural fish tank" for its abundant fishing grounds. Auctions are usually held early in the morning, but at Shinminato Fishing Port, located about 30 minutes by car from Toyama Station, auctions are held at noon, which is rare in Japan, taking advantage of the proximity of the fishing port and the fishing grounds.

We enjoyed fresh crabs just purchased at the daytime auction.

We were served fresh red snow crabs that were auctioned off at the "noon auction! If you don't know where to start, don't worry! The guide with pictures carefully explained how to handle the crab, so even a beginner like me was able to handle it easily!
After separating the body and legs, the preparation is complete! Use scissors and a crab spoon to remove the meat. The fresh, plump crab meat was sweet and very tasty without any sauce, such as crab vinegar.
It is often said that people become mute when eating crab. It is often said that when you eat crab, you become mute, and indeed everyone was enjoying the crab silently and in silence. We were very satisfied with the crab, even the miso was delicious.

Which one is your favorite?

Photo courtesy of Toyama Tourism Promotion Organization
The crab we had this time was boiled crab, but you can enjoy it in various ways such as sashimi, grilled crab, shabu-shabu, and steamed crab. Please enjoy it with a glass of Toyama's delicious local sake.

Come to Toyama for fresh red snow crab!

This time, fresh red snow crab was served at "Shokudo Umimiya" located on the premises of "Shinminato Kitto Market". Here, you can enjoy fresh red snow crab just purchased at the noon auction. In addition, there are many other menu items such as mini rice bowl lunch with a choice of 12 different mini rice bowls, seafood rice bowl, white shrimp tempura rice bowl, etc.♪ Enjoy the fresh seafood while viewing the Tateyama mountain range!

The Shinminato Kitto Market is temporarily closed for repairs due to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake of 2024. (As of February 15, 2024)

Click here to visit the website of "Shinminato Tikkito Ichiba"
for information on travel to Toyama
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