This time, we will introduce the characteristics and history of "Botan Nabe," a local B-class gourmet dish from Gifu Prefecture.

Gifu Prefecture is located almost in the center of Japan. It is surrounded by the Hida Mountains and is known as a land rich in nature with the Kiso River flowing through it.

One of the attractions of the prefecture is the many spots where you can experience nature, such as Shirakawa-go and the cultural heritage site Gokayama.

This time, we will introduce "Botan nabe," a local B-class gourmet dish from Gifu Prefecture that is overflowing with charm.

What is Wild Boar Hotpot?

Wild boar hotpot is a local dish from Tanba Sasayama city, Gifu.

This hot pot dish uses wild boar meat, which is redder in color than pork and is based on a mixture of white and red miso, hence the name, which resembles the flower peony.

In 2022, it was selected as a "100-Year Food" certified by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and received a special expert award.

Currently, more than 40 restaurants in Tanba Sasayama alone serve this dish.

The history of wild boar hotpot

It is said that the origin of boar stew dates back to around 1908, when the 70th Infantry Regiment of the Japanese Army was stationed in Sasayama Town, Taki District. They would catch wild boars during training and eat them in miso soup, or bring the meat to a restaurant inn and make it into a miso-based hot pot dish.

At the time it was called "ino nabe," and it is said that it was only during the Showa era that it came to be called "botan nabe."

Later, local inns began serving wild boar meat in petal-like arrangements to resemble flower peonies.

Characteristics of Wild Boar Hotpot

The distinctive feature of wild boar hotpot is that it is made with a soup stock based on a combination of white and red miso, and contains wild boar meat and seasonal vegetables.

Commonly used vegetables include mushrooms, potatoes, tofu, and konjac, and the seasonings are said to vary depending on the region.

Therefore, one of the attractions of this dish is that you can enjoy different flavors depending on the region, even with the same wild boar hotpot.

How to make wild boar hotpot

From here, I will introduce how to make wild boar hotpot.

First, add a combination of white and red miso to the stock made from kelp and bonito, and the stock is ready.

For the ingredients, cut grilled tofu into bite-sized pieces, julienne carrots, cut konjac sheets into bite-sized pieces, roughly chop the Chinese cabbage, diagonally cut the green onions, cut the chrysanthemum into 5cm pieces, remove the stems of the enoki mushrooms and shred them well, and julienne the burdock, then soak in water to remove the bitterness.

Next, peel the yamaimo, soak it in vinegar water to remove the bitterness, and cut it into bite-sized pieces.

Once all the ingredients are cut, pour the broth into the pot and when it boils, add the wild boar meat. When the meat starts to change color, add the ingredients that take longer to cook, starting with the ones that take longer to cook, and simmer until done.

It is also recommended to sprinkle powdered Japanese pepper on it before eating.

Tourist spots in Gifu Prefecture

From here, I will introduce some tourist spots in Gifu Prefecture.

Gifu Castle

Gifu Castle is a castle located at the top of Mount Kinka and was formerly called Inabayama Castle.

In August 1567, when the great hero Oda Nobunaga captured Inabayama Castle and pacified the entire region, he renamed the area from "Inokuchi" to "Gifu" and made it his base of operations for unifying the country, and it came to be called Gifu Castle.

During the Showa period, it was reborn as the beautiful castle tower we see today.

The facility features exhibits themed around Nobunaga, as well as an observation deck from which you can get a panoramic view of Gifu city.

Depending on the season, it may be open at night so you can enjoy the night view, so be sure to check it out.

Iwamura Castle Town

Iwamura Castle Town is an area where over 50 buildings from the Edo period still remain.

The 1.3 kilometer stretch has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, where you can experience Japanese history and culture.

Another distinctive feature of Iwamura Castle Town is that buildings such as post offices and banks are built in a Japanese style so as not to disrupt the scenery.

Many tourists from Japan and abroad visit every year, as they can experience the feeling of having traveled back in time to the Edo period.

Access to Gifu Prefecture

From here, I will introduce how to access Gifu Prefecture.

If you are traveling from Tokyo to Gifu Prefecture, we recommend taking an express bus. There are express buses from Tokyo Station to Gifu Station, which take about 6 hours and 30 minutes.

If you are traveling from Osaka to Gifu Prefecture, we recommend using the express bus or the Shinkansen. If you take the express bus, you can get from Osaka Station JR Expressway BT to Gifu Station in about 6 hours. If you take the Shinkansen, you can get from Shin-Osaka Station to Gifu Station in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Location of Gifu Prefecture

summary

This time, we introduced the characteristics and history of Gifu Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Botan nabe."

I learned that wild boar stew is different from ordinary hot pot dishes in that it uses wild boar meat and the broth is made using white and red miso.

Although it is different from typical hot pot dishes, the recipe is just as easy as any other hot pot dish. Once you have made the broth, cut the ingredients and boil them in a pot to complete the dish. Anyone can easily make it, so please try recreating Gifu Prefecture's local cuisine at home.

I also discovered that Gifu Prefecture has many buildings and spots where you can experience Japanese history and culture.

If you visit Gifu Prefecture, be sure to use this article as a reference and enjoy your sightseeing.

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