This time, we will introduce the characteristics and history of Saga Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Yobuko squid."

Saga Prefecture is a city located in the northwest of the Kyushu region, facing the Genkai Sea to the north and the Ariake Sea to the south.

It is a city full of attractions, with famous hot springs such as Takeo Onsen and Ureshino Onsen scattered around, as well as shrines and temples where you can feel the history of Japan.

This time, we will introduce the history and characteristics of Saga's charming local B-class gourmet food, "Yobuko squid," as well as some recommended tourist spots in Saga!

What is Yobuko squid?

Yobuko squid is a local dish from Yobuko Town, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture.

This is a dish in which squids such as spear squid, swordtip squid, and bigfin reef squid from Yobuko are quickly prepared alive, and by preparing them quickly, the flesh can be presented on the plate in a transparent and moist state.

Yobuko Port, located in the north of Saga Prefecture, flourished as a whaling site from the Edo period until the mid-Showa period. Later, squid began to be landed there, and Yobuko squid became popular.

The History of Yobuko's Squid

Yobuko's squid scene began around 1973 when a store specializing in live squid sashimi, called "Kawataro," opened in Yobuko.

As mentioned above, Yobuko originally flourished as a whaling town and was not known as a squid producing area.

In Yobuko, where there are many other fish dishes, the founder of Kawataro decided to try making live squid sashimi, and thus opened Kawataro.

At the time, restaurants serving live squid sashimi were very rare, but the business gradually grew and is now one of the indispensable local dishes of Saga Prefecture.

Characteristics of Yobuko squid

The defining feature of Yobuko squid is that it is quickly filleted and served.

It takes just a few minutes to prepare one squid live, which allows us to serve you crystal clear, fresh squid.

Another appealing feature of squid is its crunchy texture.

However, if the raft turns white over time, it will lose its crunchy texture.

Yobuko squid is cooked immediately after being caught, so you can enjoy its crunchy texture.

How to eat Yobuko squid deliciously

From here, we will introduce some delicious ways to eat Yobuko squid.

First, remove the squid from the saltwater and let it sit for about 5 minutes, so it is less likely to spit out the ink.

After about 5 minutes, cut open one side along the back, remove the internal organs, and separate the flesh, leaving the spine and emperor intact.

After that, peel off the skin that is still attached to the fish. At this time, using a towel or gloves will make it easier to peel off without slipping.

Once you have peeled the skin, rinse it lightly with water. Be careful not to wash it too thoroughly, as it will lose its sweetness.

Next, lightly score the flesh to prevent it from shrinking, and cut it into bite-sized pieces.

Place the fish on a plate with the spine and emperor still attached, then place the fillets on top and it's done.

Eat it with wasabi or soy sauce to taste.

Tourist spots in Saga Prefecture

From here, we will introduce some tourist spots in Saga Prefecture.

Yobuko Morning Market

Yobuko Morning Market is one of the most famous morning markets, rivaling those of Wajima in Ishikawa Prefecture, Takayama in Gifu Prefecture, and Katsuura in Chiba Prefecture, and has been held since the Taisho era.

The approximately 200m market is home to over 50 shops selling freshly caught seafood, vegetables, processed foods, flowers, and more.

The event is held from 7:30am until 12:00pm, so why not get up early and check it out?

Furuyu Onsen

As its name suggests, Furuyu Onsen is a hot spring with a long history, dating back an astonishing 2,200 years. Legend has it that it was discovered by Xu Fu, who was sent by the First Emperor of Qin, in search of an elixir of immortality.

The water is a little low in temperature at 38 degrees and feels a little slimy against the skin, so it is also known as "lukewarm water."

The hot springs are surrounded by nature, allowing you to escape from your everyday life and enjoy a relaxing time.

Underwater Torii and Underwater Road

The Undersea Torii and Undersea Road are three torii gates located in Tara Town, Fujitsu District, Saga Prefecture.

About 300 years ago, a magistrate who was left behind on the island was moved when he was rescued by a large fish. He then built the Oogo Shrine and a torii gate in the sea about 200 meters from the shore.

The torii gate floating in the sea is popular with tourists for its mystical appearance, and it has become a famous photo spot in Saga Prefecture.

Access to Saga Prefecture

From here, we will introduce how to access Saga Prefecture.

If you are traveling to Saga Prefecture from Tokyo, we recommend flying. It takes about two hours to get from Haneda Airport to Saga Airport.

If you are traveling from Osaka to Saga Prefecture, we recommend the Shinkansen and train. Take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Shin-Tosu Station, then take the JR Nagasaki Main Line train bound for Hizen-Kashima to Saga Station. The journey takes about 4 hours.

Location of Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture

summary

This time, we introduced Saga Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Yobuko squid."

Yobuko squid requires quick butchering skills, and we learned that it is fresher and has a more delicious texture than regular squid.

We also learned that there are many attractive tourist spots in Saga Prefecture. If you visit Saga Prefecture, be sure to use the information introduced in this article as a reference and enjoy your sightseeing.

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