This time, we will thoroughly explain the characteristics and history of Yamaguchi Prefecture's local B-class gourmet food, "Fugu sashimi."

Yamaguchi Prefecture is located in the Chugoku region, on the western edge of Honshu.

The city is surrounded by the sea on three sides: the rugged Hibiki Nada Sea on the Sea of Japan side, the Kanmon Strait, and the Suo-Nada Sea on the Seto Inland Sea side, and is known for its abundant nature.

With a warm climate and few wind and water damages or earthquakes, the area is known as one of the most livable areas in the country.

This time, we will introduce the characteristics and history of fugu sashimi, a local B-class gourmet food of Yamaguchi Prefecture that is full of charm!

What is Fugu Sashimi?

Fugu, a high-class fish, is the prefectural fish of Yamaguchi Prefecture, and "fugu sashimi" is a local dish that has long been popular, especially in Shimonoseki.

Fugu is considered to be a lucky dish, and is sometimes called "fuku sashimi" after the character for "happiness."

This dish has a light flavor and crunchy texture that is unique to white fish, and is most commonly eaten with ponzu sauce containing scallions and grated momiji leaves.

The history of fugu sashimi

Shimonoseki and Hagi are famous fugu fishing grounds, and it is said that the longline fishing method used for fugu fishing in Yamaguchi Prefecture originated here.

Shimonoseki has a long history of fugu, and is home to many fugu processing plants and restaurants. As a result, fugu is collected from all over the country, and the area is still known as the home of fugu.

During Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea, a soldier died after eating fugu, which led to the ban on eating fugu in the past. However, after Ito Hirobumi was impressed by the taste of fugu, in 1888 it was permitted to eat fugu only in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

After that, it is said that ordinary people in Yamaguchi Prefecture also started eating fugu by putting it in miso soup, and fugu became available all over the country.

Characteristics of Fugu Sashimi

Fugu sashimi is characterized by each piece being sliced so thinly that you can see through it.

The way the food is presented is also distinctive, and there are various ways to arrange it, such as "kikumori," in which the food is arranged like chrysanthemum flowers, and "tsurumori," in which the food is arranged to resemble a crane.

Tourist spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture

From here, we will introduce tourist spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Kintai Bridge

Kintai Bridge is one of the most famous tourist spots in Yamaguchi Prefecture and is one of Japan's most representative wooden bridges.

The bridge is 193 meters long and 5 meters wide. It was built using timber frame techniques and is characterized by the use of makigane and kasugai.

The structure of this arched bridge is extremely intricate and ingenious, and is highly regarded from the perspective of modern bridge engineering.

In 1673, the third lord of Iwakuni, Yoshikawa Hiroyoshi, built a wooden bridge, but it was washed away by a flood soon after. Improved and rebuilt in 1674, the bridge managed to withstand floods and remained in its original form for 276 years, until Typhoon Hagibis struck in 1950.

Later, at the request of local residents, it was rebuilt as a wooden bridge in 1953 and took on its current form.

You can enjoy the different scenery of each season: cherry blossoms in the spring, cormorant fishing and fireworks in the summer, autumn leaves on Shiroyama in the fall, and snowy scenery in the winter.

Senjojiki

Senjojiki is a grassland area that spreads across a plateau 333 meters above sea level at the base of the Mukotsugu Peninsula facing the Sea of Japan.

From here you can see the beautiful Sea of Japan, the islands floating in the vast ocean, and the vast sky stretching out as far as the eye can see.

On the elevated area, beach lilies, azaleas, camellias, sasanquas and other flowers are planted, allowing you to enjoy flowers of all seasons.

It is also popular as a campsite where you can admire breathtaking views, and many tourists visit it every day.

Why not escape from your everyday life and be soothed by nature?

Karato Market

This lively market is located in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture. It is famous as a fugu market, but is also popular as a market for sea bream and yellowtail.

They also sell retail to the general public, so it's popular with people who want to enjoy seafood dishes at home.

In addition, every weekend and on public holidays, the "Ikiiki Bakangai" event is held. On these days, the first floor of the market becomes a seafood food stall street, where you can enjoy nigiri sushi, seafood bowls, fugu sashimi, and other dishes made with fresh ingredients.

Access to Yamaguchi Prefecture

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

If you are traveling from Tokyo to Yamaguchi Prefecture, we recommend the Shinkansen. It takes about four hours to get from Tokyo Station to Shin-Yamaguchi Station. If you want to save money, we also recommend the express bus, but it takes about 14 hours, so if you don't want to exhaust yourself before traveling, the Shinkansen is the safest option.

If you are traveling from Osaka to Yamaguchi Prefecture, we recommend taking the express bus. It takes about eight hours, but there is a bus that goes to Shimonoseki Station, so the advantage is that you can start sightseeing immediately after arriving.

Location of Yamaguchi Prefecture

summary

This time, we introduced the characteristics and history of "Fugu sashimi," a local B-class gourmet food of Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Fugu is a luxury fish and is not eaten on a daily basis, but if you are traveling to Yamaguchi Prefecture, it is something you should try at least once.

Yamaguchi Prefecture is also dotted with many attractive tourist spots, so in addition to enjoying fugu sashimi, be sure to enjoy sightseeing as well.

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