This time, we will introduce the history and characteristics of "Tekonezushi," a local B-class gourmet food from Mie Prefecture.

Mie Prefecture is a city located in the Kinki region of Japan, and is famous for Ise Shrine, which is known to every Japanese person, and the Kumano Kodo, a World Heritage Site.

It is also a gourmet city known for its delicious spiny lobster, Matsusaka beef, and oysters.

This time, we will introduce the history and characteristics of "Tekonezushi," a charming local B-class gourmet food from Mie Prefecture!

What is Tekonezushi?

Tekonezushi is a dish in which lean sashimi such as bonito or tuna marinated in a sauce made with soy sauce and other ingredients is placed on top of vinegared rice and topped with condiments such as shiso and nori seaweed.

Recently, white fish such as sea bream have also been used as toppings for tekone sushi.

There are many restaurants serving tekonezushi, especially in the Ise-Shima region, and it is loved by locals. Tekonezushi will likely continue to be one of the representative local dishes of Mie Prefecture.

The History of Tekonezushi

It is said to have originated in the Shima region, where busy fishermen would fillet the fish they had caught on the boat, mix it with vinegared rice, and knead it with their hands before eating it, hence the name "tekonezushi."

Mie Prefecture boasts one of the largest catches of bonito in Japan, and the Kumano Nada region in particular is a thriving area for pole-and-line fishing. It is also a major tuna farming area, and the tuna there is said to be firm and delicious.

Because the area is blessed with such a rich fishing industry and has access to fresh fish, there are many opportunities to eat it raw, and so tekonezushi was born.

Characteristics of Tekonezushi

The distinctive feature of tegonezushi is that it is kneaded by hand.

Tegonezushi is a relatively simple method of making it by simply adding the ingredients and kneading them with your hands, and it is also popular because it doesn't take much time to make.

Nowadays, it is not only popular at banquets, but is also commonly eaten by dual-income families and those raising children.

How to make Tekonezushi

From here, I will introduce how to make tekonezushi.

First, prepare 700g of warm white rice, 80ml of sushi vinegar, 200g of bonito sashimi, 80ml of soy sauce, 30ml of mirin, about 10 shiso leaves, 15g of ginger, a suitable amount of white sesame seeds, and a suitable amount of seaweed.

First, prepare the shiso leaves and ginger by removing the stems and skin.

Heat the mirin to evaporate the alcohol and allow to cool.

Cut the shiso leaves and ginger into thin strips and cut the bonito into 1cm pieces. Next, mix 80ml of sushi vinegar into the rice and cut it into the rice.

Put 80ml of soy sauce and 30ml of mirin into a heat-resistant bowl, cover with plastic wrap, heat in a 600W microwave for 40 seconds, then allow to cool.

Then, add the shiso leaves, ginger, and warm pickling liquid to a bowl, mix well, cover with plastic wrap, and leave in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Place the bonito on top of the cooled vinegared rice, then top with 1 tablespoon of the marinade and the remaining shiso leaves and ginger to finish.

Tourist spots in Mie Prefecture

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

Ise Shrine

Ise Shrine is a shrine located in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, and its official name is "Jingu."

Within the grounds, you can visit the Inner Shrine, which enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, the chief deity in Japanese mythology and ancestor of the imperial family, the Outer Shrine, which enshrines Toyouke Omikami, the guardian deity of food, clothing, and shelter, as well as 14 auxiliary shrines and 43 auxiliary shrines.

There are many places in the area where you can try some food, so why not stop by after praying at the shrine?

In front of Ise Inner Shrine, Okage Yokocho

Okage Yokocho in front of Ise Naiku Shrine is a spot where you can enjoy eating your way around the aforementioned Ise Grand Shrine.

This spot opened in 1993, and its 13,000m2 site is lined with old-fashioned buildings that will make you feel as if you have traveled back in time to old Japan.

There are many popular shops, such as Kitcho Shofutei, a beckoning cat specialty shop, and Dangoya, where you can taste Ise's specialty dumplings with brown sugar syrup sauce, so be sure to stop by when you visit Ise Shrine.

Nagashima Spa Land

Nagashima Spa Land is one of the largest theme parks in Japan, located in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture.

It is said that "Fuji-Q in the East, Nagashima in the West" because it has the most thrilling roller coasters in western Japan.

There are plenty of attractions to keep you coming back for, including a Japan-first attraction that speeds along a course surrounded by wooden pillars at breakneck speeds of up to 107km, and a Guinness-level super coaster that drops 97m, higher than a Ferris wheel, at an angle of 68 degrees.

Access to Mie Prefecture

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

If you are traveling from Tokyo to Mie Prefecture, we recommend taking the Shinkansen. Since there are no Shinkansen trains to Mie Prefecture from Tokyo Station, head to Nagoya Station. Then, take the Kintetsu Nagoya train to Tsu Station.

If you are traveling from Osaka to Mie Prefecture, we recommend taking the express bus. There is a bus bound for Nagasaki Resort from Osaka Station. The journey takes about three hours, and is cheaper than other forms of transportation.

Location of Mie Prefecture

summary

This time, we introduced the history and characteristics of "Tekonezushi," a local B-class gourmet food from Mie Prefecture.

We learned that tekonezushi became popular among busy fishermen because it is easy to make, and is now enjoyed as a home-cooked dish as well, making it an indispensable local dish in Mie Prefecture.

We also learned that Mie Prefecture has many fascinating tourist spots, including some of Japan's most famous shrines and one of the country's largest theme parks.

We encourage everyone to visit Mie Prefecture and experience its charm for themselves.

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