Toyama Bay is known as the "natural fish pond" of the Sea of Japan. The "white shrimp" caught there is one of Toyama's representative specialties. White shrimp live widely in the seas near Japan, but Toyama Prefecture is the only place in Japan where they are caught in sufficient quantities to make fishing viable. In this article, we will introduce the characteristics and history of this Toyama seafood delicacy, "white shrimp."

What is Toyama Prefecture's "White Shrimp"?

White shrimp are small shrimp with translucent pale pink flesh. They are about 5-8cm long, and are also known as the "Jewel of Toyama Bay" because they sparkle when exposed to sunlight. White shrimp are very rare, and are only caught during the limited time period between April and November, with the peak season being in June and July.

The reason why Toyama's seafood, including white shrimp, is said to be delicious is largely due to the topography of the region. Toyama Bay, located at the base of the Noto Peninsula, is a "semi-enclosed sea area" with the west side blocked off by the peninsula. A deep sea with a depth of over 1,000 meters, known as "Aigame," comes right up to the coast. Toyama's 16 undersea canyons are good fishing grounds for white shrimp.

The History of White Shrimp

The history of white shrimp fishing dates back to the early Meiji period. It is said that it began when a fisherman who went out to fish for cod dropped his net to the bottom of the sea and discovered white shrimp in it when he pulled it up.

The current fishing method began to be used around 1897, and is said to have been invented by a fisherman named Higo Motokichiro.

Freshness is key for white shrimp, so originally, once they were landed, they were immediately dried in the sun or boiled and eaten. Although there was a large catch, they quickly lost their freshness, and in the days when there was no infrastructure in place to preserve them for eating raw, the value of white shrimp was not that high. However, in the Showa era, they were shipped as a substitute for cherry shrimp, and in the 21st century, with the development of freezing technology and transportation networks, they began to be distributed nationwide, and their name became known.

How to eat white shrimp deliciously

Toyama's white shrimp is sweet, soft, and melts in your mouth. It is enjoyed in a variety of ways, including as popular sashimi, sushi, tempura bowls, kombu-jime (kelp-cured), and in hamburgers.

Peeled white shrimp

The sashimi bowl, made with peeled white shrimp, is a luxurious dish topped with a generous amount of white shrimp that have been peeled by hand one by one. The sweetness, unique texture, and rich flavor of the shrimp fill your mouth. After enjoying the taste of the white shrimp itself, adding a small amount of soy sauce makes it even more delicious. Once you try it, it's sure to become an unforgettable memory.

Tendon

Along with sashimi donburi, the popular dish is the tempura donburi made with white shrimp. The shrimp tempura is lightly battered and deep-fried with the shell on, giving it a crispy, fragrant taste, and the shrimp aroma is irresistible. It also goes perfectly with the sweet sauce.

White shrimp burger

Recently, the "white shrimp burger," a shrimp tempura sandwiched between a bun and tartar sauce, has been gaining popularity. While sashimi donburi and tempura donburi are often found at traditional Japanese restaurants and inns, the white shrimp burger can be easily found at roadside stations and food corners. The voluminous, crispy tempura is mixed with the rich, tasty tartar sauce for an addictive taste.

White shrimp with kombu seaweed

Kombu-jime, a long-loved Toyama dish, is a local dish made with kombu (kelp) from Hokkaido, which was brought to the area by the Kitamae-bune ships that were active during the Edo period. The umami of the kombu blends well with the white shrimp, concentrating its deliciousness. It is also delicious when dipped in wasabi soy sauce or ginger soy sauce, depending on your preference.

Recommended sightseeing spots around Toyama Bay

From here, we will introduce some recommended tourist spots around Toyama Bay.

A treasure trove of stunning views: Amaharashi Coast

Amaharashi Coast, located in Noto Peninsula Quasi-National Park, is a famous scenic spot in Toyama, with its white sand beaches and pine forests. Behind the Meiwa rock on the shoreline, you can see the majestic Tateyama mountain range, which is about 3,000 meters above sea level.

In winter, you can see the spectacular natural scenery of the "Kearashi" wind storm, which attracts many photographers in search of this fantastical landscape. At the roadside station in front of the coast, you can enjoy lunch made with ingredients from Toyama at the cafe on the second floor. There are observation decks on the second and third floors, and we recommend taking in the panoramic view of Toyama Bay.

"Uchikawa" known as the Venice of Japan

Uchikawa can be reached in about an hour by train or bus from Toyama Station.

The calm townhouse-style houses and fishing boats moored along the river are reminiscent of Venice in Italy, which is why it is also called the "Venice of Japan." The sound of the waves that can be heard at random times and the charming atmosphere of the port town are soothing. This is a popular spot that has also been used as a filming location for movies and TV dramas.

Shinminato Kittokito Market: Fresh seafood on display

Shinminato Kittokito Market, facing Toyama Bay, is a fish market where seasonal Toyama seafood such as white shrimp, red snow crab, firefly squid, and yellowtail are lined up.

The seafood restaurant serves sashimi and seafood bowls made with fish caught that morning, and there is also a wide selection of souvenirs. At Kaiwomaru Park, a 10-minute walk away, you can see the impressive sight of the sailing ship "Kaiwomaru," also known as the Lady of the Sea.

Access to Toyama Prefecture

When heading to Toyama, it's convenient to use the Hokuriku Shinkansen. The Shinkansen stops at three locations: Toyama Station, Kurobe Unazuki Onsen Station, and Shin-Takaoka Station, so you can enjoy sightseeing by choosing the station that best suits your destination.

Travel time between Tokyo and Toyama is about 2 hours. There are express buses from Nagoya, making it a reasonable option. It takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to get there by express train and Shinkansen. From Osaka Station, it takes about 3 hours by express train and Shinkansen.

summary

This time we introduced Toyama's local delicacy, white shrimp.

White shrimp, known as the "fish of Toyama Prefecture," has a refined sweetness and a melt-in-the-mouth flavor that is exquisite. If you come across it in a local restaurant, such as in a sashimi bowl, tempura bowl, or hamburger, be sure to give it a try.

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