The fish that represents Shizuoka Prefecture is the beautiful bright red "kinmedai." Known throughout the country as a high-class fish with its deep flavor and refined fat, it attracts many visitors not only from the local area but also from other areas.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of this fish.

Characteristics of Kinmedai

The appeal of the golden-eyed snapper is its soft, fatty flesh and mild flavor, and the larger ones can exceed 50cm in length. Although the name includes "tai" (sea bream), it is not actually a type of sea bream, but a deep-sea fish of the alfonsino family. It lives in the deep sea at depths of 200m to 800m.

Shizuoka's red-eyed snapper is characterized by its bright red color and large golden eyes that developed in the deep sea. It is also called the "Lady of the Deep Sea" because its eyes reflect light and shine. The main fishing grounds are the east coast of Izu, the Izu Islands, and off the coast of Omaezaki, and Shimoda Port in Shizuoka Prefecture in particular boasts the largest catch volume in Japan. Shizuoka-produced red-eyed snapper is highly regarded for its freshness and quality.

Although golden-eyed snapper is caught throughout the year, it is especially in season in winter from October to March. It is also known for being delicious and fatty during the spawning season from June to August. Many tourists visit the Shimoda Kinme Festival, held in June, to enjoy the charms of golden-eyed snapper.

Kinmedai brand

Shizuoka's pride and joy, the golden-eyed snapper, is known as "Izu local golden-eyed snapper" and there are three different brands depending on the region.

Inatori Kinmedai is characterized by its freshness and fat content. It is an indispensable dish for celebrations, and a traditional dish called "kinmedai no beraawase" (sliced belly of red snapper) is popular, which conveys the meaning of "let's be honest and get to know each other."

"Susaki's Day-Returning Golden-Eyed Snapper" is a golden-eyed snapper that is caught by fishermen who return to the port by 3:00 p.m. and undergoes strict quality control.

"Ito's local kinme" is raised in an environment blessed with abundant feed, and is characterized by its rich, fatty flavor and rounded body shape.

How to enjoy red sea bream

The most well-known dish for red snapper is simmered in soy sauce, sugar, and sake after removing the scales and gills. The fish has a sweet and spicy flavor, and the delicious fat of the fish dissolves into the broth, allowing you to savor its rich flavor with every bite.

You can enjoy the refined fat and soft flesh, which goes perfectly with rice. At inns and restaurants, it is sometimes served on a large platter as a whole stew with the head and tail attached, and its bright red color adds a touch of elegance to the dish.

We also recommend eating it as sashimi or shabu-shabu. When eaten as sashimi, the melting sweetness spreads in your mouth, while when eaten as shabu-shabu, you can directly feel the flavor of the ingredients. The broth made from the head and bones is also perfect for miso soup and bouillabaisse. It goes well with vegetables, and you can enjoy a mellow soup that brings out the umami of the ingredients.

Recently, creative dishes such as croquettes, burgers, ramen, and shumai that incorporate boiled alfonsino have become more popular and are enjoyed by many people.

The history of red sea bream

The birthplace of golden-eyed snapper fishing is said to be Inatori fishing port on the Izu Peninsula, and the first record of it being caught dates back to the Meiji period.

At that time, a red-eyed snapper was caught by chance while catching Okigisu, a fish used in fish paste. Later, during the Taisho period, the fishing method for red-eyed snapper used in Odawara was introduced to Inatori, and full-scale fishing began. It has been eaten locally for a long time, and red-eyed snapper is boiled whole at celebratory occasions, and has been treasured as a dish for special occasions.

Since the 1950s, when Inatori Onsen was developed, tourists began to enjoy red snapper dishes, and its deliciousness spread by word of mouth. Shimoda Port also began to attract attention as the "number one red snapper catcher in Japan," and red snapper became beloved throughout the country.

Tourist spots in Shizuoka

Shizuoka, where you can enjoy golden-eyed snapper, has a variety of tourist spots. This time, we will introduce three popular tourist spots in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

Jogasaki Coast

Formed by lava flowing from the eruption of Mt. Omuro approximately 4,000 years ago, Jogasaki Coast is a spot where you can enjoy the beauty of majestic nature.

Of particular note is the 48m long, 23m high Kadowaki Suspension Bridge, a thrilling bridge that crosses over steep cliffs, with rough waves and spectacular views every time it sways.

You can also enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view from the nearby Kadowakizaki Lighthouse, overlooking the Izu Islands and the Amagi Mountains. In addition, you can enjoy seasonal flowers on the approximately 9km hiking trail along the coast, making for a pleasant stroll in nature.

Izu Cactus Zoo

At Izu Cactus Zoo, approximately 1,500 species of cacti from around the world are cultivated, and around 140 species of animals live freely there.

The "Capybara Open-Air Bath" held from late November to early April is especially popular, and the sight of the capybaras relaxing in the rock bath is soothing. You can also interact with and feed the animals, including squirrel monkeys and kangaroos.

Additionally, there are attractions such as cactus picking, where you can choose your favorite cactus and potted plant, and "Animal Boat Tours," where you can observe animals from a boat, which are experiences that can only be enjoyed here.

Izu Granpal Park

Izu Granpal Park is a leisure park with a vast area of about 220,000 square meters, with a wide variety of attractions that can be enjoyed by families and couples alike. You can enjoy a variety of attractions, such as a 400m round trip zip line, a ship-shaped multi-dimensional maze, and go-karts that run among life-size moving dinosaurs.

At night, Gran Illumination, Japan's first experiential illumination event, creates a fantastical world of light.

There is also a dog run and a restaurant where you can dine with your dog, making it an ideal place for traveling with pets. It is a tourist spot that people of all ages can enjoy all day long.

How to get to Shizuoka

Shizuoka, an attractive city for both gourmet food and sightseeing, is located in an easily accessible location.

From Tokyo, it is convenient to take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. The "Hikari" takes about an hour, while the "Kodama" takes about an hour and a half.

From Nagoya, it takes about an hour on the Hikari and about an hour and a half on the Kodama.

From Shin-Osaka Station, it takes about 2 hours by Hikari and about 2 hours and 30 minutes by Kodama.

We also recommend taking a leisurely drive to Shizuoka. Find the best way to get there.

Location of Shizuoka Prefecture

summary

Kinmedai is characterized by its beautiful appearance and the delicious, sweet taste that spreads the moment you put it in your mouth. Kinmedai can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, such as simmered, as sashimi, and as shabu-shabu.

If you visit Shizuoka, be sure to try some kinmedai.

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