[Akita Prefecture] About Oga City's local B-class gourmet "Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba" [Access and tourist information]

Akita投稿日:2024/01/30

[Akita Prefecture] About Oga City's local B-class gourmet "Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba" [Access and tourist information]

There are several local B-class gourmet foods related to "yakisoba" like Yokote Yakisoba all over Japan.

One of these is Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba, a local B-class gourmet dish from Oga City, Akita Prefecture, a famous gourmet dish that is a regular at the B-1 Grand Prix.

Today, we will explain what kind of gourmet food Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba is, the story behind its creation, and information on how to get to Oga City and its tourist attractions.

This is a must-see not only for B-grade gourmet fans but also for anyone who loves to eat!

What is Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba, a local B-class gourmet food from Oga City, Akita Prefecture?

Yokote Yakisoba is also found in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture.

This dish is very well-known and has been introduced in a previous article, but the one we'll be looking at today is Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba, a local B-class gourmet dish that was developed by Oga City, home of the Namahage, in the hopes of attracting more tourists.

Although it is called "yakisoba," this is seafood yakisoba, and the key to its flavor is the shottsuru fish sauce made from sandfish, one of Japan's three major fish sauces.

Fish sauce is a seasoning made by soaking fish and salt together and fermenting it, and is characterized by its rich flavor.

Outside of Japan, Thai fish sauce and Italian Cetara garum are well known.

Oga shottsuru is made with only sandfish and sun-dried salt, respecting tradition, and has a refined taste that is reminiscent of white fish.

The Japanese sandfish is not a fish we hear often, but it is a deep-sea fish whose name is written with the characters for "fish" and "god" and is known as a mysterious fish that swims up the coast in the cold early December months, accompanied by thunder, to spawn.

Ingredients for "Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba," a local B-class gourmet dish from Oga City, Akita Prefecture

As mentioned above, Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba, a local B-class gourmet dish from Oga City, Akita Prefecture, is a seafood yakisoba, and is made primarily with seafood such as squid, shrimp, octopus, shellfish, and seaweed.

Although it does use some ham and bacon, it does not contain any other meat, making it very different from regular yakisoba.

Because it is seafood, it is not only rich in protein, but also provides healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids that are good for the body.

The natural fermentation process, which involves simmering the meat for three years without adding any water or seasonings, produces a delicious flavor that is truly exquisite.

Rules for the local B-class gourmet food "Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba" from Oga City, Akita Prefecture

In order to call a dish Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba, the pride of Oga City, it must meet certain rules and requirements.

That is,

1. The sauce is based on Akita's specialty shotru, one of Japan's three major fish sauces, and has a salt and soy sauce flavor.
2. The noodles are specially made with powdered wakame seaweed and kelp stock.
3. Seafood Yakisoba without meat

There are these three, and the details can vary depending on the store, so it's interesting to be able to enjoy a variety of Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba.

Additionally, Oga City has a town revitalization group called the "Oga Yakisoba Promotion Association" that promotes the city, so keep an eye on Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba, which continues to evolve and grow every day.

The group is made up of not only restaurants and manufacturers in the city, but also local residents.

About Oga City's Features and Access

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Oga City is a city located in the western part of Akita Prefecture and occupies most of the Oga Peninsula.

It is surrounded by the Sea of Japan on three sides and is attractive for its beautiful scenery that has been created by its unique topography and climate jutting out into the Sea of Japan. It has been designated a quasi-national park because it allows visitors to experience a wide variety of natural scenery, including mountains, seas, and lakes.

As some may know, the Oga Peninsula has long been the home of Namahage, and walking around the town you can really feel its history and traditions.

Akita Prefecture is in the Tohoku region, so winters can be very cold, but compared to inland areas, there isn't as much snow and the climate is quite comfortable.

Oga City is a small town with a population of just over 20,000, and is adjacent to Katagami City and Yamamoto County, both of which have populations of about 30,000.

Oga city is about an hour by train from Akita city, and it takes about four hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen to Akita Station, and about two and a half hours from Sendai to the same station. From there it takes about an hour to get to Oga city, so it's not that far away.

The Shinkansen itself operates about 15 round trips per day between Tokyo and Akita, so it is very convenient.

You can also get there by plane from all over Japan. It takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Akita Airport, about 55 minutes from Sapporo New Chitose Airport, and about 1 hour and 20 minutes from Osaka Itami Airport.

To get from Akita Airport to Oga City, there is a shared taxi called the "Akita Airport Liner," or you can transfer from Akita Airport to JR and then from Akita Station to JR Oga Station.

About tourist attractions in Oga City

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Finally, we will introduce some tourist attractions in Oga City.

The first thing you can't miss is the Namahage Museum. Not only can you see the exhibition hall, but you can also watch live Namahage demonstrations, allowing you to experience the reality of Namahage that cannot be seen in a video.

You can learn a lot about Namahage, including why the legend of Namahage remains here in Oga City. The interior, made of Akita cedar, also has a very nice atmosphere.

Another recommended spot is Nyudozaki, a cape located at the northernmost tip of the Oga Peninsula.
It boasts a very spacious site, and you can see the beautiful Sea of Japan from every angle.
There is a lawn, so it would be a great place to relax during the warmer months.

Godzilla Rock, which is also popular with children, is a symbol of Oga City.

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This strangely shaped rock is located at Cape Shiosezaki at the southern tip of the Oga Peninsula, and was named Godzilla Rock in 1995 because of its Godzilla shape.

It is a lapilli tuff formed by a volcanic eruption about 30 million years ago, and over time it has developed this miraculous shape.

There is also a "fire-breathing Godzilla" made from the setting sun and sunset clouds, which seems to attract many tourists.

Location of Oga City, Akita Prefecture

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summary

Today, we explained about Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba, a local B-class gourmet dish from Oga City, Akita Prefecture.

Be sure to combine your visit to Akita with a visit to try Oga Shottsuru Yakisoba.

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