Festival of “Kijihata,” a phantom luxury fish, to be held (Oct. 1-31)

Kijihata, one of the best fish Senzaki Fishing Port has to offer

Also called "akamizu" or "ako," kijihata is a member of the grouper family caught in the Hagi, Nagato, and Shunan areas of Yamaguchi Prefecture. It is characterized by its plump, fatty white flesh, and although it has high market value, it is called a "fantastic high-end fish" due to the small amount of fish landed throughout Japan.

Nagato City, in cooperation with Yamaguchi Prefecture, conducts seedling releases and prohibits the catching of fish less than 30 cm in length for resource management. In addition, yellowtail grouper larger than 30 cm landed in Yamaguchi Prefecture is registered as a "Yamaguchi Prefecture-produced yellowtail grouper" under the "Yamaguchi Brand".

In order to allow more people to taste it, the "Kijihata Festival" will be held for one month only in October. Tasting promotions will be held at Senza Kitchen, a roadside station, and special menus will be offered at restaurants in the city.

Fatty white meat, Ara filled with flavor

Prior to the Kijihata Festival, a tasting event was held for the press at Kiraku restaurant in Senzaki, where the dishes that will be served as "Kijihata Gozen" were presented.

The plump sashimi is a dish with just the right amount of elasticity and sweetness. In addition to soy sauce, try squeezing Nagato Yuzukichi, a citrus fruit produced in Nagato City, for a more refreshing and delicious taste.

Nigiri-zushi with the surface seared changes the texture and shows a different aspect. It is used not only in Japanese dishes such as nabe (hot pot) and simmered dishes, but also in Western dishes such as aqua pazza and poirette.

The middle bone and the head, which release high quality fat, are ideal for soup. Here, you can also taste the soup made from the fish, and you can savor all of the kijihata you can get your hands on.

Tasting PR at Senza Kitchen at Roadside Station

On Friday, October 5, a tasting promotion will be held at Senza Kitchen, a roadside station.

*The event was originally scheduled for Saturday, June 6, but was cancelled due to an approaching typhoon.

[Date] Friday, October 5, 2018
[Time] 11:00 - *Finishes when all tastings are gone
[Location] Roadside Station Senza Kitchen, Ohkobayakawa Shoten Fresh Fish Corner

Four restaurants in the city serving kijihata grouper dishes (by reservation only)

For the month of October only, four restaurants in the city will offer special menus featuring kijihata. Please take this opportunity to try them.

(1) Minshuku Okichidori (TEL 0837-28-0507) / Kijihata set (2,480 yen) *Reservations required one day in advance
(2) Kikuraku (TEL 0837-26-1235) / Kijihata gozen (3,500 yen) *Reservations required one day in advance
(3) Senzaki Honmaru Restaurant (TEL 0837-26-2580) Kijihata 3-color rice bowl set (1,680 yen) *Reservations required one day in advance.
(4) Shundo Isaji (TEL 0837-42-0130) / Kijihata nigiri gozen (3,500 yen) *Reservations required one day in advance.

Related Links

Umisachi Senzaki "Kijihata Festival will be held."