Snow crab (zuwaigani), one of the signature flavors of winter in Hokuriku, is about to come into season. The snow crab fishing season opens on November 6.
Male snow crab from Ishikawa Prefecture is known as "Kano crab" (Kano-gani) and carries a blue tag. Caught in the nutrient-rich Sea of Japan, the meat is moist and sweet, and the crab miso inside the shell is rich and full of flavor.
Crab landed at Hashidate Fishing Port in Kaga City carries a black tag with the name of the fishing port and the fishing boat written in gold lettering, which guarantees both its quality and its origin.
What Makes Hashidate Fishing Port's Crab Special
Crab landed at Hashidate Fishing Port is known above all for its freshness. The fishing grounds are close, only several tens of kilometers offshore, so boats that leave port at night finish fishing and return the next day during daytime. The auction is also held in the evening rather than in the morning, which is another feature of Hashidate Fishing Port.
The crab is delivered to restaurants and ryokan while still fresh.
About Kobako Crab
Kobako crab (kobako-gani) is the female snow crab. Its two kinds of eggs are the draw: the rich "uchiko" (internal eggs) and the popping, textured "sotoko" (external eggs). They offer a different kind of delicious from the male crab. Kobako crab is also more reasonably priced than the male, but to protect the natural resource, its fishing season is short and lasts only until the end of December.
Kano crab and kobako crab can be enjoyed at ryokan and restaurants in Kaga Onsen (reservations are recommended for locally caught crab).
Kaga Onsen is well worth a visit this winter.
Snow Crab Fishing Season
- Male (Kano crab): November 6 to March 20 of the following year
- Female (kobako crab): November 6 to December 29
Tourism Inquiries for Kaga Onsen Resort:
Kaga City Tourism Information Center, KAGA Tabi-Machi Net
Tel. 0761-72-6678 (8:45 AM to 5:30 PM) / Open year-round
Official Website: https://www.tabimati.net
