Kanimatsuba Honten (かにまつば本店), a Matsuba crab specialty restaurant in Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture, begins its season on November 8, 2026, following the start of the Matsuba crab fishing season on November 6. Matsuba crab is a winter delicacy nurtured by Tottori's rich sea. The restaurant carefully selects tagged Matsuba crab landed at local fishing ports and serves it in a calm space centered on private rooms, aiming to bring out the delicate sweetness and rich umami of the crab.
A Head Chef Who Is Also a Working Fisherman
The head chef of Kanimatsuba Honten works as both a fisherman and a cook. During Matsuba crab season the chef stands in the kitchen, and in the other seasons goes out to sea as a fisherman. The experience gained from facing the sea and its seafood every day informs both the selection of crab and the cooking.
Matsuba crab is a delicate ingredient whose quality varies greatly with the climate and the condition of the sea. At Kanimatsuba Honten, a trusted broker who knows Tottori's fishing ports well makes a first selection right after the crabs are landed. The head chef then judges the meat quality, aroma, weight and firmness, and the restaurant buys only carefully selected crab. This "double selection" (二重の目利き) is meant to bring out the sweetness and umami of each crab.
"The taste of Matsuba crab is decided at the port and refined at the restaurant. A good crab is determined by the person who selects it." — Head chef
New This Season: Tokusen Kanimeshi Course
This season, the restaurant adds a new "Tokusen Kanimeshi Course" (特撰かに飯コース), which incorporates kanimeshi (crab rice), a popular lunchtime dish at Kanimatsuba Honten. The course presents crab in a variety of preparations, including hanasaki-zukuri (花咲造り), which highlights the delicate sweetness of Matsuba crab, oyagani kōra-mori (親がに甲羅盛), known for its rich umami, and Matsuba crab tempura. It also includes the restaurant's kanimeshi, which lets diners enjoy the umami of both oyagani and zuwai crab. Unlike the conventional courses centered on kanisuki (crab hot pot) and zōsui (rice porridge), this course lets diners savor one crab dish after another through to the end of the meal.
Other courses that offer a range of Matsuba crab flavors are also available.
Tokusen Kanimeshi Course (特撰かに飯コース)
- Contents: Matsuba crab hanasaki-zukuri, oyagani kōra-mori, Matsuba crab tempura, crab chawanmushi (savory steamed egg custard), kanimeshi, crab soup, small side dish, pickles, dessert
- Highlight: The natural sweetness and rich umami of crab that spread with every bite
- Price: ¥19,800 (tax included)
Full Course with Authentic Tagged Live Matsuba Crab (本格タグ付き活松葉蟹フルコース)
- Contents: Matsuba crab hanasaki-zukuri, grilled crab-shell miso (甲羅味噌焼), charcoal-grilled crab, oyagani kōra-mori, hama-yude (浜茹で) boiled Matsuba crab, Matsuba crab tempura, a select crab dish (かにの逸品), kanisuki (crab hot pot), zōsui (rice porridge), pickles, small side dish, house-made monaka (wafer sweet), matcha
- Highlight: A full course that lets diners experience the true flavor of Matsuba crab
- Price: From ¥48,000 (tax included)
Lunch Only: Kin no Tokusen Kaniniku Don (金の特選蟹肉丼)
- Contents: Rice bowl, crab soup, small side dish, pickles
- Highlight: A bowl pairing Matsuba crab with Tottori wagyu, served only at this restaurant
- Price: ¥13,000 (tax included, lunch only)
A Private Space Prepared for Enjoying Crab
So that diners can focus on the meal, Kanimatsuba Honten offers a calm space centered on private rooms. The restaurant aims to provide hospitality suited to a range of occasions, including business entertaining, special meals with family, anniversary celebrations and trips. Diners can enjoy conversation and a meal without concern for those around them while savoring seasonal Matsuba crab. The restaurant aims to make not only the food but also the time spent there special.
Matsuba crab can be enjoyed only during the limited fishing season from November to March of the following year. The restaurant invites diners to experience the depth of Matsuba crab, a representative taste of winter, including 五輝星, the top-grade brand crab that Tottori Prefecture takes pride in.
Matsuba Crab Online Shop
The oyagani kōra-mori served at the restaurant can also be enjoyed at home through the online shop. Kanimatsuba's oyagani boasts rich uchiko (internal roe) and sotoko (external roe) as well as flavorful crab meat. The boxed gift set "Select Oyagani Kōra-mori, 4 Pieces" (【特選】親がに甲羅盛4枚入り 箱詰めギフト) is popular as a treat for oneself and as a gift, such as a year-end present (oseibo). Live Matsuba crab and other items are also sold.
- Online shop: https://eikosuisan.base.ec/
Restaurant Information
- Name: Kanimatsuba Honten (かにまつば本店)
- Address: 2F, 302 Yayoi-cho, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture
- Phone: 0857-30-6888
- Season start: Sunday, November 8, 2026
- Hours: Lunch 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Dinner 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
- Closed: Wednesdays and the year-end and New Year holidays
- Seats: 36 in total (6 private rooms, plus 1 large room with 4 tables)
- Full buyout: Available (please inquire with the restaurant)
- Website: https://www.kanimatsuba.com/
- Online shop: https://eikosuisan.base.ec/
