Kani Factory Koragumi (かにファクトリー 甲羅組), Japan's first crab open factory in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, will hold a large winter food event, the "Tsuruga Crab Festival 2026" (つるが蟹まつり2026), starting on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
With the Echizen crab fishing season opening on November 6, the festival runs for a total of seven days. It features a giveaway of crab soup to the first 500 visitors each day, direct sales of freshly landed Echizen crab and seiko crab, grilled seafood, and crab rice bowls.
Event Overview
- Event name: Tsuruga Crab Festival 2026 (つるが蟹まつり2026)
- Dates: November 14 (Sat), 15 (Sun), 21 (Sat), 22 (Sun), 23 (Mon, national holiday), 28 (Sat) and 29 (Sun), 2026 (7 days in total)
- Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Venue: Kani Factory Koragumi
- Admission: Free (food and merchandise are charged separately)
Event Highlights
Free Crab Soup for the First 500 Visitors Each Day
A special crab soup (かに汁), made with plenty of Koragumi's crab and packed with rich broth and flavor, is served free to the first 500 visitors each day. It is a warming bowl for the chilly early winter days.
The giveaway ends each day once the soup runs out.
Special Sales of Echizen Crab and Seiko Crab
Echizen crab (越前がに), a winter delicacy marked by its yellow tag, and seiko crab (セイコ蟹, female snow crab), filled with rich internal and external roe and delicate crab miso, are sold directly at special prices. Nationwide shipping is available for gift orders as well as for home use.
Grilled Seafood and Crab Rice Bowls
At the special food-stall area, grilled seafood with a savory aroma of the sea is on sale. In the food court inside the facility, crab rice bowls generously topped with crab meat and other dishes are available. Visitors can enjoy the freshly prepared food on the outdoor lawn area or at the open terrace seats.
Attractions Inside the Facility
The regular attractions inside the facility stay open throughout the event period.
- Japan's first crab open factory tour and hands-on corners (such as a crab shell peeling experience)
- All-weather Kids Land (a giant athletic structure and digital drawing)
- Outdoor bouncy dome and lawn plaza
Shuttle Bus
On event days (Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays), a dedicated shuttle bus called "Kanifaku-go" (かにファク号) runs between JR Tsuruga Station and the venue. It makes the trip easy for visitors from afar who travel by shinkansen.
Facility Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Kani Factory Koragumi (かにファクトリー 甲羅組) |
| Opening Date | July 16, 2026 (Thursday) |
| Site Area | Approximately 18,000 m² |
| Total Floor Area | 5,468.47 m² (2-story steel frame; existing factory approximately 8,400 m²) |
| Website | https://kanifactory.com/ |
Note: "Japan's first" refers to a crab-specialized open factory that permanently offers a general-visitor viewing corridor for crab processing in Japan, and provides tours, hands-on experiences, dining, and merchandise within the same facility. Survey by 日本初調査総研合同会社, June 2026.
