Tour a Fishing Village Known for Katsuobushi in Shima, Mie
Overview
With a guide, take a walking tour of Nakiri, an idyllic seaside fishing village that was renowned in ancient times for its production of 'katsuobushi,' dried bonito flakes. Visit a long-running katsuobushi shop and stroll around the townscape.
Highlights
- Visit a long-running katsuobushi shop, as well as its hut where these bonito flakes are smoked
- Try some soup stock and other products made with katsuobushi
- Learn about katsuobushi's history, as well as its deep cultural significance
- See Nakiri's other attractions, including a temple with ancient stone walls and Daiosaki Lighthouse
Key Information
Description
This tour of the fishing village of Nakiri in Shima City, Mie Prefecture is available from October to April, with two available start times. The itinerary is as follows: 10:00 / 13:00 — Meet at the parking lot of Daiosaki Kanko 10:10 / 13:10 — Walking tour starts; stroll around town as you learn about its history and see local attractions on the way to the katsuobushi shop 10:30 / 13:30 — Arrive at Katsuo no Tempaku, a family-run katsuobushi shop with a long history — it's now in its fourth generation of ownership. Learn about Nakiri's history of fishing for bonito (also known as skipjack tuna), katsuobushi culture, how katsuobushi is made, its historical and socio-cultural significance, and more. Nakiri began engaging in bonito fishing in the ancient Nara period (710–794). In its prime, it was a leading producer of katsuobushi. Bonito flakes from this town were often offered to the nobility and to Shinto shrines, including Ise Grand Shrine, the holiest in Japan. At Katsuo no Tempaku, you will also taste katsuobushi and other products made with it, such as soup stock and rice seasoned with these flakes. Additionally, you will tour the shop's hut for smoking katsuobushi. Learn how dried fish is smoked using a hard, dense oak tree called 'ubamegashi' as firewood. 11:30 / 14:30 — Leave Katsuo no Tempaku; see Daiosaki Lighthouse from a vantage point. You will not visit the lighthouse itself, but you can take great photos of it from this spot. 12:00 / 15:00 — Tour ends