Crab KING OF MARINE PRODUCTS Hokkaido is among the largest producers of crabs. Hair crabs (Erimacrus isenbeckii), red king crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus) and snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) are called the ree Great Hokkaido Crabs. Blue king crabs (Paralithodes brevipes), very rare crabs living only near Nemuro City, are famous, too. Charm of Hokkaido foods CR A B C R A B Esashi Town (C) 110-minute ride from Monbetsu Airport Oumu Town (A) 60-minute ride from Monbetsu Airport Nemuro City (B) 110-minute ride from Nakashibetsu Airport Hiroo Town (D) 80-minute ride from Obihiro Airport roo Town (D) r roo T Tow wn (D D) r roo T Tow wn (D D) minute ride from O m min e e ride e from m 80 m Hir Hir Hir 80-m port r r New Chitose Airport New Chitose Airport New Chitose Airport Wakkanai Airport Wakkanai Airport Wakkanai Airport Monbetsu Airport Monbetsu Airport Monbetsu Airport Hakodate Airport Hakodate Airport Hakodate Airport Asahikawa Airport Asahikawa Airport Asahikawa Airport Memanbetsu Airport Memanbetsu Airport Memanbetsu Airport Nakashibetsu Airport Nakashibetsu Airport Nakashibetsu Airport Kushiro Airport Kushiro Airport Kushiro Airport Obihiro Airport Obihiro Airport Obihiro Airport Rishiri Airport Rishiri Airport Rishiri Airport Rebun Airport Rebun Airport Rebun Airport Okushiri Airport Okushiri Airport Okushiri Airport Okushiri Airport Sapporo Okadama Airport Sapporo Okadama Airport Sapporo Okadama Airport Sapporo City Sapporo City Sapporo City Red king crabs Red king crab Hair crab Red king crab Snow crab Hair crab Hair crab Blue king crab Hair crab Hair crab Hair crab Dohoku 27 28 The best season for crabs varies according to the crab type and the region. Why don’t you travel around Hokkaido to find the best taste at that time? Production areas ~ Enjoy the fresh foods on site oy the fresh foods on sit Data collection for enjoying the Hokkaido crabs more Hokkaido Crab Producer Map Recommendation of the ways of eating the ree (plus One) Great Crabs They have a big body and thick legs. Just one leg is substantial enough. Hair crabs They are characterized by short hair covering their whole body. They taste delicately sweet. Their innards are exquisite, too. Snow crabs They are characterized by long, slim legs. Their meat has minute fibers like silk, and tastes naturally sweet. Blue king crabs They become vividly vermeil just like flowers in bloom when they are boiled. They are very rare crabs popular for their thick flavor and texture. “Grilled crabs” for red king crabs Hair crabs, having excellent flavors, should be eaten as “sashimi”. Fresh hair crabs can be eaten raw when they are in season. Being large-sized, red king crabs are most delicious eaten when grilled. It is such an extravagance which can be enjoyed only in the place of production to grill raw crabs. “Sashimi” for hair crabs R R Okhotsk Kushiro-Nemuro Tokachi Do’o Do’o/ Donan 6 5 4 3 2 1 Oumu Town ◆ http://www.town.oumu.hokkaido.jp/(Oumu Town) A “Crab shabu-shabu” for snow crabs This is a luxurious miso soup containing plenty of roughly cut crab. Thick Umami from the crab is concentrated in the soup. This is the local cuisine of Nemuro City. “Shabu-shabu” is good if you wish to fully enjoy the delicate flavors and texture of snow crabs. Dip crab meat quickly into a broth based on soy sauce and eat it with vegetables. At the end of “shabu-shabu”, put rice into the pot and make rice porridge with crab. “Teppo-jiru” for blue king crabs Nemuro City B Secrets of deliciousness realized by the blessing of driſt ice “Crab luxury” in crab festivals On the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk, a place of production of crabs (Maps ❶❷ ), drift ice comes in the severely cold winter. As the drift ice contains a lot of plankton, the sea becomes a perfect feeding area for crabs when the drift ice starts to melt in spring. Crab during this period is said to be “most delicious” because crab meat becomes firm due to severe cold and stores much nutrition. 簡 日 英 繁 ◆ http://www.nemuro-kankou.com/(Nemuro Tourist Information) 日 英 Esashi Crab Festival It is held on the first Sunday of July every year. Esashi Town has the largest catch/haul of hair crabs in Japan. In addition to hair crabs, fresh marine products, hair crab soups and other various specialties can be enjoyed in the festival. Esashi Town ◆ http://esashi-kankou.com/index.html (Esashi Tourist Association) C 簡 日 英 Hiroo Crab Festival It is held on the second Sunday of December every year. Hair crabs are boiled in a very large iron pot. Do not miss this spectacular event! Boiled crab, hair crab soup and marine products are sold. You can eat much and enjoy yourself much in this festival. Hiroo Town ◆ http://visit-tokachi.jp/jp (“Visit Tokachi” Tokachi General Subprefectural Bureau) D 簡 日 英 繁 1 2 3 4 5 6 Railway Expressway Airport Railway (Shinkansen) Legend Region Month January Type February March April May June July August September October November December ■ Best Season Calendar Major place of production MAP Major place of production MAP Venue MAP Venue MAP