While it has been reducing, Shiogama, Miyagi pref. still has the largest volume of raw tuna caught each season. In Shiogawa fishing harbor, there is Naka-oroshi Ichiba”, the market that is popular among local people. As well as attracting people’s attention as a tourist spot. In its 1,500-tsubo (about 5000 square meter) wide site, many fish such as tuna, bonito, Urato Islands-farmed oysters, flounder, shrimp, and crab are offered. They are caught in the surrounding sea and are on sale along with many processed sea foods. You can listen to the haggling between the shopkeepers and customers and experience a lot of high spirits here.
Mr. Matsuoka from the shop of the same name, cuts a 60kg-weight gigantic tuna by using several kitchen knives of different lengths and his own entire body strength. He has been doing this work for 30-years.
”Anyone can cut this tuna within 10 days. But the difficult part is how to identify the quality of tuna. You should judge the quality of tuna by only watching its tail, so you need to keep on studying, even after several years on this job.”

• address 1-20-74, Niihama-cho, Shiogama city
  (10 min. walk from Higashi Shiogama Station of JR Sengoku line)
• Tel; 022-362-5518
• Open hour: 3:00 – 13:00 (Saturday – 14:00, Sunday and holidays: 6:00 – 14:00)
• Closed at the bon holiday and new year
  ＊Open hours and closed day are subject to change. Need to check.
• http://www.nakaoroshi.or.jp/

In Japan’s top Sushi town Fully enjoy sushi made with tuna
“Sushiya no Yamataka (Yamataka of Sushi Shop)”

It is said that Shiogama is a town that has the largest number of sushi shops per 1㎢. Around Honshiogama station, which is near to Shiogama fishing harbor, there are many sushi shops dotted around that offer unique dishes using fresh local fish including tuna . “Sushiya no Yamataka” is located in Marine Gate Shiogama, they offer a hearty “Kaisen Don (rice bowl with various raw fish) at 1,050 yen an ”Ultimate Maguro Don (rice bowl with raw tuna)” which is full of Otoro (fattest tuna meat), Chutoro (medium-fatty tuna) and Akami (lean meat) at 2,625 yen, and “Maguro Zanmai” nigiri sushi made from raw tuna fish at 2,625 yen. The shop also offers tasty a la carte tuna dishes such as Kaubi-yaki, Yukke, Ganniku Namero. It is also fun to watch spanking sushi a performance done by the shop owner.

• address Marin Gate 2F, 1-4-1, Minato-machi, Shiogama City
  (10 min. walk from Higashi Shiogama Station of JR Sengoku line)
• Tel; 022-367-9343
• Open hour 11:00 – 21:00 Open everyday

Shrines that Protect salt production, fishery and agricultural industries
“Shiogama shrine, Shiwahiko shrine”

The Shiogama shrine is proud of its 1200-year history and its main shrine and front shrine are recognised as a nationally important cultural property. It enshrines three pillars of huge gods, and among them, Shiotsuchi-ojino-kami is believed to be the god who taught people how to make salt. Many people from all over Japan visit the shrine praying for fortune of war, large catches of fish, safety at sea, prolongation of life, traffic safety and easy ,safe deliver of babies.
The adjoined Shiwahiko Shrine is believed to be the god for the nation’s development, higher productivity and industry promotion, also agriculture.
In the shrines grounds, about 500 kinds of plants including Shiogama Sakura (Shiogama cherry tree) are growing there, they change their colors every season. And are in full bloom every year in early May.

1-1, Ichi Moriyama, Shiogama City
(15 min. walk from Hon Shiogama Station of JR Sengoku Line)
Tel; 022-367-1611

http://www.shiogamajinja.jp

Basho Matsuo (in early Edo period), a haiku poet who created a lot of great haiku poems, wrote a travelogues called “Okuno Hsomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North), a diary of his extensive travels through Tohoku and Hokuriku to Ogaki. In the travelogue, there is a famous poem “Matsushima”. Beside beautiful scenery that also impressed Basho, “Matsushima Kaki (Oyster)” gives you another, and rather contrasting in a way, deep impression. The season of these oysters is from October to March, and “Kakigoya (Oyster cabin)” opens in this season only. It offers All-you-can-eat oysters at 2,000 yen (adult in 45 min.) and 3,000 yen (adult in 60 min.) There are full shell oysters on a 1 square meter iron plate. Escallop (steam and roast) these oysters are cooked without using any seasoning, saltiness from the seawater is the only flavor. Its unique elastic texture is also enjoyable. Eat oysters while enjoying an interesting conversation with the waiter while he peels the cooked oyster from its shell and serves you one after another.

Matsushima Tourist Association

• Tel; 022-354-2618
• http://www.matsushima-kanko.com/en/index.html (English)
• http://www.matsushima-kanko.com/ (Japanese)