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Kobakogani: Winter blessings from the Sea of Japan
Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture
When it comes to winter delicacies in Japan, not much can beat the snow crab. In Kaga, Ishikawa, the female snow crab, or kobakogani, as it is affectionately called in the region, is especially popular amongst locals for its high roe content and comparatively affordable price range. The kobakogani caught in the waters off Hashitate Port here in Kaga are also particularly known for their rich and flavorful innards, which, according to the locals, are best enjoyed with rice and soy sauce. This pairing of kobakogani with rice has also seen an upgrade in recent years to become one of the popular gourmet dishes of the city—it is the star of the Kaga Crab Gohan (kani gohan) menu, a series of gourmet set meals featuring the iconic pairing, each painstakingly created to bring out the best flavors in every inch of the crab. With its fishing period limited to the months of November and December, the kobakogani is a limited-time-only delicacy that is guaranteed to add some much-needed gastronomic zest to any winter holiday.
How to get there
From Haneda Airport, fly to Komatsu Airport (about 1 hour and 5 minutes). Take a bus to Komatsu Station (about 12 minutes), then take the Hokuriku Line to Kagaonsen Station (about 12 minutes).
From Tokyo Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kagaonsen Station (available beginning in March 2024).
6-2 Sakumimachi, Kaga-shi, Ishikawa-ken
