HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Saba Mackerel in Tagarasu Obama
Learn about mackerel in Fukui
Machizukuri Obama, Inc.
Obama is a town facing the East Sea, less than two hours by train from Kyoto. In ancient times, Wakasa Obama was the food supplier to the imperial courts in Nara and Kyoto. There were several routes between Obama and Kyoto, named the Saba Kaido, literally “Mackerel Road”. Tagarasu in Obama is the birthplace of the Saba Kaido. You can go on a boat ride to feed aquafarm mackerel, including one called the Yopparai Saba (drunk mackerel), who are raised on sake lees. You can also learn about fermented mackerel called heshiko with an explanation by a heshiko master. Make sure to try the drunk mackerel for lunch.
How to get there
From Tokyo: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Maibara Station (about 2 hours and 15 minutes), transfer to the Shirasagi Limited Express train to Tsuruga Station (about 28 minutes), and transfer again to the JR Obama Line (about 1 hour).
Tagarasu, Obama-shi, Fukui-ken
