HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Sakaami Duck
A winter delicacy with over 300 years of history only available in Kaga
Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Experience history in an all new manner with the sakaami duck, a winter delicacy of Kaga City with over 300 years of tradition. The name of this local food is derived from the traditional hunting method known as ‘sakaami hunting’ (cliff-net hunting). Practiced by samurai warriors since the late 17th century, this highly precise and physically intensive hunting method involves throwing large, Y-shaped nets up in the air to catch ducks mid-flight, as they take off from their roosting grounds. The method captures ducks without injuring them, and because the numbers of ducks caught is low, it is a sustainable hunting method that maintains balance with nature. This process of capturing wild birds right before their feeding hours has allowed sakaami duck cuisine to enjoy the best of both worlds in terms of taste and healthiness - the absence of digestive remains in the duck’s body due to its state of hunger ensures minimal smell on the meat, while the lack of artificial feed and hormones allows for an exquisite balance of muscle and fat seldom found in reared fowl. Available at select restaurants across Kaga, add some extra warmth and a sprinkle of history with some sakaami duck during your next winter trip to Ishikawa Prefecture.
How to get there
From Tokyo Station, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kagaonsen Station (available from March 2024).
From Haneda Airport, fly to Komatsu Airport. Take a bus to Komatsu Station, then take the Hokuriku Line to Kagaonsen Station.
Wo 6-2 Sakumi-machi, Kaga-shi, Ishikawa-ken
