Awaji Island, known since ancient times as the “land of food”, is especially famous for its rare3-year-old Tiger Pufferfish (“Fugu”) , which is Japan’s winter delicacy. It is also used as a luxury ingredient in high-end restaurants in Osaka and Kyoto. This 3-year-old Tiger Pufferfish (“Torafugu”) dish is perfect for a feast with your family and loved ones.
3-year-old Tiger Pufferfish dishes are served at restaurants and inns on the island from around November to around March of the following year. This time, we will introduce the characteristics of 3-year-old Tiger Pufferfish, why it is delicious, and the restaurants where you can eat it.
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The Reason Why 3-year-old Tiger Pufferfish from Awaji Island is Delicious
In general, blowfish is farmed for one and half year to two years before being on a market. However, 3-year blowfish on Awaji Island is farmed in Fukura Bay in Minami Awaji City. Fukura Bay has the lowest water temperature of any fish farm in Japan, and the fish is raised slowly over a period of three years near Naruto Strait, which has the fastest current in Japan. This farming condition results in not only a bigger size but also firmer muscles. This leads to much more “umami” (savory flavor) and excellent texture. Torafugu is considered as a king among all the types of fugu (blowfish) and one of the most expensive and luxurious item in winter.
Blowfish do contain some poisons. However, only a chef with a license to cook blowfish is allowed to prepare blowfish at a restaurant. This license is granted to those who pass a strict test and this process is governed and managed by each prefecture in Japan. So rest assured and enjoy a blowfish as long as you are dining at a restaurant with a licensed chef. Now are you ready to savor this delicacy on Awaji Island?
Taste 3-year-old Tiger Pufferfish Cuisine on Awaji Island
3-year Torafugu Hot Pot at SEIKAIHA Aonoya
Awaji Island’s most famous nabe (hot pot) dish is the Awaji three-year torafugu (blowfish) nabe. This hot pot is popular among food connoisseurs throughout Japan, and the ban on its consumption is lifted from November to the end of February.
SEIKAIHA Aonoya located at the ocean front is a Japanese restaurant at SEIKAIHA complex which houses restaurants, bar/shop and theater. All the seats are tiered like a theater, enabling every guest a magnificent ocean view while dining.
The Awaji 3-year torafugu gozen menu offers nigiri (hand-rolled torafugu), grilled torafugu, tessa (blowfish sashimi), hot pot, and even zosui (rice porridge), allowing you to enjoy all the deliciousness of torafugu.
Torafugu Gozen is offered at lunch and dinner till February 28.
The price including tax is 13,500 yen
＊Reservations are required by 7:00 p.m. three days in advance.
| Name | SEIKAIHA - Aonoya |
|---|---|
| Address | 70 Nojima-okawa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1723 |
| Tel | 0799-70-9020 |
| Website | https://awaji-seikaiha.com/aonoya/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1022838-d21197787-Reviews-Seikaiha_Aonoya-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
| Operating Hours | 11:00~15:00 (Last In 14:00, L.O. 14:00) 17:00~21:00 (Last In 19:30, L.O. 20:00) Closed: Thursdays |
Click here for details of SEIKAIHA - Aonoya
3-year Torafugu full course at Auberge “French Forest”
Auberge “French Forest” includes three chalets and gardens on a hill on Awaji Island, which evoke a similar feeling to the special world of Ghibli animation by Haruo Miyazaki. Each chalet offers a French cuisine with different style along with accommodations. Just like an auberge in France, you can dine with your favorite wine and stay over without worrying about your driving or taking bus back to your home/hotel at a different area. Three restaurants have each different theme: La Rose with Japanese essence, Grand Baobab fused with Italian cuisine and Prince Etoile blended with Basque cuisine.
Each restaurant offers “Fuyu no 3-nen Torafugu Kyoen Course” (3-year Torafugu Winter Feast Menu” at lunch and dinner time. Each course includes torafugu and other local ingredients produced or caught on Awaji Island.
This special menu is offered until February 28.
The prices (inclusive of tax) are:
La Rose- Lunch at 13,000 yen, Dinner at 17,000 yen
Grand Baobab- Lunch at 11,000 yen, Dinner at 16,000 yen
Prince Etoile- Lunch at 13,000 yen, Dinner at 17,000 yen
| Name | Auberge “French Forest” |
|---|---|
| Address | 2593-8 Kusumoto Aza Banaka, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-2301 |
| TEL | La Rose 0799-70-6062 Prince Etoile 0799-70-6061 Grand Baobab 0799-70-6063 |
| Website | https://frenchnomori.jp/ |
| Reservations | https://frenchnomori.jp/reservation/ |
| Operation Hours | Lunch – 11:30~15:30 (Last Entry: 13:00) Dinner – 17:30~21:30 (Last Entry: 19:00) |
| Menu | A Full-Course Lunch ￥7,000～/ A Full-Course Dinner ￥10,000～ |
Click here for details of Auberge “French Forest”
Teppanyaki of 3-year-old Torafugu at Sajiki
Aman no Shokutaku is a luxurious restaurant serving pirate-style cuisine at Utage (1F) and teppanyaki /sukiyaki at Sajiki (2F) that fully brings out the charm of Awaji Island’s gourmet. At Sajiki, two teppanyaki full-course meals, Kangetsu and Yukino, include Awaji Island 3-year torafugu in addition to Awaji Beef, which is one of top Japanese beef brands.
These teppanyaki meals are offered at lunch and dinner till February 28.
The prices including tax are:
Kangetsu at 16,000 yen
Yukino at 18,000 yen
Click here for reservations Utage Click here for reservations Sajiki
| Name | Aman no Shokutaku １F Utage ２F Sajiki |
|---|---|
| Address | 1042 Nojima-Tokiwa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1726 |
| Tel | "Utage” 0799-70-9089 “Sajiki” 0799-70-9090 |
| Operation Hours | “Utage”: Weekdays 11:00~21:00 (L.O. 20:00) / Sat., Sun. & Holidays 10:30~21:00 (L.O. 20:00) “Sajiki” 11:00~15:00 / 17:00~21:00 (L.O.19:30) Closed: Tuesdays |
| Website | https://amannoshokutaku.jp/ |
| Reservations: Utage | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/aman-utage/reserve |
| Reservations: Sajiki | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/aman-sajiki/reserve |
| Review: Utage | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1022838-d24037141-Reviews-Aman_No_Shokutaku_Utage-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
| Reservations: Sajiki | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1022838-d24037394-Reviews-Aman_No_Shokutaku_Sajiki-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
Click here for details of Aman no Shokutaku
Closing
Whether you select Japanese cuisine or French cuisine fused with other cuisines, Awaji Island’s 3-year torafugu is food connoisseurs’ ultimate choice in winter. This is one of the best way to celebrate Chinese New Year, feasting on Japanese delicacy. It will definitely be a memorable meal of your trip.
