Taiza, the fishing town, was named after the Taiza snow crab by its people. Just a short distance west from there is a spot high above the ground that overlooks the Sea of Japan.

The Taiza Onsen Sumihei ryokan inn located here, founded in 1868, is a popular accommodation known for its crab. Here, you can even add buri-shabu to your main course as a special seasonal dish. From the Hokuriku to Tango Region, there are several fishing spots where winter amberjack can be caught.

The Sea of Japan lies just off the coast of the Tango Peninsula; it is here where warm and cold currents collide, making it also a place where amberjack seasonally migrate to and eat abundantly, making them very plump, fatty fish.

If you want to taste amberjack from different parts of the Tango Region (which we definitely suggest), this buri-shabu is the best way to do so.

It was renewed in 2014, with the addition of a unique room. Each of the rooms has always had splendid ocean views, and the Tango (Taiza) onsen hot springs are also famous. It is so popular that many people visit to taste the seasonal seafood dishes, so it is sometimes difficult to even make reservations on weekends.

The deliciousness of the buri from various parts of the Tango Peninsula has been widely recognized, even as far as Kansai.

To taste the best and fattiest buri from the cold, cold Sea of Japan, one could surely try the sashimi. However, the best dish by far has got to be the buri-shabu.

Just a quick, seconds-long pass through the shabu-shabu pot will leave it glazed in color. If you leave it with the inside just a little rare, and with a dash of ponzu sauce, you will enjoy the chewiness and richness of the flavor, the fragrance of the cooked section, and the way the fat simply melts.

The flavor is not too strong, so it is just right. The buri from off the coast of the Tango Peninsula has a beautiful, rich taste that is undoubtedly a product of the fair, natural ocean environment in which they are raised.

There is a beverage area in the lobby with a great view of the sea. One large glass of fruit sake is 100 yen (you can taste a bit for free), and a glass of single malt or draft beer is 500 yen. It is a lovely spot to relax while enjoying the winter view of the Sea of Japan. You can also buy many local goods from the Tango Region.

To fully enjoy this seasonally available delicious winter buri and a visit to the hot springs, along with the fantastic landscape of the Sea of Japan, you will want to visit Taiza this winter!

Text by:140B