[Lake Hamana] A journey through the food colors of water

Lake Hamana is said to have originated during the last ice age. Because it is a brackish lake where freshwater and seawater mix, the unique waterside area is blessed with a wide variety of marine products, including the mythical Doman crab, and is also suitable for cultivating eels and oysters. Please enjoy a variety of gourmet foods that unravel the origins of Lake Hamana.

[Visiting an eel farm] Visiting an eel farm at Ebisen, a 100-year-old eel and seafood restaurant

Ebisen delivers seafood from Lake Hamana and the Enshu Sea to customers inside and outside the prefecture. A 100-year-old establishment that has been involved in the local fishing industry for a long time, we handle all kinds of wholesale and processing of a wide variety of seafood, including seasonal fish as well as eel, puffer fish, and crabs that we farm in-house. She actively participates in environmental conservation activities around Lake Hamana, and at Ebisen, which is trusted by local chefs, she will tour the fish farm and learn about the local fishing industry.

[Enjoy eel dishes] Enjoy ``eel'', a treasure of Lake Hamana, with Yamamoto-tei's secret sauce.

Founded in 1975, Yamamototei purchases live fish caught locally and lies there for a day in its own fish tanks, which are filled with underground seawater pumped up from a depth of 50 meters, before serving it to customers in the best possible condition. In addition to purchasing eel from Ebisen, the restaurant also uses carefully selected eels, steamed until plump and then grilled to a fragrant finish in a secret sauce that has been added to since the restaurant opened. Please enjoy the bounty of food nurtured by Lake Hamana to your heart's content.

[Mikan Daifuku making experience] Make Daifuku with the whole Mikkabi mandarin orange, a specialty product.

Mikkabi Town, located on the north side of Lake Hamana, receives a lot of sunlight and has good drainage, making it suitable for growing mandarin oranges. The mandarin oranges grown here are called ``Mikkabi mandarin oranges,'' and are popular for their rich flavor and well-balanced sourness and sweetness. Daifuku made using whole Mikkabi mandarin oranges has a fresh sour taste that will make you addicted to it. Enjoy stories from the producers about the Mikkabi mandarin oranges, which are produced by the rich climate and soil.

[Souvenirs from Mikkabi rich in nature] Honey specialty store Nagasaka Bee Farm

The first generation of Nagasaka Bee Farm started breeding bees on the shores of Lake Hamana in 1935, and for nearly 90 years they have continued to produce honey in Mikabi, an area rich in nature. A very popular honey specialty store that receives 40 customers annually. Our popular ``honey soft serve ice cream'' is made by pouring plenty of honey onto soft serve ice cream right in front of our customers. With over 150 types of original honey products and seasonal products available each year, this is a must-visit spot when visiting Lake Hamana.

[Special travel experience]

Comes with 1 glass of Japanese sake Kunika

• More than 150 types of seafood are caught and more than 170 types of mountain produce are produced around Lake Hamana, and we will introduce some carefully selected ingredients from among them.
• Lake Hamana is a major eel-producing region. In addition to the eel farm, you will visit Ebisen, which handles a variety of seafood products, and learn about the history of Lake Hamana and the fishing industry.
• The grilled eel and unaju prepared by our chefs who have inherited the tradition are exceptional. Enjoy them with seasonal ingredients from around Lake Hamana.
• The tour will be held in small groups (maximum 8 people). An area coordinator in charge of Shizuoka Prefecture's gastronomy tourism initiatives will accompany the tour.

Posted on: March 2024, 02 *The content of the article is current as of the time of publication.