photos by Shizuoka Prefectural Tourism Association
One of the popular local specialties in Shizuoka City is sakura shrimp. They can only be found in Taiwan and Suruga Bay in Shizuoka around the world, making them very rare and precious!
Some think they are baby shrimp, but they are not; their body size is only about 4 cm. Also, its name comes from its body color; 'sakura' means cherry blossom.
Yui Port in Shizuoka is well-known for its catches of sakura shrimp. You can enjoy it fresh as sashimi (raw) at restaurants around the port, and its sushi is also very good.
Kakiage (a type of tempura) is another way to enjoy the shrimp; it is very crispy and tasty. It goes great with soba noodles (buckwheat noodles), too.
To maintain the catch volume, sakura shrimp fishing is limited to two times a year, in spring and autumn. This makes them even more precious!
I've eaten the shrimp even at home since I was a child. They were so commonly served at dinner that I didn’t realize their value until I grew up. Now I know how lucky I have been!
Only in Shizuoka can you enjoy its unique seafood!
Akane
