On November 6, a captivating event unfolded at the Hamasaka fishing port in Shinonsen, marking the commencement of the snow crab season in western Japan. The spotlight was on a spectacular 1.2-kilogram “matsuba-gani” snow crab, which achieved an extraordinary price of 10 million yen (approximately $66,350) during the season’s inaugural auction, setting a new prefectural record. This surpasses the previous milestone of 3.15 million yen (about $20,900) established in 2022 at Kami’s Shibayama harbor.
Coinciding with this auspicious occasion, the Sea of Japan’s fishing season commenced, extending its coverage to the waters west of Toyama Prefecture. Amid the anticipation and competition, Ryosuke Uemura, a 47-year-old entrepreneur and owner of Kobe’s esteemed Ryouriya Uemura restaurant, emerged as the victorious bidder for the prized matsuba-gani.
Uemura’s dedication to securing the coveted crab was evident in his enthusiastic declaration, “I wanted to get one on day one, no matter what. The crabs at the Hamasaka fishing port are of unparalleled quality, and I aspire for their excellence to gain wider recognition. I look forward to savoring the snow crab with the patrons of my restaurant.”
The matsuba-gani, meeting stringent criteria with a weight of 1.2 kg or more, receives a special distinction as “Hamasaka-gani kiraboshi” by the Japan Fisheries Cooperatives’ Hamasaka branch. Undeterred by the substantial winning bid, Uemura continued his fervor by placing another noteworthy bid of 2.5 million yen (roughly $16,600) on a kiraboshi crab on November 7. This occurrence is historic, marking the first instance of individual crabs fetching over 1 million yen (about $6,640) for two consecutive days, according to the branch.
The Hamasaka fishing port’s reputation for delivering high-quality crabs is on an upward trajectory, poised for broader recognition and acclaim within the Japanese seafood industry. This event not only underscores the exceptional value placed on these crustaceans but also highlights the fervent pursuit of excellence within the realm of premium seafood auctions.
