This tour takes you to the coastal town of Taiki in southern Tokachi. You will experience riding a real fishing boat, then try preparing horsehair crabs and other seafood together with a fisherman’s wife. After enjoying a sumptuous seafood lunch, you can enjoy a relaxing time in a hot spring bath with a view of the Pacific Ocean. It’s a unique tour that lets you experience a fisherman’s life and the marine bounty of Tokachi.

Highlights

• Go on a fishing boat ride and experience the work of a fisherman
• Learn how to prepare horsehair crabs and other seasonal seafood
• Enjoy a sumptuous seafood lunch prepared by a fisherman couple
• Refresh yourself in a hot spring bath with a view of the ocean

The tour will be guided by the friendly fisherman couple of Masao and Michiko Kawamata. Together, they operate their own company called Marumi Kobo which processes and sells various seafood products.

Firstly, you will visit the fishing port of Taiki and ride on an actual fishing boat to experience the conditions faced daily by local fishermen. Tokachi fishermen set out to the Pacific Ocean from the early morning every day to bring in the day’s catch, sometimes facing harsh weather conditions at sea. 
Note: The fishing boat ride may be cancelled in case of inclement weather.

After the fishing boat ride, you will go to Marumi Kobo to learn how to prepare “kegani” horsehair crabs and other seasonal seafood. First, you will choose the crab you want to prepare and eat from their fish tank.

Masao and Michiko Kawamata will teach you how to prepare the horsehair crabs. The crabs have hard spiny carapace that can be difficult to crack open, but you will surely get the hang of it quickly.

Soaking the pieces of crab in water will cause them to bloom like flowers, making them fluffier. One of the best ways to enjoy it is eating it fresh as sashimi.

Now it’s time to enjoy a bountiful seafood lunch prepared the way local fishermen enjoy it. Besides the fresh horsehair crabs, you can also savor crab miso soup and kani meshi (crab-seasoned rice), as well as other seasonal seafood.

To help you relax after the filling meal, you will visit Bansei Onsen, a rare hot spring that is rich in iodine. You can refresh yourself in the hot spring bath while admiring a view of the vast Pacific Ocean.

Note: All images are for illustration purposes only. Your actual experience may vary.

Schedule

9:00	Meetup at Taiki Fishing port, orientation
9:20	Fishing boat ride
10:30	Horsehair crab and seafood preparation at Marumi Kobo
12:00	Horsehair crab and seafood lunch
14:00	Hot spring bath in Bansei Onsen
15:00	Tour finish