I have a shop at the morning market in Atsuta fishing port! The smoked fish in the photo has a seal of salmon, but it's a mix! It cost 1000 yen! There were salmon, herring, and flounder in it! They all have a deep flavor and are not too salty! It smells good with the smoked flavor! I don't know how to describe it, but it has a serious taste that you can only experience here! Especially the herring is easy to eat without bones and has a delicious fatty taste! When you visit the morning market at Atsuta fishing port, it might be a good idea to talk to the energetic lady selling smoked fish from a wagon! (This time, the lady was absent due to a TV interview, and her son was selling instead) It's just delicious!

If you pass through Ishikari and continue along the road by the Sea of Japan towards Atsuma, you will reach the town of Atsuma where there is a morning market and delicious sushi restaurants. If you follow the map towards the mountains from there, you may start to doubt if you are on the right path, but after a distance, you will find a sales office in front of what seems to be a private residence. It appears unmanned, but if you ring the bell, the shopkeeper will come and explain everything in detail. I bought the set of the day and on the way back in the car, I was surrounded by a smoky flavor (laughs). The smoked eggs were not too strong in smell, so even those who don't like smoked foods might find them easy to eat. Although it was written on the bag that it was herring, I think it was a different type of fish. The smoked fish releases a delicious flavor as you chew, with no bitterness like store-bought smoked products. I would love to go out of my way to visit and eat this smoked food again.

This time, the drive was to visit the "Chiisana Utsuwaya Ariusu Cafe". It reminded me of this place. After spending a fun time with Miho-san, I confirmed over the phone that they were open and headed to the store. I could see signs and banners by the roadside. However, the storefront looked like it could easily be overlooked without the signs and banners. When I peeked inside, there was no one there. I pressed the doorbell, and the man who had answered the phone earlier came out from the main house. I entered the store and received an explanation of the products. They had individual smoked items as well as sets with various smoked items. I purchased a set and smoked eggs. The set included two herring, one salmon, and one soy. I read a review that said they pair well with Ryusei-san's whiskey, but since I usually drink "Black Nikka Clear Blend" at home, I decided to buy a new whiskey. I found the new "Nikka Single Malt Yoichi" at a store in Chitose City and bought it. Now, what to eat first? I looked around, and decided to start with the herring. When I took it out of the bag, it had a nice smoky aroma. I took a bite and thought, "Wow, delicious!" The smoky flavor spread in my mouth and came out through my nose. It was soft and easy to eat. The saltiness was just right, perfect for a drink. It paired well with the whiskey, and I enjoyed it as an adult. The eggs were smoked with the shell on, so they didn't have a strong smoky flavor, but it made them easier to eat and gave them a nice subtle smoky taste. Now, I still have the salmon and soy left to try. I'm looking forward to it.

I visited the morning market in Atsuta as I heard it was a popular spot. Along the way, I passed through a road called "Tsukigata Atsuta Line," which is a favorite among riders. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves as they rode along. Of course, I also had fun driving on that road. Following the signs to the morning market, I found a bustling scene. Shops lined up in a horseshoe shape, offering seafood, vegetables, fruits, and even a taiyaki stall. Atsuta Kunsei, a smoked fish shop, was selling their products at the entrance. I tried a sample and liked the taste, so I bought some. It was a different experience from the smoked herring I had in Rumoi in the past, as this one was more refined and tender.

On the Sea of Japan side, heading north on Route 231 Oro Line with the bright blue sea shining on the left under clear skies. It takes just over an hour from Sapporo to Atsuta. In the mountainous area of Atsuta town, there is a handmade smoked food shop that is really delicious and affordable called "Atsuta Kunsei". The smoked food is made by Toshiko Hiraga. The smoked food workshop is located about 10 minutes by car from the central area of Atsuta where there are residential areas and a port. During the Atsuta Morning Market period in early summer to autumn, they sell their products in the market area near Atsuta Fishing Port. When I visited in winter in March 2015, the morning market was not being held, so I called the shop and went directly to the sales office to buy. Please confirm by phone as they have irregular business hours during the winter. What's really great is that all the smoked foods are made with "sun-dried and traditional hearth direct fire method with dedication" and "no additives, only natural salt for semi-smoked food". The ingredients list shows that the smoked eggs are made with "eggs" and smoked herring with "herring, salt" only. When I tried the smoked herring as a sample on my first visit, I was like, wow! It's delicious! Soft texture, not too dried, tender herring with a good amount of fat, and a gentle smoky flavor with a strong smoky aroma. It's also great to know that they are all handmade! They also make various types of smoked foods depending on the fish available each season such as scallops, salmon, red snapper, smelt, mackerel, and crucian carp. When I visited in summer, I asked if the fish were caught around here, and they said all except mackerel and smelt were locally sourced. It's nice to know that you can get herring caught in the Japan Sea and especially in Maehama! I love smoked foods, but some can be a bit expensive. However, the prices here are very reasonable. That's another reason to be happy! When in Atsuta, be sure to visit this shop!

I love this place. The smoked herring is soft, with a mild saltiness and a focus on the natural flavors of the fish. The umami slowly spreads in the mouth, creating a rich and fragrant taste. The smokiness is just right, making it a perfect match for whiskey, especially Nikka from Yoichi. During peak season, you can find them selling near the Kutchan Fishery Port, but it's a bit elusive. It's like a hidden gem, so if you find it, make sure to buy it right away. The smoked eggs are also really good. It's best to call ahead before visiting to make sure they're available.

After having a meal in Higashida Ward in July 2014, we visited this place to see the seafood. There were many small markets right in front of the sea, which was very exciting to see. At this time of year, there were a lot of smoked fish like saury and scallops, but what caught my eye was the smoked fish made only with salt. I tried a sample of smoked herring, which was soft, plump, and had a mild flavor without the typical fishy taste. There were also smoked mackerel and smoked eggs available, and I ended up buying the smoked eggs. I felt that the smoked eggs could use a bit more smoky flavor, but I regret not buying more smoked herring. However, I plan to visit again soon and try out other smoked products as well!

Every year as a tradition!! I went to Asaichi at Atsuta Port. Almost every time, Atsuta-kunsei-san also comes for mobile sales in his car♪ And almost every time, I end up buying something (∩´∀｀)∩* Smoked eggs (4 pieces) (500 yen) are smoked well and delicious♪ It's a good deal because it's a pack of 4!! I recently found out that they have a store. They are open from 1 pm, so are they selling at the store in the morning? I heard that a Michi-no-Eki will be built in Atsuta in about two years... I hope this will be an opportunity for more people to try their smoked products (∩´∀｀)∩