Sweet and savory ayu fish.

Today, on August 15, 2014, I took my son and beloved dog for a drive to Shakotan. On the way back, we stopped by the seaside to take our dog for a walk. We were greeted by the delightful smell of charcoal-grilled chitose fish. There was a food truck selling them, with a large parasol and chairs next to it. They assured us that it was safe for our dog, so we decided to eat there. Unfortunately, they only had garlic-flavored chitose fish left. We decided to try it. The chitose fish was grilled slowly over charcoal and then lightly brushed with garlic oil. The tender flesh was mild in flavor, with crispy skin that paired well with the garlic. We were able to eat everything except for the bones and head. It was truly a special experience to enjoy chitose fish in such a beautiful setting. Thank you for the delicious meal.

In August 2023, a hidden gem known to locals in Kotaira Town! Specializing in Hime Masu, a type of trout farmed deep in the mountains for over 70 years! The shop is located in a renovated old house with grilled fish skewers around a hearth. Limited seating available, serving ramen and set meals as well. On sunny days, outdoor dining is also available. The tip skewers are 600 yen each, with 2 out of 3 varieties already sold out. The remaining "Kombu Salt" is unfortunately the only option left. No alcohol is served, but takeout is an option for enjoying in your car. The fish can be eaten whole from head to tail, with no waste as the innards are removed, leaving a crispy skin and tender flesh with a refined and easy-to-eat flavor. The strong salt seasoning is very tasty and the appearance is also appealing. The skewers are a must-try, available mainly on weekends and holidays, but irregular hours may apply so check on social media for updates. Enjoyed every bite!

On September 24, 2019, due to the impact of the new coronavirus, let's bring out something from the past. Sapporo Autumn Fest 2019! This year, I was thinking I might not need to eat, but when I see the actual food, I can't resist. Chip Irori Yaki! This year, the chips are small. The chips, skewered and seared with far infrared rays from charcoal fire, make my mouth water just by looking at them. I purchased the normal salt-grilled one. Let's have some sake with it. I take a bite. The subtle saltiness is delightful. The tender flesh, despite being river fish, is easy to eat without any fishy taste or smell. Sake is definitely the perfect match! It gently wraps around the lingering saltiness in the mouth and washes it away, leaving behind a unique sake aftertaste that makes me smile involuntarily. As always, I've been wanting to compare the chips here with the ones from Lake Shikotsu, but several years have passed. I love the atmosphere of the Autumn Fest here! The smiles of strangers are the best appetizer. What will happen this year? The Odori Beer Garden, Susukino Festival have been canceled... If things continue like this, the Autumn Fest might be canceled too...

I purchased salt-grilled ayu for 600 yen at the Autumn festival! I remember trying their mochi during the Yosakoi season when they had a food stall. It was cooked over a hearth, giving it a nice flavor! Eating fish on a skewer has always been a dream of mine, so one of my dreams came true again (*ˊᗜˋ*) The ayu was juicy, with oil dripping down, but it had a lot of bones! The internal organs had a slightly bitter taste, which was more suited for adults. They were also selling hime masu for 500 yen, and I would like to try that next time. Thank you for the delicious meal!

In July 2019, I enjoyed salt-grilled sweetfish for 500 yen at the Sapporo Beer "Hometown Appreciation Day" event. It was the 11th year of this popular event, where you could drink classic beer for only 200 yen. One of the highlights was the booth by "Nomura Shoten" from Obira Town, the only Hime Masu fish farm in Hokkaido. The fish on skewers were a dream come true, with various flavors available. I was lucky to get the last salt-grilled sweetfish, which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It paired perfectly with the beer. For their operating days and event schedules in Obira, you can check their website. Thank you for the delicious meal!

On September 26, 2018, I knew that Nomura Shoten was setting up a stall again this year, but I was thinking of trying something new that I haven't eaten before, so I initially passed by. However, when I saw the crispy grilled skewered chips, I couldn't resist. I realized that I have been visiting Nomura Shoten, Fukuyoshi, and Little Juice Bar for three consecutive years now. I bought a larger piece of the grilled chip for ¥800. It had a satisfying texture and was tender due to the far-infrared effect, making it delicious. I thought last year as well, but I wonder if it's because they are farm-raised, the flavor is mild compared to natural chips, and I want to compare them. I also bought the grilled whole sweet shrimp for ¥300, which was ¥50 cheaper than last year. It's still quite expensive. Unlike raw shrimp, you can eat it whole. The savory aroma makes me want to have some sake. I also tried the grilled rice cake with cod roe for ¥500, a simple dish with cod roe on top of a grilled rice cake. The saltiness of the cod roe is subtly delicious. I'm sure I'll come back to try it again next year.

In August 2018, I tried the grilled chip (kombu salt flavor) for 500 yen. I visited the only Hime Masu fish farming place in Furubira, Hokkaido, on my way back from eating sea urchin in Shakotan, but it seemed like they were not open. However, I found them at the Kutchan Potato Festival! The chips lined up on skewers looked so tempting. The chip, also known as Hime Masu, is a critically endangered species native to Hokkaido. It is said to have the best taste among salmon species, as it spends its entire life in freshwater without going to the sea. It has delicate flesh with a good amount of fat, making it very delicious. It is a rare and highly valued fish due to its low population and habitat requirements. Despite being an endangered species, is it okay to eat it? Well, I did eat it! The taste comes in three simple flavors, and I chose the kombu salt flavor. The chips were quite large with a satisfying texture, tender and flaky. They had no strong taste or odor, just a mild flavor enhanced by the salt and crispy charred surface. It was delicious with a beer in hand, and I devoured it all. Thank you for the meal!

On September 12, 2017, the Sapporo Autumn Fest 2017, a fall food festival in Hokkaido, opened. My wife and I happened to have the same day off, so we went. The weekend of the 10th was apparently very crowded, but on the 12th, there were few people due to the rainy weather. This year, Nomura Shoten set up a booth with their grilled chip and sweet shrimp at the Furudaira-cho booth. Oh, this year they also have grilled sweet shrimp. Both the chip and sweet shrimp are ¥350 each, or you can get 3 for ¥1000. I bought 1 chip and 2 sweet shrimp. The staff said, "You can eat everything on the skewer." No one eats the skewer! I chose the grilled chip with sansho miso flavoring. Hmm, is the chip smaller than last year's? Comparing to last year's photo, it does seem smaller. I'll try it, but the flavor doesn't seem as rich as before. Three grilled sweet shrimp... that's expensive. I started by biting into the head! Ah, the crispy shell's aroma followed by the rich miso flavor. This is delicious! It makes me want sake. I regret driving here. I want beer, sake, and wine! Next time, I'll take the bus!

Ramen show and the Lilac Festival are happening at the same time! There are so many delicious food stalls, it's hard to decide what to eat. But deep down, my desire for oysters is unwavering. I spotted a sign that said 4-5 oysters for 1000 yen - I had to get them! Just standing in front of the stall, I could smell the ocean. Even though I usually don't like fishy smells, this one was different. They grilled the oysters right there and handed them to me. The shells were huge! When the shells popped open, the plump oysters were revealed, hot and delicious. Two oysters per person wasn't enough - I had to go back for more!

On September 20, 2016, I went to Sapporo Autumn Fest 2016, which was held at Sapporo Odori Park from September 9 to October 1. It is the largest food festival in Hokkaido, featuring delicious local dishes as well as a few international cuisines. Just entering the venue made me feel excited and happy. I bought grilled chip (Hime Masu) from Nomura Shoten, which I couldn't get during my visit in the summer. It cost ¥500 for one fish. They grilled the chip for me, and I chose the most popular seasoning, salt. The chip was quite small, with the guts removed, allowing you to eat it whole. The freshwater fish was grilled over charcoal, giving it a nice flavor. The seasoning was subtle and just right. The flesh was tender and delicious, with a slight flakiness. The head had a nice smoky flavor, and the bones were not bothersome. I wish it was a bit bigger in size. Overall, it was a delightful meal. By the way, isn't the girl in the Ii Heya Net commercial cute? On July 23, 2016, on my way back from Shakotan Shikotsu National Park, I visited a shop that had caught my attention. According to their website, they are the only fish farm in Hokkaido that raises chip (Hime Masu) and supplies to a Michelin three-star restaurant in Tokyo. I was hoping to eat the grilled chip (Hime Masu) that I had imagined, but they were selling frozen ones instead. You need to microwave them before eating, so I decided to bring a cooler box next time I visit. Instead, I bought vacuum-packed smoked Hime Masu, which cost around ¥1600 for a large piece. It was expensive, but I really wanted to try it. I bought one and the owner's mother, a kind lady, helped me with my purchase. Back home, I opened the package and was greeted by a strong smoky aroma. The smoked fish, flavored with whisky, was delicious and perfect as a snack with alcohol. The tender and flavorful flesh was inviting. I am looking forward to trying the grilled chip (Hime Masu) next time. I wonder how it compares to the natural Hime Masu from Lake Shikotsu.