Food

Seasoned Foodies Cluster Inside Hiroshima Oyster Huts

HIROSHIMA, Jan 24 (News On Japan) - As winter's delicacies beckon, many are flocking to Hiroshima City's oyster huts. At Kusatsu Port in Hiroshima, five oyster businesses collaborate annually from winter to spring to offer freshly harvested oysters at affordable prices in their jointly operated huts.

According to the Kusatsu Oyster Association, last summer's severe heat caused a rise in sea temperatures, which delayed the oysters' growth, pushing back this season's opening by about two weeks compared to the previous year. However, since last month, the cooler water temperatures have firmed up the oysters, allowing patrons to enjoy the large-sized oysters.

On busy days, the huts see over 300 visitors. On this particular day, a crowd enjoyed the freshly grilled, plump oysters, seasoning them with soy sauce or ponzu. A woman in her fifties from Hiroshima City commented, "They have a wonderful aroma, are very juicy, and the flavor is rich and delicious." Another woman in her sixties mentioned, "Being able to grill them right in front of you and eat them fresh enhances their deliciousness."

The oyster huts operate in line with the oyster harvesting season and will be open for enjoyment until the end of April this season.

Source: NHK

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Food NEWS

3-hour queues as Sushiro debuts in Shanghai

Japan’s Sushiro, the world’s largest conveyor-belt sushi chain, debuted in Shanghai in early December 2025, to much fanfare. (South China Morning Post)

Behind the Counter at the Most Popular Japanese Countryside Ramen Shop

Today I’m going behind the counter in Japan at Omori Ramen, a family run ramen shop tucked away near the mountains of Niigata, an area known across Japan as snow country. (Paolo fromTOKYO)

Best Cheap Eats in Tokyo Under ¥1000!

Tokyo is known as one of the world’s most expensive cities… but can you actually eat well here for under 1,000 yen?

Lemon Cake Boom Sweeps Japan

A nostalgic Japanese sweet is making a major comeback, with lemon cakes appearing everywhere from convenience stores to specialty boutiques in Tokyo as demand for citrus-flavored desserts continues to surge.

Bluefin Tuna Prices Tumble on Record Haul

Bluefin tuna, now being caught in unusually large numbers around areas such as Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, is becoming significantly more affordable, with some restaurant operators even saying it is cheaper than horse mackerel.

Koshihikari Rice Prices Fall Below 3,000 Yen

Brand rice variety Yumepirika was being planted one after another in rice paddies in Higashikawa, Hokkaido, as rice planting work accelerates across Japan ahead of the autumn harvest, with attention now turning to how much this year’s new rice will cost.

Inside Tokyo’s Coolest Foreign-Owned Food Spots

Japan byFood and Shizuka are going behind the scenes to meet the international visionaries who are redefining the Tokyo food scene today. (Japan by Food)

Visitors Cry for Shirako Onions

Visitors began arriving early on May 10th for the Shirako Onion Festival in Shirako Town, Chiba Prefecture, where the region’s famous fresh onions—known for their mild flavor and rich sweetness—were sold in large quantities, with the town ranking as the prefecture’s top onion producer.

< 2 3 4 5 >