Shining silver, first sign of summer

銀色に輝く初夏の風物詩

In Japan Etsu (a kind of Japanese anchovy) live in the Ariake Sea, and they are in season from May to July when they come up from the Ariake Sea to the Chikugo River to lay eggs.
They have a fresh taste and they are eaten as sashimi and in many other preparations such as shioyaki (grilled with salt), nitsuke (simmered), karaage (deep-fried), nanbanzuke (fried and marinated), and sugata sushi (sushi rice stuffed into the whole fish). Because it loses its freshness quickly, it is said that the taste is best within 30 minutes of being caught. Why don’t you come to Okawa where you can enjoy the flavor of this freshly caught early summer gem? Houseboats called ”Etsu Excursion Boats,” where you can eat freshly caught Etsu, appear in May with the lifting of the fishing ban. Tasting fresh Etsu dishes while river boating is a popular summer tradition in Okawa.

May 1st~July 20

Address (Japanese)	831-0005　福岡県大川市・久留米市
Address	2525-2 Mukojima, Okawa City
Contact	Okawa Tourism Association
Car Park	Please inquire
Access	30 minutes by car from Kyushu Expressway Yame Interchange About 20 minutes by car from within Yanagawa City, about 30 minutes by car from within Saga City, about 30 minutes by car from within Chikugo City
Website	http://www.okawa-kk.com/spots/detail/54