青森県·海鮮
Togekurigani (Spiny Snow Crab)
When the cherry blossoms bloom, the Togekurigani brings news of spring to the dining tables of Aomori. It is a smaller species of the Cancridae family, similar to the Horsehair Crab (Kegani), and in Mutsu Bay, it is fished only during a brief period from late April to late May each year. Because this timing coincides perfectly with the peak cherry blossom season in the prefecture, it is also called 'Hanami-gani' (Flower Viewing Crab) or 'Sakura-gani' (Cherry Blossom Crab), making it an essential part of Aomori's spring festivities. To protect the resource, the number of times they can be harvested is strictly regulated, making it a rare and precious crab that does not frequently appear in markets. Females are prized for their internal eggs (uchiko), while males are celebrated for their delicious meat and rich crab miso. When you bite into freshly boiled crab, the aroma of the sea rises softly, creating a spring delicacy that makes both sake and rice impossible to stop eating—a true pride of the local region.
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