Spiny Lobster Season in Saiki

Hello everyone!

It seems like in the blink of an eye, summer comes to a close in Japan as we slowly transition into cooler
temperatures of fall. Yet, as we pack up our fans and summer yukatas, we have no time for the bittersweet of
summer's passing as we look forward to Oita's autumn splendors, such as the red and orange momiji leaves and culinary delights of Oita's best gastronomic offerings. To start our fall culinary journey, we have the Ise Ebi, also known as Spiny Lobster, to help us usher in Oita's robust seasonal menu.

This delectable, subtly sweet Spiny Lobster arrives on your plate in September, the beginning of its three-month fishing season. If you're looking to try this local delicacy, look no further than Saiki city, one of Oita's leading
fishing destinations for hobbyist anglers and seafood lovers alike. This fishing village has been reaping the
benefits of its diverse marine wildlife for generations, making it the ideal location for the annual Spiny Lobster
Festival, which runs from September to the end of November.

Several local restaurants serve Spiny Lobster raw, with complementary side dishes like an umami-rich miso soup and locally-caught fish filling out your meal. For a sit-down meal with views of Saiki's ocean views, the Kamae
Inter Park has a restaurant serving this famed lobster as the main course of a variety of set meals. While many
of their meals options will surely satiate your appetite, we suggest the "Ise Ebi Gozen" deluxe meal option, which includes an entire Spiny Lobster, seasonal sashimi, and miso soup to complete your seafood journey.

After your meal, peruse the shopping aisles of the Kamae Inter Park market to see what else is in season, like
Saiki's famed rainbow-hued scallops, clams, and other locally caught seafood. As we look forward to the other
delights autumn has to bring, we also hope that you'll be able to join us in enjoying Oita's bounty when travel is possible again!