From Lake Mukawa -Late Autumn 2022- 'In Search of Shishamo Nigiri'

By the time I arrived at Mukawa Station, the sun had completely set. It was 5:30 PM on a Friday, a time when I would normally still be working.

I got off the train and exited the ticket gate. I walked toward the sushi restaurant in the pitch black.

My destination was 'Kanoe Sushi'. I had come all the way to Mukawa in search of shishamo. With shishamo catches continuing to be poor, I wondered, 'Will they have it?' Would my wish be 'granted'?

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Before that, there were few streetlights, it was pitch black, and I couldn't find the shop. Where is it? I wandered around with my smartphone in hand.

Found it!

Ah... they don't have it.

'We have no shishamo.'

A handwritten note was posted on the door.

I looked at my wife. Well, this is the fate of travel, a lack of harmony with the plan.

I switched gears and sat at the counter. Let's enjoy the moment now (^^♪

Let me explain!

By the way, why did we come all the way to Mukawa Station? You can buy shishamo at the local supermarket, right?

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

That is a different fish called capelin. By custom, it is allowed to be called 'Karafuto Shishamo'.

No way!

True shishamo, like salmon, are fish that spawn in rivers and return to the sea. They train in the sea, and when they become adults, they swim back up the river. One of those rivers is the 'Mukawa'. The fishing season is from around October to November, and it is a precious fish that can only be caught off the Pacific coast of Hokkaido.

Found it!!

The goals of this trip were,
1. To eat saury and shishamo sashimi
2. To tour the lakes
3. To fully enjoy the |autumn leaves|

That was it.

And when I looked at the display case, there was the saury!

So,
I'll leave the sushi platter to you! Make sure to include the saury!

The restaurant was packed with locals.
Listening to their conversation, they said that this year, the shishamo catch was a total failure. Salmon hasn't been great lately either, they said.

Even if there's no shishamo, I have to do my best!

But, the owner's words.

If it's this popular with regulars, it'll be fine. And I admire adults who can just drop into a sushi restaurant like everyone here.

The amazing thing about this restaurant, 'Kano Sushi', is that not only are the sushi toppings great, but the side menu is also extensive. You can even choose from three types of french fries: 'thin', 'thick', and 'skin-on'. There is absolutely no cutting corners.

I was so absorbed in eating the second half of the sushi that I didn't take any photos... When eating at the counter, the conversation and rhythm with everyone are what's important, right? It's not the time to be taking pictures.

Please enjoy the few photos I have

The only regret is,'Sake'

The only things on the menu are 'hot sake' and 'cold sake'

Too bad! (Yoku Hata Do you remember him? Not Jun Mizutani, though)

Cinderella

It's about time for the train; the two hours flew by.

On the way back to the station. The darkness that felt so unsettling before doesn't feel that way on the way back. It's strange, isn't it? The way home always goes by in a flash. That nervous excitement you feel only when visiting a place for the first time—I think that's the real thrill of travel. That's why visiting places I've never been to is something I 'can't stop, won't stop'.

Ah, the reason I left the shop with a little extra time is this

I was able to eat saury sashimi.
I was also able to go to Lake Shuparo, one of the lakes on my tour.
On the way, I was able to fully enjoy the autumn leaves.

It was pretty good. It 'came true'.

Let's not be greedy and just have fun.

Actually, I'm going to a shop in Tomakomai tomorrow night, so there's a 'one-in-a-million chance'.
There must be some unexpected encounter waiting for me!
God surely won't abandon me.

My wife, waiting for the train with me by my side, says,

'It must be nice, being so carefree...'

I wish she'd call it positive!

Tomorrow...

I'll be touring around the lakes again tomorrow. I'm going to walk a lot.

I wonder which lake we'll go to? The hint image was this one, wasn't it?

I'm also going to go see the autumn leaves.

Well then, look forward to next week's Nagu-Tour too! (Sazae-san style)

(To be continued...)

Click here if you want to read the Hokkaido edition from the beginning