Experience

Sasakama

[Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture] "Kamaboko Country Sasakamakan" offers factory tours and hands-on experience! Experience the charm of local gourmet food

Sendai's specialty foods include beef tongue, Sendai beef, zunda, and many others. Among the many Sendai foods that have fans across the country, we will focus on the most common and beloved dish, "Sasakama."

"Kamaboko Country Sasakamakan"

A famous manufacturer of sasakama in Sendai is Kanezaki Co., Ltd. This company operates a sasakama theme park in Sendai

This is the "Kamaboko Kingdom Sasakamakan." This is a sasakama factory where you can not only take a tour but also try out some sasakama-related experiences

 Kanezaki's sasakama, a familiar dish to Sendai residents

The name "Kanezaki" is not very familiar to people in the Kanto region, but it is so well known among Sendai residents that "Sasakama = Kanezaki" is synonymous with it

Many people have visited Kanezaki Sasakamakan on social studies field trips, especially as children. This beloved spot among locals is also popular with many tourists

It was renovated in July 2016 and has evolved to be even more enjoyable for visitors

A visually enjoyable experience facility

The first thing that catches your eye is the large projection of the Kanezaki Aquarium on the wall, an interactive aquarium that you often see in museums these days

In other words, by touching the fish swimming on the wall, their names will be displayed, allowing you to intuitively learn which fish are the ingredients of sasakama

Sasakama is often made with a combination of several fish rather than just one type of fish, bringing out the best in its flavor. At Kanezaki, we combine Alaska pollock, known for its relatively mild flavor, with threadfin bream and croaker, both of which have distinctive umami

It's refreshing to learn from the video that sasakama, which we casually eat and find delicious, is actually made from multiple types of fish

There are also other exhibits, such as model fish mechanisms, which allow for a more sensory enjoyment

Guided tours are popular

There are factory tours where Kanezaki employees act as guides, which are fun because they provide specialized knowledge in an easy-to-understand way

It has become so popular that reservations are required. It is held three times a day (from 10:30, 12:30, and 14:30), and each session lasts approximately 45 minutes

Learn about the roots of Sasakama

We will explore the roots of sasakama from a variety of perspectives, including the unlikely story that it actually has an incredibly long history of about 5,000 years, and the basic story of the origin of the name "sasakamaboko."

The explanations are not just given through talk, but also through panels with cute illustrations, making it visually easy to understand and remember

Learn about the manufacturing process of sasakama

Of course, since it's a factory tour, you can see the manufacturing process. The sasakama manufacturing machine is larger than you might imagine, and many people are surprised

The guide will also reveal little-known information, such as the fact that you actually need a license to make sasakama

Not all of the steps in the sasakama manufacturing process can be seen, as some work begins at 3am

Check the early morning work on video

In fact, the process of mixing multiple fish pastes and seasonings, called "raikai," is done early in the morning, so it cannot be seen

However, you won't be able to see it live, but there is video available so you can see what the work is like

See the all-important "grilling" process in action

When it comes to making sasakama, many people imagine shaping and crushing the dough. However, there is another process that is just as important: baking

The heating process is not just a matter of appearance, but is extremely important as it determines the taste and texture. You can also see Kanezaki's special grilling process in action

Quiz on what you learned

At the end of the tour, your guide will ask you a quiz, with questions based on what was discussed during the tour

This is a multiple choice panel. Show off the knowledge you gained about sasakama during your tour

The long-awaited tasting time

Once you've finished the quiz, you'll have the chance to sample some sasakama (of course, it's okay if you can't answer the quiz). This is a rare opportunity to try freshly made sasakama

Kanezaki's sasakama in particular is health-conscious, containing no preservatives or starch, and is characterized by its thick, plump texture

Sasakama handmade workshop

Of course, tasting sasakama is delicious, but making your own sasakama is even more special. For those who want to try this experience, we recommend the "Sasakama Handmade Experience Class."

You can experience everything from kneading the paste and shaping it to grilling and eating it

This is also a popular event, so just like the tour, reservations are required. It is held at set times, six times a day (from 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, and 15:30), one hour apart

The experience costs 500 yen. Aprons and hats are provided, so you don't need to bring anything

Making sasakama is easy even for children

You can make two flavors: plain and cheese. Simply knead the paste, put it on a skewer, and put it in a mold to easily create the shape of a sasakama. Children can also have fun making it

Once the shape is formed, all you have to do is turn it over a few times and bake it. If it's cooked well, you can have a commemorative photo taken at the end

The sasakama you make yourself and bake will have a unique taste. It will be a great memory, so if you have time, try taking part in the tour

Grilling experience only available

If you don't have time, you can also just experience grilling

It only takes a short time and no reservations are required, so it's more casual than a regular crafting experience. Reservations are accepted at any time between 10am and 5pm. The cost is 150 yen per piece

Summary of Sasakamakan

Sasakama is a local gourmet dish that represents Sendai. The symbolic spot for this dish is Kamaboko no Kuni Sasakamakan, which we introduced this time

You can learn more about Kanezaki's sasakama, which Sendai residents have been familiar with since childhood, in many ways. It's fun to watch the sasakama being made while deepening your understanding through the panels and guide's explanations

And best of all, making your own sasakama will be a precious memory. If you're planning a trip to Sendai, be sure to add this to your itinerary

Kamaboko Kanezaki Sasakamakan<Information>

  • Name: Kanezaki Main Branch Sasakamakan
  • Address: Sasakamakan, 6-65 Tsuruyo-cho, Wakabayashi-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 984-0001
  • Phone number: 022-238-7170
  • Official URL: Kanezaki Main Branch Sasakamakan

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