[Watari Town, Miyagi Prefecture] What is the charm of Watari Town's local cuisine "Harako Meshi"?

Autumn from September to November is the time of year when salmon migrate upstream to spawn, and many restaurants in Miyagi Prefecture serve a local dish called ``Harakomeshi.'' provided.

Also, at the autumn festival, ``Harako Meshi'' and salmon arajiru are served to the local community and customers. Harako Meshi is a colorful local dish that is topped with plenty of salmon fillet and salmon roe. Why not try the delicious way of eating that is unique to Miyagi Prefecture?

What is the origin of “Harako Meshi”, which uses famous salmon roe from the Sanriku coast of Miyagi Prefecture?

Salmon roe caught from autumn salmon off the coast of Sanriku, a seafood product of the Tohoku region, is famous for its deliciousness. Salmon migrate up the Abukuma, Kitakami, and Naruse rivers in Miyagi Prefecture to spawn from September to November.

During this time of the year, the local dish ``Harako Meshi'', which is topped with plenty of salmon fillet and salmon roe, is often eaten.

The origin of the word ``Harako'' in ``Harako Meshi'' is ikura (roe), which means ``the roe'' in the belly of a salmon. It was originally a fisherman's meal, eaten by fishermen who caught salmon that went up the Abukuma River. It is said that the seasoning varies from household to household, and each family has its own taste.

This ``Harako Meshi'' became famous because it was presented to Lord Masamune Date when he inspected the canal construction in Arahama, making it a historical ``Harako Meshi''.

The past and present of “Harako Meshi”

If we compare the past of ``Harako Meshi'', it is said that in the past it was a ``mixed rice'' style that was made by mixing salmon and salmon roe.

Nowadays, we boil salmon and use the broth to cook rice to make takikomigohan. Then, put the cooked rice in a bowl, place the salmon fillet or flaked salmon meat on top, add the salmon roe you want to soak in the salmon broth, and it's done. The ``Harako Meshi'' has a vivid contrast between the color of the salmon and the color of the salmon roe, and is visually appealing.

In recent years, it can be said that a lot of attention has been paid to the appearance of the rice bowl, and it has evolved into ``Harako Meshi,'' which has beautiful colors. The salmon roe on top is sparkling and has a chewy texture, and the boiled salmon is fluffy. The appeal is that you can enjoy the deliciousness of each dish.

In autumn, it becomes so popular that tourists come looking for ``Harako Meshi''!

Nowadays, ``Harakomeshi'', a specialty of Watari Town in Miyagi Prefecture, is famous nationwide. In the fall, the "Harakomeshi Stamp Rally" is also held, and in 2021, 22 stores will participate, and the project to eat and collect stamps has become popular. The stamp rally used to be held from October to November every year, but now there are many cancellations due to the coronavirus pandemic. Please check the latest situation.

which the Harakomeshi Stamp Rally , is located about 26 km south of Sendai City. It is approximately 30 minutes from Sendai Station on the JR Joban Line local train and get off at Watari Station, so we recommend going there if one is held.

3 popular Harako Meshi restaurants in Watari Town

Another feature of Watari Town's Harako Meshi is that there are many places where you can take it home. The following restaurants are especially popular, so you might want to try them out.

``Seasonal Fish and Sushi Restaurant Arahama'' offers ``Harako Meshi'' from early September to early December. You can also enjoy ``Harako Meshi'' in the fall at Hama Sushi, a long-established sushi restaurant with long lines

Furthermore, Minshuku Hamamatsu , where you can enjoy ``Okamaze no Harako Meshi'' from early autumn to the end of November. Instead of cooking the rice, it is a style of making soup stock from the salmon and adding the soup stock to the cooked rice. This dish is characterized by the fact that you can enjoy the texture of the rice.

There are many restaurants in Watari Town, Miyagi Prefecture that serve ``Harako Meshi'', so it would be a good idea to try out ``Harako Meshi'' from a variety of restaurants.

Please contact the Watari Town Tourism Association for information about the Harako Meshi Stamp Rally

Seasonal fish and sushi restaurant Arahama <Information>

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Hamazushi＜Information＞

  • Name: Hamazushi
  • Address: 18-2 Aikuma Tazawa Hayakawa, Watari-cho, Watari-gun, Miyagi Prefecture 989-2383
  • Phone number: 022-334-3101
  • URL:ー
  • gourmet site

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Minshuku Hamamatsu＜Information＞

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