Koshi no Aka-gani (高志の紅ガニ)

At half past noon in Shinminato, the floor of the fish market turns red. Crab after crab goes down on its back, packed shoulder to shoulder across the concrete, until the whole hall looks carpeted. Buyers are already crouching over the rows before the bell rings. This is Koshi no Aka-gani, the branded red snow crab of Toyama Bay. It came from deep water off the coast only hours earlier. Toyama Prefecture faces the Sea of Japan in central Honshu, and the Hokuriku Shinkansen links it with Tokyo. Most Japanese crab stories start in winter, yet this one starts on September 1. Red snow crab season opens roughly two months earlier than snow crab season. Below you will find what the crab is and why Toyama Bay suits it so well. The guide also covers how to eat it, plus where travelers can watch the auction. TOCQuick Facts About Koshi no Aka-gani Here is the short version before the detail. Origin Toyama Bay, Toyama Prefecture. Main landing ports include Shinminato, Uozu, and Namerikawa. Depth and habitat Deep sea. Boats set pots around 800 to 1,500 meters, inside the steep submarine canyons locals call aigame. Fishing method Kani-kago nawa, a gentle baited basket longline developed in Uozu...