Journeys in Japan

Northern Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka: Suruga Bay's Bountiful Nature (1x9)

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In this edition, JJ goes to a secluded part of northern Izu Peninsula, facing Suruga Bay. Suruga Bay, the deepest bay in Japan, extends 2,500 meters below sea level. It's famous for its rich variety of seafood. Heda, a small fisherman's town, is especially famous for its catch of deep-sea fish and the Japanese spider crabs-the largest crab in the world, which lives at the depth between 150 to 800 meters. Shigeji Nakajima, who runs a crab restaurant, has been studying the Japanese spider crab for 50 years. Nakajima began releasing egg carrying female crabs to the sea some 25 years ago and people in the town are now working together for the preservation of crab stock. In 1853, when Japan still had an isolation policy, a delegate from Imperial Russia sailed to Japan to negotiate a commercial treaty between the two countries. But the crew was stranded when an earthquake-triggered tsunami destroyed the Russian vessel. Heda's shipbuilders helped the Russians construct a new vessel, the first Western-style ship to be built in Japan. The people of Heda are proud of their history of helping the Russians and spreading shipbuilding technology around Japan. Heda also produces some of the finest salt, using minneral-and-nutrient rich seawater from Suruga Bay. To make the salt, the seawater is boiled down for 13 hours. Careful attention is given to many factors including the timing of scooping the crystallized salt, firing it in the furnace and letting it mature. The Heda salt is full of rich natural flavor. Ose Shrine has a history of eleven centuries with fishermen from the entire Suruga Bay worshipping the enshrined guardian god of the sea. The Ose Matsuri is an ancient festival of fishermen where men dressed as women dance on boats, colorfully decorated with vivid banners and various blossoms. Today, the spectacular festival which takes place on April 4th every year is the most famous event in the region with non-fishermen residents also participating. Accord