What is Tongari Cuisine Blog

In 2019, we started the project “Team Tongari” in collaboration with Tongari Road Wide-area Cooperation Council and Hokkaido Camera Girls’ Association.
Team Tongari has been working on a project to promote the charms of Urakawa, Samani, Erimo, and Hiroo through photography and words to supplement.
“Team Tongari” was initiated from a group of camera loving local girls.
21 women living in Tongari Road area have been taking photographs while rediscovering the beauty of their home towns.
“Tongari Cuisine Blog” is a report about the team’s recent discoveries of local gems of hidden deliciousness of Tongari Road.

vol.9　Samani
The king of shellfish「Samani’s whelk」

Hidaka　boasts the largest catch of whelk in Hokkaido.
Since Edo era, Samani is said to be one of the best ports for its natural growing environment among all ports in Hokkaido.

The characteristic of Samani whelk is its cream color.
The whelk has a distinct crunchy texture and the more you bite into it,
the more its flavor and sweetness spreads in your mouth.
Samani whelk is mostly enjoyed as sashimi.

Whelks take about 10-15 years to mature into permitted catching size and during that time it stays in the bottom of the deep ocean. This natural habitat of whelk makes it difficult to farm raise, but it makes it more special since you can only eat naturally grown whelk.

The reason why Samani’s whelk is one of the best is because of the Hidaka kelp they feed upon! This blessed environment makes the port of Samani one of the best ports for whelk over the past 100 years since Edo era.

Kashibe suisan (花蘂水産) offers this whelk.
There is a large tank in the store that is packed with
whelk, sea urchin, clams and other shellfish.

You can enjoy tasting all of this fresh seafood
at the restaurant Ominaesi(“女郎花”) located right next to the shop.

Take in a gorgeous view of the ocean
while you enjoy the seafood at the restaurant!

Please enjoy “Samani’s whelk” when you visit Hidaka!

Where to buy・Inquiry

Kashibe suisan Co.
68-9 Odori 3-chome, Samani　TEL:0146-36-4823  FAX:0146-36-4829

Where to taste this Samani Whelk

Restaurant Ominaeshi (お食事処 “女郎花(おみなえし)”)　：Kashibe suisan
65-4 Odori 3-chome, Samani　　TEL:0146-26-7878  FAX:0146-26-7855

Photo・Written by

Sayuri Fujita （Samani/Team Tongari）

My introduction into photography began when I received a SLR camera as a gift.
The world of camera is so deep, it’s hard to get better at it.
I’m a shy person, but I am hoping to meet people in the local area and make many friends through my camera and photography.

Team Tongari will continue to publish this “Tongari Cuisine Blog” until the end of August. 
We’ll be updating this regularly from now on, so stay tuned!

▼Hokkaido Camera Girls’ Association Website　https://hokkaido-camera.com/