Opening of Ise Ebi (Japanese Spiny Lobster) Fishing Season

About this event

In Minamiise Town, Mie Prefecture, the fishing season opens for Japanese spiny lobster (Ise Ebi), celebrated as the king of autumn delicacies. Ise Ebi is characterized by its distinctive sweetness, plump texture, and rich tomalley (miso), earning it the title of "King" among seafood. In Mie Prefecture, to protect the spawning season, fishing is prohibited from May 1 to September 30, enforcing stricter regulations than other prefectures. Following the opening of the season, the freshly caught lobsters landed in Hamajima are offered to Ise Jingu Shrine on October 1, marking the start of the year's fishing activities. The peak season runs from November to December, with fishing continuing through late April. Because Ise Ebi are nocturnal, gill nets are set around 4:00 PM and pulled up around 4:00 AM the next morning. When untangling the lobsters from the nets, delicate work is required because losing even a single leg or antenna reduces their commercial value. Visiting Minamiise Town during this season allows you to savor fresh Ise Ebi.

Venue

Minamiise Town

Minamiise-cho, Watarai-gun, Mie