Ayu Cuisine
Natural Ayu from Hita – A Local Specialty

About Ayu Cuisine

Ayu Cuisine (鮎料理, Ayu ryouri) is a celebrated specialty of Oita Prefecture, where pristine rivers abound. Among these, rivers such as the Mikuma River, part of the Chikugo River’s main stream running through its upper reaches, and the Ono River, the largest river in the region stretching 107 km, have long enriched the local landscape with their clear waters.

Ayu, or sweetfish, has been highly valued in mountainous areas as an essential source of protein. Known as a delicate fish, ayu cannot survive in polluted waters. In Hita, the local fisheries cooperative nurtures these prized fish in ponds located in "Oyama," an area blessed with natural bounties, using pure underground and spring waters.
By continuously monitoring water cleanliness and drawing on extensive research and experience, they strive to cultivate ayu that closely resemble those found in the wild. Hita’s ayu cuisine is a testament to the harmony of nature and human expertise.

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