Specialty Products of Kumano　／　熊野的特产

Pacific Saury of Kumano
In Kumano, saury fishing begins around November and continues through the following March. Unlike the saury of Hokkaido, these saury go south to lay eggs and have less fat. They are processed for dried saury, sushi, and other uses. Other varieties of fish are also caught, such as bonito, mackerel, and sardines.

Kumanoji Chicken
Kumanoji chicken is a highly-valued delicacy originating from Mie that is a crossbreed of shamo (game fowl) brand-name "red Ise chicken" and the highest pedigree of "Nagoya Cochin" chicken, a local speciality.
 In addition, the feeding period lasts approximately 100 days, twice as long as the average, and uses only safe feed that is carefully regulated and no antibiotics. The characteristics of Kumanoji chicken include (1) bright red meat that is rich in elasticity, (2) rich and flavorful composition, (3) and good quality fat with no peculiar chicken smell. Outside of specialty shops and eateries within the city of Kumano, it is also available at fine-dining restaurants in Tokyo.
Handling store: Kumano Hometown Promotion Agency
Contact: 0597-97-0640

Mikumano Beef
It is sold at the Okada Butcher Shop in Arima-cho. It is from Japanese Black Cattle who are raised to be portly. Given water from a local natural source, the cows are raised in the nature of Kumano and later provide delicate beef with a rich flavor.
  Handling store: Okada Butcher Shop (Kumano Arima-cho 387)
Contact: 0597 (89)-3511
Related Links: Okada Butcher Shop homepage

Dried fish
The abundant seafood caught off the coast of the Kumano basin has also been used in the production of dried fish. It is often brought home as a souvenir.
Moderately fatty whole dried saury that is made from saury that migrate to Kumano from November to March are widely known for their exquisite taste.

Niihime products
● Niihime drink    ● Niihime raw squeezed fruit juice    ● Niihime ponzu soy sauce    ● Niihime roll cake     ● Niihime cheesecake
● Niihime ice cream, etc.   Niihime items have appeared one after another !!
Handling store: Kumano Hometown Promotion Agency

Contact: 0597-97-0640

Nachi Black Stone Products
Black go stones, ink stones, ornaments, and more are manufactured from ores known as the Nachi black stones, which are collected in the town of Kamikawa-cho. Sold in many shops across the city, they have deep-rooted popularity as a souvenir of Kumano. Nachi black stones can be purchased at Karitanibaikando Shop Phone: (0597) 82-0015 Kamikawa-cho Kounoue 804-1

Tokumuraya Phone: (0597) 82-0005

Kamikawa-cho Kounoue Hogendou Phone: (0597) 82-0152 Kamikawa-cho Kounoue

Mehari Sushi
White rice wrapped in pickled mustard leaves. Nowadays, it is made in a size that is easy to eat, but in the old days mehari sushi was much bigger and eaten with eyes wide open. It is said that the name comes from it being so delicious that it's eye-opening.
  Pickled mustard leaves for mehari sushi can be purchased at
Related Links: Taka Asuka Production Union

Saury Sushi
Pressed sushi that is made from the best saury caught in Kumano. In the Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki), saury sushi is said to have been served at the local Ubutta Shrine Festival. Because of this, Ubutta Shrine is considered to be the birthplace of saury sushi. Bone-in saury sushi is eaten at Ubutta Shrine's "Houhan no Gi" ceremony every year on January 10th, so that day is considered saury sushi day. It is a local food that represents Kumano.