On the shores of Lake Hamana in Arai-cho, Kosai City, the annual “Oyster Hut” will open on Saturday, December 21st, 2024!

*Grand opening is Tuesday, January 7^th

Every year, many people from all over the country visit the Oyster Hut to eat the brand oysters, Purimaru, from Arai-cho, Kosai City.

This time, we would like to introduce you to the winter scenery of Kosai City, the oyster huts and the delicious “Purimaru”!

Reservations are flooding in! What are Kosai City's "Oyster Huts"?

The Oyster Hut in Arai-cho, Kosai City, opened in 2012 at Arai Benten Sea Fishing Park (next to the Imakiri Shop Kaikokan). Since then, it has gained a reputation for serving “the most delicious oysters you’ve ever tasted,” and is inundated with reservations and inquiries every year.

Starting in 2023, the venue will change to the second floor of the Imakire Experience  Lake Hall, where you can dine while looking out at the magnificent view of Lake Hamana that spreads out before you!

At Oyster Hut in Arai-cho, Kosai City, they serve dishes that make generous use of the local brand of oyster, Purimaru.

Arai Town's rare and highly valued brand of oysters, "Purimaru"

“Purimaru” is a large, flavorful oyster caught in Arai-cho, Kosai City.

The secret to its deliciousness lies in the unique environment of Lake Hamana.

Lake Hamana is a brackish lake where fresh water and sea water mix, and is extremely rich in nutrients essential for oyster growth.

This environment creates the perfect conditions to bring out the delicious flavor of the oysters.

That’s not all that’s attractive about “Primaru”!

The fishermen of Arai Town spend about a year and a half carefully moving the oyster farming site to find the best environment for their growth.

Thanks to the fishermen’s meticulous management, the oysters are large, thick, and full of flavor, making them high quality.

Furthermore, the production volume of “Primaru” accounts for only 0.2% of the total oyster production in Japan!

Combined with its rarity, “Purimaru” is an even more valuable and special oyster.

The balance of saltiness is exquisite, and the grilled oysters in particular have an appealing refined flavor that can be enjoyed even without soy sauce or other seasonings.

Grilling makes the flesh firmer and gives it a bouncy texture.

Recommended menu items to eat at an oyster shack!

At the oyster hut, you can enjoy not only grilled oysters, fried oysters, and oyster tempura, but also seafood from Lake Hamana, such as whitebait caught in Arai.

From here, we will introduce some recommended dishes that can be enjoyed at the oyster huts in Arai-cho, Kosai City.

1.The “Marutoku Set” uses plenty of Purimaru

The “Marutoku Set” is limited to 25 meals per day and costs 3,500 yen.

A recommended menu of oysters to enjoy, including three grilled oysters, fried oysters, oyster tempura, Sleet mix of oyster, and oyster rice!

In addition to oysters, you can also eat boiled whitebait and raw whitebait. You can also enjoy sashimi made from Shinto Hirame flounder, an exquisite fish grown in the seawater that seeps into the ground of Lake Hamana. This is truly a luxurious set that allows you to fully enjoy the culinary bounty of Lake Hamana!

2.Grilled oysters

The classic dish at oyster shacks is grilled oysters!

The oysters are slowly cooked on the grill, leaving them soft and fluffy with the meat still plump!

Available in a set of 3.

It’s so popular that last year, three guests ate 60 grilled oysters!

Enjoy the hot grilled oysters.

3.Grilled whole Purimaru with butter

“Purimaru Butter-Grilled” was added as a new menu item last year.

The rich aroma of butter will whet your appetite, making this a highly popular dish!

*The number of oysters varies depending on the size of the oysters.

4.Oyster miso hotpot

When it comes to cold season, a warm hotpot is a must!

At the oyster shack, you can eat miso hotpot containing oysters, vegetables, and udon noodles.

Please try the “Oyster Miso Nabe” and warm up your body!

*The number of oysters varies depending on the size of the oysters.

Check here for the Oyster Hut menu

★Limited time only

Lake Hamana brand oysters “Purimaru”

Grilled oyster experience & Lake Hamana course

Book here　https://hamamatsuat.hamamatsu-daisuki.net/experience/701/

Aquaculture methods in the unique environment of Lake Hamana

The cultivation of “Purimaru” starts every July.

Oyster seeds will be attached to 72 scallop shells and placed in a farm near Kaikokan.

The shells are then pulled up once in October and the 72 shells are thinned out to 10.

They are then moved to a farm where there is an abundance of plankton, where they undergo intermediate cultivation for about a year until September of the following year.

From October to December, the phytoplankton are moved to the Mikkabi Shonai area, blessed with abundant phytoplankton from the mountains, where they are further cultivated.

The reason why Lake Hamana is suitable as an oyster farming site is because the region’s unique natural environment and geographical conditions provide ideal conditions for oyster growth and quality improvement!

Lake Hamana is ideal for oyster farming!

Point 1: Nutrient-rich brackish water environment

Lake Hamana is a brackish lake connected to the Enshu Nada Sea, and has a unique environment where seawater and freshwater mix together.

There is a lot of nutrition carried in from the Enshu Nada Sea and the surrounding rivers, and there is an abundance of plankton, which is food for oysters.

In addition, the salt concentration is kept at a moderate level, which brings out the exquisite umami and sweetness of the oysters.

Point.2 Moderate currents and a clean environment

Lake Hamana is connected to the sea, so the ebb and flow of the tides create moderate tidal currents within the lake.

These currents provide the farms with new nutrients, promoting healthy oyster growth.

In addition, the tides prevent water from stagnating and maintain the water quality in the lake, allowing oysters to be grown in a clean environment.

Point 3: Stable water temperature and warm climat

Compared to the open sea, Lake Hamana’s water temperature changes are more gradual, creating a less stressful environment for oysters.

This warm climate and mild water temperature allows the oysters to grow without stress, resulting in plump, firm flesh.

In addition, by maintaining a constant water temperature, it is possible to grow high-quality oysters by determining the best harvest time!

The deliciousness of the brand oyster “Purimaru” is supported by the favorable natural conditions and growing environment of Lake Hamana.

The oysters grown in Lake Hamana can be said to be the culmination of the local nature and people’s skills.

★Limited time only

Lake Hamana brand oysters “Purimaru”

Grilled oyster experience & Lake Hamana course

Book here　https://hamamatsuat.hamamatsu-daisuki.net/experience/701/

Facility information for Oyster Huts in Araicho, Kosai City

Address: 2nd floor, Imagire Experience Kaikokan, Arai-cho, Arai-cho, Kosai-shi, Shizuoka Prefecture

Telephone: 053-594-6624

Business hours (Oyster hut): 10:00-15:00/Weekdays 09:00-15:00/Saturdays, Sundays and holidays

Closed: Please see the flyer below.(Information for 2024-2025)