Usuki – Japan’s Premier Destination for Fugu (Pufferfish) Cuisine

Though fugu can be found in restaurants across Japan, it is in Usuki City that gourmets discover the ideal balance of refined flavor and accessible pricing. Widely recognized as one of Japan’s premier producers of tiger pufferfish, Usuki has earned its reputation through quality, tradition, and an unwavering commitment to freshness.

What makes Usuki’s fugu so exceptional? The secret lies in the Bungo Channel, a stretch of sea rich in nutrients and natural delicacies that fugu feed on. These ideal conditions, combined with the Kuroshio Current—a warm, fast-moving ocean stream flowing north—produce fish with firm, flavorful flesh and a clean, distinctive aroma.

Usuki’s fugu is also known for its thicker-cut sashimi, a result of the fish being processed and served on the same day. Unlike the paper-thin slices seen elsewhere, Usuki’s fugu sashimi is slightly thicker, beautifully translucent, and prized for its pleasant chewiness—a true mark of freshness and craftsmanship. This distinctive style has earned praise from food lovers across Japan and contributed to Usuki’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, recognizing its deep-rooted culinary heritage.

Fugu is available year-round, but winter fugu is especially sought after. As the fish approach their spawning season, their flavor deepens and their texture becomes even more refined. This seasonal peak coincides with the arrival of seasonal vegetables and locally grown kabosu citrus, making fugu hot pot a beloved winter dish. Many restaurants in Usuki take pride in crafting their own ponzu using local kabosu, adding a signature regional touch to every bite.

However, insiders also know that late summer fugu is a hidden gem—so delicious that locals refer to it as the “reverse season.” Yet, it remains largely undiscovered by tourists, making it a special treat for those in the know.

With over 20 restaurants specializing in fugu cuisine, Usuki truly lives up to its name as “the hometown of fugu.” These restaurants offer full-course meals featuring fugu sashimi, grilled fugu, fried fugu, fugu sushi, hot pot, rice porridge with fugu stock, and even shirako-zake and hire-zake—sake infused with fugu milt or fins. Fugu chefs in Usuki are licensed professionals, trained and certified to handle this delicacy with the utmost skill and safety.

Whether you're a seasoned gourmet or a curious traveler, Usuki offers a rare opportunity to enjoy premium fugu at its source—where the sea, the seasons, and generations of culinary expertise come together to create a truly unforgettable taste.