Innovative attempts to raise tiger fugu in water originating from hot springs have been a great success in Nagano Prefecture.
The "tora" (tiger) puffer fish, bred in spring water normally used to fill the "onsen" at the foot of the Akaishi Mountains in the city of Iida, have recently grown large enough for shipment.
Hatched in the mountainous area known as Toyamagou in Iida's Minamishinano district, there are high hopes this local specialty will change people's notions of Nagano from an inland prefecture typically known for hot springs and ski resorts to a land of seafood delights.