To enhance the taste and healthfulness of local delicacies, residents of Oita are said to dip fish in sauce flavored with a locally grown, mildly sour Kabosu lime juice.
This weekend, people in Oita will get a chance to savor the summer abundance of Oita's harvest — and they can add all the Kabosu juice they want. Seki aji (saurel), seki saba (horse mackerel) and fugu (globefish), which are prized by gourmet aficionados and for which Oita is well known, will be available at the Kantan Harbor Park Food Hall at Nishi Oita port on Aug. 24 and 25.
Along with the prefectural specialties, visitors will be able to taste foods from other regions of Japan. These dishes will be featured at the All Japan Minato Oasis Sea-Class Gourmet Competition, held during the weekend at the same venue.
It's not just gourmet lovers that are invited to the event. Since Oita is known for its marine-related businesses, the Oita City Tourist Association has also prepared some attractions for maritime lovers, such as boat and helicopter rescue demonstrations performed by a patrol rescue unit.
Visitors can also take a tour of a passenger ship and children can enjoy water activities such as aqua-ball rides.
The Kantan Harbor Park Food Hall will be open at Kantan Koen Park in Oita on Aug. 24 and 25. The event will start from 10 a.m. and will end around 6 p.m. on Aug. 24 and around 5 p.m. on Aug. 25. Entrance is free. For more information, call 097-537-5764 or visit www.oishiimati-oita.jp/events/detail/372 (in Japanese) or www.city.oita.oita.jp/www/contents/1342051263014/index.html.