【Camp Meals】Buy fresh local amberjack at the local supermarket and prepare it yourself! Nishiizu Camp

Driven by the desire to prepare and eat fresh local fish at the campsite, I headed to Nishiizu. If I prepare and eat the whole fish immediately, it should turn into an extraordinary camp meal unlike any other.

This trip's route is heading to the west Izu

For this camp, the plan is to aim for the peak point of Route 411, the Kazehaya Pass, from the Tokyo area, and then head south while shopping on the way to the campsite.

To obtain the essential item for sashimi, "wasabi," we headed to the "Wasabi Station."

The author had sashimi in mind for this menu. After crossing the pass and descending the mountain road, we first stopped by the "Wasabi Station," not a roadside station.

Although we came for the wasabi, the most bustling spot was the water intake area where you could draw spring water. This is underground water drawn from 1000 meters below as Amagi deep subterranean water. Here, you can draw 15 liters for 100 yen for two minutes. The taste was reminiscent of hard water, and the water quality is said to be rich in calcium with medium hard water.

The wasabi I wanted was reasonably priced, and I was able to buy a grater as well. I also filled up with the Amagi deep sea water, and the start is looking great.

Wasabi Station
Location: 628-1 Osawazato, Nishiizu Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture
Business hours: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Phone: 0558-58-7315
https://maps.app.goo.gl/28aSdy6Vvo6vSeFR7

To the Sun Fresh Matsuzaki Store, where fresh fish is sold as whole fish

We came to the Sun Fresh Matsuzaki Store located in Matsuzaki Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture to obtain fresh whole fish. From my experience, there are surprisingly few stores selling whole fish even in areas where fish are caught, and I stumbled upon this store while searching on Google Maps. I was also attracted by the catchy phrase "What you don't have, you don't have."

Sun Fresh is a locally rooted supermarket, and at the Matsuzaki store, there is a section where various fresh fish from different regions are sold whole, starting with fish sourced from local fishermen. On this day, fish from Numazu and Minamiizu were also available, and they all looked very fresh.

When I asked the representative director and president, Mr. Shinohara, about the store and products, he mentioned that although Sunfresh originally started as a vegetable shop, many customers capable of filleting fish were present when they began sourcing fish. Consequently, they decided not to process the fish and sell it at easily accessible prices. Throughout the store's history, one can feel the regional characteristics of a fishing town.

I received advice that "for campsites, fish with smaller scales are easier to fillet," and decided to purchase the recommended local kampachi. I was informed that it can be enjoyed both as sashimi and grilled, so I was extremely satisfied to find ingredients that fit my purpose.

Sunfresh Matsuzaki Store
Location: 79-1 Matsuzaki, Matsuzaki Town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture
Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Phone: 0558-43-2030

Cooking at the campsite! First time filleting kampachi

Borrowing the cooking facilities at the campsite, I began filleting the fish. Thanks to the purchase of a knife and cutting board for this occasion, I managed to get to the point of cutting the fish in half fairly easily. However, removing the skin after taking out the backbone proved to be difficult, and I failed with the flesh on the back side. The belly side was peeled off quite nicely. I quickly cut it up and started tasting it.

It was my first time filleting Kanpachi, and I was filled with anxiety, but somehow it turned out well, and I felt relieved. When I tasted the sashimi I filleted myself, it had a rich umami flavor, no unpleasant odor, and I was moved by the taste! The aroma of wasabi was strong, and it had a luxurious taste that was different from what I usually eat.

I tried grilling half of it with salt over a bonfire, and when I cooked it, the flesh was fluffy, and I was very satisfied with that as well. The idea that local ingredients would taste good if eaten right after purchasing them was not wrong.

The next morning, I finished off with instant noodles made with spring water and rice balls.

The next morning, I used the groundwater I collected to enjoy the instant noodles.

This time, I was able to use all the ingredients I procured without waste, and I feel like I had a more efficient camping experience than usual. By focusing on cooking with my own hands, I was able to connect with the local environment, resulting in a fulfilling experience. I want to embark on a journey with a themed idea on a whim to gain new experiences.

Reporting & Text/ Kazuma Tanaka

Search Camping knife on Amazon