Not just fresh seafood! 5 local gourmet and regional dishes of Kozushima!

• Table of Contents
• Enjoy the gourmet food on Kozushima , a remote island off Tokyo
• Enjoy the luxury of the high-class fish "kinmedai"!
• A great choice for vegetarians! Superfood "Ashitaba"
• Irresistible sweet and sour "passion fruit"
• The crunchy texture of fresh "iwanori" seaweed makes it a popular souvenir
• "Moriwaka" is a mellow and easy-to-drink local sake made with the island's Yusui.
• Bonus: Delicacy "Fried Moray Eel"
• Enjoy gourmet food that can only be found on Kozushima

Enjoy the gourmet food on Kozushima , a remote island off Tokyo

Kozushima is one of the Izu Islands , a remote island off the coast of Tokyo . It takes just 45 minutes by plane from Tokyo to get there, and it's hard to believe it's in the same Tokyo. The island is rich in nature and has a unique historical and cultural heritage, and is full of attractive spots. This time, we will introduce the local gourmet food that you definitely want to try when you come to Kozushima.

Please see the article below for how to get to Kozushima.

Enjoy the luxury of the high-class fish "kinmedai"!

Kozushima is known for its fresh fish. The most common fish caught is the high-quality red snapper, whose soft white flesh is best enjoyed simmered. You can enjoy this simmered red snapper at a reasonable price at the restaurant on the second floor of the Yochare Center at the Maehama port. A whole fish is simmered for just 1,300 yen (as of May 2024), and other dishes such as sashimi set meals and marinated rice bowl set meals are also just 1,000 yen! This is a must-see spot for Kozushima cuisine!

Yochare Center's boiled golden-eyed snapper set meal: 1,300 yen (as of May 2024)

Besides red snapper, there is "red squid" in spring and "hawk's foot" in summer. "Hagatsuo" and "Suma-gatsuo" are fatty fish that are rarely available on the mainland and are very popular among the islanders.

You can't miss out on the fresh fish delicacies on Kozushima!

Feel free to order the sashimi platter, they will choose the best seasonal ingredients for you.

A great choice for vegetarians! Superfood "Ashitaba"

Tomorrow's leaf tempura

It grows well on Hachijo Island and the Izu Islands, and even if you pick it today, it will grow back tomorrow, which is why it was given the name "Ashitaba." ( Ashita= tomorrow, ba- leaf in Japanese)  The young stems and leaves have been eaten since ancient times, and it has been attracting attention as a healthy vegetable due to its high nutritional value and tonic effect.

You may not see it often as a leafy vegetable, but if you look closely you will see that it is included in vegetable juices and health drinks, so many people may have tried it.

In Kozushima, it is served on the table as tempura or boiled vegetables. The sweetness of the young leaves and their addictive bitterness are irresistible. For those who don't like bitter things, we recommend ashitaba pizza!
You can also enjoy craft beer made with this asa-ba and spring water on Kozushima.

Irresistible sweet and sour "passion fruit"

Passion fruit. The yellow part is scooped up with a spoon and eaten.

Passion fruit is often thought of as a tropical fruit, but it is also grown on Kozushima. The harvest season is in summer and before winter. It is a delicious fruit with a sweet and sour taste and crunchy seeds, and the fruit is sweet and ripe when the skin is slightly wrinkled. Jams and syrups are also recommended as souvenirs. It is also delicious on yogurt or ice cream.

The crunchy texture of fresh "iwanori" seaweed makes it a popular souvenir

The soy sauce rice balls you eat on top of Mt. Tenjo are exceptional!

The harvest season for "iwanori," a popular souvenir, is midwinter. Seaweed tossed about by rough waves gathers on the shore and is harvested during the brief calm of the day. Fresh raw seaweed can only be enjoyed in the winter season. If you add it to a hotpot or soup as is, you won't believe it's seaweed because of its crunchy texture.

The local dish "Shoyu-meshi" is made by rice and sticky rice in soy sauce and cooking it with this rock seaweed. The recipe and taste vary slightly from household to household. Shoyu-meshi rice balls, which can be purchased at stores, are a great hiking companion.

As a souvenir, dried seaweed is sold in other seasons. You can enjoy the aroma of the seaweed even more by roasting it in a frying pan.

"Moriwaka" is a mellow and easy-to-drink local sake made with the island's Yusui.

Takuyo Yusui in summer, the cold water never dries up.

Kozushima is also characterized by its abundant spring water, which is rare for a remote island. Moriwaka, a local sake made using mellow spring water, is a barley shochu that has been loved by locals for many years. It is aged in oak wine barrels, making it fruity and easy to drink, so it is recommended for women and those who think they might not like shochu! Just be careful not to drink too much!

Bonus: Delicacy "Fried Moray Eel"

The sight of moray eels being dried is a typical winter sight.

For those who love delicacies, we recommend "fried moray eel"

(What, that sea moray eel? Yes, that moray eel.)

The moray eel is cut open, exposed to the winter wind, dried in the sun, and then deep-fried. It has a crunchy texture and the more you chew it, the more flavor it releases, making it perfect for drinking! If you see it on the menu at an izakaya, be sure to order it.

Enjoy gourmet food that can only be found on Kozushima

What did you think? Various dishes using these specialties are served at the inn and restaurants. Enjoy the gourmet food that interests you, from dishes that are often served on the islanders' tables, local dishes, and even original dishes!

At Vacation House FamiliA , an B&B on Kozushima , you will be given a short guide including restaurants and cafes while looking at a map when you arrive. The attached cafe bar serves cold-brewed coffee made with spring water and dishes using Ashitaba and passion fruit, so please feel free to stop by when you want to take a break during your stay or have a cup of "Moriwaka" before going to bed!

To make a reservation for Vacation House FamiliA, click here

Vacation House Familia

1005 Kozushima Village, Tokyo 100-0601

“Socializing B&B” "Vacation House Familia" From Tokyo ✈︎Minimum 45 minutes Vacation house FamiliA is located at one of the Tokyo Island [Kozushima] The sea, the stars, and coffee. You're sure to have a lively conversation with someone different than usual. Guests and staff can see each other's faces during their travels, so you can feel at ease. We value a sense of comfort that is not found in large hotels or inns.

If you want to fully enjoy the fish of Kozushima, be sure to check out this article!