Snow Crab: A Prime Winter Delicacy

The snow crab season starts on November 6 every year. News reporters cover the first auction and headlines and television news shows trumpet the arrival of a winter delight.

Snow crab sashimi has a distinctive sweetness that captivates crab lovers.

Kani Dōraku’s Dōtonbori main branch. (Courtesy of Kani Dōraku)

Kani Dōraku founder Imazu Yoshio. (Courtesy of Kani Dōraku)

Kani-suki is Kani Dōraku’s featured dish. (Courtesy of Kani Dōraku)

Sorting snow crab at Shibayama fishing port. The crab is carefully graded by value before being auctioned off.

Shibayama-gani sport two tags, pink for place of origin and black for quality ranking.

Kinosaki Onsen, Toyooka, Hyōgo Prefecture. This hot spring spa declares itself the “kingdom of crab” every winter and the spa’s ryokan serve lavish crab dishes to guests. (© Pixta)

A fish shop at Kanazawa’s Ōmichō market. Kanō-gani from fishing ports all over Ishikawa Prefecture is a popular product during the November to March season.