SHIROSHITA FLATFISH / Hiji Town

In Hiji Town, Oita Prefecture there is a fish brand called Shiroshita Flatfish. The name comes from a spot beneath Hiji Castle in Beppu Bay where fresh water springs out from the seabed, creating ideal conditions for raising exceptionally delicious marbled flounder. These fish live on the seabed where the pristine waters flow, resulting in a sophisticated sweetness and the absence of the typical muddy smell. Compared to the Mako flatfish and other species from different regions, it has a thicker flesh, a relatively small head, and a broad, less angular caudal fin.

In the Edo period, the Hiji Clan prepared Shiroshita Flatfish on the day of the Boy’s Festival when visiting the castle. Because of this, fishing was prohibited for the general public from around April, leading to the fish gaining the nickname ‘Tono–sama Fish’ (Lord’s Fish). Currently, it is served at restaurants in Hiji–Town, and can be enjoyed not only in deep–fried or simmered dishes, but also in beautifully presented thinly sliced local sashimi.