Image provided by: Oumu Town Tourism Association

Oumu Town is located between the Sea of ​​Okhotsk and majestic mountains. When the sea opens up in March, the fishing season for hairy crabs and scallops begins.

And the hairy crabs from Oumu Town at this time of year are absolutely bursting with meat!

So, this time, I'd like to share my experience at the "Hairy Crab Festival," a spring tradition in Oumu Town, which was held on April 22nd.

The hairy crab, a source of pride for Oumu Town, is a representative brand of the Okhotsk area.

In Hokkaido, the Okhotsk Sea side enters its hairy crab season in the spring.

Oumu Town is home to hairy crabs that are plump and full of meat, thanks to the nutrients flowing from the majestic mountains such as Mt. Piyashiri and the plankton carried by the drift ice.

The hairy crab from Oumu Town is truly a delicious spring delicacy given to us by nature!

The highlight of the hairy crab festival! Boiled hairy crabs are incredibly delicious.

Image provided by: Oumu Town Tourism Association

The main attraction of the Hairy Crab Festival is undoubtedly the hairy crab sale. Every year, many people line up from all over Hokkaido to buy delicious hairy crabs.

One of the unique sights at the Hairy Crab Festival is being able to buy fresh hairy crabs boiled on the spot and at a great price. Furthermore, another attraction is being able to enjoy those hairy crabs right away in the eat-in area.

Enjoy exquisite hairy crab right on the spot! What are some handy items to have when eating it?

Once you've bought the hairy crab and look around, you'll notice there are plenty of places to eat inside.

Nearly half of the venue is an eat-in space. You can enjoy hairy crab freely here, but eating it as is can be a bit of a challenge. So, I asked the Oumu Town Tourism Association about some things that would be helpful to have.

- Newspaper to collect crab shells and keep the surrounding area clean.
Kitchen scissors to cut the hard shells and make them easier to eat.
Work gloves to protect your hands
- Chopsticks or crab forks to make eating easier
Garbage bags for collecting trash
• Wet wipes for wiping hands and mouth

With all of this, the preparations are perfect! You can enjoy the hairy crab with peace of mind. Some groups even brought their own barbecue grills to enjoy grilled hairy crab. The relaxed atmosphere where everyone can enjoy themselves freely is also a treat!

I highly recommend the hairy crab soup, which is packed with large hairy crabs!

After the hairy crabs for sale, our next recommendation is the hairy crab soup. It's a simple dish with just green onions and hairy crabs, but the amount of hairy crab is incredible! There are so many hairy crab legs, enough to fill an entire crab, overflowing from the bowl.

I was so surprised! The visuals are perfect for social media. And it's reasonably priced too. You absolutely won't find it at this price anywhere else, so be sure to check it out at the venue!

It warms you right up after getting chilled at the hairy crab festival.

A numbered ticket is required for the crab fishing pond, which is for children only! Catch a lively crab!

The popular hairy crab fishing pond is a unique event where children can drop fishing lines into a large tank and catch hairy crabs. Participation is limited to 100 people from 3 years old to 3rd grade elementary school students, starting at 10 am.

You cannot participate without a numbered ticket, so please be sure to get one and participate.

The fresh hairy crabs are swimming around energetically in the tank, making them quite difficult to catch, but the fishing cooperative staff will teach you some tips and tricks, so you can enjoy fishing.

Since the hairs move from side to side, the key is to determine the direction of their movement.

If you want to bring home lots of delicious food, a cooler box is very useful!

Most of the items sold at the hairy crab festival are raw, such as salmon, scallops, and hairy crabs. For those visiting from far away, freshness is a concern on the journey home.

That's where a cooler box comes in handy. You can transport your food safely and without worrying about its freshness, even over long distances.

It seems that styrofoam packaging is available when you purchase items at the venue, so it might be a good idea to ask a staff member when you make your purchase.

The hairy crab festival ends very quickly, so acting fast is key.

The hairy crab festival in Oumu Town starts at 10am, but many people actually line up early in the morning to buy hairy crabs.

I was struck by how many people bought hairy crabs early, ate delicious food at the stalls, and headed home around lunchtime. Some even stayed overnight the day before to prepare for the festival.

The number of hairy crabs varies from year to year, but it's always best to act early.

Enjoy plenty of hairy crabs at the Oumu Town Hairy Crab Festival and have fun with this spring event!

Image provided by: Oumu Town Tourism Association

The "Hairy Crab Festival," a springtime tradition in Oumu Town, was a festival where you could enjoy fresh hairy crabs to your heart's content!

Besides hairy crab, you can also easily enjoy grilled scallops and other seafood, so I highly recommend it! If you're interested, be sure to visit next year.

[Event details]
Omu Fisheries Cooperative Hairy Crab Festival
Location: Omu Fisheries Cooperative Association (Omu Fishing Port)
Phone: 0158-84-2531
Date and Time: Late April (Only one day)
Time: 10: 00 to 13: 00

~Tourism information for Omu Town~
Oumu Town Tourism Association Homepage
http://welcome-oumu.hokkaido.jp/

Please also check out these related articles.

• 

  Hakodate's biggest summer event! The history and highlights of the Port Festival's "Squid Dance"

• 

  6 Spots in and around Onuma Park Where You Can Enjoy Autumn Foliage and Stunning Scenery

• 

  Enjoy early spring in Hokkaido! Here's our recommendation for a trip to Hokkaido in April!

• 

  The Shinkansen is about to open! All the sightseeing spots and highlights in southern Hokkaido!

• 

  [Hokkaido Garden Road] Enjoy the great outdoors at 8 gardens!

• 

  5 Recommended Lunch Spots to Visit While Sightseeing in Yoichi | Local Recommendations!

• 

  [For First-Time Visitors to Hokkaido] 7 Essential Hot Springs in Hokkaido

• 

  Enjoy the beautiful nature! We'll tell you about sightseeing spots and highlights for your spring trip to Hokkaido♪

Introducing our sister site (please check it out if you're interested)