Sea urchin picking experience in Kamui Park
Kamui-149-2 Kutsugata, Rishiri, Rishiri District, 097-0401, card
Rishiri Uni is considered the highest degree university in Japan. After all, it feeds on the nutrient-rich kombu that Rishiri is known for. I love how the delicious food ecosystem leads to even more delicious food.
Weather permitting, in Kamui Park you can pick sea urchins straight from the ocean and learn how to crack them open. The day we were there the water was too choppy, but they simulated the experience offshore.
I picked one that was very active in my basket, and I was fascinated by the spikes it waved at me. Part of me felt guilty because I’m not used to killing my own meal, but there was no way I could go to Rishiri Island without tasting this uni. For 2,000 yen I would have done this several times if I had stayed longer. Or if I were to make a layover, I would clear my schedule and just put this on the itinerary repeatedly.
Pro tip: This activity is seasonal from June to August (the harvest is best in July-August).
See more: How to Crab on the Oregon Coast
