Saba Sushi
A Comprehensive Overview of Mackerel in Japanese Sushi Cuisine

Anori saba or shima itsuki saba is fished off the Shima Peninsula 志摩半島 in Mie Prefecture. The coastal waters are considered particularly rich in nutrients due to the influence of the Kuroshio Current, the confluence of the Kiso River 木曽川 with Ise Bay 伊勢湾, and the narrow, long sea bays that penetrate deep into the land. Mackerel are migratory fish that can travel long distances in a short period of time. The mackerel off the Shima Peninsula are said not to leave their habitat. Due to the absence of large migrations, line-caught Anori mackerel are particularly rich in fat. In the fishing port of Anori, the fishing season lasts from April to December, peaking in September. ^{[12] [13]}

Boze saba originates from the Harima-nada 播磨灘 sea area, between Awajishima 淡路島 and Shōdoshima 小豆島 in the Seto Inland Sea. Landings and sales of boze saba occur in the town of Himeji, north off Boze Island 坊勢. From May to June, young mackerel are taken from the sea and then placed in net pens, where they continue to grow in their natural environment until autumn. By fall, they have nearly doubled in size. To achieve a balanced fat content, the animals are fattened without the use of compound feed. Regionally caught anchovies (katakuchīwashi) are used as the main food by fishermen. Boze Saba is very popular with chefs as the fish are transferred to land-based tanks shortly before sale. This practice gives them an outstanding reputation for freshness and quality. The Boze Fishermen's Cooperative is recognized as a pioneer in the nationwide growth of mackerel farming. ^{[14] [15]}

The origin of Bungo saba is the strait of Bungo 豊後水道, between the west coast of Shikoku and the east coast of Kyushu. It is a marine area with fast currents, where the water masses of the western Seto Inland Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. Tidal currents provide a nutrient-rich environment, which in turn gives rise to many fish species. In this area, fishermen from the Oita Fisheries Association catch mackerel using purse seine fishing and transport them to net pens within the bay off Tsukumi 津久見市. From there, the mackerel are transported to land-based tanks to be shipped fresh or alive in purpose-built vehicles. ^[16]

In Chōshi 銚子市, a premier fishing port in Japan, the mackerel season commences annually in mid-November. There, specimens exceeding 800 grams in weight are distinguished as chōshi gokujō saba, denoting their exceptional size and quality. Translated, this is understood as “Chōshi's best mackerel” and applies to only 1% of the mackerel landed there. The meat is exceptionally fatty and is considered very popular. ^[17]

Ebisu Saba are blue mackerel (goma saba) caught by fishermen of the Taaksui group in the waters southwest of Kyushu. After being caught, the mackerel are transported to tanks and not fed for a week before being sold. The food deprivation ensures that the intestines are emptied, that the fat content decreases and that the firmness of the meat increases. Ebisu mackerel are named after Ebisu-sama, who is worshiped as the god of the sea and maritime industry, as well as the god of prosperity. ^{[18] [19]}

The sea off the coast of Kamae 蒲江 is rich in plankton and characterized by strong tidal currents. This environment provides a good habitat for breeding mackerel. Gen saba is a farmed mackerel raised by the Todaka Suisan company in Saiki City, within Oita Prefecture. Gen Saba is considered tasty and is characterized by a high fat content. By using a customized feed mixture, which is considered a trade secret, this allows the Todaka Suisan company to influence the taste of the mackerel to their liking. ^[20]

In Japan, mackerel is said to be tastiest when the fat content reaches its peak. Nagasaki Hābu Saba ハーブ鯖 was born from the desire to offer the taste of this seasonally prized food all year round, in all four seasons. The Nagasaki Hābu mackerel is raised on the coast off Matsuura 松浦市 and Sasebo 佐世保市, which have good environmental conditions, and fed with a food containing herbs. The herbal feed can be appropriately targeted to affect the color or flavor of the meat. According to the Nagasaki Hābu Saba Seisan Gurūpu, this mackerel can be obtained throughout the year. ^[21]

Hachinohe mae oki saba translates as “mackerel from the coast off Hachinohe”. Only mackerel caught in the waters north of Sanriku (三陸海岸) and landed in the port of Hachinohe ( 八戸市) during a specified period bear this name. The exact time, usually from autumn to mid-winter, is determined each year by a committee. Hachinohe mackerel are considered particularly tasty, with a fat content of up to 30%. Specimens caught off the coast of Hachinohe weighing 550 g or more are also known as gin saba (銀鯖). ^[22]

The fishing grounds of Hana Saba are located at Cape Sada 佐田岬, the eastern side of the Hōyo Strait 豊予海峡. Cape Sada lies between the northern Seto Inland Sea 瀬戸内海 and the southern Uwakai Sea 宇和海. Tidal currents and inflowing nutrient-rich water provide good environmental conditions for mackerel and other species. For mackerel to be designated as Hana Saba, they must be landed at the Sadamisaki Peninsula fishing port 佐田岬半島 and exceed a certain weight limit. Hana mackerel, designated by the Misaki Fisheries Cooperative, are considered to be of very high quality and tasty, similar to Seki Saba. Hana Saba during the cold season, is considered particularly tasty. ^{[23] [24]} 

Off the coast of Kitaura town (北浦町) Himuka Hon Saba is farmed. Kitaura is a town with rich nature, located on the sea of Hyūga (日向海). The Kitaura Cooperative for Farmed Mackerel (北浦養殖マサバ協業体) began breeding mackerel back in 1999. The breeding is performed by capturing wild juveniles, which are then raised in net enclosures without the use of medications. The mackerel are not fed for at least seven days before shipment to allow their stomachs to empty. Through this procedure, it is intended that the quality of the meat will improve, as the deprivation of food makes their meat firmer and more balanced in fat content. As a farmed mackerel with a minimum weight of 400 g, himuka hon saba enjoys an excellent reputation and are traded at up to 2500 yen (≈22$) per kilogram. ^{[25] [26] [27]}

In the waters of the city of Hirado (平戸) of Nagasaki Prefecture, the Hirado Natsuka mackerel is farmed. In addition to its fishery products, the Hirado region is also known for hirado natsuka (平戸夏香), an appreciated variety of citrus fruit. To improve the taste and smell of the meat, hirado natsuka is added to the feed of farmed mackerel. ^[28]

Hokusen saba (ほくせんさば) are fished off the coast of Kushiro City (釧路市) in Hokkaidō Prefecture. Hokusen mackerel have a balanced fat content, which is about 20%. The meat is firm and characterized by a subtle sweetness. The quantities landed each year are subject to major fluctuations. ^{[29] [30]}

Ibaraki tokiwa mackerel are fished off the coasts of the Tokiwa region (常磐) within Ibaraki Prefecture. The fishing season extends from autumn to early winter, while December is considered the peak. The large mackerel caught from autumn to winter are particularly tasty due to their fatty meat and firm texture. The Japanese mackerel (masaba) is fished in many parts of Japan, and Ibaraki Prefecture is among the areas with the highest catches in terms of quantity. There are 14 registered purse seine fleets in Ibaraki Prefecture, most of which are based at Otsu Fishing Port in Kitaibaraki City and Hasaki Fishing Port in Kamisu City. ^{[31] [32]}

The fishing port of Ina (伊奈) is located in the northwest of Tsushima (対馬), a remote island in Nagasaki Prefecture. It is a small, remote village with only a few residents. Since 2009, mackerel caught there by single-line fishing have been marketed under the name ina saba. Only mackerel that meet the strict standards of the Ina Fisheries Cooperative (伊奈漁業協同組合) are branded and shipped as Ina mackerel. It is a requirement that the mackerel are caught with single lines or fishing rods, chilled with ice for at least six hours after landing, have no injuries and are of a minimum size. Ina saba is in season from June to November, and the best time is considered to be from August to October. ^{[33] [34]}

Ehime Prefecture is considered one of the most important centers of the fishing industry in Japan. The Konishin Company (コニシン) farms mackerel there in the waters off the town of Yawatahama (八幡浜市), known as kankitsu saba. Kankitsu mackerel are fattened with a feed to which the peels of onshu mandarins (温州蜜柑), a popular citrus fruit of Ehime Prefecture, are added. Adding the fruit peels changes the taste and smell of the meat. The meat has a balanced fat ratio and is considered extremely tasty. ^{[35] [36]}

The Karatsu Q Saba is a mackerel developed in a joint research project between Karatsu City (唐津市) in Saga Prefecture and Kyūshū University (九州大学). The breeding is conducted using a full-cycle aquaculture. This method does not harvest juvenile fish from their natural environment. Artificially hatched juvenile fish are raised for reproduction, and their offspring in turn produce a new generation. The use of full-cycle aquaculture Aquaculture not only preserves the natural stock, but also allows continuous control and quality assurance of the breeding cycle. By using special feeds throughout the life cycle, the risk of anisakis, a parasite harmful to humans, is significantly reduced. Karatsu q mackerel, unlike wild-caught mackerel, can therefore be eaten raw without fear of ansisakis. ^{[37] [38]}

Between the Kii Peninsula and the main island of Honshū stretches the Kii Channel (紀伊水道). Where the waters of the Seto Inland Sea and Osaka Bay meet the Kuroshio Current (黒潮), there are pronounced tides. The mackerel caught there are known for their firm and tasty meat. Particularly large mackerel weighing 600 g or more, landed in Yura (由良町) and Yuasa (湯浅町) city of Wakayama Prefecture, are allowed to be called kii saba. This requires the mackerel to be sorted immediately after landing and packed for shipment in boxes filled with purified seawater cooled to 0°C. ^[39]

On the coasts of Mount Kinka (金華山), the ocean currents of the Kuroshio (黒潮) and Oyashio (親潮) meet. The waters are rich in food and characterized by strong tides. Freshly caught and large mackerel landed during the season from September to January and at the port of Ishinomaki (石巻市) may be called kinka saba. Kinka mackerel are prized for their fat content and for their firm flesh. ^[40]

From Yukushima (屋久島), an island south of the Osumi Peninsula in the southern part of Kagoshima Prefecture, comes Kubiore Saba. Kubi ore means “broken neck” and refers to a processing step after catching. Immediately after capture, the heads of those blue mackerel are jerked upward until the vertebrae between the trunk and head break. The fish is then placed in ice water, and the mackerel's last heartbeats pump any remaining blood from its body. The bleeding serves to keep the freshness longer. ^[41]

Matsuwa saba is a regional brand name for mackerel caught in Ena Bay (江奈湾) near Matsuwa. The village of Matsuwa is located south of Yokohama (横浜市) and is part of the city of Miura (三浦市) in Kanagawa Prefecture. Located at the southern tip of the Miura Peninsula, near the Tsurugisaki Lighthouse (剱埼灯台), is the Matsuwa branch of the Miura Fisheries Association. From here, mackerel are shipped all over Japan. Matsuwa saba are killed just before shipment or sale, thus ensuring maximum freshness. The mackerel caught with single lines in this area, are known as the “golden mackerel of Matsuwa” (松輪の黄金サバ) due to their meaty and fatty nature, and are highly prized as top quality mackerels. Given the high fat content, the meat has a cherry red color and is different from “ordinary” mackerel. ^[42]

In the north of Nagashima Island (長島), located in the inland sea of Lake Yatushiro (八代海), mujoka saba is farmed in net pens. The fast tides off Nagashima are responsible for the firmness and moderate fat content of the mackerel meat. Mujoka means “lovely“ or “sweet“ in the Nagashima dialect. Mujoka mackerel are either shipped live to regional restaurants by special transport vehicles or killed immediately before shipment. Thanks to exceptional freshness and constant weight of about 500 g, mujoka mackerels are considered popular among chefs. ^[43]

In the past, the city of Obama (小浜市) in Fukui Prefecture (福井県) was considered a prestigious origin of wild-caught mackerel. Due to the steady decline in catch, the mackerel industry became less important. In an effort to revive the past, mackerel have been farmed in Obama since June 2016. The project was initiated by various stakeholders from industry, academia and government. Sake kasu (酒粕), a byproduct of alcohol production, is added to the feed of the obama yopparai mackerel. The use as a food additive positively affects the taste, as well as the smell of the meat. The fact that sake kasu is produced during the manufacture of a popular alcoholic beverage is why these mackerel are called “Obama's drunken mackerel” (obama yopparai saba). ^[44]

Ojō saba are mackerel farmed in the fishing port of Iwami (岩美町), within Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県), by the company JR West Japan. Since Tottori has few bays suitable for conventional offshore sea farming, the Tottori Prefectural Farming and Fisheries Center began exploring commercial onshore mackerel farming in 2012. By use of subsurface-derived seawater, special feed, and artificial rearing of juvenile fish, it can be virtually ruled out that these mackerel are infested with a parasite that is harmful to humans. Ojō saba is therefore one of the few mackerel brands that can be safely consumed raw without prior freezing treatment or other measures. It takes about a year and a half for the mackerel to reach market maturity, and they reach a weight of about 300 grams. The fact that the mackerel is smaller and more delicate compared to wild-caught mackerel earned it the name “young lady mackerel“ (ojō saba). ^[45]

At the northern end of the Yumigahama Peninsula (弓ヶ浜半島) lies the city of Sakaiminato (境港市) of Tottori Prefecture (鳥取県). There, in the waters of Miho Bay (美保湾), Yumigahama Fisheries has been conducting fully-cycle sea-based farming since 2016. In this “fully-cycle“ aquaculture, no juvenile fish are taken from the ecosystem. Artificially hatched juveniles are raised to reproduce into parent fish, whose offspring in turn produce a new generation. This process not only conserves natural stocks, but also significantly reduces the risk of infection with parasites harmful to humans. To ensure high quality, the Sakai mackerel, weighing about 350 g, are transported alive to processing plants or markets in special vehicles. ^{[47] [48] [46]}

The current of the Pacific Ocean supplies the Strait of Hoyo (豊予海峡) with nutrients vital to many species. The tides there provide an ideal environment for the species living there. In the Bungo Channel (豊後水道) converges, the warm sea water of the Pacific Ocean and the cold sea water of the Seto Inland Sea (豊予海峡). It is said that these ideal environmental conditions are responsible for the particularly tasty fish, whose fat content is balanced and whose flesh is firm. The strait of Hoyo is located in the narrowest part of the Bungo Channel, between Cape Sekizaki (関崎岬) of Oita City (大分市) and Cape Sada (佐田岬) of Ikata City (伊方町). Seki mackerel are caught by members of the Saganoseki Fishing Association using rods and lines (ippondzuri, 一本釣り) rather than nets. This type of fishing is not only more sustainable and selective, but also involves less risk of injury to the fish and less stress. They are then killed using the ikejime method, in which the fish are killed with as little stress as possible to preserve the quality of the meat. Seki mackerel enjoy an excellent reputation in the gastronomy and are traded at correspondingly high prices. Annually, in mid-March, Saganoseki hosts the Seki aji and Seki Saba Festival. Here visitors can enjoy different mackerel dishes at special prices. ^{[49] [50]}

Jun or toki saba are caught from October to February in the waters of the Goto Islands (五島列島) and Tsushima (対馬). Jun (旬) and also toki (時) in Japanese represent “the time of something“ or “something that is in season“. These names were chosen in 1997 as part of a public branding campaign aimed at raising awareness of the mackerel caught by the Japan Pelagic Purse Seine Fishing Cooperative (日本遠洋旋網漁業協同組合). Weighing more than 400 g, jun- or toki mackerel are rich in fat and considered tasty. ^{[51] [52]}

At the southernmost point of Shikoku is Cape Ashizuri 足摺岬, which is part of the Ashizuri-Uwakai National Park 足摺宇和海国立公園 and lies on the edge of Tosa Bay 土佐湾. In the fishing port of Tosashimizu town 土佐清水市, blue mackerel are landed, referred to as Shimizu Saba or Tosa no Shimizu Saba. The mackerel from Tosashimizu are caught individually using a special fishing method called tatenawa gyohō 立縄漁法. In this process, lines equipped with dozens of hooks are lowered vertically into the sea and baited. Once aboard the fishing boat, the caught mackerel, which are still alive, are then manually removed from the line one by one and placed in a tank filled with fresh water. Upon arrival at the fishing port, the fish are quickly unloaded and transported to a tank. Before shipment, the mackerel spend one to two days there to recover from the stress of catching. Shimizu mackerel are then shipped alive in special transport vehicles to buyers and processing distributors. Due to their freshness and gentle catching methods, they are considered popular among chefs. ^{[53] [54]}