[Oita] The new and popular brand oysters "Oonyujima Oyster" and "Higata Bijin" are amazing!

Oita Prefecture, the hot spring prefecture, boasts the largest number of hot springs in Japan and the largest volume of hot spring water. Another attraction is the abundance of delicacies, such as "Sekiaji/Sekisaba," "Toriten," "Kabosu," and "Oita Wagyu beef." In recent years, Oita Prefecture has also been attracting attention as a producer of farmed oysters. This time, we interviewed the "Oonyujima Oyster" and "Higata Bijin," two brand oysters that are gaining popularity as new local ingredients in Oita Prefecture, to find out more about their delicacies!

Specialty oysters growing in Japan's first aquaculture method

Oysters, also known as "sea milk", because they contain so many nutrients, like milk, in addition to their milky appearance. Its deliciousness depends not only on the amount of nutrients in the ocean where it comes from, but also, in the case of aquaculture, on how it grows. The two brands of oysters raised in the sea of Oita, both of which incorporate Japan's first aquaculture method, have brought out a solid taste that is no less than famous oysters from other regions.

"Oonyujima Oyster" with plenty of body has plenty of juicy umami

The waters around Oonyujima Island in Saiki City, southern Oita Prefecture, are an ideal environment for oyster farming, with the rich nutrients that flow into the sea from the mountains maintained by the ria coastline, which can be considered a natural fish preserve. "Oonyujima Oyster" is a brand of oysters that was born on Oonyujima Island in 2018.

The "flip farm method," in which oysters are placed in baskets and turned over periodically, has been adopted for the first time in Japan. This method not only results in beautiful shells with little adhesion, but also results in oysters with very good meat content, as the nutrients that would have gone to the shell are instead directed to the oyster meat.

Served steamed, the "Oonyujima Oysters" have a firm yet crunchy texture and a juicy flavor that spreads throughout the mouth, perfectly matching the refreshing acidity of Oita Prefecture-grown kabosu.

The deep taste and sweetness of "Higata Beauty" created by the rising tide

The Nakatsu Tidal Flat, one of Japan's three largest flats, stretches along the coast of Nakatsu City in northern Oita Prefecture. "Higata Bijin", as its name suggests, is a branded oyster raised in this Nakatsu tidal flat. Trial farming began in 2012, and serious sales began in 2014.

The method of mudflat aquaculture, in which a raised basket containing oysters is hung on a tidal flat and arranged to repeat the exit and entry from the seawater according to the natural tide, is also introduced in Japan for the first time. The oyster body, repeatedly exposed to sunlight and wind by the tidal difference, is said to have a rich, creamy and strong sweet taste.

If you eat it as a baked oyster, the original aroma, texture and deep taste of the oyster will spread throughout your mouth. "Higata Bijin" is considered to be "the oyster that I want women to eat" because it looks beautiful, is small and easy to eat, and is rich in nutrients that are good for beautiful skin.
* Chilled products are sold in the "winter only"; Frozen and processed products are sold in other seasons.

You can enjoy a variety of ways to eat and a variety of tastes from one oyster

"Oonyujima Oysters" and "Higata Bijin" are delicious in any dish, not just simple steamed or grilled. On the day of the interview, we were shown various ways to eat them that make the most of the ingredients, such as gratin, smoked, steamed in sake, fried in butter, tempura, and cooked with rice. We were amazed at the succession of dining experiences that never get boring, all while focusing on oysters!

There are many attractive delicacies in Oita, but "Oonyujima Oyster" and "Higata Bijin" are definitely new delicacies to watch in the future. Even if you don't like oysters, once you taste their deliciousness, you might become an oyster lover!

For more information and to purchase "Oonyujima Oysters", check out the official website of "Shineimaru LLC"!
https://www.shinei-maru.com/shop/products/list.php?category_id=10
* We do not ship overseas.

For details and purchases of "Higata Beauty", check "Higata Beauty Online Shop"!
https://higata.thebase.in

• This article is created based on the contents of "Rurubu Information Edition" or "Rurubu & more." "Rurubu +".
• The data listed are as of March 2025. Prices, business hours, regular holidays, menus, etc. may change or may not be available due to temporary holidays. Please check in advance when using it, as the content may change.
• The holiday of stores and facilities omits the year-end holiday, Obon holiday, Golden Week, and temporary holidays in principle.
• The published fees are in principle the fee including consumption tax that we have confirmed at the time of the interview, and the entrance fee is the adult fee if there is no special mention.
• In principle, the published times are open (hall) to closed (hall). Please note that the last order or entrance (hall) time is 30 minutes to 1 hour before the normal closing (hall) time. The last order is denoted LO.
• For the spring quality and efficacy of the hot springs listed, manuscripts are prepared based on answers from each facility.