Gourmet Mie Day 1 – Abalone feast at exotic Shima Peninsula（Article created by Cheeserland）

“Wow, what a beautiful lobster,” says Megu the teenage ama diver (in my head).

Can you take a guess what this is?

It is probably not an exaggeration to claim that this is what made Japanese food the way it tastes like today. It is the very item that makes the base of Japanese food – dashi.

And katsubushi is a very important ingredient for dashi. In English, katsuobushi is called “bonito flakes”. Ah, now you get it.

Katsuo No Tenpaku is a very humble, rustic traditional goya (小屋 hut) that is so low key you won’t even notice, but don’t worry, your nose will guide you there. The scent of smoke chips and the aroma of freshly shaved katsuobushi will not be mistaken.

I spent about an hour at Katsuo No Tenpaku, and I have learnt more about katsuo than I ever had in my entire life. So sometimes I think that there’s no place too trivial for a visit. You constantly bring home something with you in your heart.

I have learnt that it takes months of repeated cycles of smoking and fermentation in order to produce a bag of fluffy bonito flakes. And I always so over-generously pour it over my rice without thinking twice.

I also took home the word “神人共食” – “Sharing food with Gods”. I learnt that Katsuobushi was originally meant to be an offering for the gods, and in this region, to the Ise Grand Shrine. This is how sacred and precious a food katsuobushi is.
I’m not sure how many of you are interested in the Shinto culture, but it was a surprise to discover the spiritual connection between food and the divine. I was deeply impressed.
Anyway, let’s move on to food. Which I’m sure all of us are interested in!

I had a try at shaving the rock-hard katsuo on a “kanna”.

Here’s my prized katsuobushi! Looks just like pencil shavings in a sharpener case.

Tenpaku san, the owner then opened up a steaming hot pot of white rice, pour the freshly shaved bonito flakes on top, and drizzle soy sauce over. I am already drooling.

Pencil shavings rice bowl, anyone?

It was AMAZING. I’m really bad at food reporting, but it was amazing. I was telling Tenpaku san why I bothered waking up 6am every day and spend one hour to cook breakfast. This will only take 1 minute!!!

THIS. Just this. Good quality bonito flakes on top of hot rice, seasoned with shoyu. The simplest soul food for many Japanese – “okaka gohan“. It has become mine now.

With the very jovial 4th generation owner of Katsuo no Tenpaku – Tenpaku san himself. Not forgetting bringing back souvenirs for my kitchen.

Many people’s dream is to travel around the world.
You know my dream? My dream is to travel around the world – in Japan.

I thought I have been transported to Spain (or is it Greece? Or Italy? Turkey?!) the moment I entered Shima Mediterranean Village.

I was greeted by an exotic atmosphere with passionate latino melody playing at the background, and a lazy house cat having an afternoon siesta.

There was not a hint of of Japan in sight (unless you look really up close on the food menu or until an overly polite non-European staff start to keep bowing).

Shima Mediterranean Village is a resort (I would totally say that it is a theme park too!) with many beautiful, spacious villa-style guest rooms, and at least a hundred insta spots.

You don’t even need to try. Every little nook and cranny is your gram-worthy inspiration.

Some of the decors and actual materials used including art pieces, floor tiles are sourced from its original countries, giving the village a really authentic vibe.

Souvenir shops that exude Mediterranean charm, you will really forget that you are actually in Mie, Japan!

This resort’s popularity is quick on the rise spreading like wild fire on Instagram. Remember you heard it from me first.

It makes a perfect romantic couple getaway, as well as family vacation with lots of spacious room accommodating a good number of guests.