Discover Hidden Toba: A Guided Walk into the City's Backstreets

By Christopher Douglas

Local in Toba

If you are looking for a relaxing way to spend an afternoon in town, I suggest checking out the One-Bite Fest Toba Tour offered by Kaito Yumin Club. This food-themed walk is an excellent introduction to Toba because it takes you right into the heart of our local culinary history. It is a short and easy walk with a guide, and the experiences offer a level of access to local traditions that can be hard to find on your own.

Sushi and the Art of the Blade

The first stop on the tour is Sushi Umé, which is the oldest sushi establishment in Toba. It has a history that dates back around 150 years, and you can really feel that heritage when you step inside. After sampling some of their incredible sushi, you get to try your hand at baran-zaiku. This is the traditional art of cutting bamboo leaves into intricate shapes for food decoration. It is fascinating to learn how these leaves were historically used as natural dividers in bento boxes to keep flavors from mixing and to help keep the food fresh.

Preparing a Favorite Ama Snack

One of the most authentic parts of this walk is learning about arare, which is a favorite snack for Toba’s Ama divers. Arare are small and crunchy Japanese rice crackers made from glutinous rice. With the help of the guide, you will prepare these crackers the old-fashioned way. It is a simple joy to see exactly why these savory treats are such a hit with the hardworking women of our sea.

Planning Your Afternoon

This tour takes about an hour and a half, making it an ideal fit for a relaxed afternoon of exploration. Just like the local kayak tours, you will need to make a reservation by 5:00 p.m. the day before you plan to go. You can find more information and reserve your spot through the One-Bite Fest Toba Tour link.