Fugu Pufferfish of Shimonoseki
Photos: Tom Miyagawa Coulton
Shimonoseki, located on the western tip of Japan’s main Honshu Island, has long served as a vital crossroads for people, goods, and culture. Positioned as a gateway to the Seto Inland Sea, for centuries, ships traversing from Asia to Osaka and other destinations in the Setouchi region have navigated through Shimonoseki’s narrow Kanmon Strait, which separates Honshu and Kyushu islands. The town’s coastal geography has fostered a thriving fishing industry, making it a bustling fishing port.
Shimonoseki holds a central role in Japan’s fugu industry, renowned for the highly prized – and highly poisonous – pufferfish. This legendary delicacy, sourced from the city’s fish markets, finds its way to restaurants and markets across the country. Explore Tom Miyagawa Coulton’s feature on fugu, tailored for Singapore Airlines' inflight media SilverKris, for further insights.
