# Ayu Shioyaki (Grilled ‘Ayu’ Sweetfish with Salt) ｜ Our Regional Cuisines

**Cuisine Name**: Ayu Shioyaki (Grilled ‘Ayu’ Sweetfish with Salt)

**Region**: Our Regional Cuisines

## Main Lore Areas
Ueno Village

## Main Ingredients Used
Ayu (Sweet fish)

## History, Origin, and Related Events
In Gunma, where there are many rivers with clear water, various river fish is grown, and local cuisines with these fish are familiar with the area. The type of fish often eaten varies depending on the region, but ‘Ayu’ Sweet fish is designated as a prefectural fish of Gunma Prefecture, and one of the main products in the prefecture. The locals often grill ‘Ayu’ with salt to enjoy its own flavor. Ueno Village, the least populated in Gunma, boasts ‘Ayu’ fishing the most. The Kanna River, reservoirs along the Tone River, runs in the village, and is a habitat of various river fish like ‘Ayu’, char and Japanese dace. ‘Ayu’ season is open in summer, and you can enjoy grilled ‘Ayu’ with salt during the limited time. Many people visit the area to eat fresh ‘Ayu’.

## Opportunities and Times of Eating Habits
Ueno Village Fisheries Cooperative offers information about ‘Ayu’ fishing because many people enjoy ‘Ayu’ fishing before eating one. ‘Ayu’ has a habit to make own territories, and people use the strategy called ‘Tomozuri’, to make the most of its habit. Plant ‘Ayu’ fish was hooked on the fishhook and let the plant fish go to the territory, then catch ‘Ayu’ when they start to attack the plant. ‘Ayu’ fishing starts around middle of June every year, and many tourists visit there to enjoy fishing.

## How to Eat
‘Ayu’ caught in the Kanna River has greater flavor and is firmer among ‘Ayu’ in Gunma Prefecture. Fresh ‘Ayu’ is skewered zig-zag while it’s still alive, then sprinkle salt. Grill the fish over the oak charcoal made in Ueno Village. Fresh salt-grilled ‘Ayu’ is sold at the local farmers/fishers market during the limited time.

## Efforts for Preservation and Succession
(Outline of the traditions, the preservation society, social media use, modern approaches to commercialization)The technology of ‘Ayu’ breeding has been developed in Gunma to prevent from decreasing natural ‘Ayu’. Nowadays about a half amount of ‘Ayu’ caught is from Gunma Prefecture. In addition, Ueno Village Fisheries Cooperative promotes ‘Ayu’ by posting the event selling the grilled fish on the social media.

## Ingredients
- Ayu’ Sweet fish: 1
- Salt: A little
- Skewer: 1

## Recipe
1. 1. Sprinkle salt on the ‘Ayu’.
2. 2. Skewer fish after sprinkling salt.
3. 3. Grill it for 1.5hours over charcoal fire.

## Provider Information
provider : Ueno Village Fisheries Cooperative

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