10 Best Travel Destinations & Onsen Ryokan for Indulging in the Luxurious Flavor of Fall & Winter Crab

There are many ways to enjoy a trip, such as visiting tourist spots and staying in wonderful hotels. Among them, I would definitely like to go on a gourmet trip ♡ When it comes to autumn and winter gourmet trips, crab is the king! Freshness is the key to crab, so try to eat it at the land where it is landed during the season.

When you hear the word crab, the first thing that comes to mind is Hokuriku and Hokkaido, but western Japan, especially the Sea of Japan side, has long been famous for its delicious crabs. There are many branded crabs, including Kyoto 's Taiza Crab and San'in's Matsuba Crab. For something a little different, we also recommend Takezaki crab, a blue crab from Saga in Kyushu. Kansai and Kyushu in the fall and winter have a lot of moist scenery, and it has a travel atmosphere that is suitable for an adult travel destination.

This time, we have summarized the crabs that are in season in the fall and winter in western Japan by area. We will introduce you to Kyoto, which is known for its surprising crab production, as well as Hyogo, Tottori, Shimane, and Saga. Let's go on a crab gourmet journey where you can eat plenty of seasonal sweet and delicious crabs♪

*All hotel and ryokan information is as of September 2023.

From Tokyo, Kyoto can be reached in as little as 2 hours and 10 minutes by Shinkansen. The sea side of Japan Kyoto is also a crab fishing ground. The brand crab "Taiza crab" is brought alive to a nearby ryokan and cooked. If you want to taste the crabs of the Sea of Japan, which are said to be the finest snow crabs, Kyoto Prefecture in autumn and winter is recommended.

"Taiza crab" is a snow crab from the Sea of Japan that is landed at Taiza Port in Kyoto. The fishing grounds are nearby, and the snow crabs that are caught are brought back to the port on the same day and shipped, so they are extremely fresh. Because only 4 to 5 small boats are used for fishing, the amount of catches is small, so it is called "phantom crab".

"Sumihei" is a culinary ryokan located in Taiza Onsen, onsen about 20 minutes by car from Amino Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway. It is a long-established store founded in the first year of the Meiji era, and is one of the oldest ryokan in Tamba Town. Enjoy a superb view of the Japan sea from all rooms and the precious Majin crabs.

For autumn and winter, we recommend Taiza crab from the Sea of Japan, which can be prepared in a variety of ways. You can experience the delicious taste of Taiza crab in each cooking method.

This inn has six private baths (one is charged) where you can enjoy natural onsen. All of them include ``Tsukimi-no-Yu,'' which is designed with a rock bath and Karesansui, ``Sumi-no-Yu,'' where you can enjoy the shallow onsen bath while lying down, and ``Umi-no-Yu,'' which overlooks the blue sea and sky. attractive! Please visit the hot springs and enjoy the uniqueness of each one.

"Yuhigaura onsen Kashoen Bettei Fuuka" is about 3 minutes by shuttle bus from Yuhigaura Kizu onsen Station on the Kyoto Tango Railway. This is a onsen hotel located in This hotel is located near Yuhigaura Beach, which has been selected as one of Japan's 100 best sunsets, and has a great view of the Sea of Japan from a hill. Enjoy a hotel stay where you can enjoy fresh Matsuba crab caught at a nearby fishing port and an ocean view.

Recommended for winter, crab kaiseki using only live Matsuba crab. From the appetizers to the porridge, plenty of crab is used, so be sure to enjoy the elegant flavor of crab. The meal ``Feng Shui'' prepares food according to your eating speed. Relax and enjoy the exquisite crabs from the Sea of Japan along with fresh fish purchased from nearby fishing ports.

onsen are from Yuhigaura onsen, which is famous as a beauty bath. All rooms have private open-air baths, and each room has a bath with a different atmosphere with a different view, and the baths are fed by natural hot spring water. Enjoy the Sea of Japan at dusk and the beautiful hot springs for your skin.

If you take the Shinkansen, you can reach Hyogo from Tokyo in as little as 3 hours and 30 minutes. Hyogo can be called a holy land for crabs in the fall and winter. Hyogo is a land where there are many branded crabs, such as Tsuiyama crab, Kasumi crab, and Shibayama crab. No matter which one you eat, they are sweet and delicious.

Tsuiyama crab is a snow crab from the Sea of Japan that is landed at Tsuiyama Port in northern Hyogo. It is caught using the same fishing method as Taiza crab, and can often be landed at the port the same day it is caught, resulting in its freshness. Since it is not so well known, it has the advantage of being able to eat high quality crab at a reasonable price.

"Yoshiharu" is a onsen ryokan located in Kinosaki onsen Town, about a 3-minute walk from Kinosaki onsen Station. Colored yukatas are available for rent, so enjoy the atmosphere of visiting Kinosaki onsen 's public baths and enjoy the freshness of Tsuiyama crab.

The recommendation for autumn and winter is the Tsuiyama crab caught in the Sea of Japan! The crab season is from early November to the end of March. You can enjoy crab sashimi, boiled crab, grilled crab, grilled crab, and more. All crab sashimi is committed to using “live crab” from “Tsuiyama Crab”. Crabs that are very fresh are not separated from the shell, and are packed with a plump texture and sweetness.

This onsen draws from the source of Kinosaki onsen, which is said to be effective in relieving fatigue. There are two free private baths, and you can soak in plenty of hot springs to your heart's content. The outdoor bath is nice, but it is also recommended to relax at the inn and enjoy the free-flowing hot spring water.

"Kasumi crab" is a red snow crab that is landed at Kasumi fishing port in the north of Hyogo. The Kasumi crab's habitat is in the Sea of Japan at a depth of 800 to 1,500 meters, and because of its depth, it is caught using crab pot fishing methods rather than bottom trawling. The fishing season runs from September to the following May, but the meat is sweet and juicy in the fall and winter.

``Shibayamasou Annex Sansuien'' is a onsen ryokan cuisine located about a 5-minute walk from JR Shibayama Station. Located in the innermost part of onsen town, the inn is surrounded by nature and has nothing but mountains beyond it. Enjoy Kasumi crab prepared by the host who honed his skills at a top-class restaurant.

The recommendation for autumn and winter is the filling Kasumi crab. It looks like it's going to be appetizing with a vivid crimson from the time it's landed. You can enjoy crab sashimi, tempura, grilled crab, crab shabu, crab pot, and crab porridge as a full course. Extra-large crabs are also reasonably priced, so let's enjoy crabs without worry!

The large public bath and two semi-open-air baths that can be reserved for private use are filled with natural alkaline simple onsen springs. Jet baths and bubble baths are also available, and there are two types of semi-open-air baths: rock baths and cypress baths. The environment is lush with green even before going to the open-air bath, so let's take it easy while gazing at the flowers of the mountains and fields.

"Shibayama crab" is snow crab landed at Shibayama fishing port. This crab is characterized by being sorted into 110 detailed ranks, and you can find a perfect crab called "Shibayama Gold" among them. It is said to be one in 1,000 crabs, which is said to be one in 1,000.

Here you can enjoy a full course meal of Shibayama Crab caught on the same day at Shibayama Port at a reasonable price. This culinary ryokan overlooks Shibayama Bay from halfway up the mountain, and is conveniently located right in front of JR Shibayama Station. The interior of the hotel has a modern design that combines Japanese taste and Western functionality, and art is displayed everywhere. It's exciting to feel like you're on a treasure hunt! Each of the 18 rooms has a different carved wooden object attached to the key, so look forward to finding out which one it is! The humorous wood carving art is sure to make you laugh.

Shibayama crab's full course starts with sashimi, crab shabu, crab chiri, steamed crab, grilled crab, crab miso, and ends with rice porridge, so it's truly all about crab. Among these, the grilled crab, which is grilled in Arita's Horaku (unglazed pot), is a specialty of the inn. They are baked all at once over a special high heat and then covered with a heavy lid to apply pressure, sealing in the flavor. Before the Shibayama crab fishing season is lifted, there is also a Kasumi crab plan, so if you are a crab lover, why not stay twice and compare the foods?

There are 18 rooms in total, including Japanese-style rooms (bed types and futon sleeping types) and Western-style rooms. Some rooms have a semi-open-air bath or an open-air bath, and in the ``Tsukiangko-no-ma'' room, you can spend a luxurious time enjoying the ocean scenery while taking a bath made of ceramic. It feels good to open the windows and feel the breeze while taking a bath. In the winter, a kotatsu will be provided in the room with a low table, so please enjoy a warm and relaxing time under the kotatsu.

San'in may seem far away from Tokyo, but if you take a flight from Haneda, you can reach Tottori in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Tottori is the crab kingdom with the highest amount of crabs landed in Japan. Matsuba crab from the Sea of Japan, which can be caught in the fall and winter, is of the highest quality in taste and size.

``Itsukiboshi'' is a brand of crab that has been carefully selected from Matsuba crabs grown in Tottori that have the best size, weight, and shape. The taste is light but has a strong sweetness and is elegant. The carapace size must be 13.5 cm or more, the body must be well-filled and well-shaped, and all legs must be in place.

"ryokan Ohashi" is a onsen ryokan located in Misasa onsen, about 30 minutes by car from JR Kurayoshi Station. Since its establishment in 1933, ryokan, which has been built for approximately 120 meters across the Mitoku River, is truly the essence of Japanese architecture. The ``main building, annex, west annex, large hall, and Taikobashi'' are national tangible cultural properties. Enjoy the highest quality Matsuba crab from the Sea of Japan at a stately inn.

The recommendation for fall and winter is, of course, Matsuba crab! You can enjoy Matsuba crab in all sorts of dishes, including crab sashimi, crab shabu, and grilled crab. The crab miso is also sweet and plentiful. You can fully enjoy the king of crabs, Matsuba crab. There are also grilled Wagyu beef from Tottori and local fish caught in nearby waters, so you can enjoy the flavors of the San'in region.

This onsen has its own source. It is a valuable onsen with 3 of the 5 in-house hot springs gushing out naturally. The famous Gankutsu no Yu is a thorium spring (containing radon 220) and radium spring (containing radon 222). Soak in a luxurious open-air bath made from the source that originally gushed out from the Mitokugawa River.

Yukibo Hakusen is a long-established ryokan that has been in business for over 60 years and is located in onsen Onsen, about a 15-minute drive from JR Yonago Station. All rooms have an ocean view, and some have a Jacuzzi bath with a panoramic view or an open-air bath. Enjoy the beautiful skin bath and Matsuba crab while admiring the spectacular view of the Sea of Japan!

The recommended Matsuba crab for fall and winter is a branded crab that comes with a tag that shows the fishing port where it was landed. Enjoy the lively Matsuba crab from the Sea of Japan to your heart's content with grilled crab, boiled crab, or crab sukiyaki. Some plans allow you to have dinner served in your in-room dining, so you can take your time and enjoy the meal.

onsen is onsen that wells up from the sea of the Sea of Japan. Hot water for beautiful skin that contains a lot of salt and minerals and has a natural thalassotherapy effect. There is also an aroma steam sauna in the women's large public bath, so you can completely relax from the inside out.

Shimane is accessible from Tokyo in about 1 hour and 30 minutes by plane. Shimane has its own crab fishing method called ``crab pot fishing,'' which allows crabs to be landed clean and without damaging them. Matsuba crab in autumn and winter is famous for its high quality.

"Oki pine needle crab" is a pine needle crab caught in the waters near the Oki Islands. Since it is caught by "crab basket fishing", which is a unique fishing method of Shimane, the crab is stress-free and tastes good, and the freshness and shape are excellent. "Oki Matsuba Crab" has a blue tag and is a luxury brand crab from Shimane.

onsen is a onsen inn located in Tamatsukuri Onsen, about 10 minutes by car from JR onsen Onsen Station. A long-established ryokan with over 300 years of history. The inside of the building is decorated with seasonal flowers and is very gorgeous. Women can borrow colored yukata for free, so how about taking a walk in onsen town?

The recommendation for autumn and winter is the crab course that uses plenty of Rikiji Matsuba. You can thoroughly enjoy the sweet meat and crab miso. Fill your stomach with freshly prepared crab dishes in the open kitchen meal area.

This onsen is a weakly alkaline natural onsen with beautiful skin. There are two large public baths, and the large public bath "Orihime" is made entirely of cypress, even the bottom of the bath. “Hikoboshi” has a black granite bath. Put it in both by switching men and women. You can enjoy the moist feeling of your skin after getting out of the bath.

"ryokan Nushiya" is a onsen onsen ryokan located in Arifuku Onsen, about 20 minutes by car from JR Gotsu Station. This is a long-established ryokan that has been in business for about 250 years, and has a total of 9 rooms, including Japanese and Western rooms, as well as detached houses that were moved from old folk houses, all located on a 3,000 tsubo site. Enjoy Matsuba crab at onsen called ``San'in Ikaho'' due to its tranquil atmosphere.

Recommended for fall and winter is the specially selected Matsuba crab from the Sea of Japan. If you grill the flaky crab meat and eat it with rich crab miso, your mouth will be full of crabs♡ In addition to boiled crabs and crab sukiyaki, you can also enjoy plenty of local seafood such as the local fish "Nodoguro".

onsen is famous as a hot spring for beauty. The colorless and odorless simple alkaline hot spring is one of the best hot springs in Japan. There are a large public bath, an open-air bath, and two private open-air baths, filled with natural onsen that have continued to flow for 1,300 years. Let's relax and heal the fatigue of the whole body.

Saga can be reached in as little as two hours by plane from Haneda, Tokyo. It may be difficult to imagine "Kani from Kyushu," but there is a type of blue crab called "Takezaki crab." Takezaki crab can be caught all year round, but it tastes best in the fall and winter. Let's enjoy crab in Kyushu♪

"Takezaki crab" is a type of crab that is caught mainly off the coast of Takezaki, Tara Town Saga. The large ones are over 25 centimeters long, and are characterized by their sweet flesh and rich crab miso. The season for Takezaki crab is different for males and females, and it is said that males are sweeter in the fall, while females are sweeter in the winter.

Kaijokan is approximately 5 minutes by car from JR Hizen-Oura Station. This is an inn with an outstanding view of the Ariake Sea. There are guest rooms with open-air baths with spectacular views of the ocean, and regular guest rooms with ocean views, in an environment rich in nature surrounded by the Ariake Sea and Mt. Taradake. Enjoy Takezaki crab from the Ariake Sea to your heart's content.

It is a seasonal seafood kaiseki course centered on "Takezaki crab". The menu includes boiled crab, grilled crab, crab sashimi, crab tempura, and fried crab. The owner of the inn was originally a seafood broker, so the really delicious Takezaki crab is carefully selected.

Both the indoor and outdoor hot onsen have ocean views. You can enjoy a relaxing view of the Ariake Sea right in front of you. If you value privacy, we recommend the six guest rooms with open-air baths on the second floor. From the open-air bath on the terrace, you can experience a spectacular view of only the sea and sky.

Even if you just say crab, the taste is completely different depending on the type, production area, and season. Crabs from the Sea of Japan are juicy and juicy as they emerge from the cold water. Why don't you enjoy the delicious crab gourmet along with the gentle feeling of traveling in western Japan in autumn and winter?