Rest Stop Mizuho [Ohnan-cho, Ohchi]

Take home Kakuzushi, a local dish, from the rest stop hosting a farmers’ market

“Rest Stop Mizuho” is located about a 10-minute drive along the national road from the border of Hiroshima Prefecture. It is the gateway between Hiroshima and Shimane prefectures and is a popular rest stop for the local fresh vegetable market that opens every morning.

Miwa Ishihara stopped here to try “Kakuzushi,” which was also designated as a cultural asset. Kakuzushi is a sushi made with colorful ingredients on top of vinegared rice in a square box. It is one of the local dishes handed down from generation to generation in many places in Shimane, although the name differs slightly depending on the region, such as “Oshizushi” or “Hakozushi.”

When Miwa visited after 12 o’clock, the Kakuzushi was already almost sold out. She decided to buy some of the last remaining boxes as souvenirs.

The Kakuzushi was beautifully and vividly decorated, like a painting made with boiled wild vegetables, cherry blossom-colored and finely shredded fish, thin omelet cut into strips, and petals.

“It's interesting to have character in the design created by the people who make it. It's colorful and looks like art.”

“Many people from Hiroshima come to this rest stop and we sell lots of Kakuzushi. The sushi chefs compete with each other to make their sushi catch the customer’s eye, and the presentation of their sushi becomes more and more colorful,” said Yukie Hidaka, who sells her own Kakuzushi every morning at this rest stop. She has been making and selling Kakuzushi for 15 years.

She continued, “In the old days, oinari-san (fried and simmered tofu stuffed with vinegared rice) and Kakuzushi were small treats for celebrations such as Hinamatsuri (girl’s day) and weddings.”

The local dish made to celebrate special occasions has gradually changed over time, but has become loved and established as a local specialty. This is reminiscent of Iwami Kagura.