When people think of delicious crab, Hokkaido often comes to mind—but did you know that Kyoto is also home to a rare and highly prized delicacy known as the “phantom crab”?
Starting November 6, when the crab fishing season opens, the nearby waters off the coast of Kyoto yield the legendary “Taiza Crab,” a premium variety of snow crab (zuwai-gai) often referred to as the “phantom snow crab.”
Taiza Crab is celebrated for its firm, springy texture, natural sweetness that spreads across the palate, and a delicate aroma of the sea—flavors that can only be experienced with this exceptional crab.
In this article, we’ll introduce some exquisite hot spring inns where you can savor this rare delicacy.
“Taiza Crab” is one of Kyoto’s most prestigious premium crab brands.
Because it is landed by only five boats, its rarity has earned it the nickname “phantom crab.”
The fishing season runs for just five winter months, beginning on November 6.
After landing, each crab is subjected to around 50 strict inspection criteria—including size, meat content, and the absence of damage. Only those that pass every check are certified as “Taiza Crab.”
The waters off this region are rich in plankton, so Taiza crabs grow larger and have denser meat than those from other areas. Their flesh is exceptionally sweet, delicate, and full of rich umami. Whether enjoyed raw as sashimi, lightly cooked in shabu-shabu to highlight its melt-in-the-mouth texture and sweetness, or grilled to bring out a refined aroma of the sea with a hint of smokiness, the flavor is truly exceptional.
While Taiza crab is primarily served in the Kyotango area near Taiza Port, did you know you can also enjoy a full Taiza crab course in the Amanohashidate area?
Here, a number of luxury inns offer exquisite full-course Taiza crab dining experiences.
An exquisite inn where you can fully savor the rich flavor of Taiza crab
At Amanohashidate Rikyu Hoshine and Auberge Villa SOSO, you can enjoy exquisite creative cuisine crafted by top-class chefs.
If you’re looking to spend a truly special time with someone important, these are the perfect places to visit.
Hoshinooto Amanohashidate — A sophisticated retreat for adults featuring private dining
As its name “Rikyu” (Detached Palace) suggests, Hoshinooto is a top-class luxury resort ryokan that delivers the finest in every aspect — dining, hot springs, and accommodations.
With only seven groups per day, each suite is equipped with a private pool (heated) and two types of natural hot springs. Guests can bathe as often as they like, enjoying the open-air bath with “Gold Onsen” and the indoor bath with “Silver Onsen” in complete privacy.
The property features a single special suite “Sora (Sky)”, two premium rooms “Hoshi (Star)” and “Oto (Sound)”, and four standard rooms “Migiwa (Water’s Edge), Umi (Sea), Iro (Color), and Nagisa (Shoreline)”.
All rooms are beautifully furnished with carefully selected high-end furniture, creating a sophisticated atmosphere where traditional Japanese architecture meets contemporary urban design.
At Hoshinooto, meals are served at the on-site dining “Kaon”, where guests can admire the live Taiza crabs swimming in the restaurant’s special tank. These rare and valuable crabs are prepared right before your eyes and served using the most delicious cooking methods, offering an exceptional gourmet experience that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Hoshinooto and Toriyone won the Grand Prix at “KYOTO GASTRONOMY 2024”!
Hoshinooto and Kyoto’s long-established restaurant Torikome won the Grand Prix at “KYOTO GASTRONOMY 2024.”
“KYOTO GASTRONOMY” is an initiative that aims to rediscover culinary treasures scattered across various regions of Kyoto Prefecture and develop new gastronomic tourism experiences while raising their profile.
On December 21, 2024, a premium course tasting event for KYOTO GASTRONOMY was held at Hoshinooto Amanohashidate. Later, on February 8, 2025, the “KYOTO GASTRONOMY AWARD 2024” took place to determine the Grand Prix winner among five culinary regions of Kyoto.
At this prestigious event, Chef Masashi Ueda of Hoshinooto teamed up with Yoshinori Tanaka, the sixth-generation owner of the long-established Kyoto restaurant Torikome, to represent the “Sea of Kyoto” area. Their collaborative dish — “Snow Crab from Taiza and Tilefish Wrapped in Fresh Yuba” — was awarded the Grand Prix, the highest honor of the competition.
The judges praised it highly, saying, “In winter, Kyoto by the sea has an unfair advantage. With crab and tilefish, there’s no way it wouldn’t be delicious—but this menu is something that could only have been born through collaboration.”
At Hoshinooto, you can savor a full course of Taiza crab crafted by the renowned chef Masashi Ueda. It’s a rare opportunity to experience the finest brand crab in Japan—often called the best in the country—together with the exceptional skills of a top chef.
An indulgence like no other—come and experience it for yourself.
| Hoshinooto Amanohashidate Address: 2686 Hioki, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture TEL: 0772-27-1101 (Reception hours: 9:00–18:00) Email: yoyaku@hoshino-oto.jp Website : https://en.hoshino-oto.com/ |
【Auberge Villa SOSO】A Family-Friendly Auberge
The “Auberge Villa SOSO” is highly recommended for families with small children or for those traveling with multiple generations.
Here, you can enjoy the luxury of two different types of natural hot springs — Golden Onsen and Silver Onsen — all within your own private space. On top of that, a chef from Hoshinooto personally comes to SOSO to prepare and serve exquisite dishes in the villa’s private dining area, allowing you to enjoy meals together in complete privacy and comfort.
It’s the perfect choice for those who’ve always wanted to visit a fine restaurant or refined ryokan but have hesitated because of their surroundings, or for anyone looking to treat their parents to a special retirement or milestone celebration trip.
While taking in the soothing beauty of the ocean view and the elegant pine trees spreading out before the counter, indulge in a one-of-a-kind crab cuisine experience that’s yours alone.
| Auberge Villa SOSO Address: 2686 Hioki, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture Check-in Location: Hoshinooto Amanohashidate Rikyu TEL: 0772-27-1101 (Reception Hours: 9:00 – 18:00) Website: https://www.auberge-soso.com/ |
Summary
This time, we introduced the allure of Kyoto’s legendary “Taiza Crab” (Maizuru Taiza Crab) and the inns where you can savor it.
Taiza Crab is so rare that even many locals have never had the chance to try it, yet its exquisite flavor is second to none.
Plans that feature Taiza Crab are among the most popular, with many repeat guests. Reservations are already starting to fill up soon after bookings open. Stays from early November are now available, so don’t miss this special opportunity to experience it for yourself.
