One of my joys in traveling is to eat local foods. When I visit Nara prefecture in Japan, I love to eat Kakinoha-sushi (Sushi wrapped with persimmon leaves).
Nara prefecture was the old capital of Japan, which flourished around the 8th century. Even today, old temples and Shinto shrines remain as they were in the past, and there are hundreds of deer leisurely walking in the parks. In contrast to gorgeous Kyoto(another old capital close to Nara), Nara’s charm lies in its calm, relaxed, and rural atmosphere. It attracted me more than 10 times!
Kakinoha-sushi (Sushi wrapped with persimmon leaves) dates back to the Edo period, around 200 years ago. As Nara was far from the sea, salted mackerel, brought by boat, was very valuable.
People cut salted mackerel into thin slices, placed them on top of the vinegared rice bowl, then wrapped them with persimmon leaves(Kakinoha) that grow abundantly in the mountains nearby. They were packed in a wooden bucket, weighed down, and left to rest overnight.
Umami(the tasty flavor) of salted mackerel blended with the vinegared rice and began to mature. Since persimmon leaves had a sterilizing effect, Kakinoha-sushi could be preserved for up to three days.
Kakinoha-sushi used to be a feast eaten at local summer festivals and family gatherings, and also a “mother’s taste” prepared by mothers waiting for their children to return home.
Thankfully, nowadays it is available all year round, and in addition to mackerel, there are also varieties of salmon and sea bream.
On my trip to Nara, as soon as I get off the train at Nara Station, the first thing I always do is head for a restaurant named “Kakinoha-sushi Tanaka”.
I place a piece of Kakinoha-sushi on my hand and slowly open the persimmon leaf. The aroma of the persimmon leaf starts to drift in the air, which is so amazing! Then, I take a bite of it and enjoy the marriage of the vinegared rice and mackerel in my mouth.
Oh, it’s so good!
Quickly I eat up several pieces.
On one occasion, I rented a bicycle and enjoyed take-out Kakinoha-sushi on a park bench. Kakinoha-sushi is easy to eat outside without chopsticks or plates. It tastes even more delicious when eaten outside under the sun.
Oh! Kakinoha-sushi! As I write this, I feel like eating it again!
Here is a list of famous shops that sell Kakinoha-sushi.
There are more shops in Nara. Please take the opportunity to discover your favorite sushi during your visit!
My name is Mari. I am a native Japanese living in Japan. I am writing about 365 stories of Japanese daily life and culture etc. based on my own experiences and perspectives.
#003 story is about Kakinoha-sushi (Sushi wrapped with persimmon leaves).