Oyster Barbecue Hut in Itoshima

Itoshima oyster growing up in the rich nature of mountain and sea Itoshima oyster features

mellow and sweet taste. There are many Oyster Barbecue Huts at five fishing harbours.

The huts only open during the season, from end of October to March or April.

The huts are simple in construction; just big vinyl tents filled with a few dozen tables, each with

their own grill. You can get oysters, sazae (sea snails), prawns, fish and other seafood, fresh as

fresh can be, by the crate. The hut provides the grill, tongs, cotton gloves, and other tools for you

try your hand at grilling your own seafood.

Cooking them right can be tricky, but learning is part of the fun. For oysters, try putting the flat side

down first, flip after awhile, and wait for them to open from the heat. Take them off the grill—gloves

on of course—and open them the rest of the way with the provided knife. Add a touch of shoyu

(soy sauce), ponzu (a tangy citrus-based sauce), lemon juice, or mayonnaise if you like and they’re

ready to eat. If you’re unsure how to cook things, just look around at what the other tables are doing

or wave over the helpful kakigoya staff.