When it comes to winter treats, oysters are hard to beat.
No matter how much you love oysters, making several different oyster dishes at home all at once can be a lot of work.
Have you ever wished you could enjoy a variety of dishes in a special setting?
And what if you could enjoy oysters all year round, not just in winter?
“Oyster Hut - Kagari-bi -” (Kagaribi), which opened in Mizushima, Kurashiki City, in July 2024, is an izakaya that makes those wishes come true. Another major draw is that you can enjoy “Kitaki Oysters,” a rare variety of oysters from Okayama Prefecture approved for raw consumption.
We explored the many oyster dishes you can only taste here, and the thoughts the owner put into this restaurant.
The information presented was current when this article was published in February 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
An izakaya to enjoy with family, friends, or on your own
“Oyster Hut - Kagari-bi -” is a 10-minute walk from Sakae Station on the Mizushima Rinkai Railway. It is in a residential neighborhood, just beyond the busy district in front of the station.
Mizushima Central Park is nearby, and the area has a peaceful atmosphere, a little removed from the bustle of town.
There is a deck seating area outdoors, giving it the feel of an “oyster hut.” It looks like a great place to get into the barbecue spirit.
Inside, the space feels clean and comfortable, as the restaurant was renovated in July 2024, including its interior.
The restaurant has tables for two to four people, counter seats that are comfortable for solo diners, and private rooms that can accommodate up to eight.
Families are also very welcome. High chairs for children are available, and you can bring a stroller inside.
Enjoy a variety of oysters, with “Kitaki Oysters” at the heart of the menu
“Oyster Hut - Kagari-bi -” is open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and from midnight to 3 a.m. From 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., you can enjoy a variety of dishes, with oysters taking center stage.
Udon dishes are also available from midnight to 3 a.m. The restaurant is apparently popular with people finishing work late at night.
In addition to the drinks on the menu, you can also enjoy sake.
The prices are reasonable, too.
The “Mizushima Highball” is apparently twice as strong as a regular highball. An all-you-can-drink option is also available by reservation.
Here are some recommendations from the menu available from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Raw oysters
One of the distinctive features of “Oyster Hut - Kagari-bi -” is that it serves rare raw oysters from Okayama Prefecture.
They serve “Kitaki Oysters,” sourced from Yuwa Fisheries on Kitagi-shima Island.
They are small, with a rich, concentrated flavor.
There was no fishy smell, and a melt-in-your-mouth umami flavor spread across the palate.
“Kitaki Oysters” are grown in the waters around Kitagi-shima Island. They are a leading oyster brand from the Seto Inland Sea, and the first in Okayama Prefecture to be approved for sale as raw, in-shell oysters.
There are no major river mouths nearby, making this one of the cleanest areas of the Seto Inland Sea. Plankton is abundant, creating an ideal environment for oysters to grow.
Raw oysters are available all year round, not just in winter.
Oysters are generally in season for eating raw from November to April. During the rest of the year, frozen oysters intended for cooking are available on the market.
However, Yuwa Fisheries on Kitagi-shima Island, the producer of “Kitaki Oysters,” has conducted its own research and adopted a special freezing technology (DENBA+) that preserves freshness.
As a result, you can enjoy the delicious flavor of freshly harvested oysters all year round.
You might think that freezing would affect the flavor, but “Kitaki Oysters” won the top prize, the Grand Prix, in the frozen and chilled products category at Gulfood, a food and beverage trade show held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in February 2024.
You could say their flavor has earned the world’s seal of approval.
Seafood steamed in a can
Seafood steamed in a can is made by packing fresh seafood into a tin can and steaming it directly over a flame.
You can choose either “oysters only” or the “everything” option, which also includes shrimp, clams, scallops, and octopus.
During peak oyster season, they often use oysters from places other than Kitagi-shima Island, such as Yorishima and Hinase.
These were Yorishima oysters. They’re plump and delicious.
Large Oyster Fritters
Regular oyster fritters are made with a single oyster, but the large oyster fritters at “Kaki Goya - Ryo -” are different.
They’re made by combining many oysters into a ball and deep-frying it, which makes them large.
There are lots of oysters inside the fritter.
The generous amount of oysters pairs perfectly with the crispy coating and tartar sauce.
This hearty original dish is appealing for its boldness.
Winter-Only Hot Pot Dishes
Oyster hot pot dishes are available only in winter and are highly recommended.
This is the “chige hot pot.”
The plump texture of the oysters is irresistible.
The oysters’ rich flavor infuses the soup, which has a pleasant spiciness, and goes wonderfully with the vegetables.
Perfect for cold weather, this deeply flavorful dish warms both body and soul.
Salmon Cutlet with Salmon Roe and Tartar Sauce
The seafood menu is extensive, with dishes such as simmered baby squid with eggs and octopus kimchi, as well as options beyond oysters.
We ordered the generously portioned salmon cutlet topped with salmon roe and tartar sauce, which is said to be especially popular.
Crispy on the outside and fluffy and juicy inside. The popping texture of the salmon roe is fun, too, making this a recommended dish.
Grilled Seafood
True to its name, “Oyster Hut,” the restaurant’s table seating comes equipped with grills.
You can grill seafood yourself and enjoy it.
We were too full to manage oysters, but grilled shishamo instead and were satisfied. Fresh off the grill, it really is delicious.
Of course, you can also grill oysters, clams, shrimp, turban shells, and Japanese flying squid.
“What should we eat?” “What should we grill next?” It’s sure to get the conversation going.
We spoke with the owner of “Oyster Hut - Ryo -”
We spoke with owner Shiraga Kotaro of “Oyster Hut - Ryo -.”
What led you to open the restaurant?
Shiraga (honorific omitted)
I originally worked in a different industry, but I wanted to open a restaurant in Mizushima, where I was born and raised. However, just as I was considering starting the business, the COVID-19 pandemic began.
I couldn’t bring myself to take the plunge for several years, but finally opened in July 2024.
Why did you decide to present it as an oyster hut?
Shiraga
I wanted to run a pub that specialized in something rather than a regular izakaya. I considered opening a yakiniku restaurant, but there are already many in Mizushima.
While I was thinking about what to do, I met an oyster farmer.
What’s more, I learned that these oysters, which are unusual in Okayama Prefecture in that they can be eaten raw, can be enjoyed year-round thanks to a special freezing technique. I knew this was it. That’s how we came to source “Kitaki Kaki” oysters from Yuwa Suisan on Kitagi-shima Island.
These rare oysters for raw consumption are raised in the beautiful waters of Kitagi-shima Island. They’re small, but packed with flavor, with no fishy smell and a melt-in-your-mouth taste.
They’re highly regarded around the world, but are still not well known in Okayama Prefecture. Since they can be enjoyed year-round, I want more people to know about them.
What makes your restaurant special?
Shiraga
We don’t just serve oysters grilled simply; we offer a variety of dishes in the style of an izakaya.
It’s difficult for a household to prepare many different dishes at once. The same oyster has a different flavor and texture depending on how it’s cooked, so I hope people will enjoy those differences.
We’ve been open for about six months, and we went through a lot of trial and error with the menu. We’ve finally settled on our main menu.
I think the flavors of each dish are evolving day by day. New menu items may also appear in the future, so I hope you’ll enjoy those changes too.
What kind of restaurant would you like it to become in the future?
Shirakami
The restaurant’s name, “Kagaribi,” refers to a fire lit for fishing or night watch, and means “burning continuously.”
We chose the name because we hope this restaurant, too, will be loved by local people and oyster lovers, and remain a presence that keeps burning brightly.
The restaurant is a little way from the downtown area, so I think it’s easy for families with children to visit.
Families and friends can gather around oysters and enjoy all kinds of conversation. And even on your own, you can relax and savor oysters with a variety of flavors.
We want to make this a place where everyone can feel comfortable.
From the Writer
I love oysters, but I had no idea until now that oysters for eating raw are produced in Okayama Prefecture.
This is a must-visit for oyster lovers, serving a variety of oyster dishes year-round, including Kitaki Oysters, a rare variety of oysters for eating raw in Okayama Prefecture. The restaurant offers a range of seating, from counter seats to private rooms, making it a great place to enjoy whether you’re dining alone or with a group.
It’s also nice that the drinks are reasonably priced.
If you’d like to try a variety of oyster dishes or enjoy delicious oysters outside of winter, be sure to visit.
I’d love to go back and enjoy my fill of oyster dishes.
Kaki-goya Ryo Information
| Name | Kaki-goya Ryo |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-50 Minamiyukicho, Matsuda Building 1F, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 080-8249-0888 |
| Parking | Available 2 spaces. Coin parking is available nearby. |
| Hours | 6:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m. Midnight–3:00 a.m. |
| Closed | Monday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted All-you-can-drink plans require advance reservations. Reservations are accepted by phone or Instagram DM. |
| Seating | Approximately 30 seats in total 1 private room (8 people) 4 tables (4 people each) Counter seats 2 terrace tables (4 people each) |
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking permitted only in designated areas) |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Families with children | Strollers allowed Children’s chairs available |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
| Website | Kaki-goya Ryo Instagram |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a word to search articles on this site
