The Kasaoka Islands (Kasaoka-shoto) in the scenic Kasaoka City, Okayama, consist of seven inhabited islands.
Among them, the closest island to the mainland is Takashima (Takashima).
On the historically rich Takashima, where the legend of Jinmu's Eastern Expedition remains, Takeda Suisan Co., Ltd. (Takeda Suisan) engages in the fishing and accommodation industries.
We spoke with the representative, Takeda Kohei (Takedakouhei), about the reality and future of the "sea" in Kasaoka City, and his passionate thoughts.
The information provided is based on the article published in September 2022. Please note that it may differ from current information.
A glimpse into life on Takashima, just 6 minutes by boat from the mainland!
Takahama, located just a stone's throw from the mainland side of Kasaoka City.
Using the regular ferry from Suiyoshi Port, it takes 26 minutes from there, and just 6 minutes from Kounoshima Sotoura Port.
It's an easily accessible island.
The island's pride is its rich history filled with ancient romance.
You can encounter historical sites related to Emperor Jinmu, such as Kamiyurayama, where he is said to have divined good and bad omens during his eastern expedition, and Manai, where he is believed to have drawn water to offer to the gods.
As of July 31, 2022, the population is 71, according to the basic resident register announced by Kasaoka City.
The actual number of residents living on the island is less than 40, making it a very small island.
Most of the islanders are said to also have homes on the mainland.
Mr. Takeda of Takeda Suisan travels back and forth between his home on the mainland and the island almost every day.
Life on Takashima is free from the morning and evening rush hour.
Life alongside the sea is quietly carried out here on Takashima.
Initiatives of Takeda Suisan
Takeda Suisan, led by young fisherman Takeda Kohei.
Despite the waves of the times, they have always walked alongside the sea of Takashima.
Fishing industry
With 8 years of fishing experience, Mr. Takeda will turn 30 in 2022.
He is the second youngest fisherman on Takashima.
Upon graduating from university, Mr. Takeda began working in the family fishing business as a professional.
Having accompanied his grandfather and father on fishing trips since he was little, he says it was a natural progression to become a fisherman.
A notable feature of the fishing industry in Kasaoka City is its variety of fish species.
While there may not be well-known specialty brands like the oysters from Yorishima or the octopus from Shimotsui, the abundance of fish species reflects the richness of the sea.
A wide variety of seafood caught in the waters near Takashima is shipped to the Kasaoka City Fisheries Cooperative located in the Kounoshima Sotoura area on the mainland.
In Kasaoka City, there are also shipping locations such as Kasaoka Fish Market in the Kasaoka area and Oshima Minohama Fisheries Cooperative in the Oshima Naka area.
Here too, speedy shipping utilizing the unique geographical advantages of Takashima is possible.
The fishing methods currently being employed include mainly fixed net fishing, octopus pot fishing, vertical net fishing, drift net fishing, and nori (seaweed) cultivation.
In particular, octopus pot fishing was first started by Mr. Takeda's grandfather in the Kasaoka Islands.
He is truly the originator!
Additionally, regarding nori cultivation, they received the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award for excellence at the Okayama Prefectural Nori Exhibition in 2021.
We look forward to their future advancements.
Accommodation industry
Alongside the fishing industry, Takeda Suisan also operates an accommodation called Casa Takeda.
Casa Takeda is a completely reservation-based inn that also serves lunch.
Originally, it started as a small inn operated by Mr. Takeda's grandparents in another location on Takashima, which was relocated to its current elevated site and reopened.
The focus during this relocation was on the location.
The white building towering on a small hill at the tip of the northwest cape resembles a medieval mansion.
As you enter Takashima's port from the south by boat, the sight of this cape and building as you navigate around it is breathtaking.
Once you climb the hill, you are greeted with an ocean view of breathtaking scenery!
The landscape opens up to the east and west around the inn, showing completely different expressions of the same sea, one side being a bay and the other the open sea.
It is a luxury to be able to enjoy the morning sun rising over the island village and the evening sun setting far away in Tomonoura.
Notably, there is a white sand beach that can be reached by descending the slope on the west side.
During low tide, you can walk along the cape to the eastern village, while during high tide, the corridor is blocked, turning it into a private beach of Casa Takeda.
Equally impressive is the delicious cuisine that makes abundant use of Takashima's seafood! Mr. Takeda proudly states.
Led by the head chef, Mr. Takeda's family and the island's women manage the kitchen.
The head chef, who was introduced through acquaintances, prepares dishes that bring out the natural goodness of the ingredients with simple seasoning.
The combination of the fresh seafood caught by Mr. Takeda and the staff's skills (love) requires no unnecessary seasonings.
The fundamental philosophy of Casa Takeda is to value each person involved, both customers and employees.
They strive for homely service to create an extraordinary space on the island and help guests refresh themselves.
Mr. Takeda hopes that through Casa Takeda, more people will come to know about Takashima.
His eyes shine with excitement.
New challenges of Takeda Suisan
Embraced by the sea of Takashima, Takeda Suisan continues to take on new challenges.
The keyword is outreach.
Here are some of their innovative initiatives.
Delivery service for fresh fish, dried fish, and dried seaweed
In April 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread globally, they started a seafood delivery service with the desire for people to enjoy fresh seafood from Takashima at home.
In addition to standard fresh fish and seasoned nori, they also offer dried fish and dried hijiki.
The focus is on minimizing the processes from when the product reaches the customer to when it is consumed.
For example, with fresh fish, to improve the taste by reducing stress, they first let the caught fish swim in a tank or live well.
After that, they bleed and process the scales and internal organs before packing and shipping.
For dried fish, while it is usually "opened," Takeda Suisan fillets and dries it.
This is done to make it as easy to eat as possible.
Cooking fish is often avoided in general households due to "hassle," "smell," and "mess in the kitchen."
Many people may only eat pre-packaged sashimi sold in supermarkets.
Takeda Suisan's seafood delivery service is a service that aligns with the feelings of customers.
They deliver with recipes for their proud dishes nationwide.
This is a wonderful initiative that reflects the thoughts and personality of the Takeda family.
Exciting live broadcast of octopus pot fishing
As a new initiative in 2022, they held an online tour event called Exciting Live Broadcast of Octopus Pot Fishing.
In collaboration with Fukuyama Service Center Ito Co., Ltd., a local-oriented travel company in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, represented by Ito Tadashi, this event was held a total of 8 times from July to August.
The opportunity arose when Mr. Ito happened to learn about Takeda Suisan while planning a tour product that allows participants to experience fishing, particularly octopus pot fishing, in the Seto Inland Sea, and contacted Mr. Takeda.
Mr. Ito had originally been conducting mini-tours to explore local attractions.
Mr. Takeda resonated with the philosophy of picking up the often-overlooked local values and they hit it off.
Under the concept of understanding the reality of the fishing industry in the Kasaoka Islands, they managed to realize this event.
Specifically, while broadcasting the actual octopus pot fishing via Facebook Live, Mr. Takeda, a local fisherman, shares insights based on his real experiences in the fishing industry.
Participants purchase three octopus pots in advance (becoming owners) and enjoy the catch while learning about the actual conditions on site.
If an octopus is found in the retrieved pot, Mr. Takeda will process it for you! (They can also boil it for an additional fee)
Even if there are no catches, participants receive a delightful service of seasoned nori made by Takeda Suisan.
The fishing industry is a field that is rarely seen or heard about in daily life.
Mr. Takeda's earnest desire to let as many people as possible know about the fishing industry comes through strongly in his words.
We interviewed Mr. Takeda, who harbors a passionate heart.
Takeda Suisan Co., Ltd. (Casa Takeda) Information
| Name | Takeda Suisan Co., Ltd. (Casa Takeda) |
|---|---|
| Location | 5208 Takashima, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 0865-67-6188 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (until 5:00 PM on Sundays and holidays) (inquiry services) |
| Regular Holiday | None |
| Usage Fee (including tax) | ・Accommodation Fee (per person, includes 2 meals, tax included) Adults (middle school students and above) from 12,000 yen, Children (up to elementary school students) from 9,000 yen, Infants (under elementary school age) from 7,000 yen ・Meal Fee (per person, including tax) Lunch A Course 3,300 yen, B Course 5,500 yen Seafood Barbecue A Course 2,200 yen, B Course 3,300 yen ・Activity Fee (total for 10 people, including tax) Fixed Net Fishing Experience 110,000 yen (up to 10 people, includes lunch and souvenirs) Beverage costs are separate, for accommodation during Obon and Golden Week, an additional 2,000 yen, for infants without meals, a facility usage fee of 1,100 yen, cancellation fees apply |
| Payment Method |
|
| Reservation Availability | Available Fully reservation-based (reservations up to 3 days before use), available for 2 or more, fixed net fishing experience only in spring (specific dates vary by year) |
| Website | Casa Takeda |
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