Flying fish are a seasonal feature of Miyazaki’s coastal waters, heralding the arrival of summer. They belong to the family Exocoetidae in the order Beloniformes and inhabit subtropical and temperate seas. They migrate north from warmer southern waters, riding the Kuroshio Current as they approach the coast to spawn.
In Miyazaki, flying fish begin to appear in coastal waters around June. The main fishing areas include Nichinan City and Kushima City. There are 24 species of flying fish found in Japan.
Flying fish are well known in Japan as dried fish, but when exceptionally fresh, they can also be enjoyed as sashimi. Their flesh has a pleasantly firm, springy texture and a gentle sweetness. Since they contain relatively little fat, their flavor is light and delicate. They are also delicious when prepared as teriyaki.
Flying fish are used in a variety of other dishes as well. Their minced flesh can be made into fish dumplings or processed into satsuma-age, a type of deep-fried fish cake. Along the Nichinan Coast, they are also used to make fish udon, a local specialty in which the noodles are made from fish paste.
One of Miyazaki’s distinctive summer traditions is tobiuo-sukui, or catching flying fish with hand nets. At night, people venture out to the sea and use hand nets to catch the fish as they leap and glide over the water’s surface. This lively activity is another seasonal scene associated with summer along the Miyazaki coast.
The season for flying fish in Miyazaki is from June through November. During this period, visitors can enjoy them in a variety of preparations, from sashimi and grilled dishes to local specialties such as fish udon.