🍱 Atama ryori

Located in the southwestern part of Oita Prefecture, Taketa City is surrounded by the Kujyu mountain range, the outer rim of Aso, and the foot of Mt. After the Shiga clan entered Oka Castle in the Warring States Period, the Nakagawa clan moved to the area around the time of the unification of Japan by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. After the castle town was built in Takeda Village, the city developed with a focus on commerce. Although much of the scenery of the old days was eventually lost during the Sounan War, the city center still retains some of its old features, such as the samurai residences. During the Edo period (1603-1867), when the transportation infrastructure was not well-developed, people in this inland area, far from the sea, had few opportunities to eat sea fish, and fresh seafood was rarely consumed. In order to use rare fish and shellfish without wasting them, the "head dish" was invented. The head is used in a wide variety of dishes, including the gills, jaw, and entrails, as well as the meat of the fish. The ingredients used in "head dishes" include not only the meat of the fish, but also the gills, jaw, and entrails, leaving only the head. These are then quickly blanched in hot water and served on a platter. The ingredients used include ara, kue, nibe, grouper, and other large fish. The large fish are used in their entirety and enjoyed with family and guests.