🍱 Inago-no-tsukudani (Locust cooked in soy sauce)
The Ina Valley in the southern part of Nagano Prefecture has a long-standing culture of eating insects, including locusts, bee larvae, cicadas, and grasshoppers. The consumption of such insects has been a tradition in the region, serving as a source of animal protein, especially in areas with limited access to seafood like mountainous regions such as Gunma Prefecture. During times of food shortages, such as during and after the war, locusts were eaten to fulfill nutritional needs and sustain life. Larvae of insects like the Asian giant hornet, known as "hachi-no-ko" in Japanese, are widely consumed in various dishes such as mixed rice and sweet simmered dishes. In Nagano Prefecture, a traditional method called "hachi-oi" involves luring hornets with bait attached to a red string, which helps locate their nests in the forest. While the number of locusts has decreased compared to the past, and changes in lifestyle and dietary habits have led to fewer households preparing them, the culture of insect consumption still persists in the Ina Valley.