Shimada Suisan — Restaurant in Hatsukaichi

LEGIT! Sustainablly Harvested Oysters!!! Like WOW So Good!

So I found Shimada Suisan thanks to recommendations from "2019 Hatsukaichi Oysterlicious Best 8" as well as recommendations from local japanese at Miyajima-Guchi Ferry Station Info Kiosk. It was about a 10-15min walk from the station using my Google Maps. Not hard to find!

I went there because I heard that they serve sustainably harvested oysters..I found out that they not only are an oyster farm but they also run a sort of Oyster Shack if you will. The place looks like it's barely standing from the outside, where you sit on these low small plastic crates over a grill inside a shack like structure. There are actually a two places. One overlooks the harbor from behind, and the main shack is situated closer to where the oysters are washed and cooked etc..But both shack spaces are kind cool. It's definitely a rough looking place "BUT, that is the charm!" Because it forces you to think about oysters the way the farmer does. So you get a more hands on experience between farmer to table the way they would want to do it. This makes the experience very honest and unpretentious...Something of which is everywhere in Japan. So it was a really good break away experience.

Let me say it plain. You need to pay to have the grill table, and you need to pay per Kg of oysters you eat. One Kg is not many, about 8 ? maybe? It really depends on the season. This is the beginning of the oyster season so the oysters are getting big apparently, and they were! Biggest I have seen anywhere! Like seriously how..!

All You Can Eat (60Min) Adults ¥2,200 / Kids 12-Under ¥1000, Yakigaki Oysters 1Kg. ¥1100, Set Meal ¥2000, Fried Oysters Set ¥1000. Other menu items are offered below. They have an English menu. Its a bit different.

You need to grill them yourself. They have instructions so you don't undercook them. And go as a group or a couple...! It's a really good time. You can do "All you can Drink and Eat" as well..Very reasonable! They have a draft beer machine on tap you just go fill up when you beer glass is empty! So easy!

But really what stuck to me was not just the experience it was that the oysters were ridiculously fresh and you can just enjoy the slow life that Japan kind of talks about. I completely got it here. This is how people relax and have a good time. It made me see a different side of Japanese people.

A great place to feel the Seto Island and eat sustainably....

A wonderful oyster hut a little off the beaten track with shaded pontoon dining and a beautiful view of the bay! We stopped here for lunch before heading off to the Miyajima Ferry (about 12 minutes walk) and had some of the biggest and freshest oysters we've ever seen! This place is incredibly affordable too, by far the cheapest oysters we've had in Japan so far.

This is primarily a grill your own seafood place but we also enjoyed the prepared set meals with deep fried oysters, oyster miso soup and other fresh seafood options. The place gives you clear written instructions in English on how to properly grill your oysters if you don't know how. We grilled the oysters over charcoal with garlic butter but you can choose other toppings at the front desk for 50 yen each. All in all, we spent only about 2000 yen per person but ate to our heart's content.

Shimada Suisan is a must visit especially if you're in the area visiting Miyajima. It's a beautiful location and the oysters here are unparalleled!

NB: we had to pick up our cooked set menu items from the front desk ourselves, so don't be afraid to go out front and check...

Una experiencia gastronómica única, divertida y las ostras son muy frescas. Este restaurante de ostras está a diez minutos a pie de la terminal de barcos de Miyajima. Cuando llegué estaba un poco confundido por que se ve como una fábrica de ostras y no encontré el comedor hasta salir al muelle. El lugar parece un poco tosco pero ese es el encanto de asar ostras en el muelle mientras miras el agua y las montañas en el paisaje.

Después de pasar por el estacionamiento, puedes pagar tu orden y conseguir bebidas o salsas mientras estás allí. También, consigues guantes, palillos, cuchillos para ostras y pinzas para servir. Luego, encuentra un asiento en tu mesa con la parrilla, agarra cubeta de ostras y comienza a la parrilla. Cocinarlas por el lado plano por 2 - 3 minutos y voltéalas y cúbrelas de 5 a 6 minutos. Después, puedes usar tus cuchillos para ostras para abrirlas y disfrutarlas con las salsas. Si tuviera la oportunidad de regresar, definitivamente traería algunas de mis propias salsas picantes.

Opté por la opción de comer todo lo que quiera. Acabo de ser consciente del límite de tiempo si elijes esta opción. También pedí un caracol de mar para cocinar a la parrilla.

Pero, realmente también, no te arrepentirás de venir aquí. Nada es mejor que la sensación de cocinar a la parilla ostras frescas locales, con el mar y pintorescas montañas en el fondo. What a unique dining experience - it is fun and the oysters are so fresh! This oyster shack is located 10 minutes away by foot from the Miyajima ferry terminal. When I arrived I was a little confused since it looked like an oyster processing plant and I did not find the dining area until I walked out to the pier. The location looks a bit rough but that is the charm in it as you grill oysters on the pier meanwhile you gaze out to the water and the mountains in the landscape.

After you walk past the parking lot, you can pay for your order, and get any drinks or sauces while you are here. Also, pick up some gloves, chopsticks, oyster knives, and serving tongs. Then, find yourself a seat at your table with the grill, pick up a bucket of oysters and start grilling. Cook them flat side down for 2 - 3 minutes and then flip them over and cover them for 5 to 6 minutes. After, you can use your oyster knife to pry them open and enjoy them with sauces. If I had the opportunity to come back, I would definitely bring some of my own hot sauces.

I opted for the all-you-can-eat option. Just be aware of the time limit if you do choose this option. I also got a sea snail to grill.

But, really - you will not regret coming here. Nothing beats the feeling of grilling fresh sustainably harvested local oysters, the sea, and the picturesque mountains in...