Two foodie events were held on Sado Island on Sunday 9 February.

I mainly check the PRIMO SADO website for information on events in Sado Island, but I found two major events batting in the column for Sunday 9 February. I was a little confused.

PRIMO SADO Homepage: http://www.primosado.jp/event/event_default.htm

And both are held at almost the same time. Should we give up on one of these...

But since I'm here, I decided to go both ways.

To the Port of Tada 'Massaki Food Camp'.

The first stop was the 'Massaki Food Festival' at the Port of Tada.

My home is on the Kuninaka Plain, so there are two routes to get to Tada: over the mountains via Niibo or along the coast via Ryotsu. Considering the snow that had fallen the day before, I thought the mountain road would be a bit dangerous and decided to go along the sea.

However, they seemed to have taken a wrong turn on the way and eventually changed to a route over the mountain from Niibo. But the snow on the road surface was well cleared, so there was no need to worry.

After crossing the pass and continuing downhill, you arrive at the port of Tada.

The 'Massaki Shokudo no Jin' is being held at a gate ball field inside Tada Harbour. I recognised it as soon as I saw the roof of a large archway on my right as I entered the harbour.

As they approached the venue, they heard the sound of drums. It was the sound of drumming and dancing being performed on a stage at the back of the venue. In the centre of the venue, there were many tables and chairs for visitors to sit and eat. Surrounding them was a sales area.

Codfish sashimi on kelp, soba noodles with pheasant meat, black (squid smelt) kata yakisoba, gyoza and yakitori are on sale. Cod soup is free of charge!

I'll have some right away.

鱈汁

Free cod soup is made with miso.

Kombu-majime cod (left); pickled cod covered with cod roe (right).

The kelp-snapped one is served with wasabi and soy sauce. The texture of raw cod is like sea bream. Thickly sliced but still light.

You will want a drink in the morning.

Soba noodles with pheasant meat

This is soba with pheasant meat. The pheasant meat had no odour and was low in fat.

If they don't tell you it's pheasant meat, it looks like chicken meat or chicken breast.

会場の一角には足湯も！

Cold winter. Even covered venues can be cold. This kind of service is appreciated.

Having eaten the desired cod sashimi and seen it all, it was time to move on to the next destination.

To Ryotsu Port 'Kamo Lake Oyster Festival'.

This time, drive along the seaside road all the way to Ryotsu Port.

The venue is the Ondeko Dome, close to Ryotsu Port. The atmosphere is somewhat similar to the gateball field at Tada Port, where we were just a few minutes ago.

Enter the venue and buy an 'oyster doteyaki' ticket at the entrance.

Line up at the counter at the far right and wait for the oysters to be cooked. I've just eaten a lot, but I can't help but drool.

The oysters you've been waiting for! Five oysters for ¥500 a plate. Tantalise your taste buds with freshly grilled oysters.

Again, there was a stage at the back of the hall where hula dancers and bands were performing.

There is also a sake corner, where nigori sake from Sado's brewery, Hokusetsu Shuzo, was available for free.

I really wanted to try the oyster rice, but it was sold out while I was waiting in line. Too bad...

This Lake Kamo Oyster Festival had been cancelled since 2009 due to red tide plankton outbreaks. This year the festival was held for the first time in five years. This year we were very happy to be able to enjoy the taste of winter on Sado Island.

Comparing foodie events.

Now, since similar events were batting around this time, I was able to go to both and compare the two.

Despite the difference in that the main attraction at the 'Massaki Food Festival' was cod and the 'Lake Kamo Oyster Festival' was oysters, they both had very similar atmospheres.

The commonalities are briefly described below,

• This takes place under a domed roof.
• Colourful flags of fishermen hang from the ceiling.
• There is a stage at the back of the hall where songs and dances are performed.
• They are held near fishing ports.

I guess that's what it is like.

'The Massaki Food Camp'.

This is the Lake Kamo Oyster Festival.

Both events are held only once a year. If they are going to be held on the same day anyway, I wish they would be held in the same place... just kidding. However, I would be very happy if they would make the oysters all-you-can-eat.

But I wonder if there is an agenda behind holding the events on the same day... Let's not pry too much into the backstory.

In any case, both events are a great opportunity to taste a lot of fresh seafood from Sado Island. We hope you will visit and enjoy the gastronomic delights of Sado Island.

Events

first meal (including meat or fish) taken after a period of abstinence

• Holding period: early February every year.
• Time: 10:00 to 14:00
• Venue: Tada Fishing Port
• Inquiries: Matsumonkai Affairs Bureau
• ℡: 0259-67-2333

Lake Kamo Oyster Festival

• Opening: Mid-February
• Time: 11:00-14:00
• Venue: Ondeko Dome Free admission.
• Asked by: Kamau Lake Fisheries Co-operative Group
• ℡: 0259-27-5167