While Hakone is known primarily for its hot spring resorts, several world-class museums and gorgeous views of Mount Fuji, we’d like to offer a lesser known reason for you to go: the Kamaboko Museum. It also shares its campus with Hakone Beer, a rather good craft brewery.
Kamaboko, or “fish cakes”, are served with a variety of Japanese foods, from cheap bento to expensive kaiseki (multi-course) dinners. But how interesting could a museum about fish cakes possibly be? Very. The museum is fun, family-friendly, attractive, immersive and educational. It has exhibits detailing aspects of its centuries-old production history, but the main attraction, perhaps, is the workshop it offers for making kamaboko yourself.
The spongey, almost bouncy food is made from white fish. You fillet the fish, pound it into paste, and mix it with a few other simple ingredients. After you shape it into a loaf, it is then steamed, which both cooks it and makes it firm. Much of kamaboko today is produced industrially, but there are old techniques that artisanal makers still use to produce higher quality versions. This kind of production method is actually on display at the museum, too. Windows look onto a production floor where pros are hard at work.
There are workshops throughout the day that are about an hour long and cost only ¥1500. Yes, you get to take your fish cake with you when it’s done! The process is simple enough that even very young children can participate and from what we’ve seen, they also have quite a bit of fun. There are instructors present, and screens display the ‘lesson’ in English for those that need language support.
Kamaboko are steamed on boards that the museum has additionally recycled and allowed artists to decorate. There is a gallery with many on display, some of them quite beautiful.
Hakone Beer is available at the museum or in its brewery restaurant across the street. Definitely pair their great pilsner with some kamaboko at the end of the day. You won’t be disappointed by the simple treat. And you deserve a reward for your hard work!
