NISHIMERA GIBIER FESTIVAL
Nishimera, Miyazaki
During the month of February, the village of Nishimera hosts a Gibier Festival to promote the wild game industry and its cuisine. Derived from French, the word jibie is used in Japanese to refer to the meat of deer, boar, bear and pheasants.
Participating restaurants in the village (and sometimes in Miyazaki City) prepare special menus that include venison, wild boar, or both. Starting from as little as ¥640, visitors can sample a wide variety of modern and traditional dishes, from ramen to nabe to hotpots and stews.
Since the extinction of the Japanese wolf, deer and boar in Japan have faced no natural predator causing their population numbers to soar. Although wild game is plentiful in mountainous regions during Kyushu’s hunting season, which runs from November 1 to March 15, local restaurants have only recently started to serve wild game dishes. Nishimera is therefore ahead of the times by hosting an entire gibier festival.
In addition to the restaurant dishes, visitors can purchase meat products to take home, including deer jerky and wild boar curry.
Date
- The month of February
Hours
- Restaurant hours
Price
- Per dish, starting from ¥400
Venue
- Nishimera Village, Miyazaki
Hi, I'm Simone! I was born in New York, raised in Johannesburg, South Africa and spent 4 years living in Miyazaki. As a writer and photographer, I enjoyed travelling all over Japan's sunniest prefecture, but my favourite places would have to be Nichinan, the entire Koyu-gun area, and Nishimera. Canoeing down the sacred Takachiho Gorge, walking with wild horses in Cape Toi and setting lanterns alight on the steps of Takanabe's old castle are some of my most memorable experiences. The beauty of Miyazaki, and the warmth and kindness of its people, will always have a special place in my heart.
