Oyster Bar Opening Event at Hiroshima Brand Shop TAU

Celebrate Hiroshima's Oyster Industry at TAU

The Hiroshima Brand Shop TAU, strategically located in Ginza, Tokyo, is set to launch an exciting Oyster Bar that will feature the authentic flavors of Hiroshima oysters from February 27. This launch highlights the importance of supporting the local oyster industry, particularly after reports of challenges faced by producers this season.

To commemorate this occasion, the popular comedy duo Angars, hailing from Hiroshima, participated in a media-only opening event on February 24. The duo, known for their humor and wit, brought a lively atmosphere to the event, aiming to uplift the spirits of the oyster industry. The event featured the duo along with Bunkaki-kun, the mascot character associated with the Kenmin Cultural Festival in Hiroshima.

Hiroshima is celebrated as the top producer of oysters in Japan, thanks to its nutrient-rich waters fed by rivers from the Chugoku Mountains. This year, however, many producers have reported difficulties with their oyster crops, prompting increased attention to understanding and addressing these issues. The engagement of local celebrities like Angars is an uplifting step in rallying support for the oyster-related community.

The Opening Event

As guests arrived, the Angars made a warm entrance, with Tanaka placing a reassuring hand on Yamane’s shoulder. The audience chuckled as Yamane remarked, "We’ve come together like oysters on a plate!" Tanaka quickly followed up, making light of their years of camaraderie in the industry, eliciting laughter from all attendees. They shared their favorite ways to enjoy oysters, with Yamane favoring grilled oysters, while Tanaka enthusiastically debated between steamed oysters and fried oysters.

The event continued with a fun talk session that welcomed Bunkaki-kun. The Angars joyfully reminisced about past events with the beloved mascot. Tanaka remarked on why Bunkaki-kun might not be more popular, sparking laughter as they playfully encouraged him.

Culinary Delights

Guests were then treated to a tasting session of various Hiroshima oyster dishes. At Meriprince Pesca located on the 3rd floor, the duo sampled an 'Oyster Mist' platter featuring six types of grilled oysters. Yamane indulged in a piece topped with prosciutto, exclaiming, "Delicious!" while Tanaka humorously noted that these moments would be features in their shows. He sampled an oyster with sea urchin butter, echoing the joy of flavors with similar enthusiasm.

At the basement level, they explored a platter of fried and sautéed oysters. Yamane was thrilled to discover the generous portion of fried oysters, whereas Tanaka loved the texture contrast of the crispy fried outside and the tender inside, praising TAU for their expertise in making oysters shine. Their laughter conveyed a sense of community and the joy of savoring delicious food.

Artistic Touch

Adding an artistic flair, Yamane, who has a calligraphy rank of 7-dan, was invited to use a famous Kumano brush to write on behalf of Hiroshima. Initially proposing to write “Ariyoshi” after the local celebrity, he humorously changed his mind and decided to write “Oyster.” Yamane expressed nervousness, but with great penmanship, he skillfully wrote the characters, prompting Tanaka to remark how the shape of the characters resembled his face. This quirky suggestion added another layer of humor to their performance.

Encouragement to the Industry

As the event wrapped up, Tanaka shared heartfelt encouragement for the local oyster industry, emphasizing the importance of enjoying oysters to ensure their consumption this season, saying, “Enjoy the flavors and support the industry!” Yamane Second the sentiment, highlighting those resilient oysters that deserve to be cherished and enjoyed.

With the Oyster Bar opening soon, TAU invites everyone to come explore and taste the mouthwatering oysters of Hiroshima. Don't miss this limited-time opportunity to revel in the unique flavors that this region has to offer!