Matsutake, however, is the king of all edible mushrooms. It grows in red pine forests, and sometimes becomes quite large, the opened unbrella-shaped pleus measuring more than eight inches. But it tastes best when the pileus is half opened in a cap-like shape. In Kansai and other districts where it grows abundantly, matsutake gathering is an occation of enjoyment. Carrying sake, rice, and cooking utensils, the peoplego to the red pine forests which are specially preserved for the growth of matsutake. They pick matsutake, cook them, and have a day's picnic. Matsutake is eaten in many different ways, but the best way to capture its full aroma and to enjoy its fkavors is to shred it lengthwise, toast it lightly over an open fire, and eat it with a small amount of salt or soy sauce. Matsutake in sukiyaki is very popular and matsutake-meshi, or rice cooked with matsutake is a delight to all during the season.
Shiitake, though second to matsutake, are more extensively used. It grows twice a year, in spring and autumn. Fresh shiitake is delightful, but dried shiitake is used all the year round to give various foods a better taste.
In addtion to its flavor and aroma, the matsutake has a shape that has long endeared it to the people of Japan. To their way of looking at things, it is decidedly phallic.
Nearby mushroom huntings are at Hachihonmatsu, Higashi Hiroshima City or Saijo-cho. [Another area is at Kurose-cho, Kamo-gun.]
Train Timetable: Lv Hiroshima Ar Hachihonmatsu Ar Saijo 06:10 06:41 06:47 06:58 07:29 07:36 07:17 07:47 07:54 07:49 08:21 08:27The following information came from the Tourist Office at Saijo.Fare to Hachihonmatsu: 380 yen (one way) " " Saijo: 440 yen ( " ") Direction: From Hachihonmatsu Station, take bus for 20 minutes to Ogura-yama. From Saijo Station, take bus for 30 minutes to Matsugo-yama [Some owevers will pick you up at Saijo Station]
See your Japanese friends and have them call for you to make reservations about 3-4 days in advance of your desired date.
The hunting time is normally completed by 10 or 11 a.m. and preparations are made to serve you mushroom lunch. A limited amount of mushroom and other vegetables are prepared for the lunch to be served to you.
If you wish to go mushroom hunting at a government-owned forest, which is free, you could go to Tengu-yama, which is situated at the rear of Tenno Junior High School on the Kure line. Take the JR Bus and get off at Ohya-bashi. The other place is at Yasumi-yama in Kure city.
[Normally, the Japanese are up in the hills by sunrise. As I recall, the mushrooms are usually found near the trunks of the trees, along tiny bushes, along big rocks, near dugouts and are usually under the fallen pine needles with a slight hump.]
You may hunt for hours, and if you are lucky, you will find 2 or 3 growing in succession near each other. If you locate more, its all yours. You must not enter the areas where it's roped off, which indicates private ownership. Mushrooms are usually found close to big rocks, under trunks of trees, or under the carpet of fallen pine needles. See your Japanese friends for more information in their local areas.