Fukui

A Sea of Japan prefecture on the Wakasa Bay coast, with a long heritage of preserving mackerel, most famously as heshiko, salt-and-rice-bran-cured mackerel. The old Saba Kaido, or Mackerel Road, carried fish from here to Kyoto for centuries. Producers including Fukui Kanzume and Chidorien continue the canning tradition, packing saba in water and seasoned styles.