Awaji Island’s 3-Year-Raised Tiger Pufferfish at a Hot Spring Inn: Senshin Waho’s Winter-Only Stay Plan

Imagine soaking in an open-air hot spring overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, then sitting down to a winter feast of delicate pufferfish sashimi, hot pot, and grilled Tiger Pufferfish. At Senshin Waho, a luxury Japanese ryokan on Awaji Island, you can experience this seasonal tradition with the Awaji Island Three-Year Tiger Pufferfish Full-Course Dinner, available for a limited time during winter. 

Raised for approximately three years, these prized tiger pufferfish are known for their firm texture and rich flavor. The special dinner takes you from tessa (thinly sliced pufferfish sashimi) to tecchiri (pufferfish hot pot), ending with a comforting rice porridge made with the flavorful broth. Here’s what to know about this winter-only stay, including plan details, pricing, and reservations. 

Winter on Awaji Island: The Season for Three-Year Tiger Pufferfish 

One of Awaji Island’s signature winter delicacies is Awaji Island Three-Year Tiger Pufferfish, a premium variety raised in the waters around the island. At Senshin Waho, a Japanese wellness ryokan in Awaji City, you can enjoy this local specialty in a full-course dinner as part of a limited-time winter stay plan, available from December 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027. 
Pair a relaxing soak in a natural hot spring with a seasonal feast, and you have the makings of a memorable winter getaway on Awaji Island. It’s an opportunity to slow down, savor the flavors of the season, and experience a cherished part of local food culture. 

What Makes Three-Year Tiger Pufferfish Special? 

Most tiger pufferfish are harvested after around two years of farming, while Awaji Island Three-Year Tiger Pufferfish are raised for approximately three years. The strong currents of the Naruto Strait help create the conditions in which these fish develop their firm texture and rich flavor. 

That extra growing time makes a difference at the table. Enjoy the satisfying bite of tessa (paper-thin pufferfish sashimi) and the deep, savory broth that develops in tecchiri (pufferfish hot pot). For food lovers curious about Japan’s seasonal cuisine, this is a chance to taste a distinctive local specialty at its winter best. 

The Menu: A Full-Course Feast of Tiger Pufferfish 

The winter meal at Senshin Waho celebrates tiger pufferfish from the first bite to the final bowl. The menu includes a trio of appetizers, pufferfish sashimi (tessa), pufferfish hot pot (tecchiri), grilled Tiger Pufferfish, rice porridge, and a seasonal dessert. 

Tessa: Delicately Sliced Pufferfish Sashimi 

Expertly sliced into thin, translucent pieces, tessa showcases the firm texture of three-year tiger pufferfish. Each slice offers a delicate flavor and a satisfying bite. It’s a chance to appreciate the skill behind one of Japan’s most distinctive seafood dishes. 

Tecchiri Hot Pot and Rice Porridge 

The centerpiece of the meal is tecchiri, a hot pot featuring tiger pufferfish simmered in a flavorful broth. As the fish cooks, its bones enrich the broth with savory depth. The meal ends with zosui, a comforting rice porridge prepared using the remaining broth, allowing you to enjoy every last bit of its flavor. 

Please note: Menu items may change depending on ingredient availability. 

Winter Plan: Rates and Reservations 

Plan your winter escape to Awaji Island with the details below. 

• Available: December 1, 2026–February 28, 2027 
• Check-in 3:00 PM 
• Check-out: 11:00 AM 
• Rate: From ¥47,190 per person, based on double occupancy 
• Included: Dinner and breakfast, taxes, and service charges 
• Additional charge: Hot Spring tax from ¥150 per person 
• Reservations: Book your stay at Senshin Waho 
• Inquiries: +81-799-64-9800 

If you have any food allergies or ingredients you cannot eat, please contact the property in advance. 

Stay at Senshin Waho: A Japanese Wellness Retreat 

Located in Awaji City, Senshin Waho is a peaceful Japanese-style hot spring retreat on an island associated with the creation myths of Japan. With 20 guest rooms, including three detached accommodations, it offers a quiet setting to unwind after a day of exploring Awaji Island. On-site facilities include a restaurant, natural hot springs, a bar, and a karaoke room. 

Soak in the Open-Air Hot Springs at Seshin no Yu 

At Senshin no Yu, you can enjoy indoor and open-air baths fed directly by the source with naturally flowing hot spring water. Settle into the warmth as the sun sinks over the Seto Inland Sea or take in the moonlit view after dark. Pairing a soothing soak with a seasonal pufferfish dinner makes for a memorable winter stay. 

Japanese Cuisine Inspired by Fermentation and Local Traditions 

Awaji Island has long been known as Miketsukuni, a region that supplied food to Japan’s imperial court. At Senshin Waho, this culinary heritage inspires dishes made with ingredients from the island’s mountains and surrounding waters, combined with fermentation techniques and traditional knowledge of seasonal food. It’s another way to experience Awaji Island’s character through its local flavors. 

Ready to plan a winter escape? Explore the Senshin Waho reservation page to check availability for the Three-Year Tiger Pufferfish Stay Plan. 

Click here for reservations

Address	150 Hikinoura Nojima Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1721 A free shuttle bus is available.
Parking	Available (Free)
Reception	Check-in 3:00 p.m.～／check-out 11:00 a.m.
Guest Rooms	20 rooms in total (8 standard Japanese-style rooms, 6 Western-style rooms, 3 special guest rooms with a bath with a view, 3 independent rooms with an open-air hot spring bath)
Tel. No.	0799-64-9800
Official HP	https://senshinwaho.com/
Official Reservation Site	https://go-senshinwaho.reservation.jp/en

Click here for more details

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Get to Senshin Waho Ryokan? 
You can reach Senshin Waho ryokan by car or express bus via Kobe or Osaka. If you’re traveling by public transportation, the ryokan can arrange transportation from Iwaya Port or Hokudan Interchange. A free shuttle bus also connects Iwaya Port, Awaji Interchange, Nijigen no Mori, and participating facilities on Awaji Island’s west coast. Please contact the ryokan in advance to arrange your transfer or use the free shuttle bus.   

When is Awaji Island Three-Year Tiger Pufferfish in season? 
Winter is the best time to enjoy this local specialty. The special stay plan including the pufferfish dinner at Senshin Waho is available from December 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027. 

What is included in the room rate? 
The plan includes one night’s accommodation, dinner featuring the Three-Year Tiger Pufferfish, breakfast, taxes, and service charges. A separate hot spring tax applies. 

Does Senshin Waho offer detached guest rooms? 
Yes. Senshin Waho has 20 guest rooms, including three detached accommodations for guests seeking a more private stay. 

Plan Your Winter Escape to Awaji Island 

From creamy grilled pufferfish milt to delicate sashimi and a warming hot pot, the Three-Year Tiger Pufferfis dinner brings one of Awaji Island’s prized winter flavors to the table. Add naturally flowing hot spring water and views of the Seto Inland Sea, and you have a memorable way to experience the island in winter. 

The seasonal plan runs through February 28, 2027. Whether you’re planning a special trip with someone close to you or taking time out for yourself, make room for a winter stay that brings together local food, warm baths, and the quiet beauty of Awaji Island. 

Check availability and reserve your stay at Senshin Waho