松葉(まつば)蟹(がに)

まつばがに
noun
Matsuba crab; San'in brand-name snow crab
foodanimal-general
1. Matsuba crab; San'in brand-name snow crab
A regional brand name for male snow crab landed in the San'in region, mainly at ports in Tottori Prefecture. Biologically the same species as other regional snow-crab brands; the name marks where the crab is caught, not a different kind of crab.
松葉(まつば)蟹(がに)を食(た)べた。
I ate matsuba crab.
鳥取(とっとり)は松葉(まつば)蟹(がに)で有名(ゆうめい)だ。
Tottori is famous for matsuba crab.
冬(ふゆ)になると、松葉(まつば)蟹(がに)目当(めあ)てに山陰(さんいん)を旅(たび)する人(ひと)が増(ふ)える。
When winter comes, more people travel to the San'in region specifically for matsuba crab.

松葉(まつば)蟹(がに) is the brand name given to male snow crab landed at ports in the San'in region, especially 鳥取(とっとり)県(けん).

Usage

The crab itself is the same species sold elsewhere as 越前(えちぜん)蟹(がに) (landed in Fukui) or under other regional names; the brand reflects the landing port and local quality standards, not a separate species.

Common collocations

  • 松葉(まつば)蟹(がに)漁(りょう): matsuba crab fishing
  • 松葉(まつば)蟹(がに)鍋(なべ): matsuba crab hot pot
  • 松葉(まつば)蟹(がに)丼(どん): matsuba crab rice bowl

Cultural note

鳥取(とっとり)県(けん) promotes 松葉(まつば)蟹(がに) as a signature winter delicacy and tourist draw. The fishing season opens each November, and many ryokan in the region offer crab-centered courses through the winter.

Related Words

Related: 蟹(かに) (crab)
general
Added 2026.9.14 21:46 · Revised 2026.9.14 21:54
30500/30913_matsubagani