TOTTORI -- A snow crab fetched a top price of 1.5 million yen (about $9,800) in the season's first auction at a port here on Nov. 7, the day after the opening of the fishing season for the winter delicacy in Japan's coastal Sanin region.

The first auction ceremony at Tottori Port in the city of Tottori was attended by about 200 people including officials from fishery cooperatives and administrative agencies. Genji Funamoto, vice president of the prefectural fisheries cooperative, told participants, "I hope you will spread the deliciousness of Tottori crabs all over Japan."

After a "sanbon-jime" ceremonial hand-clapping performed in hope of safety while fishing and big catches this season, the auction began with a bell rung by Tottori Vice Gov. Kazuyoshi Kamei. The snow crabs caught in the Sea of Japan off the coast of Oki were laid out on the floor, and the vigorous shouts of the auctioneers echoed throughout the venue. The auctioned snow crabs will be shipped mainly to the Kansai region as well as within Tottori Prefecture. No crabs in the top brand, "Itsukiboshi," bestowed on large specimens with good meat, were landed on this day.

The "Tottori crab festa," in which people enjoy freshly caught snow crabs, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 16. The main venue is the offshore cargo yard of the Karo branch office of the prefectural fisheries cooperative in the city. The festival will include a bingo game to win snow crabs, 1,000 servings of crab soup, a singing show and more.

(Japanese original by Naoki Fuchiwaki, Tottori Bureau)