Takaashigani/高足が二, literally meaning “Tall Legs Crab” is the largest crab in the world and is caught almost only around Japan especially in the Suruga Bay In Shizuoka Prefecture and Izu Islands, but numbers of the crab have diminished over recent years, and there are many efforts to protect them. In Shizuoka Prefecture, people even help them grow from the eggs before returning them to the sea!
Fully grown it can reach a leg span of almost 4 m (13 ft), a body size of up to 37 cm (15 inches) and a weight of up to 20 kg (44 lb). The crab’s natural habitat is on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean (some 300 to 400 m deep) around Japan, where it feeds on dead animals and shellfish. It is believed to have a life expectancy of up to 100 years.
The Japanese spider crab has 10 legs. The front two legs have been adapted into claws. It has an orange body with white spots on its thin legs. In males, the limbs on which the claws are located become longer than its other limbs, and a large male can widen them to more than 3 m. The oval-shaped and vertically rounded shell can reach 30 cm in width and can be up to 40 cm long. The compound eyes are situated on the front, and two thorns stick out between them. Younger specimens feature hair and thorns on the shell, and their frontal horns are longer, but these gradually atrophy as the crab ages.
In Japan it is considered a delicacy and prices can easily jump!
The Japanese spider crab is caught using small trawling nets, and is often eaten salted and steamed.
Interestingly enough, when bolied/steamed, not only the shell but also the flesh turns red.
They do make for impressive sushi!
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sake, shochu and sushi
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日本語のブログ
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SHIZUOKA GOURMET 
these spiders are really cool. I’m doing a report on them so i will learn a lot about them.
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Don’t hesitate to use my pics and taxt if that is any help! Nothing copyrighted! I’m too old for that! LOL
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I was just wondering what other species of crabs are eaten in Japan other than the snow, king, and spider that you listed?
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There are of course, but they are considered as minor!
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This is the Japanese crab i saw in the museums of natural history that grow so big then 🙂
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Dear Christelle!
They are getting smaller these days as they end up on our plates!
Cheers,
Robert-Gilles
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Dear Robert,
Wow, this crab is real huge. I guess the flesh must be sweet. Leg span of 14 ft…can they be eaten raw?
Regards,
Elin
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Dear Elin!
Usually they are not eaten raw!
Cheers,
Robert-Gilles
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I’ve eaten everything from Whale to Horse in Japan, but for some strange reason, have never eaten crabs in any form! This thing will not escape me next time! Anyway, dropped by to check out what kind of seafood is seasonal at the moment. Having a sushi/sashimi party this Wednesday, so doing some research on your blog before going to the fish market! Do you have any recommendations of seafood thats in season in France?
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Cheers, Nick!
Oysters should be still fine. Mussels are great!
As for fish try lotte/frogfish-monkfish.
If it’s sashimi/sushi keep to fresh white-flesh fish such as cabillaud/young cod, turbot, sole and the like!
All the best!
Cheers,
Roert-Gilles
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never heard of them before, but they really look creepy to me!
they look like a spider which appears in the Harry Potter movie~~~don’t feel putting them into my mouth
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Dear Friend!
You might change your mind quickly if you tasted any hust once!
Cheers,
Robert-Gilles
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I’ve heard of these crabs, but never seen them up close. Kind of creepy looking to me. Then again. I hate spiders so that may be a factor. But I’ll eat these buggers either way. LOL.
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You sure will!LOL
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