Nishitetsu and Smolt Co-develop "Amaou Sakura Masu," a Branded Fish Now Served at ONE FUKUOKA HOTEL
Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd. (Nishitetsu) and Miyazaki University startup Smolt have jointly developed a new branded fish, "Amaou Sakura Masu." This cherry salmon is raised using Smolt's innovative aquaculture technology and fed with off-spec "Amaou" strawberries produced by the Nishitetsu Group. This initiative realizes the use of underutilized resources and creates high added value. A pilot launch will begin on June 1, 2026, at ONE FUKUOKA HOTEL, aiming to establish a sustainable food value proposition originating from Kyushu.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 02:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 18, 2026 at 17:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 18, 2026 at 21:57 (4h 25m after Collected)
Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co., Ltd. (Nishitetsu) and Smolt Inc., a startup from the University of Miyazaki, have jointly developed an original branded fish, "Amaou Sakura Masu." Amid declining natural resources and changing marine environments in the fisheries industry, ensuring a stable supply has become a pressing issue. To promote sustainable fisheries in Kyushu, this new initiative combines Smolt's innovative aquaculture technology with "Amaou" strawberries produced by the Nishitetsu Group. The Amaou Sakura Masu is a branded fish raised by feeding off-spec Amaou strawberries from NJ Agri Support Co. to high-temperature-tolerant cherry salmon developed by Smolt. This not only contributes to the recycling of unused resources but also achieves superior quality and high added value as the strawberry's aromatic components are reflected in the salmon's flavor. As a preliminary sale and to test market needs, a limited-time menu item, "Marinated Amaou Sakura Masu with Citrus Bruschetta," will be available at ONE FUKUOKA HOTEL from June 1, 2026. This collaboration aims to brand the Amaou Sakura Masu as a representative specialty of Kyushu and promote sustainable food value from the region. The fish is raised in the pristine waters of Nobeoka City, Miyazaki, fed a diet including Amaou, which reduces fishy odors, and is raised without any medication. A test by Eurofins QKEN Co., Ltd. noted pleasant herbal aromas compared to regular cherry salmon. The dish will be offered as an à la carte dinner item at THE KITCHEN in ONE FUKUOKA HOTEL for ¥2,300 (tax included, service charge extra) from June 1 to July 31, 2026.