Historic Japanese inn takes over trout farm to preserve tradition

Kanaya Hotel acquires supplier for its century-old fish saute

Albert Einstein, Helen Keller and other famous guests have stayed at Nikko Kanaya Hotel in its more than 100-year history. (Photo courtesy of Kanaya Hotel)

HAJIME MATSUMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

November 13, 2019 06:20 JST

UTSUNOMIYA, Japan -- A historic Japanese hotel once visited by Albert Einstein and Helen Keller has taken over the operations of a trout farm that supplies the fish featured in its century-old menu.

Kanaya Hotel, the operator of Nikko Kanaya Hotel, turned Kiyotaki Trout Farm into a subsidiary. The farm was founded in 1960 and produces about 15 tons of trout a year, which it supplies to roughly 40 local hotels and restaurants. Nikko Kanaya Hotel prepares the fish in a saute that it has served for over 100 years.