The most expensive mushroom sold in Japan

Matsutake mushrooms (Pine mushrooms) are one of the Japan's most representative autumn mushrooms and are considered a luxury food. They are highly valued for their unique aroma and flavor. Matsutake mushrooms grow only in pine forests because this mushroom is symbiotic with pine roots. So, we cannot grow Matsutake artificially like other mushroom such as Shiitake mushrooms. Recently almost no Matsutakes have been harvested in Japan except in certain area. This resulted in very expensive price in a market. In fact, almost all matsutake mushrooms sold in supermarkets in my area are imported ones.

Incidentally, I went to Kongorinji Temple in Aisho Town, Shiga Prefecture again to see the autumn leaves, and on my way back, I saw these Matsutake mushrooms for sale at a temporary shop in front of the parking lot. They had a wonderful aroma. When I asked where the origin of this is, I was told these Matsutake mushrooms were harvested at Jilin Province, China, near the border between North Korea and China. These were expensive, but the scent was wonderful.

The price of three to five matsutake mushrooms ranges from 6,500 to 13,000 Japanese yen, about 290 to 580 Chinese yuan, or 40 to 80 U.S. dollars. Since it's a shop catering to tourists, I suppose the prices are set accordingly. The prices were so expensive that I gave up buying anything.

Later, I visited another temple near Kongorinji Temple that is also famous for its autumn leaves. The shop there also sold matsutake mushrooms, but as mentioned above, they were too expensive.

But after I saw matsutake mushrooms, I felt a sudden urge to eat them. In the shop, I found a menu with a fried matsutake mushroom. After I ordered it, shop staffs fried it on the spot, but I learned that it was a frozen and pre-made food. In spite of that, it had the aroma and texture of matsutake mushrooms.