Japan Makes Risky Fish a Tradition
Thursday, October 8, 2026120 words2 minutes2407 reads
Fugu is the Japanese name for several kinds of pufferfish. Some can contain tetrodotoxin, a poison. It can make people ill and be deadly. The toxin is in organs such as the liver and ovaries.
Yet fugu has been part of Japanese culture for centuries. The documentary Gun Fish follows people who work with this food. It shows that fugu is not simply a dare. Safe fugu depends on knowledge, careful preparation, and rules.
In Japan, only trained people prepare fugu in approved places. They must know the fish species and which parts can be eaten. Dangerous parts are removed and kept away from food. Cooking does not remove the toxin. People should never prepare a caught fugu at home.
