Ancient sushi, modern times
Kimura sells funazushi and sweet ayu fish.
Kate Springer
If you're in Japan, narezushi is actually pretty easy to find.
It's even sold on Amazon. But for higher-quality versions, travelers will find traditional vendors along the shores of Lake Biwa.
Kimura (725 Gosanjocho, Hikone-shi, Shiga Prefecture; +81 749 22 1775) is one such institution, having sold the dish for more than 50 years.
"Because the fish itself is scarce nowadays, people can't catch enough and we consider this a special meal... it's no longer a common thing," Akiko Higashimomo, a shopkeeper, tells CNN Travel.
“Because the fish itself is scarce nowadays, people can't catch enough and we consider this a special meal”
"It's reserved for family gatherings and special occasions. Because it has a distinctive strong taste it's not a thing that you eat every day."
Finding it in a restaurant is a bit more challenging, at least for travelers, partly due to language barriers.
One restaurant that comes highly recommended is Korian (2307 Makinochokaizu, Takashima 520-1811, Shiga Prefecture; +81 740 28 1010).
Located on the northwestern edge of Lake Biwa, the restaurant serves funazushi several ways -- on a bed of rice, in porridge or in soups.
Enjoy it in the traditional Japanese tatami-mat rooms or by the terrace overlooking the lake.
"If you eat a little bit, try it with sake," suggests Higashimomo. "It also goes well with wine, because it's like a blue cheese."