Shimonoseki , Japan 's puffer fish capital , is home to a market specializing in the deadly sea creature . Trained specialists need to remove the liver , ovaries , roe and kidneys before the fugu can be served . The fugu's name comes from its ability to survive for days without food or water on land - it has been known as " the Japanese equivalent of an octopus " since ancient times.
Shimonoseki , Japan 's puffer fish capital , is home to a market specializing in the deadly sea creature . Trained specialists need to remove the liver , ovaries , roe and kidneys before the fugu can be served . Japanese fish breeders have developed a nontoxic version , though wild fugu remains popular .