Japan, surrounded by the ocean, is a treasure trove of fresh seafood such as tuna, sea bream, and horse mackerel. One of the great pleasures of traveling is visiting different regions and enjoying seafood bowls at market cafeterias or seafood dishes at local restaurants. Here, we introduce spots where you can savor delicious seafood gourmet food.
The charm of morning markets lies in their offering of fresh, delicious local fish at reasonable prices, such as seafood bowls and set meals. It’s also a great way to engage with locals and experience the local food culture, making morning markets a popular tourist spot. Since markets typically close by noon, it’s worth the effort to wake up early.
Dining at a local restaurant that knows everything about the local fish is one of the highlights of traveling. You can also enjoy a more luxurious seafood experience at a traditional Japanese restaurant. Izakaya, where you can feel like a local, and Italian or French cuisine focusing on locally sourced ingredients, are also appealing. Recently, more fish markets have been adding eat-in corners, offering fresh seafood on the spot.
One of the unique pleasures of traveling in Japan is tasting a variety of local seafood, thanks to the country's abundance of fresh seafood and river fish. While enjoying freshly caught fish in a fishing village is a delight, there are also preserved fish dishes, such as "Mackerel Heshiko" from Fukui Prefecture, a fermented food made from salted mackerel pickled in rice bran, and "Ikanago no Kugini" from Hyogo Prefecture, which is braised sand lance. These inland specialties are equally exquisite. Take the opportunity to try local fish dishes from around Japan and learn about each region's history and culture.
The charm of morning markets lies in their offering of fresh, delicious local fish at reasonable prices, such as seafood bowls and set meals. It’s also a great way to engage with locals and experience the local food culture, making morning markets a popular tourist spot. Since markets typically close by noon, it’s worth the effort to wake up early.
Dining at a local restaurant that knows everything about the local fish is one of the highlights of traveling. You can also enjoy a more luxurious seafood experience at a traditional Japanese restaurant. Izakaya, where you can feel like a local, and Italian or French cuisine focusing on locally sourced ingredients, are also appealing. Recently, more fish markets have been adding eat-in corners, offering fresh seafood on the spot.
One of the unique pleasures of traveling in Japan is tasting a variety of local seafood, thanks to the country's abundance of fresh seafood and river fish. While enjoying freshly caught fish in a fishing village is a delight, there are also preserved fish dishes, such as "Mackerel Heshiko" from Fukui Prefecture, a fermented food made from salted mackerel pickled in rice bran, and "Ikanago no Kugini" from Hyogo Prefecture, which is braised sand lance. These inland specialties are equally exquisite. Take the opportunity to try local fish dishes from around Japan and learn about each region's history and culture.
If you want to enjoy freshly caught seafood, a restaurant at the fish market is a must. Breakfast is especially popular. Frequented by people working at fishing ports and markets, these spots offer hearty seafood bowls and set meals at reasonable prices. Some of the most popular markets among tourists include Hakodate Morning Market, Otaru Triangle Market, Odawara Fish Center, Sakata Seafood Market, Fukui Nihonkai Fish Town, Oarai Seafood Market, and Tsukiji Outer Market. Enjoy the lively atmosphere while filling your stomach with delicious seafood.
Chiba
Enjoy Grilled Seafood With a Focus on Fresh Local Seafood
Hamachaya Amimoto is a restaurant located in Kujukuri Town, Chiba Prefecture, where you can enjoy grilled seafood and Japanese cuisine while looking out at the Kujukuri sea. In the spacious space with large windows and high ceilings, you can enjoy local turban shells, clams, abalone, and more in a hamayaki style. Kujukuri's famous sardines, which are extremely fresh, not bitter, and reasonably priced, are also popular, as is the tuna bukkake bowl, which is available in limited quantities. I'm happy that my beloved family members, my beloved dogs and cats, can spend time with me in the companion seat of the tatami room. Groups with dogs are also welcome.
Yamaguchi
Delicious Fish Carefully Selected by Professionals to Eat Now
A seafood diner located about a 7-minute drive from JR Shimonoseki Station. Operated by Uohana Corporation, which owns a fresh fish store at Karato Market, the restaurant offers dishes crafted by professionals with deep expertise in seafood. Through advanced processing techniques, they enhance the quality of the fresh fish, showcasing its full potential. For visitors to Shimonoseki, the owner recommends savoring the freshest catch of the day as part of a premium breakfast that embodies local flavors and ingredients. Relish the season’s freshest fish, handpicked for its superior taste and quality.
Miyagi
Enjoy Whale Dishes and Seafood Unique to the Oshika Peninsula
Cottu, a tourism and product exchange facility located in Whale Town Oshika, a tourist facility on the Oshika Peninsula, opened in October 2019 in Ayukawahama, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. "Seafood Restaurant Nagisa" inside is a restaurant operated by "Shimashu no Yado Sakai", an inn located on the peninsula. Ayukawa is famous for its whale dishes and seafood dishes. The minke whale sashimi set meal, which can only be served fresh, and the set meal using seafood caught off the coast of Mt. Kinka in Sanriku, one of the world's best fishing grounds, are recommended. You can use the lobby inside Cottu as well as inside the store. You can enjoy your meal while looking out at the sea from the terrace seats.
Kagawa
A Seafood Restaurant Operated by a Fresh Fish Store That Focuses on Local Production and Local Consumption
This seafood restaurant is located within the Toyohama Roadside Station and is run by a local fish shop that has been in business for three generations. With a focus on local production and local consumption, you can enjoy a variety of menus using fresh fish from the Seto Inland Sea and seasonal local ingredients. "Yamachi Zukedon (Shi)", which is a combination of thick hamachi marinated in homemade sauce and rich "Running Egg", and "O - shan Bento Shichifuku", a large bowl filled with seasonal fish, which is popular among women. All of the dishes, such as "Wan", are plentiful and reasonably priced. The daily set meals are also popular. Kanonji brand products such as the all - purpose soup stock used in the cafeteria, Ibuki sardine, and shrimp miso can also be purchased at the shop.
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If you want to casually enjoy local fish with some drinks, we recommend visiting a local izakaya. It’s the perfect place to have fun with friends. You can savor a variety of dishes such as shuto and shiokara (traditional sake accompaniments), local fish, transparent squid sashimi, grilled crab shell, and seafood bowls topped with generous amounts of salmon roe and sea urchin. Asking the staff or local patrons for recommendations on regional seafood specialties will make your trip even more memorable.
Chiba
Enjoy Carefully Selected Sushi, Sake, and A La Carte Dishes at Otaki
"Sushidokoro Mizuki" is located in Otaki Castle Town, Otaki, Isumi County, Chiba Prefecture, a place connected to Tadakatsu Honda. The inside of the restaurant is much more spacious than you might imagine from the outside, and there is also a tatami room for groups. There are also seats available for people in wheelchairs. The ingredients used for the carefully made sushi are all based on the owner's motto of offering the most delicious food of the season, without being particular about the place of origin. Also, the a la carte dishes made with fresh fish caught in the waters around Sotobo are delicious. It goes perfectly with the over 60 types of sake we always have in stock. You can also find local sake such as "Otakijo" and "Koshikoi".
Shimane
A Japanese Restaurant Filled With the Flavors of Shimane Prefecture
As an official merchant of Izumo Taisha Shrine, this long - established restaurant is said to have served food to Emperor Taisho and Emperor Showa. There is a family crest next to the entrance, and the interior of the store is Japanese - style with a strong wooden impression, typical of a store near Izumo Taisha Shrine. Since it is within walking distance of Izumo Taisha Shrine, it is not only used for meals while sightseeing, but also used by locals for banquets and receptions. The menu includes "Seafood Bowl" where you can enjoy seafood from the Sea of Japan, "Uzuni" which the first generation learned at Izumo Taisha Shrine 130 years ago, and "Enmusubi Zen" which was registered as a project by the Shimane Prefecture Tourism Division. We also offer a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, with a focus on Junmai Ginjo made by a local sake brewing company. Enjoy traditional flavors with famous sake.
Hiroshima
Enjoy Seasonal Fish from Setouchi with Local Sake
A Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy seafood from the Seto Inland Sea with sake. In addition to fish dishes such as sashimi and grilled fish, there is also a wide selection of meat dishes, and if you make a reservation at least one day in advance, you can also have menus such as fried chicken and fried shrimp available. If you want to enjoy Hiroshima's Japanese cuisine, we recommend the "Hiroki Course," and if you want to fully enjoy Hiroshima, we recommend the "Setouchi Course." Also, the unique general manager is one of the attractions of this store. Even if you sit at the counter, you can enjoy your time alone while enjoying the story of the chef. There are also monthly event dishes, so there's something new to discover no matter how many times you visit. They are celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2020 and are currently distributing special coupons.
Aomori
Authentic Cuisine and Hospitality Made With All Our Heart
A creative dining restaurant that opened in Aomori City in 2004 and has continued to be loved by locals ever since its opening. We are particular about seasonal cuisine and Aomori ingredients, and serve heart - warming, authentic cuisine, incorporating carefully selected ingredients such as seasonal seafood purchased from the market and Kuroge Wagyu beef. The word "kokoro" in the restaurant's name comes from the idea of "valuing heartfelt customer service," and the restaurant offers delicious food and warm hospitality. The store is crowded with locals, tourists, and businessmen, and is used for a variety of purposes. Various events are held every month, and it's great that you can experience something new every time you visit.
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Many people travel in search of seasonal seafood that can only be enjoyed at specific times and places, such as spiny lobster, pufferfish, grouper, and monkfish. If you want to savor top-quality seafood in a relaxed atmosphere, a traditional Japanese restaurant is the perfect choice. You’ll feel fulfilled as you indulge in the dishes prepared by chefs who are experts in local ingredients. Staying at a gourmet ryokan allows you to enjoy a luxurious experience, falling asleep right after a sumptuous meal.
Shiga
A Famous Japanese Restaurant in Hikone That Has Been Running Since 1896
A Japanese restaurant with a long history, without changing its location or building since its establishment in 1899. It is used in a wide variety of situations, from dinner parties and memorial services to individual visitors enjoying sightseeing in Hikone. Another appeal is that all rooms are private and you can relax. They sell local products such as duck in the winter and sweetfish and biwa trout in the summer, and their specialty is carp koku (a soup made by simmering carp in white miso), which has the same flavor since its founding. They basically serve Kyoto cuisine using local Omi vegetables, but they also serve Omi beef, which is in high demand. In 2015, we opened a tempura specialty store called "Tenki" with counter seats in the same store.
Shizuoka
A Japanese Restaurant Where You Can Enjoy the Flavors of the Four Seasons Through Cuisine
A Japanese restaurant located about a 5-minute walk from Shizuoka Railway Shin-Shizuoka Station.The menu features three courses: "Omakase Course 9,900 yen", "Omakase Course 13,200 yen", and "Omakase Course 16,500 yen". The dishes are primarily made with locally sourced ingredients from Shizuoka Prefecture, complemented by carefully selected seasonal ingredients from across Japan.The restaurant offers a curated selection of Japanese sake, including options from Shizuoka Prefecture and other regions, to pair perfectly with the dishes. Additionally, they serve a variety of beverages, including Japanese and international wines, beer, shochu, whiskey, and soft drinks.With only counter seating, the restaurant provides a tranquil atmosphere where guests can enjoy freshly prepared food while watching the chefs at work.
Aichi
Enjoy a Quality Time at an Elegant Restaurant From the Edo Period
Located just a 2-minute walk from Nagoya City Subway Kamiiida Station, "Okaiseki Shiratama" is housed in a relocated Edo-period building that preserves traditional architectural elements like tea rooms and shoin-style designs. Guests can savor seasonal kaiseki cuisine meticulously crafted from fresh ingredients. Dishes like sashimi served on lotus leaves are artistic masterpieces that engage all five senses. The restaurant pairs its delicate dishes with exclusive sake, such as the specially brewed "Hyakushun" from Kosaka Sake Brewery. The historic setting, combined with private tatami rooms, makes it ideal for gatherings, celebrations, or casual meals.
Yamagata
Creative Course Meals Using Local Ingredients
A creative Japanese cuisine restaurant where you can enjoy reasonably priced course meals using seafood from Shonai Beach and Yamagata beef. Enjoy your meal slowly while sipping on a variety of local sake. The recommended "Yonezawa beef sirloin steak" is marbled and delicious. It can be used for a wide variety of purposes, from banquets to small drinking parties.
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When thinking of seafood, Japanese cuisine may come to mind, but fresh seafood is also a key ingredient in French and Italian dishes. For example, seafood pasta, bouillabaisse, and poached fish all rely on fresh ingredients. Oysters, spiny lobster, and abalone are often used in French and Italian cuisine as well. For a romantic date or a special family trip, consider visiting an Italian or French restaurant to enjoy these gourmet seafood dishes.
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During road trips, you may come across roadside stations or tourist markets and streets offering takeout seafood delights such as kushiyaki (grilled skewers), grilled oysters in their shells, and mini seafood bowls loaded with fresh ingredients. This takeout style allows you to easily enjoy local and B-class gourmet food unique to the region, making it a popular option for family trips with children or casual outings with friends.
Kyoto
A Sushi Restaurant in Saiin, Kyoto That Is Particular About Natural Fish and Vegetables
A sushi restaurant about 13 minutes walk from Tambaguchi Station on the JR Sagano Line. This restaurant is run by a proprietor who wants people to enjoy sushi in a casual manner, and strives to create a customer - centered restaurant. You can visit anytime during business hours, and you can even use it with your baby. They serve sushi and other dishes according to the customer's pace. For dinner, we recommend the "General's Omakase Nigiri Course" where you can enjoy 12 pieces of nigiri. We use ingredients that are kind to the body, such as sushi vinegar and salt that do not contain chemical seasonings, and vegetables that do not use pesticides as much as possible. I want to fully enjoy sushi made with fresh, natural seafood.
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