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.
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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.
Kanagawa
Savor Natural Bluefin Tuna and Premium Misaki Tuna
This restaurant, conveniently located just a three-minute walk from JR Kamakura Station, offers wild bluefin tuna. You can savor seafood dishes prepared with wild bluefin tuna and "Misaki tuna" directly sourced from Misaki Port in Kanagawa Prefecture while enjoying the view of the second torii gate of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, making it a popular spot for tourists visiting Kamakura. The "Superb Lean Meat" menu features a comparison of world-class quality wild bluefin tuna from Ireland and high-quality "Misaki tuna," kept fresh through advanced freezing technology immediately after being caught. Along with tuna, they also recommend the "Shirasu Donburi," limited to 10 servings per day, made with "Shonan Shirasu" from Hira Toshimaru, a whitebait fishing net maker at Sajima Port on the west coast of Yokosuka.
Ehime
A Cafe for Desserts and Savory Plates
This cafe is located near the "Matsuyama Castle Ropeway Station" in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. The signature shaved ice, made with homemade syrup, is a hugely popular menu item, selling around 5,000 bowls in a summer. In addition to meals like lunch and sea bream rice, they also serve sweets and drinks, making it a relaxing spot.
Aichi
Enjoy Raw Whitebait in One of Japan's Premier Whitebait Fishing Towns
"Marui Shoten Utsumi" is a restaurant offering whitebait dishes and souvenirs, located about a 10-minute walk from Nagoya Railroad Utsumi Station. Minamichita Town in Aichi is known for its rich whitebait fishing grounds, and this shop is directly managed by Marui Shoten, which specializes in processed seafood products. Recommended dishes include the popular "Nama Shirasu Don (raw whitebait bowl)" and "Namataki Shirasu Hitsumabushi (raw whitebait simmered in a special sauce with rice)", featuring "Namataki Shirasu Tsukudani (raw whitebait simmered in a special sauce)", which won the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award. Other menu items include "Himono Teishoku (dried fish set meals)" and gelato. Enjoy a relaxing meal while selecting souvenirs such as tsukudani and dried fish in the store's food and drink corner. It's a must-visit during your trip.
Ishikawa
Fresh Seafood Lunches Drawing Local Popularity
"Kuimonya Furusato Kaga" is located close to JR Kaga Onsen Station. You can enjoy fresh seafood dishes for lunch, including crab, a winter delicacy of the Hokuriku region. Popular dishes include the specialty "Kaga Crab Rice," packed with the delicious flavor of crab, the "Sashimi Set Meal," and the seafood bowl. Reservations are essential, particularly for the crab dishes.
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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.
Fukui
Savor Fresh, High-Quality Crab and Seafood
This restaurant is located in Nihonkai Sakana - machi, one of the largest markets on the Sea of Japan side in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture, and is run by Masuyone, a popular online crab store. In the spacious space with 120 seats, you can enjoy seafood bowls full of seasonal seafood and plump, steamy crab dishes. "Masuyone" handles over 200 tons of crabs a year, and during the season when Echizen crabs and Echizen Seiko crabs are landed, they purchase them directly at auctions and serve them freshly boiled. They also partner with a Canadian factory to ensure a stable supply of high - quality crabs throughout the year. In addition to crabs, they also sell seafood at the facility.
Hokkaido
Fresh Ingredients Sourced From 16 Fishing Ports Across Hokkaido
A buffet-style dining venue located in Susukino, the entertainment district of Chuo Ward in Sapporo, Hokkaido. Based on the concept of a "department store of food," the space brings together fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, and sake from across Hokkaido in one setting.
Kyoto
A Culinary Spot Featuring Locally Sourced Seasonal Delicacies
"Kyokaido Gourmet Market" is a culinary destination showcasing seafood and agricultural products from Miyazu City, Kyoto - also known as the "Kyoto of the Sea". This multi-purpose facility offers a convenient way to enjoy the flavours of the region all in one place. The "Kyokaido Bakery" is known for its soft French bread, approximately 60 cm in length, baked fresh throughout the day. The retail section features ham and sausages produced by Tango Foods, the local company that operates the facility. At "Kyokaido Cafe", visitors can enjoy dishes made with ingredients from Miyazu City. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays after 5:00 P.M., the café transforms into an Italian night bar, offering craft beer and wine alongside its seasonal fare.
Hiroshima
Taste the Seasons With Hiroshima Specialties and Sake
Izakaya "Yakuro" is conveniently located about a 4-minute walk from Hiroshima Electric Railway Tatemachi Station. This warm and welcoming restaurant serves dishes that showcase the rich flavors of Hiroshima’s local ingredients, including oysters, conger eel, local chicken, beef corne, and okonomiyaki. Signature items include "Uni Horen" (sea urchin and spinach), charcoal-grilled skewers of "Hiroshima Akadori Momo Niku" (red chicken thigh), and their original "Shirunashi Dandanmen-style Okonomiyaki". The menu also features a wide variety of a la carte dishes. A highlight is the "Yakuro Platter", a seasonal appetizer assortment with nine small dishes—perfect with a glass of local sake. It's an ideal spot to enjoy the flavors of Hiroshima after a day of sightseeing, with both table seating and semi-private rooms available.
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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.
Ehime
A "Hidden Retreat" for Fine Dishes and Select Sake
Facing Chifunemachi-dori in Matsuyama, this hideaway-style Japanese restaurant serves seasonal dishes made with seafood from the Seto Inland Sea and other mountain and sea ingredients, paired with local sake. At lunch, a limited Tensen set (15 servings per day) presents small portions of selected dinner favorites, arranged with careful attention to detail. The sake lineup features nine labels at all times, combining six core selections with three seasonal local brews. Inside, a white-wood counter and refined Japanese design elements create a calm, welcoming space, complemented by warm wood tones and discreet, well-paced service for a quietly relaxed dining experience.
Tokyo
Savor Authentic Japanese Flavors in a Warm, Cozy Restaurant
A Japanese restaurant nestled in the heart of Ginza, Tokyo, this cozy establishment is run by a warm and welcoming husband-and-wife duo. Guests are treated to authentic Japanese cuisine lovingly prepared by the husband, while the gentle hospitality of the proprietress adds to the charm of the dining experience. Engaging in friendly conversation with the couple is part of the restaurant’s unique appeal, and the attentive service—such as having your tea promptly refilled—makes you feel right at home. With its relaxed and homey atmosphere, the restaurant welcomes everyone, whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor.
Wakayama
Creative Japanese Food and Sushi Where You Can Enjoy the "Highest Quality"
Sushi Tozaemon Annex Kagayaki opened in May 2022 by Tozaemon, a seafood merchant that has been in business since the Bunkyu era and also runs a sushi restaurant in Iwade City, Wakayama Prefecture. For this restaurant, we have invited a talented Japanese chef from overseas with over 30 years of experience. Everything from the interior to the set of chopsticks has been luxuriously done. Of course, the food is also luxurious. We use only the finest and rarest of the carefully selected natural fresh fish that Fujizaemon procures. Thanks to the chef's excellent skills and taste, you can discover a dish unique to that day that you have never seen before. The customers are mainly executives. The materials and atmosphere are top - notch, but it's not too difficult to enter and will warmly welcome adults.
Yamaguchi
Enjoy a Luxurious Moment in a Special Japanese Space
Situated about a 12-minute walk from JR Yudaonsen Station, this Japanese restaurant specializes in sushi and seasonal dishes made from the finest ingredients. The head chef's imaginative approach and refined skills are evident in the omakase courses. Diners can enjoy the culinary artistry at the sunken kotatsu counter while engaging in conversations with the chef. The serene atmosphere, complemented by Arita porcelain tableware, enhances the dining experience. The restaurant also offers a diverse selection of sake handpicked by the chef to perfectly pair with the dishes.
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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.
Chiba
A Restaurant Showcasing Fresh Local Ingredients
This Western restaurant is located inside "Minori no Sato Togane," a roadside station. It offers a wide range of locally sourced dishes and desserts, including pasta made with seasonal ingredients. The glass-walled interior creates a bright, open atmosphere. Additionally, "strawberry picking" is available at the roadside station from winter to spring.
Kanagawa
A Modern Izakaya Blending Japanese and Western Flavours
Just a 5-minute walk from JR Yokohama Station (East Exit) and one minute from Shin-Takashima Station, this modern izakaya blends a relaxed café mood with stylish dining flair. Inside, find an inviting mix of antique-style tables, sunken kotatsu tatami seats, and cozy counter spots—perfect for anything from girls’ gatherings to date nights or parties. The menu stands out with playful originals: the "Grilled Silver Salmon Set" inspired by Japanese-style afternoon tea, the ultra-thick "Smile Pork Ginger," and the bonito-rich "Gentle Set." Stop by during café hours for their signature soufflé pancakes, available in four tempting flavours.
Mie
Seasonal Dishes of Kuwana Served in a Refined Traditional Space
This restaurant and wedding venue in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, is a modern-day revival of a long-established restaurant founded in the Meiji era. Guests may enjoy unhurried moments across a variety of spaces, including elegant private rooms in a sukiya-style building and the modern “The Garden Room,” filled with gentle natural light. For wedding ceremonies, guests can choose between a formal Japanese wedding or a sophisticated Western-style ceremony, with the beautiful, well-maintained garden as a backdrop. The restaurant serves visually stunning, creative French cuisine that exquisitely blends Japanese and Western styles, using generous amounts of local seasonal ingredients and the restaurant's specialty, clams. Unforgettable hospitality creates a fitting setting for cherished anniversaries and family milestones.
Toyama
Italian Dining Highlighting the Distinct Taste of Toyama
Located in Shinminato, Toyama Prefecture, this Italian restaurant is a hidden gem, renovated from a 100-year-old traditional Japanese house. The nostalgic, tranquil interior and a courtyard that reflects the beauty of each season create an extraordinary dining experience. The restaurant serves only the "Omakase Course," showcasing the bounty of Toyama. Thanks to its coastal setting, the menu features fresh local fish delivered every morning, alongside other carefully selected regional ingredients. Guests can savour Italian cuisine unique to this area, complemented by a curated wine selection. The owner’s wish to "inspire affection for the town" is infused in every detail of the restaurant.
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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.
Hokkaido
Savour Seasonal Seafood Caught Near Otaru
Located approximately a 14-minute walk from JR Otaru Station, this kappo-style restaurant serves fresh sashimi and grilled dishes featuring seafood sourced from the nearby waters of Otaru. Hearty course and kaiseki meals made with seasonal ingredients are also available, with the menu tailored upon request at the time of booking.
Hokkaido
Hidden Izakaya in Susukino for Drinks and Small Bites
A hidden izakaya tucked away in a back alley in the heart of Susukino, Sapporo. In a homey atmosphere, you can enjoy a menu that pairs well with sake, including the specialty grilled shabu-shabu, grilled fish, and yakitori. The alcohol selection mainly includes sake from Hokkaido, as well as corn shochu from the Tokachi region.
Shimane
A Sushi Restaurant Committed to Fresh Ingredients
Located along National Route 9 in Higashiizumo-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, "Sushi Hakata, Farm-fresh Conveyor Belt Sushi" serves carefully crafted sushi made with freshly caught fish and seasonal ingredients sourced from across Japan. Beyond sushi, the menu offers a wide variety of seasonal dishes, side plates, drinks, and desserts. Takeout is available, so you can also enjoy the restaurant’s flavors at home. Seating includes a counter for solo diners and box seats that accommodate up to eight people, making it easy for both individuals and families to dine comfortably. A pond visible through the windows, where koi and goldfish glide by, adds to the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Nagasaki
Fresh Sasebo Seafood Straight From the Catch
"Kaisen Ajidokoro Ryo" is located a 3-minute drive from the Ainoura Nakazato Interchange on the Nishi Kyushu Expressway and a 5-minute walk from Matsuura Tetsudo Daigaku Station. Operated directly by a fishery company in Sasebo City, Nagasaki, engaged in purse seine fishing, aquaculture, and processing, this restaurant draws a steady mix of local regulars and visitors from inside and outside the prefecture, with lines forming at lunchtime. The menu centers on seafood sourced through its own operations, including the signature "Seafood Bowl Set Meal" and "Daily Set Meal", limited to 20 servings per day. In the evening, a variety of dishes and courses are available for individuals, families, and groups, with a children's menu and luxurious dishes including spiny lobster and tiger pufferfish.
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