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.
Mie
A Wide Variety of Ise-Shima Souvenirs
There is a wide selection of products, from classic souvenirs that are synonymous with Ise - Shima to niche rare items. There are 4 stores in total, and the Toba Flagship Store also has a restaurant where you can enjoy the blessings of Ise - Shima, and a spacious parking lot is also a great feature. If you come to Ise - Shima, this is a place you definitely want to stop by.
Aomori
“Eat Oma’s Seasonal Produce” Such as Tuna and Sea Urchin
A restaurant located in Omasaki, the northernmost tip of Honshu. Speaking of Oma, tuna fishing has a history of over 100 years. The owner of this shop, known only to those in the know among tuna fishermen, is the No. 38 Miyoshi Maru fisherman who, in 2001 and 2013, set the highest bid price ever for a father and son. The owner, who is also a fisherman, works as a team to keep the restaurant lively, with his wife doing the Dish. Our specialty is tuna, which is handled in - house from landing to processing. In addition to tuna dishes such as the "3 - color tuna bowl" and "3 - color tuna sashimi set meal" with large fatty tuna, medium fatty tuna, and red meat, you can also enjoy set meals and a la carte dishes of atka mackerel.
Hokkaido
Custom Seafood Bowls for a Truly Indulgent Experience
"Japanese Eatery Donburiya" is an eatery where you can enjoy seafood bowls, conveniently located approximately one minute on foot from JR Hakodate Station. As a seafood wholesaler, it handles high-quality, fresh seafood, and you can freely choose your favorite seafood, including the recommended sea urchin and abalone, as well as tuna, squid, salmon roe, and more, and enjoy a lavishly presented seafood bowl made just for you. What's more, the reasonable prices are also attractive, and it is a popular gourmet spot for locals and visitors to Hakodate who want to enjoy seafood every day. It is close to the station and has a wide variety of seafood souvenirs, so why not stop by during a break from sightseeing?
Kouchi
Enjoy a Wide Variety of Kochi Specialties through Set Meals
This restaurant serves a wide range of Japanese and Western dishes made with local Kochi produce. With a focus on seasonal ingredients, the restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, including limited-time set meals and izakaya-style items, making it suitable for many different occasions. The fresh fish, sourced through unique supply channels, and the reasonable prices are especially well-regarded, attracting many repeat visitors from outside the prefecture. Locally grown vegetables and regional specialties are also sold on-site, making it a lively spot for couples and families alike.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Eat Gourmet Seafood by Area
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.
Osaka
An Izakaya Serving the Freshest Local Chicken and Seafood
Opened in October 2021, this izakaya is located approximately a 4-minute walk from Osaka Metro Shinsaibashi Station. It prides itself on its commitment to freshness, serving a variety of seasonal dishes featuring high-quality jidori chicken and seafood. The owner’s meticulous attention to detail is evident not only in the flavors but also in the presentation. Designed to offer both a casual and slightly luxurious dining experience, "Sakedokoro Umaiya" features counter seating, private rooms, and sunken kotatsu-style tatami seating. The space can also be reserved for private gatherings of up to 20 people, making it an excellent choice for banquets and business meetings. If you're visiting Shinsaibashi, this spot is well worth a visit.
Kagawa
A Long-Established Restaurant Serving High-Quality Japanese and Seafood Cuisine
Located about a 5-minute walk from JR Yashima Station, "Uonatsu" is a Japanese and seafood restaurant with roots dating back to 1917 as a fishmonger. Utilizing the expertise and techniques honed over its long history, the owner personally selects fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea every morning. The restaurant offers high-quality Japanese cuisine in a calm atmosphere. Private and semi-private rooms with sunken kotatsu seating provide an ideal setting for important gatherings. The counter seating is perfect for solo diners to enjoy food and sake casually. A spacious hall with a stage and karaoke is also available, making it suitable for year-end and New Year parties, welcome and farewell gatherings, and meals during sightseeing tours.
Hiroshima
Enjoy the Hiroshima Nightlife With All-You-Can-Eat and Drink
"Enengakugaku Otemachi" is approximately a 5-minute walk from Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima is also within walking distance, making it the perfect place for a get-together after a game. The high-quality menu, which defies the common sense of all-you-can-eat and drink, is sure to get the conversation flowing. In addition to a wide variety of Hiroshima specialties, including the "Kokusan-gyu Corne Aburi (lightly seared domestic beef corne)" which has been the most popular dish since the restaurant opened. "Kaki Cancan-yaki", oysters steamed in a can over an open flame, is a hearty optional dish worth adding. For those who wish to enjoy their meal without watching the clock, the restaurant also offers an unlimited time plan - a thoughtful touch for a relaxed dining experience.
Ishikawa
A Neighbourhood Kitchen Serving Simple and Heartwarming Dishes
This local eatery serves regional ingredients at reasonable prices. As the area is known for rice cultivation, the rice used is sourced from contracted farmers and carefully cooked to a glossy, fluffy finish. Home-grown vegetables are also purchased and featured in small dishes and pickles. With its unpretentious atmosphere, the restaurant welcomes all visitors. Seasonal ingredients are used to create a wide variety of thoughtful dishes reminiscent of traditional Japanese cuisine, attracting many repeat guests from both within and outside the prefecture. Choosing what to eat next is part of the fun.
Search for Pubs Where You Can Eat Gourmet Seafood by Area
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.
Miyagi
Savor the Finest Seasonal Flavors Through Japanese Cuisine
Located just a 4-minute walk from Aobadori Ichibancho Station on the Sendai City Subway, "Shunmi Shunsen Senna" is a Japanese restaurant that showcases the flavors of the seasons. The menu features a wide range of options, from creative dishes to à la carte items and sushi. Fresh ingredients are sourced each morning and carefully prepared to bring out their natural flavors, resulting in dishes that are both visually appealing and satisfying. Popular lunch items include "Kaisen Chirashi (a bowl of vinegared rice topped with assorted raw seafood)", "Salmon Don (slices of raw salmon over rice)", "Yakizakana Zen (grilled fish set; limited orders; served with rice and sides)", and "Ten Don (tempura - crispy battered seafood and vegetables over rice)". Each visit offers the opportunity to enjoy something new. The serene interior features counter seating, tables, and semi-private rooms, offering a comfortable atmosphere for solo diners, small groups, or gatherings with friends.
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.
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.
Osaka
A Hideaway Sushi Restaurant for Adults Near Namba Station
An Edomae sushi restaurant that opened in Namba, Osaka in July 2022. The restaurant is particular about not only the quality of its sushi, but also its private space with the warmth of wood that makes you forget the hustle and bustle of the city as soon as you step inside.
Search for Restaurants Where You Can Eat Gourmet Seafood by Area
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.
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
Enjoy Hiroshima's Delicacies in an Open Seat Overlooking the Seto Inland Sea
ZONA FORTUNATO is located in Sunami Seaside Park, about 20 minutes by car from the center of Mihara City, Hiroshima. You can enjoy your meal while looking out at the Seto Inland Sea from all seats. Enjoy dishes that incorporate plenty of Hiroshima's blessings, such as octopus caught in the Seto Inland Sea, oysters and local shrimp from Hiroshima, Setouchi six-grain pork, aged chicken aged at low temperatures, and Setouchi beef. Drinks made with fresh citrus juice and Setouchi lemon are also delicious. Reservations are required for dinner. The perfect location can be used for a wide range of occasions, including wedding ceremonies and receptions.
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.
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.
Search for Italian and French Restaurants Where You Can Enjoy Gourmet Seafood by Area
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.
Hiroshima
A Dual-Purpose Restaurant That Transforms Into a Café During the Day and an Izakaya at Night
A store located within walking distance from the Hiroshima Electric Railway Chuden-mae stop. During lunchtime, the restaurant offers poke bowls, set meals, and pizza toast at reasonable prices. A popular choice is the "poke bowl," available in a wide variety of flavors, from classic Hawaiian to Korean yukhoe and spicy options. At night, it transforms into a pub. They offer "gansu," a local dish of minced fish mixed with onions and chili peppers and deep-fried, "four kinds of seafood assortment," including cute octopus, and "three kinds of chicken fillet" topped with wasabi and plum perilla. You can enjoy hearty kushikatsu. There is also an all-you-can-drink menu, perfect for banquets and after-parties. Takeout is available both day and night.
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.
Hokkaido
Signature Beef Cutlet and Shabu-Shabu Dishes to Savor
This izakaya has a wide variety of menu items, including shabu-shabu, seafood dishes, and the specialty beef cutlet. It is run by a meat wholesaler, so you can enjoy shabu-shabu at a reasonable price. In addition to meat dishes such as tender beef cutlet and fresh seafood, there are many dishes that focus on dashi, such as udon and oden.
Hokkaido
Premium Sea Urchin Dishes by a Long-Standing Seafood Wholesaler
"Uni no Sato" is conveniently located approximately a minute's walk from JR Hakodate Station. Located in the area of Hakodate Morning Market, a popular tourist spot in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, this sea urchin specialty restaurant is run by a seafood wholesaler and serves fresh seafood that only a wholesaler can provide. For sea urchin lovers, the restaurant offers a luxurious selection of dishes that showcase the natural sweetness and rich flavor of uni, along with a variety of seafood from Hokkaido. Highlights include the "Sea Urchin and Abalone Bowl", generously topped with both delicacies, and the "Two-Color Bowl", featuring seasonal portions of bafun and purple sea urchin. This is a restaurant that you should definitely stop by to commemorate your trip to Hakodate.
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