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.
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.
Ibaraki
Enjoy the View of Oarai Port and Fresh Seafood
A seafood restaurant near Oarai Port. It is loved by locals and tourists alike, along with the affiliated restaurants "Uo Heaven Seafood Restaurant" and "Fresh Kaiten Sushi." You can enjoy impressive seafood bowls and juicy fried foods while facing a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. I can't stop using my chopsticks for seasonal seafood.
Fukushima
A Ramen Restaurant Famous for Its Aizu Specialty “Sauce Katsudon”
A ramen restaurant located in Aizuwakamatsu that is popular for its freshly made sticky noodles and dried sardine - based soup. A popular menu is the set of ramen and Aizu's famous sauce katsudon, and the soft, juicy cutlet is delicious and will bring a smile to your face. The menu also includes the locally popular "Bero Ramen" (specially made wide noodles) and the local gourmet dish "Aizu Curry Yakisoba". The spacious interior has a Japanese - style warmth and is divided into two floors: the first floor and the second floor. There are tables and tatami rooms, making it easy to use by yourself or in a large group. It's crowded no matter the day of the week, so it's best to go during lunch.
Kochi
A Restaurant on the Sea Where You Can Enjoy Fresh Live Shellfish With a Spectacular View
A seaside restaurant about a 15-minute drive from the Susaki East IC on the Kochi Expressway. Loved by locals for over 50 years, it was temporarily closed in 2020 but reopened in 2022 under new ownership. Patrons can savor fresh, locally sourced shellfish paired with secret sauces in a serene setting overlooking the sea. Signature dishes include the "Kai Meshi" (clam rice) and "Ukihashi Teishoku" (set meal), attracting visitors from across Japan.
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.
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.
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.
Hyogo
An Izakaya Founded in 1974, Full of Local Love
A beloved izakaya located just a 2-minute walk from JR Sannomiya Station has been serving customers for over 40 years. The menu features specialties from Hyogo Prefecture, such as fresh fish caught during the daytime haul, locally brewed sake, and premium "Kobe Beef." The restaurant values connections with producers, using locally sourced vegetables to complement its dishes. Guests can enjoy Hyogo's culinary delights while supporting the revitalization of the local community. In addition to fresh seafood and Kobe beef, courses featuring black wagyu shabu-shabu are also popular. With its casual and welcoming atmosphere, it's an ideal spot for friends or colleagues to gather.
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".
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.
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.
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.
Wakayama
Creative Japanese Food and Sushi Where You Can Enjoy the "Highest Quality"
Sushi Tozaemon Annex Teru 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.
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.
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.
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.
Search for Takeout Seafood Gourmet Food by Area
