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.
Hokkaido
Fresh Fish Caught in the Morning Is Delivered Directly From Otaru City and Nemuro City Markets
Demekin, located in Sapporo's Nijo Market, opens at 6 a.m. daily. Named for its "eye-poppingly delicious seafood," the restaurant serves fish freshly sourced each morning from markets in Otaru and Nemuro. Specialties include house-dried salmon harasu and homemade soy-marinated salmon roe. Hokke from Shiretoko’s Rausu region is notable for its large size and rich fat content, offered at reasonable prices. Pair the fresh seafood with the restaurant's signature dipping soy sauce, enhancing the natural flavors. Reservations are available, making it a convenient choice for tourists planning their visits.
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.
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.
Kochi
Heartwarming Cuisine Made With Ingredients From Sakawa Town, Kochi
"Nishimura Shoten", a popular restaurant serving fresh seafood, has opened at "Makino-san Roadside Station Sagawa". The restaurant has a wide range of menu items, including sashimi, sushi, and seafood bowls. It also offers meat dishes, fried foods, and stir-fries, making the restaurant popular with guests of all ages. Generously portioned set meals are also well-loved, and the reasonably priced take-out options add to the appeal. The warm, wood-accented interior creates a relaxing atmosphere, and group reservations are also accepted.
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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.
Kochi
A Chef’s Choice Menu at the L-Shaped Bar You’ll Want to Visit Again
A cozy sake bar adjacent to the terrace at the popular "Shimanto+Terrace Harenoba," located approximately a 3-minute walk from Shimanto City Hall in Kochi Prefecture. Known for its omakase dishes made with local fish, vegetables, and seasonal ingredients, this bar offers a unique dining experience. From 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., enjoy the chef's special course dishes and sake, and from around 8:30 P.M. until closing, savor standard menu items, small plates, and snacks for a casual drink, finishing with rice dishes or desserts. The horseshoe-shaped counter, surrounding the open kitchen, has only eight seats, so it is recommended to reserve in advance.
Tokyo
Savor the Flavors of Tosa at Shinjuku East Exit with Straw-Grilled Delicacies
Located just a 2-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, this restaurant specializes in bold straw-grilled dishes. Experience the rich flavors of Kochi Prefecture’s sea, mountains, and rivers, with the highlight being the straw-roasted Tosa Hachikin Jidori chicken, prized for its intense flavor and premium fat. The menu includes fresh seafood like sardines, horse mackerel, mackerel, kibinago (silver-stripe round herring from Sukumo Bay), and dorome (young sardines), a rare local delicacy. Inspired by the Shimanto River, the serene interior features diverse seating options. Enjoy sunken kotatsu seats with the calming sound of a flowing river, private rooms for two, or larger spaces ideal for group gatherings, making it suitable for any occasion.
Hiroshima
Enjoy Hiroshima to the Fullest With a Variety of Dishes and Local Sake
A popular izakaya featuring Hiroshima ingredients and seasonal local sake. Known as an "accessible neighborhood restaurant," it attracts both locals and visitors from outside the prefecture who come to enjoy Hiroshima specialties like oysters and seasonal handmade dishes. They emphasize local sourcing, offering fresh locally-caught sashimi and dishes made with Hiroshima brand chicken. The diverse menu includes "shrimp shumai" steamed to order, "kamatama meatballs" with a fluffy texture served with egg, and "sesame-flavored amberjack sashimi." Their extensive drink menu features both local Hiroshima sake and selections from across Japan that pair perfectly with the food.
Aichi
Dishes Made with Seasonal Ingredients and Sake Carefully Selected by the Chef
Founded in 1935, this Japanese restaurant has been loved by locals for many years. Guests can enjoy dishes made with seasonal ingredients in a relaxing Japanese atmosphere. Sashimi made with fresh wild fish is a popular choice, with some fish aged to enhance their flavor. The sake selection includes 14 different brands from across Japan, along with 4 seasonal local sakes, perfectly complementing the carefully prepared dishes. A wide variety of banquet courses are available for two or more people, including options like the "farmed tiger pufferfish course" and the "oyster hotpot course," allowing you to choose based on the season and your budget.
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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.
Saitama
A Historic Restaurant Established in 1927
Enjoy a kaiseki meal while overlooking a beautiful garden centred around a 100-year-old cherry tree, featuring traditional culinary techniques. Spend a special time in a high-quality Japanese space that is also used as a filming location for movies and dramas.
Gunma
Exceptional Dishes Made With Premium Ingredients From Toyosu Market
This Japanese restaurant is approximately a seven-minute walk from Chuo-Maebashi Station on the Jomo Electric Railroad. They source fresh ingredients from Toyosu Market in Tokyo that rival those found in high-end restaurants in the city, such as bamboo shoots and wild vegetables in spring, conger eels, conger eels, and sweetfish in summer, mushrooms such as matsutake mushrooms in autumn, and pufferfish, crab, and oysters in winter. Each dish is carefully prepared to taste exceptionally well. The dignified and clean interior features counter seats and sunken kotatsu-style private rooms on the first floor, and a private room on the second floor that can accommodate 3 to10 people and is limited to one group per day, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal with your family, as well as entertaining loved ones, celebrating anniversaries, and more.
Kyoto
A Casual Kyoto-Style Restaurant Offering Thoughtfully Crafted Cuisine
Located just a 1-minute walk from Kuramaguchi Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway and within walking distance of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, this hidden gem of a kappo restaurant is known for its seared anago (conger eel) and seasonal obanzai dishes. The menu features fresh, seasonal seafood sourced from across Japan, melt-in-your-mouth simmered anago, oden prepared with a deeply refined dashi broth, and skewered tempura made with seasonal ingredients. With carefully selected Kyoto vegetables and premium seafood from nearby waters, each dish is prepared with expert knife skills and a deep respect for dashi. The result is a gentle, harmonious flavor that enhances the aroma and natural taste of each ingredient.
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.
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.
Yamanashi
Enjoy Teppanyaki Cuisine in a Luxurious Space
Teppanyaki restaurant in Kofu City, Yamanashi. In a luxurious setting, enjoy exquisite locally sourced dishes, including "Koshu Beef," premium Japanese Black Wagyu. A must-try is the "100% Japanese Black Wagyu Rare Hamburger." The outside is grilled to a crisp, while the inside remains rare and juicy, offering a rich umami flavor with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. For steaks, carefully selected rare cuts of A4 and A5 grade Japanese Black Wagyu are used, enhanced by a flavorful sauce made with plenty of Kujo green onions. The restaurant also offers an excellent selection of alcoholic beverages, including handpicked Koshu wine from Yamanashi and "Hakushu" whiskey, both perfectly paired with meat dishes. A wide variety of local wines is also available on tap.
Osaka
Luxurious Dinner with a Night View
The restaurant's large windows overlook the Okawa River and Tenmabashi Bridge.At night, you can enjoy "Oiseushi," a brand of beef from Mie Prefecture, and fresh oysters while gazing at the glittering night view of the blue-lit Okawa River and the lights of the city.
Toyama
Dishes Perfectly Completed by Wine Pairings
"Winista" serves dishes that use an abundance of seasonal ingredients from Toyama Prefecture and are completed by pairing them with wine. The owner sommelier, a great wine enthusiast, confidently recommends unique wines to match each dish of the course menu. You can feel the attention to detail, not only in the pairing with the ingredients, but also in temperature control and tableware that allows you to enjoy the aroma to the fullest. Reservations are required by phone, and the course contents are created after confirming the occasion, preferences, and number of visits. Based on the concept of "from the everyday to the extraordinary," enjoy memorable service that focuses on each individual guest.
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.
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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
Enjoy Sushi and Small Bites in a Cozy, Inviting Space
Just about a 2-minute walk from Kotoni Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway, "Sushidokoro Misao" offers a warm welcome and masterfully crafted sushi. The owner, who trained for over 10 years at sushi restaurants in Sapporo and says he “loves sushi so much he could eat it every day," prepares each piece with great care, showcasing the rich flavors of fresh fish. During the day, guests can enjoy sushi at reasonable prices, while in the evening, the chef’s choice course and nigiri sets come highly recommended. The bright, clean, and cozy interior features both counter and table seating, making it perfect for solo diners, families with children, or a special meal with someone important.
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?
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.
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.
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