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.
Kouchi
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
Hiroshima
A Lively Hiroshima Night Centered on Oysters and Meat
Located in the lively Nagarekawa entertainment district of Hiroshima City, this izakaya serves a wide range of oyster dishes made with fresh oysters landed in Hiroshima Bay, available year-round. A standout favorite is the yakiton, prepared exclusively with morning-ground Seto Momiji pork, a branded variety from Hiroshima Prefecture. Other local specialties, such as beef koune (a rare wagyu cut from the shoulder) boldly grilled over binchotan charcoal, pair well with a selection of sake brewed by local producers as well as notable labels from across Japan. The energetic interior, popular with both after-work locals and visitors, offers counter seating, tables, and private sunken-floor rooms, making it well-suited for everything from solo dining to group gatherings.
Shimane
Seafood Dishes at a Casual Izakaya
This retro-style seafood izakaya is located a 7-minute walk from JR Matsue Station. It is housed in a quaint building designated as a registered tangible cultural property and serves dishes made with fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients delivered from the market every morning, with a focus on crab and chanko nabe.
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.
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 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.
Nagasaki
Enjoy Dishes Made With Carefully Selected Ingredients in Sasebo
Located in an area near the Sasebo River, "Kanda Kanda" serves attractive cuisine that takes advantage of the characteristics of the ingredients. Reservations are required and meals are carefully prepared for each individual. The restaurant is popular for its relaxing atmosphere where you can enjoy conversations with the owner and relax without feeling nervous.
Kouchi
Seasonal Ingredients and One-of-a-Kind Japanese Cuisine
This authentic Japanese restaurant requires reservations in advance. There are two course options available, priced at 8,800 yen and 13,200 yen, both featuring "seared bonito." The bonito is grilled over Tosa binchotan charcoal and sourced from Kochi Prefecture. The restaurant's name, "Yuinchi," comes from the Ryukyu dialect, meaning "a place full of abundance where trade goods come from all over," which reflects the thriving trade during the Ryukyu Kingdom era (the historical name of the Okinawa region). True to its name, the restaurant uses seasonal ingredients throughout the year to create unique dishes that highlight the freshest flavors. Additionally, the food is presented on a variety of tableware, including pottery and antiques collected from across the country, as well as pieces by contemporary artists, making the dining experience a visual delight.
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.
Ishikawa
A Heartfelt Japanese Hideaway in Komatsu
This Japanese restaurant in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, primarily uses seasonal ingredients from the local area and the Hokuriku region. It serves dishes that are carefully selected for their freshness and seasonality. The tableware and setting incorporate traditional crafts from Ishikawa, and together with the food, you can immerse yourself in the "art of Japan" with all five senses. The restaurant's interior, built in the sukiya style, makes the most of the elegant building, creating a slightly more formal and sophisticated atmosphere than usual. The restaurant is renowned for its hospitality that caters to a wide range of generations. It also has a private annex, making it an ideal place to celebrate milestones in life, such as the first meal, a meeting between family members, or a longevity celebration. Many events are also held to promote the merits of Japanese cuisine to the younger generation.
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.
Miyagi
Casual Italian Restaurant That You Can Drop In to Easily
Located approximately a 1-minute walk from JR Matsushima Station, "Bene ITALIAN DINING" is a casual Italian restaurant offering a relaxed dining experience. A wide selection of dishes is available for both lunch and dinner, featuring seasonal local ingredients at reasonable prices. The drink menu is also extensive, including wine, cocktails, and beer, allowing for delightful pairings with the diverse menu. With its warm and welcoming atmosphere, the restaurant is ideal for family meals, casual gatherings, and parties. Breakfast service is also popular, with many customers stopping by for takeaway coffee or meals on their way to work.
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.
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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.
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
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
Freshly Grilled Oysters, Unique to the Area, Available on the Street Corner
A restaurant offering live seafood from Hokkaido, delivered fresh and full of vitality. Outside, grilled items can be casually enjoyed in a food stall-like setting, while inside, regional specialties such as "Kaki soba (soba noodles with oysters)" and "Kaki chazuke (rice with oysters and broth)" showcase local ways of eating. Plump, satisfying oysters are served raw in summer and grilled hot on the spot in winter. The savoury broth that pools inside the shells is also a delicacy, enhanced with a touch of lemon or Tabasco for extra flavour. Oysters are sourced from various regions depending on the season, including Akkeshi, Senposhi in Kushiro Town, Shiriuchi, and Lake Saroma - offering the opportunity to compare subtle differences in taste. Another highlight from "the grill" is the hotate (scallop), large and rich in umami, perfect for enjoying fresh off the fire.
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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