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.
Ehime
Savor Three Kinds of Local Cuisine in One Indulgent Meal
"Ehime, Kakureya" offers a variety of local Ehime dishes and Japanese-Western fusion cuisine. At lunchtime, there is a comprehensive menu, featuring classic dishes like the "tonkatsu set meal" and the "kimagure set meal," where the owner showcases his skills using ingredients available that day. The recommended dish is the "Taimeshizen (seabream rice set meal)," which allows you to enjoy three types of local cuisine in one meal. This luxurious set includes taimeshi from Matsuyama City and Uwajima City, as well as Satsuma soup, a traditional dish from the Nanyo region, making it a must-try meal worth reserving. Hamburgers made with 100% domestic beef are also popular. In the evening, the restaurant offers all-you-can-drink and course meals by reservation, and is happy to accommodate custom menu requests.
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.
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.
Hyogo
Line-Caught Seafood Showcasing the Waters of Awaji Island
Located near Suntopia Marina in Sumoto City, Hyogo Prefecture, "Cafe Shokudo Oruca" offers seafood from Awaji Island and homemade sweets. The signature Oruca Seafood Bowl is prepared exclusively with wild, line-caught fish sourced directly from local fishermen, highlighting the natural flavor and texture of exceptionally fresh seafood. House-made sweets crafted from carefully selected local ingredients are also available, ideal as an after-meal dessert or for a relaxed café moment. Counter seating creates a welcoming, approachable setting suited to solo diners and families alike, while the warm, home-style ambience draws both local patrons and visitors. Seating is limited, and advance reservations are recommended.
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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.
Ehime
A Japanese Restaurant Where You Can Enjoy Delicious Fresh Seasonal Seafood
A Japanese cuisine restaurant with over 30 years of history, located about a 2-minute walk from Yawatahama Shinmachi Shopping District. Fresh seasonal seafood, sourced directly from Yawatahama Fish Market—one of the largest in western Japan—is expertly prepared to highlight its natural flavors. The cooking method varies depending on the type of fish and the season, ensuring the best possible taste. The drink selection includes sake from "Chiyo no Kame Sake Brewery" in Ehime, along with shochu, beer, and wine. The restaurant features both counter seating and private tatami rooms with sunken kotatsu-style seating, making it an excellent choice for intimate gatherings. Catering for celebrations and memorial services is also available upon request, with options tailored to different budgets.
Osaka
Casual Rooftop Seafood & Meat BBQ
A rooftop beer garden where you can enjoy a barbecue featuring oysters, seafood, and meat on the roof of a building with a view of the Osaka cityscape.You can casually enjoy an outdoor atmosphere while feeling a pleasant breeze in the middle of the city.
Hiroshima
Grab a Drink and Some Takoyaki With Tasty Sides
This izakaya specializes in takoyaki and is located approximately a four-minute walk from Hiroshima Electric Railway's Hatchobori tram stop. The takoyaki, cooked in a special batter with a strong dashi stock, has a fluffy and creamy texture and is deeply flavorful, and the plain version, which can be eaten as is, is one of the most popular dishes. There are 13 types in total, and takeout is also available. In addition to takoyaki, there is a wide selection of special octopus dishes, including sashimi, beach-grilled dishes, and stir-fried dishes made with octopus caught in the Seto Inland Sea. There are about 50 other a la carte dishes, including Hiroshima specialties, and about 100 types of alcohol, including champagne, sours, and beer. There is also a standing bar, so it seems like a good place for a quick drink.
Miyazaki
Enjoy Fresh Seafood Delivered Directly from Aburatsu Fishing Port
"Bibi" is a word for fish in the Nichinan region. "Bibin - ya" is located in front of the fishermen's cooperative in Aburatsu Port, and offers 100 types of original dishes made with fresh local "bibi". The owner's special dish, which uses yellowfin or bigeye tuna depending on the dish, is hearty and reasonably priced. The most recommended course is the tuna course, which includes sashimi and steak, as well as unusual dishes such as tuna tempura with mustard soy sauce and simmered tuna tripe called gonguri. Ise lobsters, which are in season from September, are large in size and delicious with a soft texture. Let's enjoy extremely fresh spiny lobsters made with the blessings of the Kuroshio Current at a reasonable price.
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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 Traditional Japanese Restaurant Serving Refined Kaiseki Cuisine
Founded in 1885, "Ichinoya, Ryotei Omiya" preserves the traditional flavors that have been handed down through generations. In a serene, sukiya-style setting, guests can savor kaiseki cuisine prepared with carefully selected seasonal ingredients, including premium items such as Japanese Black beef, soft-shelled turtle, pufferfish, and abalone. All dining rooms are completely private, featuring tatami rooms, sunken kotatsu tables, and Western-style seating—ideal for every occasion, from weddings and celebratory gatherings to large year-end parties and casual dining. Surrounded by lush greenery, the restaurant offers heartfelt hospitality and an elegant dining experience steeped in history.
Osaka
The Kansai Main Restaurant That Preserves the Culture of Eating Pufferfish
This is the original and flagship restaurant of a pufferfish specialty restaurant in Kansai Area with multiple locations both in Japan and overseas. The restaurant is approximately a 2-minute walk from Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, and its large signboard will catch your eye. Highly regarded in Osaka, the city with the highest pufferfish consumption in Japan, the restaurant offers premium pufferfish year-round. While casual courses are available, a highlight is the course featuring over 3 kg of wild Japanese tiger pufferfish shipped directly from Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The firm texture and profound flavor unique to wild-caught fish are truly exceptional. From April to October, a variety of plump, fatty eel dishes are also available for a limited time.
Tokyo
Proudly Serving Eel "Prepared With the Utmost Care in Japan"
Located near Kabukiza Tower, this long-established Japanese restaurant boasts a history of approximately 150 years. It is renowned as a discreet destination for celebrities from the world of kabuki and beyond. Selected in the "Michelin Guide Tokyo 2024", the restaurant’s eel, prepared with traditional flavours and meticulous care, is a masterpiece passed down through generations. Upholding the belief of being "Prepared With the Utmost Care in Japan," no compromises are made across the seven stages of preparation, from selecting ingredients to the final grilling. Preparing a single eel, including the removal of fine bones, takes approximately two hours. With a dedication to excellence in ingredients, culinary technique, tableware, and atmosphere, the establishment offers an experience akin to visiting a small museum where both food and artistry can be savoured.
Shimane
A Japanese Restaurant Filled With the Flavors of Shimane Prefecture
As an official merchant of Izumo Taisha Shrine, this long - established restaurant is said to have served food to Emperor Taisho and Emperor Showa. There is a family crest next to the entrance, and the interior of the store is Japanese - style with a strong wooden impression, typical of a store near Izumo Taisha Shrine. Since it is within walking distance of Izumo Taisha Shrine, it is not only used for meals while sightseeing, but also used by locals for banquets and receptions. The menu includes "Seafood Bowl" where you can enjoy seafood from the Sea of Japan, "Uzuni" which the first generation learned at Izumo Taisha Shrine 130 years ago, and "Enmusubi Zen" which was registered as a project by the Shimane Prefecture Tourism Division. We also offer a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, with a focus on Junmai Ginjo made by a local sake brewing company. Enjoy traditional flavors with famous sake.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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
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.
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.
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