Enjoy at the Markets and Shops of Your Travel Destination Popular and Delicious Seafood Gourmet Food

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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Impressed by the Taste Seafood Gourmet That You Will Encounter While Traveling

Wake Up Early to Enjoy Fresh Seafood! Lively Morning Market 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.

Enjoy the Charm of Seafood With Professional Taste Eat Local Gourmet Food

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.

Enjoy Local Seafood Gourmet Food

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.

Impressed by the Taste Seafood Gourmet That You Will Encounter While Traveling

Wake Up Early to Enjoy Fresh Seafood! Lively Morning Market 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.

Enjoy the Charm of Seafood With Professional Taste Eat Local Gourmet Food

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.

Enjoy Local Seafood Gourmet Food

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.

Choose a “Store” Based on the Situation

Savor a Full Morning Meal With Freshly Caught Seafood Seafood Bowl at a Market Restaurant

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.

  • Nijo Market Demekin

    Hokkaido

    Nijo Market Demekin

    二条市場 でめきん

    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.

  • UOHANA - KITCHEN

    Yamaguchi

    UOHANA - KITCHEN

    UOHANAーKITCHEN

    Delicious Fish Carefully Selected by Professionals to Eat Now

    A seafood diner located about a 7-minute drive from JR Shimonoseki Station. Operated by Uohana Corporation, which owns a fresh fish store at Karato Market, the restaurant offers dishes crafted by professionals with deep expertise in seafood. Through advanced processing techniques, they enhance the quality of the fresh fish, showcasing its full potential. For visitors to Shimonoseki, the owner recommends savoring the freshest catch of the day as part of a premium breakfast that embodies local flavors and ingredients. Relish the season’s freshest fish, handpicked for its superior taste and quality.

  • Restaurant on the sea Ukihashi

    Kochi

    Restaurant on the sea Ukihashi

    海の上食堂 浮橋

    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.

  • Omanzoku the fish - eater

    Aomori

    Omanzoku the fish - eater

    魚喰いの大間んぞく

    “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.

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A Wide Variety of Seafood Dishes Available Feel Like a Local at an Izakaya

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.

  • Local sake and seasonal flavors Azumaya

    Miyagi

    Local sake and seasonal flavors Azumaya

    地酒と旬味 東家

    Enjoy Miyagi's Delicious Sake Easily and at an Affordable Price

    About a 3 - minute walk from Sendai Station, this restaurant has a reputation for being able to enjoy a variety of Miyagi's seasonal flavors at reasonable prices. We have fresh Sanriku fish shipped directly from the source, and over 50 types of local sake from all over the country that change seasonally. It's a popular restaurant that is often full, so it's best to make a reservation in advance if you plan to visit. Lunch is full of great value menus, with a focus on seafood bowls. Among them, the "Omikuji - don" filled with plenty of seafood purchased that day is very popular. Inspired by the desire to return the favor from Tohoku, 100 yen from the lunch fee will be donated to the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake (duration to be determined).

  • Kyo Sushi Ookini

    Kyoto

    Kyo Sushi Ookini

    京・寿司 おおきに

    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.

  • Local sake and local cuisine Sawaraya

    Okayama

    Local sake and local cuisine Sawaraya

    地酒と郷土料理 さわらや

    Luxurious Dishes Created by Artisans Through Trial and Error

    Located in Kurashiki City’s historic Bikan District, the izakaya "Local sake and local cuisine Sawaraya" focuses on local sourcing, offering dishes featuring Okayama specialties like sawara (Spanish mackerel) and yellow garlic chives. The 200-year-old renovated traditional house provides a charming setting with views of a Japanese garden. The menu, paired with locally brewed sake, delivers a luxurious dining experience. With counter seating, tables, and tatami rooms, the restaurant accommodates a variety of occasions, from large gatherings to intimate meals.

  • Sushi restaurant Mizuki

    Chiba

    Sushi restaurant Mizuki

    すし処美月

    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".

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If You Want to Taste the Best Seafood Have a Little Luxury at a Restaurant

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.

  • Japanese gastropub Koryori Kanda

    Nagasaki

    Japanese gastropub Koryori Kanda

    小料理かん田

    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.

  • Cuisine Iseiku

    Shiga

    Cuisine Iseiku

    御料理 伊勢幾

    A Famous Japanese Restaurant in Hikone That Has Been Running Since 1896

    A Japanese restaurant with a long history, without changing its location or building since its establishment in 1899. It is used in a wide variety of situations, from dinner parties and memorial services to individual visitors enjoying sightseeing in Hikone. Another appeal is that all rooms are private and you can relax. They sell local products such as duck in the winter and sweetfish and biwa trout in the summer, and their specialty is carp koku (a soup made by simmering carp in white miso), which has the same flavor since its founding. They basically serve Kyoto cuisine using local Omi vegetables, but they also serve Omi beef, which is in high demand. In 2015, we opened a tempura specialty store called "Tenki" with counter seats in the same store.

  • Japanese cuisine Takanoha

    Shizuoka

    Japanese cuisine Takanoha

    日本料理 鷹の羽

    A Japanese Restaurant Where You Can Enjoy the Flavors of the Four Seasons Through Cuisine

    A Japanese restaurant located about a 5-minute walk from Shizuoka Railway Shin-Shizuoka Station.The menu features three courses: "Omakase Course 9,900 yen", "Omakase Course 13,200 yen", and "Omakase Course 16,500 yen". The dishes are primarily made with locally sourced ingredients from Shizuoka Prefecture, complemented by carefully selected seasonal ingredients from across Japan.The restaurant offers a curated selection of Japanese sake, including options from Shizuoka Prefecture and other regions, to pair perfectly with the dishes. Additionally, they serve a variety of beverages, including Japanese and international wines, beer, shochu, whiskey, and soft drinks.With only counter seating, the restaurant provides a tranquil atmosphere where guests can enjoy freshly prepared food while watching the chefs at work.

  • Sushi/Kushiage/Wine Kigokoro

    Yamaguchi

    Sushi/Kushiage/Wine Kigokoro

    鮨・串揚・葡萄酒 貴心

    Enjoy a Luxurious Moment in a Special Japanese Space

    Situated about a 12-minute walk from JR Yudaonsen Station, this Japanese restaurant specializes in sushi and seasonal dishes made from the finest ingredients. The head chef's imaginative approach and refined skills are evident in the omakase courses. Diners can enjoy the culinary artistry at the sunken kotatsu counter while engaging in conversations with the chef. The serene atmosphere, complemented by Arita porcelain tableware, enhances the dining experience. The restaurant also offers a diverse selection of sake handpicked by the chef to perfectly pair with the dishes.

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Elegant Italian/French Seafood at the Restaurant

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.

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Enjoy Local Gourmet Food With Ease Enjoy Takeout

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.

  • Kyo Sushi Ookini

    Kyoto

    Kyo Sushi Ookini

    京・寿司 おおきに

    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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