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.
Mie
A Wide Variety of Ise-Shima Souvenirs
There is a wide selection of products, from classic souvenirs that are synonymous with Ise - Shima to niche rare items. There are 4 stores in total, and the Toba Flagship Store also has a restaurant where you can enjoy the blessings of Ise - Shima, and a spacious parking lot is also a great feature. If you come to Ise - Shima, this is a place you definitely want to stop by.
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.
Saitama
Established Restaurant Centered on Unagi Cuisine with Over 35 Years of History
Located about a 2-minute walk from Gamo Station on the Tobu Skytree Line, this kappo-style restaurant (a traditional Japanese dining style where chefs prepare seasonal dishes in front of guests) has been in operation for 35 years. Alongside its signature domestic eel, the menu features fugu, softshell turtle, sashimi, and tempura as à la carte offerings. Fresh eel sourced each morning from Kyushu is grilled with a continuously replenished tare sauce, resulting in a richly layered unaju.
Gifu
Expertly Handled Seafood From a Trusted Fish Shop
A long-established fish shop in Gifu City with an eat-in space, in operation since its founding in 1910. After generations of operating solely as a fresh fish retailer, the fourth-generation owner began serving prepared dishes in-store to share professional knowledge on selecting, preparing, and appreciating seafood. Seasonal fish is expertly prepared in full view, offering a unique experience at a specialty fish shop. Efforts also extend beyond the shop through workshops and takeout options that make it easier to enjoy fish at home. To introduce children growing up in landlocked Gifu to the appeal of seasonal seafood, tuna-cutting demonstrations featuring whole bluefin tuna are held at kindergartens and at local events such as the Dosan Festival in spring and the Gifu Nobunaga Festival in autumn.
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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
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.
Yamaguchi
Enjoy Authentic Spanish Cuisine in a Bar-Style Izakaya
Located approximately a 4-minute walk from JR Shimonoseki Station, this restaurant serves authentic paella cooked in a homemade soup made with lobster, vegetables, and more. Premium cured ham, aged slowly over time using only meat and salt with no additives, is offered along with a wide selection of Spanish drinks such as wine, sherry, cava, and sangria.
Osaka
Experience Hamayaki at a Conveniently Located Food Court
Located in the HUB KITCHEN food court in Honmachi Yokocho, approximately a2-minute walk from Osaka Metro Honmachi Station, this seafood izakaya offers a barbecue on a table-top stove at each table.Barbecue can be enjoyed at the tabletop stove at each table, and all courses include all-you-can-eat chicken wings.
Kagawa
A Seafood Izakaya With Course Dining Options
Located close to Miyanoura Port in Naoshima Town, Kagawa Prefecture, this popular seafood izakaya requires reservations. A chef’s choice course featuring generous portions of fresh local fish is available, along with à la carte dishes well suited to pairing with drinks. In addition to counter seating, the restaurant offers semi-private table seating and tatami rooms, allowing for flexible arrangements including small groups.
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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.
Ishikawa
Long Established Ryotei Surrounded by Yamanaka Onsen Seasons
"Meigetsuro," a traditional restaurant located beside Korogi Bridge in Yamanaka Onsen, the inner retreat of Kanazawa. Founded in the Taisho era (1910s) as a river fish restaurant, the establishment features tatami rooms all facing the river, allowing meals to be enjoyed while taking in the flowing Daishoji River and the seasonal scenery of Kakusen Gorge. A detached building renovated from a traditional house includes a tea room. The signature eel dish is prepared with a sauce continuously replenished since the restaurant’s founding and grilled in a distinctive manner. Lunch features eel rice bowls and kaiseki cuisine, while dinner is served as a series of courses.
Miyagi
Savor the Finest Seasonal Flavors Through Japanese Cuisine
Located just a 4-minute walk from Aobadori Ichibancho Station on the Sendai City Subway, "Shunmi Shunsen Senna" is a Japanese restaurant that showcases the flavors of the seasons. The menu features a wide range of options, from creative dishes to à la carte items and sushi. Fresh ingredients are sourced each morning and carefully prepared to bring out their natural flavors, resulting in dishes that are both visually appealing and satisfying. Popular lunch items include "Kaisen Chirashi (a bowl of vinegared rice topped with assorted raw seafood)", "Salmon Don (slices of raw salmon over rice)", "Yakizakana Zen (grilled fish set; limited orders; served with rice and sides)", and "Ten Don (tempura - crispy battered seafood and vegetables over rice)". Each visit offers the opportunity to enjoy something new. The serene interior features counter seating, tables, and semi-private rooms, offering a comfortable atmosphere for solo diners, small groups, or gatherings with friends.
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.
Shizuoka
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.
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.
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.
Aomori
Taste and Landscape Engaging All Five Senses
This restaurant with a spectacular view specializes in ingredients from the Northern Ou region of Aomori and Iwate prefectures. Lunch offers a limited-edition seasonal local fish course, as well as à la carte dishes featuring pasta and grilled dishes. Dinner offers a creative French and Italian course menu, offering a "special and familiar" experience.
Tokyo
Seasonal Ingredients and the Chef’s Vision on Every Plate
"Konsai", located a 1-minute walk from Kagurazaka Exit 1, was opened by owner-chef Kumagai as "a place to relax in an oasis." The restaurant features a wooden interior with soft lighting, bamboo and diatomaceous earth walls, creating a cozy Japanese atmosphere. Specializing in seasonal ingredients, Imasai offers a unique blend of French and Japanese cuisine with a focus on "expressing seasonal cuisine in the Imasai style." Alongside customizable four-course meals, they also offer a diverse selection of à la carte dishes, making it a popular choice for special occasions like anniversaries and business meetings.
Toyama
Italian Dining Highlighting the Distinct Taste of Toyama
Located in Shinminato, Toyama Prefecture, this Italian restaurant is a hidden gem, renovated from a 100-year-old traditional Japanese house. The nostalgic, tranquil interior and a courtyard that reflects the beauty of each season create an extraordinary dining experience. The restaurant serves only the "Omakase Course," showcasing the bounty of Toyama. Thanks to its coastal setting, the menu features fresh local fish delivered every morning, alongside other carefully selected regional ingredients. Guests can savour Italian cuisine unique to this area, complemented by a curated wine selection. The owner’s wish to "inspire affection for the town" is infused in every detail of the restaurant.
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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
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.
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
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.
Tokyo
Exclusive "Amakusa Ai Unagi" Limited to 10 Servings Daily
This Japanese restaurant stands approximately a 2-minute walk from Nogizaka Station on the Tokyo Metro. The rare "Unagi Kaiseki," limited to 10 servings at lunch, features "Amakusa Ai Unagi," raised in seawater from the Amakusa-nada Sea in southwestern Kumamoto. Combining the qualities of both farmed and wild eel, this approach focuses on direct grilling, bringing out its rich fat and distinctive texture and accentuating its fragrance and umami. The course begins with a small appetizer and continues to the main dish, with each plate carefully prepared to reveal the many expressions of eel while honoring Japanese culinary techniques and seasonality.
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