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.
Chiba
Kamogawa’s Local Flavors, Served at Their Best
This Japanese restaurant has been loved for about 40 years in Kamogawa City, Chiba. They serve Japanese cuisine made with seasonal local ingredients such as "Nagasa rice" and local fish, and the homemade desserts that come with the set menu are also one of their attractions. In addition to table seating, they also have private rooms and banquet halls, making them perfect for large groups.
Miyagi
Enjoy Whale Dishes and Seafood Unique to the Oshika Peninsula
Cottu, a tourism and product exchange facility located in Whale Town Oshika, a tourist facility on the Oshika Peninsula, opened in October 2019 in Ayukawahama, Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture. "Seafood Restaurant Nagisa" inside is a restaurant operated by "Shimashu no Yado Sakai", an inn located on the peninsula. Ayukawa is famous for its whale dishes and seafood dishes. The minke whale sashimi set meal, which can only be served fresh, and the set meal using seafood caught off the coast of Mt. Kinka in Sanriku, one of the world's best fishing grounds, are recommended. You can use the lobby inside Cottu as well as inside the store. You can enjoy your meal while looking out at the sea from the terrace seats.
Chiba
Enjoy Grilled Seafood With a Focus on Fresh Local Seafood
Hamachaya Amimoto is a restaurant located in Kujukuri Town, Chiba Prefecture, where you can enjoy grilled seafood and Japanese cuisine while looking out at the Kujukuri sea. In the spacious space with large windows and high ceilings, you can enjoy local turban shells, clams, abalone, and more in a hamayaki style. Kujukuri's famous sardines, which are extremely fresh, not bitter, and reasonably priced, are also popular, as is the tuna bukkake bowl, which is available in limited quantities. I'm happy that my beloved family members, my beloved dogs and cats, can spend time with me in the companion seat of the tatami room. Groups with dogs are also welcome.
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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.
Shizuoka
A Seafood Izakaya Offering the Best of Shizuoka’s Gourmet Delights
Located just 2 minutes from JR Shizuoka Station, this izakaya restaurant serves seasonal Shizuoka ingredients such as high-quality wild tuna landed at Shimizu Port and raw whitebait caught in Suruga Bay. Various private rooms can accommodate 2 to 60 people, making it ideal for dining with loved ones or large parties.
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.
Osaka
A Vibrant Yatai-Style Tavern with Cherry Blossoms and Windmill Décor
Opened in June 2024, this Japanese-style izakaya with a gorgeous Japanese-style display including a windmill is easily accessible from the nearest station such as Osaka Metro Namba Station, where you can enjoy barbecue, grilled oysters, takoyaki, and Japanese beef indoors.
Hiroshima
Hiroshima Oysters and Regional Dishes in a Casual Izakaya Setting
Located near JR Hiroshima Station, this izakaya offers a range of local favorites, from fresh Hiroshima oysters to standout dishes such as wagyu koune and motsunabe. For visitors, it serves as a memorable taste of the city during their travels, while locals and after-work diners appreciate it as a place for an elevated yet familiar meal.
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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.
Niigata
Enjoy the Blessings of Niigata's Sea and Mountains in a Relaxing Private Room
A 140 - year - old Japanese restaurant located just off the street, about a 12 - minute walk from Niigata Station. While inheriting tradition and techniques, they pursue new possibilities for Japanese cuisine by incorporating new Dish methods and presentations that suit the times. The restaurant is famous for its various sushi kaiseki dishes, which are a fusion of Japanese cuisine and sushi made with seasonal ingredients from the sea and mountains. You can also enjoy Niigata's specialties such as black - throated blackthroat, Nanban shrimp, and Murakami beef, as well as sashimi served in hand - carved ice - crafted vessels. Niigata's famous sake is also available, and many fans come from outside the prefecture to enjoy Niigata's delicious ingredients and alcohol.
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.
Shiga
Dishes Made with Fresh Ingredients and Outstanding Techniques
Uosei is a restaurant where you can enjoy Japanese cuisine that incorporates seasonal produce from Shiga Prefecture. Our seasonal kaiseki cuisine is made with seasonal ingredients such as home - grown pesticide - free vegetables, and is prepared by experienced chefs, with a focus on fresh fish with just the right amount of fat, which is delivered directly from Obama every morning. , the colors are vivid. Inside the hotel, where you can feel at ease with the seasonal flowers arranged throughout, there are rooms suitable for family gatherings, auspicious events, Buddhist services, welcome and farewell parties, entertainment, etc., such as table seats and Japanese - style rooms, which can be selected according to the number of guests and the occasion. are completed. We want you to enjoy a blissful moment of refined and luxurious kaiseki in a relaxing, high - quality space.
Ishikawa
Fresh Seafood Lunches Drawing Local Popularity
"Kuimonya Furusato Kaga" is located close to JR Kaga Onsen Station. You can enjoy fresh seafood dishes for lunch, including crab, a winter delicacy of the Hokuriku region. Popular dishes include the specialty "Kaga Crab Rice," packed with the delicious flavor of crab, the "Sashimi Set Meal," and the seafood bowl. Reservations are essential, particularly for the crab dishes.
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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.
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.
Mie
Seasonal Dishes of Kuwana Served in a Refined Traditional Space
This restaurant and wedding venue in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, is a modern-day revival of a long-established restaurant founded in the Meiji era. Guests may enjoy unhurried moments across a variety of spaces, including elegant private rooms in a sukiya-style building and the modern “The Garden Room,” filled with gentle natural light. For wedding ceremonies, guests can choose between a formal Japanese wedding or a sophisticated Western-style ceremony, with the beautiful, well-maintained garden as a backdrop. The restaurant serves visually stunning, creative French cuisine that exquisitely blends Japanese and Western styles, using generous amounts of local seasonal ingredients and the restaurant's specialty, clams. Unforgettable hospitality creates a fitting setting for cherished anniversaries and family milestones.
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.
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.
Gifu
Delicious Fish Dishes Served by Professionals at a Long-Established Fish Store
A long-established fresh fish store in Gifu City featuring an eat-in space. Since its founding in 1902, the business has operated solely as a fresh fish store; however, the fourth-generation owner has recently begun serving meals on-site to showcase a professional approach to enjoying fish. Seasonal fish are expertly prepared before customers' eyes—a unique experience offered exclusively by a fresh fish store. Seminars and take-out services are also available for those wishing to enjoy delicious fish at home. To convey the thrill of encountering seasonal fish to children in oceanless Gifu and inspire a love for fish, bluefin tuna dissection shows are held at kindergartens, the Dosan Festival in spring, and the Gifu Nobunaga Festival in autumn.
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.
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.
Hyogo
Commitment to Ingredient Quality and Flavorful Rice
Located in Tamba-Sasayama, Hyogo, surrounded by abundant natural scenery, the long-established sushi restaurant "Morimotoya" sources live fish each morning, focusing on freshness, and keeps them in an in-house tank until preparation. Each order is prepared at its optimal moment to preserve peak flavor. The sushi rice, made with locally grown "Koshihikari" from Tamba-Sasayama and cooked in a gas kettle, is known for its distinct grains and delicate texture. In addition to sushi, dishes such as sashimi, simmered fish, and dobin-mushi are available, prepared with the day’s ingredients. A selection includes the locally brewed sake "Homei," known for its rich character.
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