7 Best Fish Markets In Japan

Japan is surrounded by water, there are a lot of fishing ports in the country. The fishing business is one of the businesses that are lucrative in Japan. There are a lot of fish markets that are popular. These markets have their own uniqueness that makes them stand out. Throughout the country, there are numerous fishing ports and markets that serve as the backbone of the nation’s seafood industry.

Toyosu Fish Market and Tsukiji Outer Market (Tokyo)

You’ve probably heard that Tokyo’s iconic Tsukiji Fish Market moved. To be precise, it was Tsukiji’s wholesale inner market, with its famous tuna auctions, that relocated to the new Toyosu Market on October 11, 2018. Toyosu is next to Shijomae Station on the Yurikamome Line in Koto Ward, about 2km from Tsukiji. Meanwhile, the Tsukiji Outer Market, the maze of seafood shops, knife stores and sushi counters around the old site, is still open and as lively as ever.

The experience at Toyosu is very different from the lively, messy but also charming old Tsukiji. It is a modern, clean facility, and only certain clearly-marked areas are open to visitors: you watch the tuna auction from observation decks behind glass. For the street-food and shopping atmosphere, head to the Tsukiji Outer Market instead.

Maizuru Port Toretore Center (northern Kyoto Prefecture)

Maizuru is a port city on the Sea of Japan in the north of Kyoto Prefecture, about two hours from Kyoto city, so plan it as a day trip. The specialties of Maizuru are seafood. A variety of seafood is available here throughout the year, such as iwagaki oyster and torigai for summer; and crabs: the king of winter delicacies. Not only fresh fish and shellfish but processed seafood, are also for sale. Enjoy shopping in the lively market. Maizuru seafood market consists of stores selling fresh seafood and restaurants selling cooked seafood ranging from crab, shrimps, lobster, and other seafood delicacies. You can buy your fresh seafood and order it to be cooked at the spots.

Omicho Market (Kanazawa)

Whoever comes to Kanazawa will be startled at the magnificent view of the kaleidoscopic variations of seafood that unfold before your eyes. Omicho has been Kanazawa's largest fresh food market since the Edo Period. Today, it is a busy and colorful network of covered streets lined by about 200 shops and stalls. While most shops specialize in excellent local seafood and produce, you can also find flowers, clothing, kitchen tools and more on sale. The liveliness of the Omicho Market is something that you will never see or experience overseas. The freshest seafood in Kanazawa gathers in this market where you can also get it very cheap for your own dinner if you like cooking on one’s trip.

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Izumisano Fishermen’s Union Open Market (Osaka)

Osaka’s Izumisano Market is a cooperative that sells a wide selection of seafood that is freshly harvested from the ocean. Every afternoon, it holds a series of auctions for various types of high-quality seafood. It is also home to restaurants that offer delicious and mouthwatering seafood dishes.

Apart from its stalls of shellfish, shrimps, and fish, the market also houses several restaurants that serve freshly harvested catches and delicacies. The lively voices of those bidding at auctions create a vibrant, spirited atmosphere in the market. On the second floor of the building are seafood and BBQ restaurants, where visitors can have their freshly-bought fish cooked. Seafood BBQ, seafood donburi (rice bowl dish), fish tempura, and other dishes are served. This market also sells locally harvested vegetables, fruits, and flowers.

Nijo Fish Market (Sapporo)

Nijo Fish Market is said to have developed in the early Meiji Period (1868 – 1912), when fishermen from Ishikari Bay started selling fresh fish there. The market originally spanned the Sosei River, running from Nishi 1-chome to Higashi 2-chome. Over time, the number of bars and greengrocers in the area began to increase, laying the foundations for today’s Nijo Fish Market.

The market continues to serve local residents’ culinary needs to this day and is also popular with visitors to the city thanks in part to its central location. Sapporo acts as a focal point for the freshest catches from all over the island. Nijo Fish Market boasts 15 fisheries and fishmongers selling that day’s catch.

The array of seafood on display, including crabs and hokke (Okhotsk Atka mackerel), also makes for a feast for the eyes. Each store has its own unique selection and it’s interesting to see the differences between them.

Tottori Karo Seafood Market (Karoichi)

Best known for its Matsuba snow crabs during the winter season, Tottori’s Karo market is a must-see destination in Tottori City, especially for seafood lovers who wish to feast on some fresh and delicious seafood delicacies. With its plethora of fresh-caught seafood from Karo Harbour as well as direct sales of products and souvenirs, this market can rightly be called the kitchen of Tottori. Fish dealers also offer local shipping of fresh fish purchased at the site, and plenty of varieties of seafood dishes are on offer in the adjacent restaurant section. At the fish-tank eatery Kaiyoutei featuring fish prepared directly from the water, the white squid whole-fish sashimi comes particularly recommended.

Tajiri Port and Nishikawa (Osaka)

Tajiri's fishing port is also located near Kansai International Airport and their famous Sunday morning market is only held on Sundays, from about 7am to noon, and some stalls sell out early! But if you don't have the time on Sunday, you should still come here for Nishikawa. This restaurant is open every day and if you don't like long queues, we recommend you to come on weekdays. The prices for their high-quality sushi are super reasonable. Here you can also dine on sashimi, tempura, set meals and dons.

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Cover photo: 江戸村のとくぞう, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons