Japan’s fresh fish markets are recommended places for those who want to enjoy fresh seafood. Not only can you buy seafood lined up at the market, but you can also enjoy dishes such as seafood bowls and robatayaki that make use of fresh seafood.

Many people are confused about which market to go to, as the types of fish caught and the methods used to prepare the fish vary depending on the region where the market is located. In this article, we will introduce six recommended fresh fish markets where you can enjoy delicious seafood, so please use it as a reference.

■What you can do at the fresh fish market

There are three main things you can do at a fresh fish market.

・Auction tour
・Shopping
・Meal

When you visit an auction, you can watch sellers and buyers gather at the auction venue and buy seafood with great vigor. Tourists can also watch the auction, so it is a popular event with many foreign visitors to Japan.

You can purchase fresh seafood, side dishes, and souvenirs at the shops in the market. In addition, you can enjoy dishes made with fresh seafood at the restaurant attached to the market, or make bowls or barbecues of seafood purchased at the market on the spot.

■Tips for enjoying the fresh fish market

Please enjoy communicating with the market staff at the fresh fish market. Also, go to the fresh fish market a little early to enjoy the atmosphere, shopping, and food.

Go early in the morning

We recommend going to the fresh fish market around 8 a.m. and enjoying some shopping before eating. Most markets open early in the morning, so if you go in the afternoon, the products or food menus you want may be sold out or the market may be closed.

It’s a good idea to check the business hours and when food menu items will be sold out in advance, and go to the market with plenty of time to spare.

Enjoy conversation with store staff

One of the best parts of the fresh fish market is being able to enjoy conversations with the staff.

There are many different kinds of seafood on display at the fresh fish market, so you can find seafood that you cannot find at regular stores. If you want to know the name of a fish or how to prepare it, ask the market staff.

You can enjoy communicating with the store staff by asking them about seasonal seafood and recommended ingredients, and learning about popular ways to eat them in the area where the market is located.

■3 fresh fish markets where you can enjoy everything from fresh fish dishes to desserts

There is a restaurant attached to the fish market, where you can enjoy everything from fresh fish dishes to desserts. Enjoy watching the auctions and shopping, then enjoy a delicious meal. Here are three markets where you can enjoy cooking methods and meal menus unique to markets.

【Ibaraki Prefecture】Oarai Seafood Market

At the Oarai Seafood Market in Ibaraki Prefecture, you can enjoy seafood bowls and set meals made with fresh seafood.

Hamayaki, where seafood is grilled right in front of you, is also popular. Hamayaki is a fisherman-style BBQ where freshly caught fish and shellfish are grilled and eaten on the beach. Please enjoy the fresh seafood.

【Tokyo】Toyosu Market

At Toyosu Market in Tokyo, you can tour the facilities from 5am. The tuna auction is held from 5:30am to 6:30am, and the fruit and vegetable auction is held from 6:30am, so be sure to take a look.

After enjoying the early morning auction viewing, find a place to eat breakfast among the 39 restaurants within the market. Some restaurants close in the early afternoon, so we recommend eating a little earlier. Also, please note that when the market is closed, the restaurants will also be closed.

【Okinawa Prefecture】Daiichi Makishi Public Market

Daiichi Makishi Public Market is a market located in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. There is a market on the first floor and a restaurant on the second floor, where you can enjoy Okinawan cuisine and desserts.

At Dai-Ichi Makishi Public Market, the popular “lifting system” allows you to have the ingredients you purchase at the market on the first floor cooked at the restaurant on the second floor. You can consult with the market staff about purchasing ingredients and choosing a restaurant to cook at, so even first-time users can enjoy the market with confidence. (To use the lifting system, payment is required for each ingredient purchase and preparation.)

■3 fresh fish markets where you can eat the seafood you purchase on the spot

Fresh seafood is available at the market. Original seafood bowls where you buy your favorite seafood and put it on top of rice, and BBQ where you grill it over charcoal are ways to enjoy it only at the market.

Here we will introduce three markets where you can make rice bowls or BBQ the food you buy at the market and eat it on the spot.

【Hokkaido】 Kushiro Washo Market

Kushiro Washo Market, one of Hokkaido’s three major markets, has nearly 50 stores where you can purchase everything from fresh fish to side dishes and sweets. On “Japanese Commerce Day,” which is held irregularly on weekends, seasonal ingredients and products are sold at special prices, making the area very lively and attracting many shoppers. (Please check the official website for the dates of Japanese Commerce Day.)

At the Kushiro Washo Market, “Kattedon” is a popular dish where you buy rice and add your favorite toppings. There are about 3 different amounts of rice available, so even those who are picky eaters can enjoy it with confidence. It is difficult to choose carefully the ingredients to include, but be careful not to buy too much.

【Wakayama Prefecture】Toretore Market Nanki Shirahama

Toretore Market Nanki Shirahama in Wakayama Prefecture is one of the largest markets in western Japan. There is a corner called “Tore Tore Yokocho” where you can enjoy a variety of gourmet food. There is also a BBQ corner where you can grill and eat seafood and meat purchased at the market, so this market is recommended for those who don’t like raw fish.

In addition, a tuna butchering show is held at the tuna corner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., when there are many customers. The opening hours are not fixed, so if you want to see the demolition show, it’s best to get to the market a little early.

【Miyagi Prefecture】Shiogama Seafood Intermediate Wholesale Market

There are 11 restaurants inside the Shiogama Seafood Intermediate Wholesale Market in Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture, selling seafood bowls, ramen, and more.

At the Shiogama Seafood Intermediate Wholesale Market, it is popular to use the seafood bowl POP inside the market as a landmark to purchase your favorite seafood and make your own original seafood bowl. There is also a BBQ corner, so if you want to enjoy seafood bowls and BBQ, please stop by. (The BBQ corner may be canceled in case of rain or storms) (Closed in winter from 12/1 to 2/29)

■Summary of fresh fish markets where you can enjoy delicious seafood

At fresh fish markets, where you can enjoy delicious seafood, the selection of products varies depending on the region where the market is located. If you’ve never seen fish before, or want to know how to cook something different from what you’re used to, ask the staff to teach you.

In addition to eating at the restaurants in the market, we also recommend experiencing BBQ and seafood bowls where you can enjoy the items you purchased on the spot. Enjoy delicious seafood while communicating with the market people.

【Q＆A】
Q.Can I eat at the fresh fish market?

A. Yes, you can.

Many fresh fish markets have shops attached to them where you can eat. Depending on the market, the items you purchase will be cooked on the premises, or you can eat them as BBQ or seafood bowls, so be sure to check beforehand.

Q.What should I be careful about at the fresh fish market?

A. The aisles at the fresh fish market are narrow and there are many shoppers, so try to keep your luggage as small as possible so it doesn’t get in the way. Please refrain from bringing large or large amounts of luggage as there are often no coin lockers.

Also, most of the food and beverage spaces in the market close in the afternoon. It’s best to go as early as possible. There is no set dress code, but there is a possibility that water or mud that has fallen in the aisles of the market may get on your clothes. We recommend wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.