Karato Market
A vibrant waterfront market in Shimonoseki, famous for its incredibly fresh seafood, especially sushi and fugu, particularly on weekends.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Freshest catch, best selection
Karato Market
Best Time
Freshest catch, best selection
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant waterfront market in Shimonoseki, famous for its incredibly fresh seafood, especially sushi and fugu, particularly on weekends.
"Karato Market is a must-visit for seafood lovers, offering delicious, affordable sushi with stunning sea views."
🎯 Weekend Sushi Paradise
Visit Fri-Sun for the best sushi and seafood bowls! Arrive early for peak freshness and selection.
🚗 Parking Pointers
Parking can be tough on weekends. Consider the ferry from Mojiko or arrive very early.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Weekend Sushi & Seafood Bowls
Inside the market stalls
Indulge in incredibly fresh, affordable sushi and seafood bowls made with the day's catch. A true taste of Shimonoseki!
Fugu (Pufferfish) Delicacies
Specialty vendors
Sample Shimonoseki's famous fugu, served as sushi or sashimi. Experience its unique texture and flavor.
Kanmon Strait Views
Outdoor seating areas
Enjoy your fresh seafood bounty with picturesque views of the Kanmon Strait. A perfect seaside dining spot.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Weekend Sushi Feast
Getting There & Parking
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Weekend Sushi Paradise
Visit Fri-Sun for the best sushi and seafood bowls! Arrive early for peak freshness and selection. 
🚗 Parking Pointers
Parking can be tough on weekends. Consider the ferry from Mojiko or arrive very early.
💰 Value for Money
Enjoy incredibly affordable sushi and seafood. Great prices for the quality!
🌬️ Seaside Dining
Grab your food and enjoy it by the sea with stunning Kanmon Strait views.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Weekend Sushi Paradise
Visit Fri-Sun for the best sushi and seafood bowls! Arrive early for peak freshness and selection.
🚗 Parking Pointers
Parking can be tough on weekends. Consider the ferry from Mojiko or arrive very early.
💰 Value for Money
Enjoy incredibly affordable sushi and seafood. Great prices for the quality!
🌬️ Seaside Dining
Grab your food and enjoy it by the sea with stunning Kanmon Strait views.
🐡 Try the Fugu!
Shimonoseki is famous for fugu. Don't miss trying this unique local specialty.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Karato Market is celebrated for its incredibly fresh and affordable seafood, especially the sushi and fugu available on weekends. Visitors love the vibrant atmosphere, the scenic seaside dining, and the authentic local experience. Some find parking challenging on busy days, and the market's wholesale focus on weekdays means the full food stall experience is best enjoyed on weekends.
"🐟 Karato Fish Market (Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi) Review
Karato Fish Market is one of the liveliest and most enjoyable seafood markets in western Japan. Located right by the sea in Shimonoseki, it offers visitors a vibrant atmosphere filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of fresh seafood.
Every morning, local fishermen and vendors display an incredible variety of freshly caught fish and shellfish. The highlight for most visitors is the weekend sushi market, where dozens of stalls sell beautifully prepared sushi, sashimi, and seafood rice bowls at very reasonable prices. You can walk along the pier with a tray of fresh sushi while enjoying the sea breeze and view of the Kanmon Strait — a truly local experience.
The market staff are friendly and energetic, happy to explain the different types of fish and preparation styles. There are also souvenir shops and small restaurants nearby where you can try blowfish (fugu), the specialty of Shimonoseki.
The area around the market is clean, lively, and easy to explore. It’s best to visit in the morning (around 8–10 a.m.) when the selection is at its peak.
Overall, Karato Fish Market is a must-visit for seafood lovers — a place where you can enjoy delicious, affordable sushi, learn about Japan’s fishing culture, and feel the authentic spirit of a coastal city."
さくら大山
"If you’re visiting Mojiko, take the ferry across to Shimonoseki on Honshu, where you’ll find the famous Karato Fish Market—a popular spot among tourists. The market is especially known for selling sushi and is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
You can buy sushi inside and then enjoy it outside at the many seating areas while taking in the ocean view. The market’s signature specialty is fugu (pufferfish), served as both sushi and sashimi. In fact, the pufferfish is even the symbol of the market.
The sushi here is quite affordable, with plenty of vendors to choose from. The taste is pretty good too—not bad at all. The fugu, in particular, has a unique texture: it leaves a slight numbness on your tongue, but it’s delicious."
Busher Pitipat
"We went crazy in this market. Great fresh sushi and sashimi with great value. This market is famous for puffer fish and whale. My first experience with whale sushi, it was wild.
22 pieces of sushi with toro, hamachi, eel, sardine, whale with a place of toro and a puffer fish sashimi for below ¥10,000.
You can sit and eat by the sea."
Jessica Kwok
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can take a Shinkansen train (approx. 15 mins, 2500-3000 Yen) or a local train (approx. 1 hr 15 mins, 1300 Yen) to Shimonoseki. From there, a short bus or taxi ride, or even a walk, will get you to the market. A ferry from Mojiko is also a popular and scenic option.
Yes, Karato Market is easily accessible by ferry from Mojiko across the Kanmon Strait. This is a popular and scenic way to reach the market.
For a scenic and convenient journey, taking the ferry from Mojiko is highly recommended. If coming from further afield, the Shinkansen to Shimonoseki station is efficient.
Parking can be a hassle, especially on busy weekends and sunny days. Be prepared for potential wait times if you're driving.
Yes, it's possible to walk to Karato Market from Shimonoseki Station, though it's a bit of a distance. A bus or taxi is generally more convenient.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, there are no tickets required to enter Karato Market. It's a public market where you can browse freely.
The market generally operates from around 8 AM to 3 PM, but the weekend sushi stalls are the main draw and are typically open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The market is most famous for its sushi on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visiting in the morning ensures you get the freshest selection.
Entry to the market itself is free. You only pay for the food and any souvenirs you wish to purchase.
While the market is open daily, the special sushi and seafood bowl stalls are primarily active on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as well as holidays.
🎫 🍣 Onsite Experience
You'll find an incredible variety of fresh seafood, including various types of fish, shellfish, and of course, Shimonoseki's specialty, fugu (pufferfish).
Don't miss the fresh sushi and sashimi, seafood rice bowls (kaisendon), and the local specialty, fugu. +1
Yes, you can buy your food and enjoy it at designated seating areas, often with views of the Kanmon Strait. There's also a dining space on the second floor for a small fee.
Absolutely! Shimonoseki is renowned for its fugu, and Karato Market is an excellent place to try it in various forms, like sushi and sashimi.
It's a lively, bustling, and vibrant market filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of fresh seafood. It offers an authentic coastal city experience.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the colorful displays of fresh seafood, the bustling market activity, close-ups of delicious sushi, and the scenic views of the Kanmon Strait.
Generally, it's acceptable to take photos, but it's always polite to ask vendors for permission, especially if you're focusing on them personally. +1
Morning hours, especially on weekends, offer the most vibrant activity and best light for capturing the market's energy.
The market stalls themselves, the fresh seafood displays, and the views of the Kanmon Strait bridge and boats are prime photo spots.
Focus on vibrant colors of the seafood, the action of vendors preparing food, and the overall lively atmosphere of the market.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider visiting during weekday mornings for a slightly less crowded experience. While the focus is seafood, there are often other prepared foods available that might appeal to picky eaters. The novelty of trying different Japanese dishes can make it a memorable outing for the whole family.
💰 Budget Travelers
+1You can assemble a very satisfying meal of fresh sushi, sashimi, or seafood bowls for a fraction of what you might expect to pay elsewhere. This makes it an ideal spot for a hearty and economical lunch or early dinner.
🍣 Sushi Aficionados
+1Don't shy away from trying less common fish or the market's famous fugu. The affordability means you can indulge in a diverse sushi experience without breaking the bank. It's a chance to taste authentic, high-quality sushi in a lively, local setting.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Weekend Sushi Phenomenon
+2It's advisable to arrive early, especially on weekends, to experience the market at its peak. This ensures you get the widest selection of the freshest seafood before it sells out. The atmosphere is energetic and bustling, offering a genuine taste of local life and culinary traditions.
While the weekday market focuses more on wholesale fish sales, the weekend event is geared towards direct consumer enjoyment, making it a fantastic opportunity for tourists to sample high-quality, affordable seafood in a lively setting.
Shimonoseki's Fugu Specialty
At Karato Market, you can find fugu served in various ways, most commonly as sushi or sashimi. Trying fugu here is often highlighted as a unique culinary adventure for visitors. The market's association with fugu is so strong that it's even become a symbol of the market itself.
Beyond fugu, the market also offers other local seafood specialties, but fugu remains the star attraction for many adventurous eaters. It's a chance to taste a dish that is both infamous and highly sought after in Japanese cuisine.
Navigating Karato Market: Tips for Visitors
While the market is a feast for the senses, be mindful of the parking situation if you're driving. It can get congested, so consider alternative transport like the ferry from Mojiko or public transport from Shimonoseki Station.
Don't hesitate to explore the various stalls and try different offerings. Many vendors are friendly and happy to explain their products. For a more comfortable dining experience, especially on a hot day, consider using the second-floor dining space for a small fee.
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