Fresh Fish in Kansai! 10 Seafood Markets in Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, and More

Kansai, located in central western Japan, is home to major Japanese cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, and is one of Japan’s biggest economic hubs. Naturally, the Kansai region is packed with seafood markets dotting its cities, offering premium fresh fish and more wholesale or served up at accompanying restaurants. In this article, we’ll introduce you to 10 recommended seafood markets in Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, and more to grab a helping of delicious Japanese fish at an excellent price!

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1. Nakanoshima Fishing Port and Nakanoshima Minato Dining Hall *CLOSED

Located at Osaka's Ajigawa River, Nakanoshima fishing port delivers fresh seasonal seafood nationwide every single day! The fresh fish are still kicking and alive when they arrive at their destination. Here at the port, you will get to have a share of the fresh seafood at Nakanoshima Minato dining hall. You can fill you tummy with fresh seafood through their dons, set meals or have them barbecued for you.  

Address: 1-9 Kawaguchi, Nishi Ward, Osaka City

2. Izumisano Aozora Market and Iruka

Across from the Kansai International Airport, you'll find Senshu's fishing port that is said to supply the most (or at least the second most) amount of seafood in the whole of Japan! On the 2nd floor of this port, you'll find Iruka, a restaurant that uses the caught fresh seafood for their set meals and grilled dishes. This place is both popular and famous, so if you were to make your way here during the weekend, get ready for a long queue as visitors from other prefectures also can't wait to sink their teeth into Japan's fresh yummy seafood. 

Homepage: https://www.instagram.com/izumisanogyokyou/?igshid=NTc4MTlwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D (Izumisano Aozora Market)

Address; 2-5187-101 Shinmachi, Izumisano, Osaka City

3. Tajiri Port and Nishikawa

Tajiri's fishing port is also located near Kansai International Airport and their famous fish market is only open on Sundays, from 1am till 12pm (a mere 5 hour operation only)! 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. Oh, and if you plan to come here for dinner, we suggest you to make reservations first! 

Homepage: http://www.tajiriport.com/ (Tajiri Port)

Address: North Rinkai Port, Tajiri-cho, Sennan District, Osaka City

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4. Tsuruhashi Fish Market and Tsuruhashi Maguro Dining Hall *RELOCATED

Tsuruhashi might be famous for their yakiniku but in actual fact they supply fresh seafood from Mie and other prefectures in the Kinki district. Here in Tsuruhashi fish market, you'll get to have really good tuna at the Tsuruhashi Maguro dining hall at a very good deal! We recommend you to try their Maguro Don. The serving is so huge that you might think you'll never be able to get to the bottom of the bowl! Heads up though, the dining hall closes once they finish selling off all their tuna!

5. Kyoto Central Wholesale Market and Kyo Suzaku Sushi Ichiba

This sushi restaurant is located inside Kyoto Central Wholesale Market and you can bet that their sushi pieces use fresh seafood straight from the market. And if the conveyor belt isn't bringing the sushi piece that you want, don't feel shy. Just go ahead and order what you want without having to wait! 

Homepage: http://sushi-ichiba.or.jp/

Address: Kyoto Central Wholesale Market, 80 Sujakubunki-cho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City

6. Maizuru Port Toretore Center's Food Court

One should not judge a book by its cover. This is no ordinary roadside eatery as it serves the freshest seafood that it won at the auctions at one of Kyoto's biggest fishing port, Maizuru Port. This food court here allows you to pick the type of seafood you want to eat and they will cook it right in front of you. You can also try their seafood dons and sushi. If you happen to be in the area in November and you are an oyster fan, you should definitely rush over here for their oysters. 

Homepage: http://www.toretore.org/

Address: 905 Shimofukui, Maizuru, Kyoto City

7. Kobe City Central Wholesale Market and Kaisendon no Ekimae

For those who are looking for a rich variety of seafood in their meals, we definitely recommend the yummy seafood dons here that you can get at very reasonable prices. This store specializes in dons and is conveniently located next to the Chuo Ichibamae train station. The ingredients here are directly delivered fresh from the market next to it and you get to have them at great deals. Their Tokujyo Kaisen Don is only for ¥1000, which is an unbeatable bargain for its freshness and variety!

Homepage: http://www.ekimae-group.co.jp/shop/kaisendon/chuuou/

Address: 1-1-4, Nakanoshima, Hyogo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

8. Awaji Island's Yura Port and Kaibutsuyaki Nakajima Suisan at Fukushima *CLOSED

There is a seafood import and exporter right here in Osaka's Fukushima that brings in fresh catch from Awajima. In other words, you can enjoy Awajima's fresh seafood right here in Osaka without traveling far and wide for it. You can have a counter seat on the 1st floor or enjoy traditional Japanese seating on the 2nd floor. In summer you'll get to enjoy eel and in winter, come and have a bite of their famous Fugu. 

Address: 5-6-13 Fukushima, Fukushima Ward, Osaka City

9. Wakayama Kuroshio Market and Maguro no Daikaiya

You are going to be in for a treat when you come to Kuroshio Market that is located right inside Wakayama City's Wakayama Marina City. Not only will you get to have yummy sushi at very reasonable prices, you'll get to see them dissect a tuna!  You'll find that this place will be crowded with both local and foreign tourists. The restaurant Maguro no Daikaiya will offer you all sort of fresh delicious tuna parts!

Homepage: http://www.kuroshioichiba.co.jp/daikaiya.html

Address: Wakayama Marina City, 1527 Kemi, Wakayama

10. Wakayama Toretore Market Nanki Shirahama and Toretore Yokocho

Michael Chan/Flickr

akayama is not only known for its hot springs. Here at Shirahama, there is an indoor market that covers 49500m² and in here you can find Toretore Yokocho, where you'll be able to savor fresh seafood in the form of seafood dons, maguro dons, sea urchin dons and all sorts of other yummy dons! There are also piping hot bowls of seafood ramen dishes to sashimi plates, sushi pieces and grilled seafood. You'll be spoiled for choices here. 

Hompage: https://en.visitwakayama.jp/venues/venue_75/

Address: 2521 Katata, Shirahama, Nishimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture

Kansai Feature

The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.

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