Karato Market

Shimonoseki

Overflowing with energy, this is Shimonoseki’s kitchen!

“Welcome! Welcome! Cheap! Cheap!” At the western edge of Yamaguchi, famous for its blowfish and energetic spirit is Karato Market. Not only will you hear auctioneers hawking fish, but there are also vegetable and flower corners, making this the local “kitchen”, where it is crowded every day. The biggest difference from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo is that anyone can purchase products here. After the stock for business has been traded at 7 am, vendors would take the time to explain to tourists the different kinds of fish, how to eat them and recommendations of the day.

Head to the cafeteria on the second floor if you get hungry

When visiting the market, you have to try the fresh seafood bowl or the sushi. The cafeteria on the second floor is loved by people in the market for its set meals and fresh sushi at a reasonable price, and they are open for business even on weekdays. All of the food is reasonably priced and flavor is guaranteed by the fishermen. The second floor is also popular because it looks down on the entire market. Come experience the market’s air of excitement in the men working there and the voices of the sellers echoing across the market firsthand.

Fill yourself with seafood on weekend-only food events!

The usual energetic atmosphere of Karato Market is amplified when the amount of people doubles for the Ikiiki (Lively) Bakangai which only appears on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. In the intermediate wholesaler section on the first floor, you’ll find 20 different shops standing side by side, selling sushi, seafood bowls, and blowfish soup. Sushi is available at an amazing price as low as 100 yen, and seafood bowls as low as 500 yen! Food is available for takeout, so on a clear day you can take your food to one of the nearby promenades and savor it while looking out at the ocean.

For reference

Address

5-50 Karato-cho, Shimonoseki-shi, Yamaguchi-ken
Telephone

083-231-0001
Hours

5:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday to Saturday; 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Sundays and holidays
Open

365 days a year
Recommended season

Spring for pencil squid, summer for sea urchin, autumn and winter for monkfish, and winter for blowfish
Website

http://www.karatoichiba.com/

Access

Yamaguchi Ube Airport is approximately a one and a half hour flight from Haneda Airport.

From Yamaguchi Ube Airport, take the airport shuttle bus to JR Shimonoseki Station (1 hour 15 min). Get off at JR Shimonoseki Station. The market is a 10 minute walk from the station.