Okay, let's admit it. Looking for the best sushi in Japan can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Sushi and seafood (whether it's in the form of kaisendon or at your local kaitenzushi) are an integral part of Japanese cuisine, and you don't need to wander far to find some. That said, not all sushi is made equal.
If you're ready to up your seafood game or venture into Japan's vast seafood culinary world, you'll need to plan a trip to one of these top destinations. Here, you'll find the best seafood and the best sushi in Japan.
And before you get upset at this list, it's important to note that this is not a ranking! These destinations are simply where Japan residents and foodie travelers have claimed to be home to the country's best seafood:
- Toyama
- Hokkaido
- Ishikawa
- Shikoku (Ehime, Tokushima, Kochi and Kagawa prefectures)
- Nagasaki
- Shizuoka
- Fukui
- Chiba
- Tokyo (Tsukiji Outer Market)
1. Toyama
Toyama Prefecture is often quoted as one of the best places to eat fresh seafood in Japan. The prefecture claims that Toyama Bay is home to 500 species of fish, which means there are a lot of seafood and sushi options here. Seafood to try in Toyama includes winter yellowtail, firefly squid, glass shrimp, and red snow crab, and the most popular way to enjoy these fresh ingredients is in a kaisendon (seafood bowl).
Want an elevated seafood dining experience? Hop on a train to Takaoka to eat at Ahora Aqui, a high-end restaurant that serves Hokuriku specialties in innovative and flavorful dishes.
2. Hokkaido
Home to some of Japan's most beautiful natural landscapes, Hokkaido boasts a rich food culture that reflects its natural riches and climate. With direct access to the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and the Sea of Okhotsk, it should come as no surprise that the prefecture's seafood and sushi offerings are diverse. Must-try seafood and sushi in Hokkaido include salmon, scallops, flounder, mackerel, squid, and crab.
For sushi, head to Otaru. This town of about 100,000 people is home to over 100 sushi shops! There's even a sushi street lined with 15 sushi shops where you can try the best fish in town at a leisurely pace.
Let expert guides lead the way. Sign up for an Otaru food tour to make the most of this Hokkaido town.
3. Ishikawa
Ishikawa, especially its capital, Kanazawa, is a must-visit for seafood lovers in Japan. Ishikawa specialties include crab (which tastes best in winter), sea bream, and ama ebi (sweet shrimp).
Kanazawa's Omicho Market is the place to go to sample it all. The market houses over 100
stores where you can taste fresh catch sashimi-style, grilled, or fried.
Travelers who want an elevated sit-down meal should head to CRAFEAT, where every course is served on Wajima-nuri lacquerware, named after the Ishikawa city of the same name. Here, you can selfishly (and rightfully so) indulge in a delicious kaiseki course meal featuring seasonal Ishikawa seafood.
Kaiseki cuisine is all about knowing where your food comes from. byFood's exclusive course menu at CRAFEAT includes an interpreter to allow smooth conversation between you and the chef. Reserve a table at CRAFEAT.
4. Shikoku Region
The region of Shikoku consists of four prefectures: Ehime, Kochi, Kagawa, and Tokushima. Together, they supply Japan with delicious food year-round (including the beloved yuzu citrus), but you're here for the seafood, right?
Kochi and Ehime both share one fish delicacy: bonito (katsuo). Bonito is one of the most common ingredients in Japanese cuisine and a main ingredient in dashi (broth). You can try bonito in various preparations in Shikoku, including seared bonito (katsuo no tataki).
On the other side of Shikoku Island is Kagawa. Its prefectural capital, Takamatsu, has direct access to the Seto Inland Sea, which guarantees loads of yummy seafood. Local specialties include iriko, a type of anchovy you can often find dried (a delicious snack, by the way!).
Finally, head to Tokushima if you're eager to try something really uncommon: pirate food. This prefecture's seafood cuisine is known as kaizoku ryori and features a platter of grilled seafood, ranging from lobster to oysters. If it's a feast you're looking for, this is where you'll need to go.
Did you know? The town of Ainancho in Ehime is home to a unique bonito auction. Dive into the world of bonito, from sea to table, book this original food experience in Ehime.
5. Nagasaki
Located in West Kyushu, Nagasaki is often overlooked as a food destination, but it really is home to delicious cuisine. Seafood, especially, is of top quality here, thanks to the prefecture's many islands and over 250 species of fish. Pretty much anywhere in Nagasaki is sure to offer great seafood options, but here are three restaurants we can recommend:
- Sushi Dejima (for Edomae sushi)
- Koryori Fujio (for eel, especially)
- Agedashi Tempura Tenhiro (for Michelin-star-worthy tempura)
Nagasaki specialties include horse mackerel (aji), chub mackerel (saba), red sea bream (tai), pike conger eels (anago), and more, which you can enjoy year-round. Seasonal delights include Japanese spiny lobster (ise ebi), which you can find between October and April in Nagasaki.
6. Shizuoka
Yes, Japan's number one producer of green tea is also a top seafood destination. The prefecture's pride catches are sakura ebi (sakura shrimp) and unagi (freshwater eel). In fact, no matter where you try sakura ebi in Japan, it's almost sure to come from Shizuoka. This type of shrimp is famous for its distinct sweetness. Try sakura ebi boiled, fried, pickled, or sashimi.
Here's where you can find the very best seafood in Shizuoka:
- Ogawa Port (for mackerel)
- Yaizu Port (for bonito)
- Shimizu Market near Shimizu Port (for tuna)
At any of these ports, you'll find small shops where you can try local fish and shellfish to your heart's content.
What pairs well with raw fish? Wasabi, of course! Head to Tsukuri no Wasabi to try Shizuoka-grown wasabi as part of a delicious course dinner. Customers are invited to grate the wasabi themselves to pair with seasonal Shizuoka fish. Reserve a table at Tsukuri no Wasabi.
7. Fukui
Fukui is a hidden seafood haven. The prefecture boasts some of Japan's best crab in Echizen and fugu (pufferfish) in Wakasa. For crab, head to Echizen to try the regional dish kanimeshi, a filling rice bowl topped with snow crab meat and innards. You'll find another seafood bowl in Wakasa, where it'll be topped with this coastal city's fish and shellfish.
But Wakasa is most famous for its fugu. This T Magazine article perfectly paints the image that most Western travelers have of fugu and why you needn't be afraid to try it if you're eating at a trusted establishment. Fugu has been prepared and enjoyed in Japan for thousands of years!
For adventurous foodies: If the opportunity presents itself, try hirezake (literally "fin sake"). This unique alcoholic drink isn't only spectacularly prepared, it's unlike any sake you've ever tried.
8. Chiba
One of Tokyo's neighboring prefectures, Chiba is well-known for its seafood diversity, which you'll find anywhere along its coasts. Whether you love your seafood served on a bed of rice or cooked on a charcoal grill, you're sure to find a place to soothe your appetite in Chiba.
The prefecture's fishy specialties include lobster, abalone, and clams (asari).
Pro tip: The best way to explore Chiba is by car, but let's be honest, that's not most people's go-to mode of transportation when they're traveling. Those who are based in Tokyo can take the Keiyo Line from Tokyo Station, which will take them to Chibaminato Station, right near Chiba Port. From there, enjoy the sea breeze and look for your next meal. There are tons of seafood restaurants around!
9. Tokyo (Tsukiji Outer Market)
At the end of the day, if you can't spare time to travel domestically, you'll find some of the best seafood and sushi in Japan at the Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo. Before its move to Toyosu in October 2018, this was where prestigious fish, including the coveted tuna, was auctioned and sold and often shipped to other parts of Japan. Today, Tsukiji continues to be a great place to sample fresh seafood and support local fishermen and small businesses.
Hungry? Explore what Tsukiji offers through a guided food tour of Tsukiji Fish Market.
