Restaurant Details

A few streets west of Hakata Station is one of Fukuoka’s most vaunted restaurants, Shimakawa. For over 30 years, the restaurant has been bringing the “taste of the Genkai Sea” to Fukuoka, serving freshly caught seafood from off the coast of Kyushu’s northernmost prefecture.

In spring and summer, the restaurant’s menus heavily feature the okoze devil stinger, a local bottom-dwelling delicacy whose fearsome appearance belies the tenderness and rich flavor of its flesh. Other regulars on the menu include yari-ika spear squid from Saga's Yobuko coast and red sea urchin from Karatsu — two of the region’s most famous seafood dishes — and the hamo pike conger, which is richest in oils in the summer.

But the restaurant is no less popular in winter. From September to March, the restaurant enjoys brisk business with those looking for a taste of wild-caught fugu pufferfish, in a special menu expertly prepared by Shimakawa’s chefs so as to render the fish’s deadly poison completely harmless — and its flesh extremely tender.

Yet others come for the chance to dine on hotpot of the extremely rare and prized longtooth grouper, called “kue” elsewhere in Japan but “ara” in Kyushu. At its fattest in winter, ara at its peak is especially valued for its mouth-melting texture, and fragrant aftertaste that lingers long after. Through these specialty dishes, Shimakawa conveys to its guests the taste and sense of Japan's four seasons.

Over its 30-plus years of operation, Shimakawa’s sense of hospitality has come to be appreciated just as much as the freshness of its seafood and the mastery of its chefs. Whether at the six-seat counter or in one of the many private rooms, dine at Shimakawa is to be immersed in a traditional Japanese interior filled with tatami mats, natural wood, tasteful floral arrangements and warm lighting.

Shimakawa Remarks

• Guests with dietary restrictions and/or food allergies should inform the restaurant beforehand. The restaurant might not be able to accommodate guests who make same-day requests.

• The restaurant reserves the right to refuse reservations to guests who have excessive dietary restrictions, particularly those of fish or vegetables.

• The course menu content listed below is an example, and is subject to change based on seasonal availability.

• The restaurant cannot always guarantee that it can provide guests with their preferred seating options after a reservation due to availability.

• The pictures provided are for illustrative purposes.

Shimakawa Business Days

Shimakawa Address

Oubre Hakata 1F & 2F, 3-10-2 Hakata Ekimae, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka 812-0011

Shimakawa Access Info

• Shimakawa is accessible via a 7-minute walk from JR Hakata Station.

Shimakawa Phone Number

Shimakawa Cancellation Policy

Cancel your reservation at least 48 hours before the dining start time to receive a full refund.