YamaguchiFood

Weekend Food Stall Paradise: Select Fugu Sushi and Seafood One Piece at a Time

About this spot

Karato Market, Shimonoseki's kitchen facing the Kanmon Strait, is a rare market nationwide where professional wholesalers and general customers shop on the same floor. The signature event "Ikiiki Bakan-gai" (活きいき馬関街), held mainly on weekends and holidays, features rows of sushi and seafood stalls where you can select and collect pieces one at a time—from Shimonoseki's famous fugu sushi and milt to deep-fried tiger pufferfish, sea urchin, and whale sushi. The Shimonoseki way is to enjoy your purchased sushi at the second-floor rest area or the seaside deck while watching ships pass through the strait. Simply walking through the lively morning market allows you to feel the energy of a port town throughout your body.

Tips

The "Ikiiki Bakan-gai" stall street opens mainly on weekends and holidays, so confirm the opening dates in advance. Popular shops may sell out by late morning, so arriving early is advisable. Many stalls accept cash only, so prepare coins for smooth transactions. The paid parking lot in front of the market gets crowded around midday on weekends.

Best time to visit

Allow approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Early morning after opening offers abundant ingredients, shorter lines, and plenty of time to select carefully.