More Than Fugu: A Culinary and Scenic Journey to Karato Fish Market #japanesefood #fishmarket

We arrived early at Karato Fish Market, greeted by its quiet charm and the famed 
Torafugu—Japan’s most prized pufferfish, known for its firm texture and rich umami. 
As the morning unfolded, the peaceful stalls quickly filled with tourists, transforming 
the market into a lively, crowded scene. Instead of splurging on the famous Torarfugu, we opted for a more budget-friendly meal, 
choosing the less expensive Mafugu and a comforting bowl of fish soup. With 
our meal in hand, we wandered outside, searching for a bench along the seashore where 
we could sit and enjoy our lunch with a view. Karato Fish Market sits on the waterfront 
in Shimonoseki, offering sweeping views of the busy Kanmon Strait—a narrow channel 
separating Honshu and Kyushu. From the market, you can watch cargo ships, ferries, and fishing 
boats glide past, framed by the striking Kanmon Bridge. Its location makes it not just a 
culinary destination, but a scenic one as well.

We arrived early at Karato Fish Market, greeted by its quiet charm and the famed Torafugu—Japan’s most prized pufferfish, known for its firm texture and rich umami. As the morning unfolded, the peaceful stalls quickly filled with tourists, transforming the market into a lively, crowded scene.

Instead of splurging on the famous Torarfugu, we opted for a more budget-friendly meal, choosing the less expensive Mafugu and a comforting bowl of fish soup. With our meal in hand, we wandered outside, searching for a bench along the seashore where we could sit and enjoy our lunch with a view.

Karato Fish Market sits on the waterfront in Shimonoseki, offering sweeping views of the busy Kanmon Strait—a narrow channel separating Honshu and Kyushu. From the market, you can watch cargo ships, ferries, and fishing boats glide past, framed by the striking Kanmon Bridge. Its location makes it not just a culinary destination, but a scenic one as well.

AloJapan.com