Even Tokyo locals come here to eat – the ultra great-value Nakaminato Fish Market

Reporter Jiayun Yu / Reporting and Photography from Japan

Many visitors to Japan consider trying fresh sashimi and seafood an essential part of their trip, and among these, Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market is the most well-known. However, located in the big city, seafood there isn’t cheap. If you want to enjoy fresh seafood to your heart’s content without spending a fortune, the Nakaminato Fish Market – less than two hours’ drive from central Tokyo – is a favorite spot for foodies.

▲The Nakaminato Fish Market, near Tokyo, attracts many visitors who come especially to try the fresh offerings.

The Nakaminato Fish Market is located in Oarai City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and is the largest and most famous fishing port in Ibaraki. It gets crowded with people every weekend, bustling with activity. In addition to local residents coming to shop or dine, many also come from nearby cities specifically to sample the food here – insiders know that the fish and seafood at Nakaminato not only taste fresh and delicious, but the portions are double those at Tsukiji, while the prices are half. That’s why the market is packed with crowds every weekend, and restaurants are often fully booked.

▲A seafood rice bowl loaded with sashimi for just 1,620 yen.

▲Long lines form outside every restaurant.

Coming here, besides eating sashimi and… Fish markets selling all kinds of fresh fish and seafood are a must-visit too. According to Mr. Kuraji, Director of Public Relations Strategy at Ibaraki Prefecture’s Public Relations and Information Department, while most fish markets in Japan don’t allow haggling, Nakaminato Osakana Market is an exception—and the scene of customers and vendors bargaining has become one of the market’s defining features, giving it a particularly warm, human touch!

▲%At this market, the scene of locals and tourists gathered together is not uncommon in Japan.