Experience a Japanese Fish Market Local-Style

Feast on fresh catches and take a behind-the-scenes tour in Takamatsu

Takamatsu, on the idyllic island of Shikoku, is home to a fish market bursting with local charm. Show up bright and early and join your guide, a fish market professional, on a complete tour of the premises.

The tour starts at 5 a.m. with lively auctions, as an amazing variety and quantity of seafood is selected and bid upon by local buyers. A demonstration of preparing freshly-made sashimi—and a small tasting to start the day—follows. The guide will also introduce the various ways seafood is prepared in the market for sale, as well as introduce the history of the market and the surrounding area. Finally, the tour will head to one of the guide’s recommended restaurants for, of course, a fresh seafood breakfast. A great experience for any seafood lover, or for anyone interested in how Japan is able to provide so many delicious fish dishes.

Access: From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama Station (about 45 minutes), then transfer to the Rapid Takamatsu train for Takamatsu Station (about 55 minutes), and take the Machinaka Loop Bus to the Chuo Oroshi-uri Shijo-mae stop (about five minutes). The market is a three-minute walk from the stop.

From Tokyo Haneda Airport, fly to Takamatsu Airport (about one hour 20 minutes), take the Airport Limousine bus (about 50 minutes), then take the Machinaka Loop Bus to the Chuo Oroshi-uri Shijo-mae stop (about five minutes). The market is a three-minute walk from the stop.

Takamatsu's local fish market tour (Takamatsu's Local Fish Market)