Kure Taishomachi Market

Kure Taishomachi Market in Nakatosa, Kochi Prefecture, is a lively coastal fish market where local fishermen sell their morning catches directly to visitors. The market's cramped, bustling lanes are lined with stalls offering impeccably fresh sashimi, grilled fish skewers, and generous seafood bowls piled with the day's best catches from the nearby Tosa Bay. Bonito, or katsuo, is the star here, often served as tataki, lightly seared over straw fire and seasoned with garlic, ginger, and ponzu. The market has operated since the Taisho era and retains an authentic, working-port atmosphere that feels worlds apart from more polished tourist markets. Arrive by mid-morning for the best selection before the choicest items sell out.