Shimonoseki: Savoring Exquisite Fugu Cuisine at the Home of Blowfish

Shimonoseki: Japan's Number One Fugu City

Shimonoseki City in Yamaguchi Prefecture is the sacred ground of fugu cuisine, concentrating approximately 80% of fugu distributed in Japan. In Shimonoseki, fugu is auspiciously called "fuku" (fortune), and fugu cuisine can be enjoyed throughout the city.

Fugu at Karato Market

"Karato Market" along the Kanmon Strait is a lively market with fresh seafood including fugu. On weekends and holidays, "Ikiiki Bakan-gai" sets up a food court where fugu sashimi and sushi can be enjoyed casually, bustling with many tourists.

Types of Fugu Cuisine

A variety of fugu dishes can be enjoyed including "tessa" (fugu sashimi), "tecchin" (fugu hot pot), "hire-zake" (sake with grilled fugu fin), and "fugu karaage" (fried fugu). Peak season is autumn to winter (October–March), but many restaurants serve fugu cuisine year-round.

Kanmon Strait and Dannoura

Shimonoseki is a historic location where "Dannoura," the final battlefield of the Genpei War, is located. At "Mimosuso River Park" overlooking Kanmon Bridge and the Kanmon Strait, statues of Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Taira no Tomomori greet visitors. Between Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu City across the Kanmon Strait is also the "Kanmon Tunnel Pedestrian Path" (an undersea tunnel you can walk through).

Access

Approximately 20 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by bus from JR Shimonoseki Station to Karato Market. The Shinkansen stops at Shin-Shimonoseki Station (note: it is far from the city center).