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Yobuko Morning Market: A Lively Place to Find Fresh Fish
Yobuko fish market is one of the three biggest morning markets in Japan. It is located in Karatsu, in the Saga-prefecture of Kyushu. The market first opened during the Taisho period sometime between 1912-1926. The market sells mainly fresh seafood but you can also find locally grown vegetables and small souvenirs.
Locals selling their fresh and dried seafood
When Can You Visit the Yobuko Market?
The Yobuko market is open daily from 07:30-12:00 and it is famous for its fresh seafood, especially its squid. The street vendors are local people who catch their fish and squid on their own, as well as dry them and prepare them by hand.
Fishing boats at Yobuko port
View over Yobuko port
The market is located by the fishing port and if you arrive early you can see the local fishermen working with unloading their boats and preparing for the market to start.
You can find all kinds of fresh seafood including squid, sea urchin, fish and turban shell. You can sample most of these foods at the market. One of my favourite foods was the dried “saba”, mackerel, that was smoked on a small charcoal grill. I also enjoyed the squid dumplings that can be eaten without cooking.
Squid dumplings – the perfect souvenir
Fresh turban shell
Dried mackerel
The food sold at Yobuko market is very fresh, and therefore it should be either enjoyed that same day or properly stored at home. This makes it challenging for travelers, but there are other options available! There is a BBQ space where customers can pay a small fee to cook their own food. For just 300 yen, you can get charcoal, a grate, tongs, kitchen scissors, a paper plate, chopsticks, and seasonings (typically BBQ sauce, salt & pepper). This service is available every weekend (Sat, Sun, and national holidays) from 08:30 – 11:30. Additionally, there are some shops where they offer to grill the fish right there in front of you so you can purchase cooked fish. These weekend services really make Yobuko market friendly for locals and travelers alike!
If you have time, I recommend taking a stroll through the streets of the old town that is surrounding Yobuko market. The houses are old, beautiful, and filled with small shops that line the narrow streets.
Yobuko’s Local Delicacy: Squid
Squid is famous in the Yobuko region. There are several different types of seasonal squid, and therefore what you find in the market and the restaurants will be different depending on when you visit.
Dried squid
Fried squid-rings
Squid can be served in a multitude of different ways, but the fresh and dried squid are the two that are considered the specialties of the area. You can also find squid dumplings, tempura and sashimi. There are many restaurants in Yobuko where you can try these squid delicacies.
How to Get There by Local Transportation:
Yobuko market is located on the east side of Yobuko port, where there are two parking areas for visitors. One is free and one costs 100 yen/hour, and I recommend arriving early before parking fills up.
From Tokyo: Take a bullet train to Hakata Station in Fukuoka (5hrs from Tokyo) and then take a local train to Karatsu station: You will need to change trains in Meinohama (70mins from Fukuoka). However, there are many LCCs flights from Tokyo to Fukuoka very often (1hr 20mins, under ¥10,000 normally).
From Karatsu bus centre: Take a bus bound for Yobuko and get off at Yobuko (30mins). The market is approximately a 3-minute walk from the bus stop.
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