Seafood and Sushi of Itoigawa

The Area’s Freshest Seafood, From Boat to Table!

Itoigawa’s location, wedged between the Japanese Alps and the Sea of Japan, make it an exceptionally good place for catching fish. The towering mountains and steep cliffs seen along the coast continue deep into the sea, creating a large underwater biosphere dotted with volcanic reefs, forests of kelp and more.

As the heavy, pure white snow of winter melts, it filters through a variety of rocks and hillside forests of beech and cedar, collecting minerals and nutrients which feed into the area’s many rivers. This nutrient-rich water, carried by fast currents, plunges deep into the sea, churning the waters and feeding the teeming life below.

Scores of fishermen haul their catches to Itoigawa’s 7 fishing ports daily and the fish auctions and markets are always full of local fishmongers, hoteliers and restauranteurs who provide only the freshest local seafood to their guests. You will recognize a lot of the fish brought to market each day, including Benizuwai crab, Namban shrimp, flounder, halibut, cod, sea bream, salmon, mackerel and more, but for a true culinary delight, seek out the lesser known local catches: gengyo (eel pout), megisu (deep sea smelt),  ankou (monkfish), tochiuo (goatfish) and other rare delicacies! You can find all of these and more at Itoigawa’s fish markets and restaurants.