Eat your way through Saga's Yobuko Morning Market! Enjoy breakfast at one of Japan's three largest morning markets

*Prices include tax.
*Prices, offerings, and business hours are current as of January 2025.

Yobuko Morning Market is one of Japan's three biggest morning markets with over 100 years of history.

Yobuko Morning Market is one of Japan's three biggest morning markets, with a history of about 100 years. It is held every day except New Year's Day in Yobuko-cho, a port town in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, and you can enjoy the lively local atmosphere.

Its origins date back to the Edo period, when fishermen and farmers traded whale meat, fresh fish, and agricultural products. In the early Taisho period, a shopping street was formed and it developed into the modern-day morning market.

One of the great attractions of the morning market is being able to taste not only the branded "Yobuko squid" but also fresh seafood caught in the Genkai Sea. Be sure to enjoy the local flavors at Yobuko Morning Market, which is full of history and deliciousness.

Yobuko Morning Market Food Tour Map

From here, we will introduce 9 carefully selected restaurants on Asaichi Street. We have picked not only long-established seafood restaurants, but also newly opened trendy spots.

Let's go on a breakfast hopping spree! From seafood gourmet to the latest food

Yobuko Morning Market has a lot of easy-to-eat street food, and there are many gourmet dishes that you can enjoy even in the morning. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to try some of the foods that interest you and enjoy eating your way around.

[Fried squid shumai] Popular snacks to eat on the go at "Kiya"

Kiya has multiple stores in Karatsu City and Yobuko. They produce a number of popular products and have been featured in the media.

A must-try gourmet dish here is the "Fried Squid Shumai" (700 yen/4 pieces). The crispy fried batter and fluffy shumai are a combination you can't go wrong with. They're bite-sized, so you can eat as many as you like.

"Kiya" is also famous for its take-out menu items such as "Gyoro-kke" (150 yen/1 piece), "Atsuyaki" (small 810 yen), and "Fish Donut" (700 yen/3 pieces). You can enjoy a variety of original dishes made from processed fish paste.

Kiya

[Grilled squid and fried squid] You can enjoy freshly grilled and fried squid at "Kiya Sakana Ichiba"

Kiya Sakana Ichiba, another store of Kiya, has an eat-in space and is a convenient spot where you can also purchase seafood souvenirs.

During the morning market, grills and fryers are lined up in front of the store, and fresh seafood is cooked right in front of you. While other stores offer grilled squid, the ones at Kiya Sakana Ichiba have a big visual impact and are perfect for posting on social media.

The quickly cooked grilled squid is not hard and is soft enough to be easily bitten into.

Next up was the "Ikaten" (500 yen). You can sprinkle salt with seaweed to your liking, and this salt goes perfectly with tempura! The seaweed flavor adds an accent to this dish, stimulating your appetite. Many people enjoy a beer with squid tempura in one hand, and it's easy to understand why.

Kiya Sakana Ichiba

[Abalone skewers topped with sea urchin] Seafood restaurant "Kamasho" where there is always a line

Kamasho is located just past the sign on Asaichi Street. It is one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Yobuko Morning Market, and it gets packed with people in no time after 9am. It's a good idea to plan your queue time and book your favorite restaurant early!

Kamasho only starts grilling after an order is placed, and as they take their time to brown the meat thoroughly, there is always a line. Many celebrities visit the restaurant, making it a must-visit spot for Yobuko's specialty.

While you're waiting in line, they offer a heartwarming service of tasting samples of souvenir products such as salted squid, saying "Sorry to have kept you waiting."

The most popular dish is the "Abalone Skewers topped with sea urchin" (2,200 yen/extra large), which has become a hot topic on social media. It seems that many customers come from far away just to try this skewer.

Because these are popular items and often sell out, they make efforts to stock less on weekdays and more on weekends.

All skewers are coated in the secret sauce over 10 times, allowing the flavor to soak in thoroughly before grilling. This way, the skewers don't burn, allowing you to fully enjoy the flavor of the seafood and sauce.

They also offer eye-catching dishes such as grilled squid, pirate grill, and "takoyaki" (takoyaki) - whole grilled octopus legs. All of them are made with fresh ingredients and are delicious.

Kamasho

[Grilled Turban Shells] The savory aroma of soy sauce will whet your appetite! "Sazae no Tsuboyaki"

At "Tsuboyaki Turban Shells," you can enjoy grilled turban shells caught in Matsushima, which floats in the Genkai Sea. Attracted by the fragrant aroma of burning soy sauce, many people line up.

The turban shells are lined up in a tight space, and the owner skillfully hollows them out before serving them to you, making them easy to eat.

Prices range from 200 to 600 yen depending on the size. On this day, we decided to try the extra large size (900 yen) that had been specially ordered! The extremely fresh turban shells had no unpleasant odor and the liver had a perfect bitter taste, making them an irresistible flavor for those who like alcohol.

Grilled Turban Shell

[Grilled oysters] Served with three kinds of original yuzu pepper at "Enya"

Just 10 meters away diagonally from "Sazae no Tsuboyaki" you will see "Enya."

Fresh shrimp and oysters are lined up on the grill in front of the store, and the slow-cooked oysters with their shells on are carefully opened right in front of you, so you can enjoy them freshly grilled on the spot.

The moment you open the shell, the steaming, half-cooked oysters appear, wheting your appetite.

"Please add your favorite yuzu kosho," the shop staff recommends, offering three original flavors of yuzu kosho: red, blue, and yellow. The most popular is apparently the yellow yuzu kosho, which is the spiciest.

The refreshing aroma and spiciness of the yuzu pepper goes perfectly with the freshly grilled oysters, making for a delicious taste that will make you moan, "Mmmm." Why not try all three types and find the one that suits you best?

Enya - Grilled Yobuko turban shell

[Craft beer] Whale Brewing: A brewery transformed from an old house into a stylish space

Whale Brewing, located in the middle of Asaichi Street, is a brewery that opened in 2023 after renovating an 80-year-old traditional house. The shop was produced by Kawataro, known for its live squid sashimi, and you can also enjoy food menus using squid.

As Karatsu's first craft beer specialty store, it has gained popularity and sometimes sets up shop at events held in Saga and Fukuoka.

In addition to the three varieties of pale ale, IPA, and weizen, you can enjoy limited edition seasonal craft beers.

For those who want to have a drink with their squid dishes, we recommend the Pale Ale (700 yen for a cup, 770 yen for a bottle), which goes well with Japanese food.

Why not enjoy dishes made with local ingredients and craft beer in the warm atmosphere of an old Japanese house?

Whale Brewing

[Grilled squid] Kansai soul food available only on Wednesdays and weekends at "Kansai Ikayaki Ya"

As you approach the "Asaichi-dori" exit, you will see a sign for "Kansai-style grilled squid." When you hear "grilled squid" in Yobuko, you tend to think of skewers, but this grilled squid is an okonomiyaki-style dish that is popular as a snack in the Kansai region.

Each okonomiyaki is carefully grilled on a special iron plate purchased in Osaka. The okonomiyaki is simply seasoned with okonomiyaki sauce, but the aroma of the squid is strong, making it a delicious dish you will never tire of.

Because it folds in half, you don't need chopsticks and it's perfect for eating on the go! What's more, you can add toppings like cheese or egg for just an extra 50 yen, so it's sure to satisfy your appetite.

Kansai Ikayaki Ya

[Soup] Take a break with soup on a cold morning "ROG.33.129"

"ROG.33.129" is a shop named after the combination of "LOG" (accumulation), which represents the 250 years of history of Yobuko, and "Round" (going around). Hoping that customers will stop by as a base for their trips, the shop also offers bicycle rentals and operates a guesthouse.

There is also a cafe space where you can enjoy soup and sweets inside the store.

The coffee stand "moc-coffee," located just outside Asaichi-dori, is a sister store, and some of the dessert menu items can be enjoyed at both stores. In the cold winter, we recommend taking a break with a hot soup (550 yen) and scones (200 yen).

ROG.33.129

[Dagashi] Time travel to the Showa era! "Dagashiya Atago"

Dagashiya Atago, located near the exit of Asaichi Street, is a candy store renovated from an old house built in the Meiji era.

On weekends, the place seems to be bustling with families with children. It's a relaxing space where adults who reminisce about the game consoles and sweets that have become obsolete in recent years and children who enjoy the fresh surprises gather.

They are also open in the afternoon after the morning market closes, so it's a great place to stop by after lunch. Spend a nostalgic moment in the shop, which has a Showa-era atmosphere.

Dagashiya Atago

Yobuko has several tourist activities, such as the underwater observation boat Zeela and the Nanatsugama sightseeing boat.Why not get up early and start your trip to Saga by visiting the morning market and fully enjoying the local flavors and atmosphere?

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