Shimonoseki Karato Market: Day 4 of Our 2026 Japan Adventure
Day 4 of our Japan adventure takes us to Shimonoseki's lively Karato Market! Get ready for fresh sushi, delicious fried seafood, and an authentic local experience.
Loading...
Day 4 of our Japan adventure takes us to Shimonoseki's lively Karato Market! Get ready for fresh sushi, delicious fried seafood, and an authentic local experience.
Today's first stop is a subway ride from Kokura,
to Karato Market in Shimonoseki, just over 20 minutes away!
Once again, I woke up bright and early today and got ready in a flurry.
On the way to Shimonoseki, while clear weather is always lovely,
I particularly enjoyed the unique, quiet ambiance of a rainy morning.
From Kokura, I used the Hiroshima & Yamaguchi Pass
to travel to Shimonoseki Station,
then transferred to a bus in front of the station to reach Karato Market.
I've been making the most of this pass throughout my trip.
If you want to explore nearby cities along with Fukuoka, I highly recommend it!👍
After getting off the bus, a short 5-minute walk will bring Karato Market into view.
If you look around, everyone will likely be heading in the same direction,
so just follow the crowd, and you'll arrive right at the market entrance.
Karato Market
Since the market is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, it gets incredibly crowded.
It's a popular spot for Koreans these days, too,
with a rough ratio of 70% Japanese, 10% Korean, and 20% Chinese visitors.
What surprised me most was the sheer variety of sushi on offer,
from miso soup to various fried seafood dishes.
And of course, Karato Market's famous fugu (pufferfish) sashimi.
I couldn't quite bring myself to try the fugu sashimi, though...
While wondering where to get my sushi fix,
I noticed one stall with a particularly long line of Japanese locals,
so I decided to join them.
At Karato Market, you simply pick the sushi you want from the display at each stall,
and the staff will plate it for you right away.
While you can eat on the second floor inside the market, it was fully occupied due to the rain.
Luckily, the rain stopped for a bit, and there's a long stretch of seating right on the pier in front of Karato Market,
where you can sit and enjoy your meal.
It was perfect for eating while gazing out at the sea.
The sushi toppings were fresh, and the rice was seasoned just right.
The prices weren't as cheap as I expected, feeling more mid-range.
I paid about ~$28 for 12 pieces of sushi and a miso soup.
The experience of eating freshly made sushi right by the sea was enjoyable in itself,
but was it worth traveling all the way to Shimonoseki just for that? Hmm, I'm not so sure.
Shokindo: A 160-Year-Old Wagashi Shop
After finishing my sushi, I took a short stroll along the pier
and then headed to Shokindo, a traditional Japanese wagashi (confectionery) shop.
It was nestled in a quiet alley, a completely different atmosphere from the bustling market,
and its exterior immediately gave off the vibe of a long-established, traditional shop.
The display cases were filled with an array of beautiful wagashi,
available for purchase in gift boxes or individually.
I bought the most famous Aoyuki and a persimmon-shaped wagashi.
The Aoyuki just melted in my mouth the moment I put it in,
and the other one felt like a chapssaltteok (mochi-like rice cake),
but the red bean paste inside wasn't too sweet and had a subtle flavor, making it delicious.
Karato Yokocho
Next up was Karato Yokocho.
It felt like a small amusement park, and entry was free;
you just buy tickets for the rides at the ticket booth.
However, adults can't ride most of the attractions except for the Ferris wheel,
so it would be a great place to casually hang out if you're visiting with kids.
The Ferris wheel looked beautiful, even on a cloudy day :)
I saw a lot of couples on dates there too.
Most of the remaining tourist spots in Shimonoseki were shrines,
and since I wasn't really interested in shrines, I headed straight to Fukuoka.
It was a short visit, but from the market to the Ferris wheel,
I packed a lot in, so I had no regrets.
Fukuoka Dacomecca
After arriving at Hakata Station, I decided to grab lunch and coffee,
so I headed to Dacomecca, a famous bakery pilgrimage spot in Fukuoka.
When I looked it up before going, I read that the wait could be quite long,
so I was a bit worried, but there was no wait at all!
I visited around 2 PM, so keep that in mind if you're planning to go!
This place is most famous for its sausage bread, made with sausages smoked right in the shop and baked fresh.
I ordered the sausage baguette, an unnamed bread, and coffee.
A warm bread and a sip of coffee –
it was the perfect combination for lunch or brunch,
but the bread was a bit hard, so it was a little difficult to finish it all.
After a quick bite, I headed off to check into my accommodation!
Fukuoka Mega Don Quijote
After quickly dropping off my luggage at the accommodation, it was straight to Don Quijote!
Honestly, these days, supermarkets are much cheaper than Don Quijote,
so I don't usually go, but a friend of mine
loves Don Quijote jellies, so I stopped by to buy some for them.
We always take photos whenever we buy things at Don Quijote
and we've gotten into the habit of comparing them with the receipt.
Sometimes items we didn't buy are charged,
and often, items we did pay for are missing from the bill.
So if you go to Don Quijote, I totally recommend doing this!
Honestly, it makes going to a regular supermarket so much less hassle 😩.
Bistro Ryu
After finishing our quick shopping, we headed to Bistro Ryu.
For us beer lovers, it just wouldn't be right to skip out on drinks, right?
It's our go-to spot, a place we always hit up whenever we're in Fukuoka,
so the owner always gives us a super warm welcome.
It's a non-smoking bar, which is awesome if you're not a fan of cigarette smoke – definitely worth checking out!
Our absolute must-order snacks every single time:
Chicken Skin Gyoza, Cucumber Salad.
It's not pictured, but their Motsunabe (offal hot pot) is also incredibly tasty and doesn't break the bank.
Every time I come here, I can't help but notice how incredibly delicious the draft beer is.
I always wondered if there was some special secret,
and then they told me they disinfect and clean the draft beer machine every single day. Talk about dedication!
We even brought a gift: a cute Tora mascot,
and boom! Instant photo op!
The owner even showed us a photo, saying a member of a Korean girl group had visited.
As we chatted away and shared stories,
we ended up staying until closing time.
Writing this like a diary, I just realized we've been drinking non-stop for four days straight! Haha!
Anyway, that's a wrap for Day 4 of our amazing 6-night, 7-day Japan adventure!
Monoseki
Karato Market operates only three days a week: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It tends to get crowded, so it's a good idea to keep that in mind when planning your visit.
From Kokura, you can take the subway to Shimonoseki Station, which takes about 20 minutes. Then, transfer to a bus in front of the station to reach Karato Market. You can also utilize the Hiroshima & Yamaguchi Pass.
I paid approximately ~$28 for 12 pieces of sushi and miso soup at Karato Market. The prices are mentioned to be in the mid-to-low range.
According to the article, there was no waiting line when visiting around 2 PM. If you want to avoid waiting, it's a good idea to consider this time for your visit.
Bistro Ryu is a non-smoking bar, making it a great place for those who dislike cigarette smoke. It's particularly noted for its delicious draft beer, as the draft beer machines are sterilized and cleaned daily.
Dreaming of a whimsical escape from Fukuoka? Discover the enchanting beauty of Yufuin, the majestic Yufudake, and the serene Hita village on a guided bus tour.
Explore Kyushu's hidden gems like Beppu and Huis Ten Bosch without breaking the bank. See how the SUNQ Pass can slash your travel costs in 2026!
Experience the magic of spring at the Maizuru Park Cherry Blossom Festival 2026 in Fukuoka. Discover light-up times, food stalls, and essential travel tips!
Explore our honest review of Asiana Airlines' OZ134 and OZ133 flights between Incheon and Fukuoka. Get insights on cabin comfort, delicious meals, baggage, and expedited immigration for your 2026 Japan trip!
Navigate Fukuoka Airport to Tenjin Station like a local. Here is the fastest, cheapest way to reach downtown Fukuoka using the free shuttle and subway in 2026.
Searching for a fantastic Fukuoka hotel in Tenjin? Hotel Monterey La Soeur offers spacious rooms, unbeatable convenience, and easy access to local delights.
Karato Fish Market · 5-50 Karatocho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0005, Japan
Shokindo · 2-5 Nabecho, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0006, Japan
Yes! Karato Alley · 1-40 Arcaport, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi 750-0036, Japan
Dacomecca · Japan, 〒812-0011 Fukuoka, Hakata Ward, Hakata Ekimae, 4 Chome−14−1 博多深見パークビルディング
Don Quijote · 1 Chome-20-17 Imaizumi, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0021, Japan
びすとろ龍や · Japan, 〒810-0003 Fukuoka, Chuo Ward, Haruyoshi, 3 Chome−22−17 協立ビル![[6박 7일 일본여행 일기 DAY5] 후쿠오카 이토오카시 아임도넛 휴먼메이드](https://rmrjnibxulbdixuqguwc.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/post-content/imported-naver/image-1786369291969-1786369291969-2cdd4d6e.jpg)
[6-Night, 7-Day Japan Trip Diary DAY 5] Fukuoka, Ito-shi, I'm donut?, Human Made