What other travelers are saying about Katsuura Morning Market
Katsuura Morning Market offers a charming, traditional atmosphere with a history spanning over 400 years. The market is best known for its local vegetables, dried fish, and specialties like warabimochi, which many visitors praise for its taste. While the market is lively on weekends and holidays, the number of stalls can be limited, especially on weekdays, and some visitors have found the selection smaller than expected. Fresh seafood is available but may sell out early, so arriving before 8 a.m. is recommended. Prices are not particularly cheap, but the quality of local products and the friendly interactions with vendors are highlights. Overall, it’s a pleasant spot for a stroll and sampling local flavors, though it may not meet high expectations for variety or bargains.
The market operates daily from 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM throughout the year, except Wednesdays when it is closed. The market location alternates between two streets depending on the date: from the 1st to 15th of each month, it takes place on Shimohoncho Asaichi Street, and from the 16th to the end of the month, it moves to Nakahoncho Asaichi Street. Arriving early is recommended for the best selection of fresh items.
The market is located approximately 90 minutes by train from Tokyo. Take the JR Sotobo Line to Katsuura Station, then walk 10 minutes to reach the market streets. The journey is straightforward with direct train connections, making it an accessible day trip destination from the capital.
The market specializes in fresh seafood from the nearby Katsuura Fishing Port, including the region's famous bonito and tuna. You'll also find seasonal fruits and vegetables from local farmers, traditional Japanese pickles, Japanese sweets, and regional specialties like horned turban shells. The market offers both raw ingredients and prepared foods for immediate consumption.
No, there is no admission fee to enter Katsuura Morning Market. Visitors can freely walk through the market streets and browse the approximately 80 merchant stalls without any cost. You only pay for the items you choose to purchase from the individual vendors.
Katsuura Morning Market is one of Japan's three largest morning markets, with a history spanning over 430 years since its establishment in 1591 by castle lord Yasutada Uemura. It represents authentic Japanese market culture, where local fishermen and farmers have operated family stalls for generations. The market attracts approximately 200,000 visitors annually and serves as both a functioning local marketplace and cultural heritage site.
Amazing market. I used a JR train. The market was a bit far from Katsuura Station.I arrived at the market. I saw a lot of people and food stalls. I had already finished my breakfast. I walked around.
I noticed that there were a couple of shrines and temples. I felt the history of Katsuura. The prices were a bit higher than I expected. I bought nothing. I wish I had been a hungry and rich man! LOL.
They sell not only fish or marine products, but also sweets, flowers, and vegetables. The number of the shops seems to depend on the day of market. The staff is friendly and you can enjoy the vibe of local markets.
Open from about 6:00-11:00, but depending on the weather conditions the number of vendors might change. It's a small market, so you will find the standard things such as fruits and vegetables, mochi, tamagoyaki, shaved ice, coffee, tsukemono and grilled fish: not much but each and every one very delicious. About twice a month they have the so-called "Marché" where there's extra stands doing art, and selling chiffon cake for instance.
If you try and chat with the locals you'll definitely be greeted with a warm, honest smile that will definitely make your day 😉
The morning market was one of the things that made my stay in Katsuura so memorable. At first glance people seemed to be wary of me, but once I got to talk to them they opened up completely in the blink of an eye! This is THE place to encounter and chat with the locals, and before we knew it we'd already been offered free coffee, horse mackerel and kinako jelly xD I literally went here little every day of my stay in Katsuura, and Spaice Coffee became a must-buy for the early mornings.☕ I definitely recommend coming early for the full experience of local life here. I bought a big bag of pears with spots on them for only 300 yen, and they were de-li-cious! I'd also recommend trying the grilled fish for only 100 yen, and of course the coffee which is definitely Instagram-worthy ;) Along the street where the market or held there are also the standard shops, so I recommend popping in there too for a chat and some kakikoori or tea ^^
