What other travelers are saying about Sakaiminato Seafood Direct Sales Center
Fairly small market, yet selection was quite good, lots of fresh catch available for consumption on the spot or a take away. We had food as seen on attached photos, all was fresh and tasty, obviously crab was the highlight. Prices are reasonable, lots of locals shop here.
Plenty of fresh seafood, it’s not busy at all and the staffs there are so friendly. Great selection of crab in particular! I tried the crab, shellfish and sashimi, all so fresh. The place is very clean too, with tables for you to eat and sit, sink right next to the shops for you to wash your hands. The portions and price of the goods are very generous too, it’s a nice way to see fresh produce in Japan.
Great value of crabs!!!! We can buy and dine on the spot. One recommendation, buy from the shops with most visitor, there is always a reason why they out perform others. We bought from few shops in recent trips, some provide dishes, some only plastic bags. Some provide nice clean scissors, some provide rusty scissors.
So, if you see there ain’t ppl buying from that shop, stay away! Price are pretty standard anyway. What it matters is the service.
Affordable and freshly catched seafood available. However, transportation is rather inconvenient, long walking distance from bus and train stations. Also, be aware that price difference can be huge between different shops, so walk around the entire market before making decisions.
A small fish market with a small restaurant at the end.
Their specialty here is crabs and there’s loads of them here from cheap to very expensive take your pick.
We got a bag of cooked crab legs that were so so sweet , there must have been a couple of hundred in the bag and it only cost us 1000 yen. That was a bit of a bargain.
The restaurant was nice if not a lot of choice. The cafe outside though was much better value and does a crab buffet for 2500 yen which is a pretty good price .
Yes, the center provides multiple dining options. There is a central seating area with tables and chairs where you can consume seafood purchased from any of the 15 stores. The center has an attached cafeteria serving various seafood rice bowls, including wild tuna dishes. Vendors will prepare your purchases as sashimi and provide sauces and crab-eating tools. Some stores offer dining space directly at their stalls, while others provide takeaway services. During certain seasons, seafood barbecue options are also available in designated areas.
November is recommended as the peak season for both Matsuba crabs and red snow crabs. Red snow crabs are generally available from September to June, while Matsuba crabs are caught from November to March. During these months, the market becomes particularly crowded with both locals and tourists. The center displays crabs with prices clearly labeled according to size and quality, and vendors often provide live crab-cutting demonstrations for tastings. Note that red queen crab fishing is prohibited in July and August.
Prices can vary significantly between shops, so it's advisable to walk around the entire market before making purchase decisions. The market is relatively compact, making price comparisons straightforward. Most shops sell similar seafood with fairly standard pricing, but service quality differs. Popular shops with more customers typically offer better service, including proper utensils and dining amenities. Some vendors may offer discounts later in the day to attract customers. Generally, prices are considered reasonable for the quality and freshness, though visitors should not expect bargain prices.
The center is located approximately five minutes by car from JR Sakaiminato Station, but walking from the station takes considerably longer, around 40 minutes. Transportation can be challenging for visitors without private vehicles. The facility offers 200 parking spaces for those traveling by car. The center is about 25 minutes from the Yonago Interchange on the Yonago Expressway, making it most accessible for visitors with rental cars. Bus services to the area exist but may require careful planning, and taxi service from Sakaiminato Station is a practical alternative for those without vehicles.
