Karato Market

It is also recommended to visit Karato Market when traveling to Fukuoka. Next to Karato Market is the famous "Kanmon Strait", where many ships pass through every day. This strait was also one of the famous battlefields in history, such as the "Battle of Dan-no-ura" which took place nearby (the classic battle between the Genji and the Taira clan). That day, we took a bus directly from Hakata to JR Shimonoseki Station. It took about ten minutes to get to "Karato" Station. After getting off the bus, we could see the market in a few minutes. The transportation was very convenient. We chose to go on Friday because the Internet introduced that there would be an event called "Kakiiki Shimonoseki Street" every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The whole market was very lively, with many sushi stalls lined up, selling freshly made sushi, seafood bowls, and various fried and cooked foods. Of course, I also bought a plate of puffer fish sashimi, thinking that since I came to Shimonoseki, I must try it. But to be honest, the puffer fish sashimi really has no taste. It has a springy texture. It is okay with a little vinegar sauce, but that's it. It's an experience of "having eaten it before". The feeling of tasting is far greater than the deliciousness. In comparison, other sushi is much more exciting. For example, grilled salmon, sea urchin, and sweet shrimp nigiri sushi all taste great. And you can choose your favorite sushi in the market and put it together into your own plate. After eating, you can walk to the beach next to the market to blow the wind and see the scenery of the Kanmon Strait. It's super relaxing. It is recommended to come early. The closer to noon, the more people there are, and the delicious sushi will be snatched up. In addition, most of the market is cash transactions. Remember to prepare cash in advance for convenience. Overall, it is a very local and fun itinerary. 📍Address: Karato Market The predecessor of Karato Market was a trading port in the Edo period. Shimonoseki (formerly known as "Akama Pass") has been an important place for transportation and commerce since ancient times, especially in the Edo period, it was an important port connecting Honshu and Kyushu. Because of its good geographical location, many ships from Korea and China would stop here for trade. It is said that the place name "Karato" was named because many ships from "Kara" (generally referring to China) docked here for trading at that time. Shimonoseki is the most famous pufferfish producing area in Japan, and Karato Market is one of the centers of this tradition. In the past, eating pufferfish was prohibited (especially for the general class) because it was too poisonous. It was not until the Meiji era that it was said that Ito Hirobumi, the first Prime Minister of Japan, came to Shimonoseki for inspection and was amazed after eating pufferfish, and then the ban on pufferfish was relaxed. Since then, pufferfish cuisine has become the signature of Shimonoseki. After the reconstruction of Karato Market in 2001, it is no longer just a wholesale market, but has been transformed into an "open" retail and tourist market, which is what we see today.