When traveling in Japan, sushi and sashimi are likely at the top of your culinary bucket list. But if you want to experience the freshest catch of the day, you need to get out of the city centers and head straight to the coast.

Just south of Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture boasts a stunning coastline stretching from Tokyo Bay to the Pacific Ocean. Each coastal region has its own unique fishing heritage and local specialties.

Here are the absolute must-visit seafood destinations in Kanagawa and the iconic dishes you need to try.

1. Miura Peninsula (Misaki): The Kingdom of Maguro (Tuna)

If you love tuna, Misaki Port at the southern tip of the Miura Peninsula is your paradise. It is one of Japan’s premier ports for deep-sea tuna fishing vessels, meaning you get world-class quality without the premium Tokyo price tag.

• The Specialty:Misaki Maguro (三崎マグロ)
  • You can enjoy every imaginable cut of tuna here, from the rich, melt-in-your-mouth Otoro (fatty tuna) to Akami (lean tuna). Don’t miss a traditional Maguro-don (tuna rice bowl).
• Pro-Tip for Travelers: Keikyu Railway offers a special “Misaki Maguro Pass” (Misaki Maguro Kippu), which includes round-trip train fare from Tokyo, bus rides, and a voucher for a gorgeous tuna lunch at participating local restaurants. It’s incredibly tourist-friendly and cost-effective!

2. Shonan Area (Enoshima & Kamakura): Fresh Shirasu (Whitebait)

The trendy, surf-friendly Shonan coast—encompassing Kamakura and Enoshima—is famous not just for its beaches and temples, but for a tiny, flavorful delicacy.

• The Specialty:Shirasu (シラス / Whitebait)
  • These tiny white fish are a local obsession. You can eat them boiled (Kamaage Shirasu) over rice, but if you visit between March and December, you must try Nama-Shirasu (Raw Whitebait). It has a smooth texture and a delicate, subtly sweet ocean flavor that you can only experience when it’s perfectly fresh.
• Where to eat: Grab a Shirasu-don at a seaside restaurant on Enoshima Island, or look for unique street foods like Shirasu croquettes while exploring Kamakura.

3. Odawara & Manazuru: The Art of Himono and Plump Horse Mackerel

Moving further west toward Hakone and Mount Fuji, you will find Odawara, a historic castle town, and Manazuru, a picturesque rocky peninsula. The clean, deep waters of Sagami Bay bring incredible variety to these ports.

• The Specialty:Aji (Horse Mackerel / アジ) and Himono (Dried Fish / 干物)
  • Odawara is legendary for Aji Furai (Deep-fried Horse Mackerel). It is incredibly crispy on the outside, but amazingly fluffy and juicy on the inside—a comforting, golden perfection.
  • This region is also famous for Himono—fish that is salted and sun-dried to concentrate the umami flavors, then grilled over an open flame.
• Why visit: It’s the perfect, delicious pit stop on your way to or from the Hakone hot springs!

4. Yokohama & Yokosuka: Ocean-Breeze Dining and Anago

While Yokohama is known for Chinatown and Yokosuka for its naval history, both sit on Tokyo Bay and offer fantastic waterfront seafood experiences.

• The Specialty:Anago (Sea Eel / アナゴ) and Local Catch
  • The waters near Yokohama and Yokosuka are famous for Anago (sea eel), which is softer and more delicate than freshwater eel (Unagi). It’s typically served as light, crispy Anago Tempura that spills over the edges of your bowl.
• The Experience: Head to Yokohama’s Minato Mirai area or Yokosuka’s boardwalks to enjoy fresh seafood dynamic grills (Hamayaki) right by the sea.

Quick Tips for International Seafood Lovers in Kanagawa

1. Seasonality Matters: Raw Shirasu is prohibited from being caught from January to March to protect the ecosystem. If you visit in winter, enjoy the boiled version or hot tuna stews in Miura!
2. English Support: Because these areas are highly popular day-trip destinations from Tokyo, many coastal restaurants offer English menus or picture-based tablet ordering.
3. Go Early: The best seafood spots near the ports open early for lunch and often close as soon as they run out of the morning’s catch. Aim for an 11:30 AM lunch to beat the crowds and guarantee a seat.

Skip the city lines and ride the rails south—Kanagawa’s ocean bounty is waiting for you!

Japan’s Seasonal Seafood Calendar: Best Times to Enjoy Eating Fish

7 Best Cherry Blossom in Kanagawa: Must-Visit Guide for 2025

Hato Sablé: A Beloved Dove-Shaped Cookie from Kamakura

Slam Dunk Sacred Spot: Kamakurakokomae Sta. Crossing Guide

Kokudō Station: A Time Capsule in Yokohama That Feels Like Another World

Alcoholic beverage Anime Anime pilgrimage April Architecture August Autumn Building Capital Area Cherry blossom Convenience store February Flower January Japanese food July Kinki Kyoto Manga March May Nagoya Nature Nightlife Night view Osaka Photogenic Pink Sakura Shopping Shrine Souvenir Spring Station Summer Superb view Temple Tips Tokai Tokyo Torii Traffic train White Winter