Seto Inland Sea Seafood Market (Marukyu) is a working wholesale and retail seafood market in the Ujina Port area of Minami Ward, Hiroshima, operating from early morning and closing by early afternoon when the day's catch is exhausted. Ujina Port is Hiroshima's principal southern harbour, and Marukyu occupies a practical market building within the port precinct where boats from the Seto Inland Sea — one of Japan's richest marine fishing grounds — deliver daily catches of sea bream (tai), flatfish (hirame), octopus (tako), various shellfish, and Hiroshima's signature Pacific oysters (kaki) during the October-to-May season. The market's small kitchen adjoining the retail floor serves kaisendon — fresh seafood rice bowls — assembled from whatever arrived that morning, making the menu entirely dependent on the day's catch and the season. Common components include sashimi-grade sea bream, sweet shrimp, seasonal white fish, and Hiroshima oysters in season. A full kaisendon bowl with a side of oyster miso soup runs ¥1,500–¥2,000, representing outstanding value for the freshness and quality of the ingredients. Grilled tai (sea bream) teishoku is available as a cooked alternative to the raw bowl format. The market is open on weekdays and Saturdays from 7 AM to 3 PM, closing Sundays; supply often runs out before the official closing time on busy days. The Ujina Port location is a 15–20 minute tram journey from central Hiroshima, placing Marukyu firmly in the category of a deliberate destination rather than an incidental stop — the detour is rewarded by a working-port morning atmosphere entirely unlike the tourist-facing dining of the city centre.
Signature dishes
- Kaisen-don (seafood rice bowl)
- Grilled sea bream (tai)
- Oyster miso soup
Good to know
- Known for
- Fresh morning seafood market with a small kitchen serving kaisendon (seafood rice bowls) using whatever came in from the Seto Inland Sea that morning
- Hours
- 7:00AM–3:00PM; closed Sun
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Location
1-1 Ujina-kaigan, Minami Ward, Hiroshima, 734-0011
34.3732, 132.4789 View on map
Highlights
- Working wholesale fish market at Ujina Port serving Seto Inland Sea catches directly in kaisendon rice bowls
- Daily menu depends entirely on that morning's catch — maximum freshness and seasonal variety by design
- Kaisendon from ¥1,500 with oyster miso soup — outstanding value for sashimi-grade Seto Inland Sea seafood
- Working-port morning atmosphere far from the tourist centre — a rewarding detour for serious seafood enthusiasts
- Hiroshima oysters in season (Oct–May) featured in the miso soup and occasionally as a kaisendon topping
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before 9 AM for the best kaisendon topping selection — popular components sell out well before the 3 PM close.
- Visit on a weekday; the market closes Sundays and kitchen service may be reduced on Saturdays.
- The tram from central Hiroshima to Ujina Port takes approximately 20 minutes — factor this into the morning itinerary.
- Ask kitchen staff what arrived that morning rather than ordering by menu description — the best items change daily.
- Combine with a harbour-front walk at Ujina Port for a full morning excursion away from the Peace Park tourist circuit.
Accessibility
The Ujina Port market involves a working port environment with areas of uneven surface and active vehicle movement near the fish unloading zones. The market building interior has a concrete floor accessible by wheelchair. Kitchen seating uses standard table and chair arrangements. Visitors with mobility requirements should approach via the main market entrance and ask staff for guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What is kaisendon?
Kaisendon is a Japanese rice bowl (donburi) topped with an assortment of fresh raw or lightly cured seafood — typically a mix of sashimi-grade fish, shellfish, and roe arranged over steamed rice. It is one of the best ways to sample the variety of a fishing region's daily catch in a single dish.
How do I get to Ujina Port from central Hiroshima?
The Hiroshima Electric Railway (tram) runs from central Hiroshima to Ujina Port on routes serving Minami Ward. The journey from Hondori or the Peace Park area takes approximately 15–20 minutes. Taxis are also available and straightforward from the city centre.
Is the market suitable for visitors who do not eat raw fish?
The grilled sea bream (tai) teishoku is a cooked alternative to the kaisendon. Oyster miso soup is also fully cooked. However, the market's primary kitchen offering is raw seafood, and visitors who avoid raw fish will find the menu limited to a few cooked preparations.
What makes Seto Inland Sea seafood distinctive?
The Seto Inland Sea sits between Honshū, Shikoku, and Kyūshū, forming a semi-enclosed, nutrient-rich environment that produces particularly flavourful fish and shellfish. Its sea bream, octopus, and oysters are among Japan's most prized, and proximity to the source at Ujina Port means the fish reaches the bowl within hours of being landed.