Omicho Market Guide: Kanazawa's 300-Year-Old Seafood Paradise (2025)

Kanazawa, facing the Sea of Japan, was governed by the powerful Maeda family during the Edo period (1603-1868) and developed as one of Japan's leading cultural cities.

Even today, traditional crafts such as Kanazawa gold leaf craft (traditional technique of applying gold leaf to paper and vessels) and Kaga Yuzen dyeing (dyeing technique of hand-painting delicate patterns on kimono), along with historical spots, are preserved, attracting many tourists from both domestic and international destinations.

Furthermore, Kanazawa is also known as a gourmet city, with the particularly attractive point being the abundant enjoyment of fresh seafood. This time, we will introduce how to enjoy "Omicho Market," where such Kanazawa gourmet foods gather, incorporating the author's experiences.

Kanazawa is Famous Not Only for Modern Art and Tradition, but Also for Its Exceptional Food

Kanazawa attracts travelers from around the world as a city where traditional culture and modern art merge, but "food" is also one of this city's major attractions. Blessed with abundant nature, fresh seafood and distinctive seasonal vegetables are plentifully available. Additionally, the techniques of local chefs who maximize the inherent flavors of ingredients are highly regarded. The level of excellence is so high that some travelers visit Kanazawa specifically for the food.

Particularly Famous for Exceptional Seafood Cuisine

Among the gourmet foods that Kanazawa takes pride in, seafood cuisine is especially popular. Because it faces the Sea of Japan, fresh seafood is abundantly caught throughout the year. Japan has a food culture called "Shun," which refers to the time when ingredients are most delicious, nutritionally rich, and abundantly available.

For example, in winter there are yellowtail and snow crab, and in spring there are halfbeak and rockfish - you can feel "Shun" through fish as well. Perhaps it's because Japanese people value the changing of the four seasons that the food culture of "Shun," enjoying seasonal ingredients, has taken root.

Omicho Market Functions as the "Kitchen" of Kanazawa Citizens and is the Food Center of Kanazawa

"Omicho Market" is a spot that people who want to experience Kanazawa's food appeal firsthand should definitely visit. Omicho Market, with over 300 years of history, is also called "The Kitchen of Kanazawa" and is deeply rooted in the lives of local people.

Every morning, fresh seafood and local traditional vegetables "Kaga vegetables" line up in rows, and the entire market overflows with vitality.

Not only fish shops and vegetable stores, but also numerous restaurants serving sushi and seafood bowls are present, packed with attractions for tourists. Additionally, the ability to observe the lifestyle of local people up close while enjoying shopping and dining is a unique charm of this market.

・Address: 50 Kami-Omicho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
・Business Hours: Around 9:00-17:00 (varies by store)
・Closed: January 1-4
　※Many stores are relatively closed on Wednesdays, so please check store information when visiting
・Phone Number: 076-231-1462
・Official Website: https://ohmicho-ichiba.com/
・Access: 15 minutes walk from Kanazawa Station
　About 5 minutes by Hokutetsu bus (routes 6-9) from Kanazawa Station East Exit, get off immediately at "Musashigatsuji"

How to Enjoy Omicho Market: Detailed Explanation by an Author Who Loves Kanazawa

Enjoying Kanazawa's Fresh Ingredients by Seeing and Tasting What's Available at the Market

At Omicho Market, colorful fish, shellfish, and locally harvested vegetables line up in rows, and your heart naturally dances with the lively atmosphere. What we particularly want you to pay attention to is the fresh seafood that was just landed that very morning. Since the ingredients displayed at the storefront change depending on procurement conditions, what you'll encounter is that day's surprise. You might even encounter rare seafood that doesn't circulate much.

Also, being able to see up close the craftsmen skillfully preparing fish on the spot is a unique charm of Omicho Market. Please experience Kanazawa's food culture through all five senses at Omicho Market, where you can enjoy through all your senses.

Enjoying Kanazawa Gourmet at Restaurants Inside and Outside the Market

The appeal of Omicho Market is not limited to shopping. Inside the market and in the surrounding area, numerous restaurants operate, serving dishes made with fresh local ingredients.

Menus feature sushi, seafood bowls, grilled fish teishoku (a uniquely Japanese style set meal with rice, miso soup, and side dishes), and other options that maximize the inherent flavors of the ingredients.

Since many shops open from early morning, enjoying breakfast at Omicho Market is also recommended. In the quiet time before the market becomes crowded with tourists and shoppers, savor exceptional seafood gourmet and start a wonderful day.

Not Only Seafood, but Also Kaga Vegetables and Perfect Souvenir Foods Are Sold

Kanazawa has traditional vegetables called Kaga Vegetables that can only be harvested locally. These precious vegetables are rarely distributed even within Japan and can only be tasted in this region. A total of 15 varieties including "Kaga Lotus Root" and "Kinjiso" (a purple-leaved vegetable) are certified as traditional vegetables.

Furthermore, many foods perfect for souvenirs are sold, including local miso, pickles, and sweets. Some products are vacuum-packed or dried, making it possible to take them home by airplane. Please stop by during your sightseeing and explore the unique flavors of Japan.

3 Recommended Restaurants to Visit When You Come to Omicho Market

Kaisendon Yutaka Suisan

Source:Tabelog

Kaisendon Yutaka Suisan is a popular seafood bowl specialty restaurant within Omicho Market that has been featured in numerous media outlets. Since it opens at 7 AM, it's especially recommended for those considering breakfast at Omicho Market.

What I recommend is the restaurant's signature menu item, "Yutaka's BEST bowl." This luxurious dish features 15 varieties of sashimi, including premium ingredients like crab, sea urchin, and salmon roe.

The owner has experience training at a traditional Japanese fine dining restaurant, and his knife skills are first-class. The delicate and gorgeous presentation is a technique that only comes from skilled expertise.

When your dish arrives, please first enjoy looking at its beauty and taking photos.

<Store Information>
・Address: 31 Jukken-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
・Business Hours: 7:00-15:00
・Closed: Wednesdays
・Phone Number: 090-3293-0032
・Official Website: https://yutaka-oumicho.com/

Kaisendon Hirai

Source:Tabelog

Kaisendon Hirai is a popular seafood bowl specialty restaurant located within Omicho Market. They serve donburi (a traditional Japanese one-dish meal style where ingredients are placed on top of rice) with fresh seafood boldly arranged.

Local tuna, salmon, sweet shrimp, scallops, salmon roe, and other ingredients purchased that morning are colorfully arranged. Among these, my recommendation is the "Omicho Kaisendon," which features small portions of more than 10 types of seafood. This is a perfect dish for those who want to try various ingredients.

Another pleasant point is that all menu items come with green seaweed miso soup as a set. Besides donburi dishes, they also offer Ishikawa local sake and appetizer menus using seafood, so your drinks will definitely flow smoothly.

<Store Information>
・Address: 29 Kami-Omicho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture (inside Omicho Market)
・Business Hours: Weekdays 11:00-15:00, Weekends and holidays 10:30-15:00
・Closed: Wednesdays, New Year's Day
・Phone Number: 076-222-5887
・Official Website: https://www.kaisen-hirai.com/

Mori Mori Sushi Omicho

Source:Ohmicho Ichiba

Mori Mori Sushi Omicho is a popular kaiten-zushi restaurant where you can enjoy Kanazawa's fresh seafood at reasonable prices.

Kaiten-zushi is a casual sushi style widely beloved in Japan, where you can select and take sushi that comes around on a conveyor belt. Orders can also be placed via touch panel, so even those who are concerned about the Japanese language can use it with peace of mind.

Among the recommended menu items is the "Omicho Market Seafood Trio." This is a 3-piece sushi set using premium local fish such as Nodoguro (Blackthroat Seaperch) and Shiroebi (Japanese white shrimp) that were caught that day.

Even within Japan, this menu is rarely available in other regions, so please experience this precious taste.

<Store Information>
・Address: 88 Aokusa-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Omicho Ichiba-kan 1F
・Business Hours: 8:00-17:00
・Closed: None
・Phone Number: 076-262-7477
・Official Website: https://ohmicho-ichiba.com/gourmet/shop73401/

Enjoy authentic Kanazawa restaurants truly loved by locals at night with local guidance!

After enjoying local flavors at Omicho Market during the day, why not experience an even deeper gourmet adventure in Kanazawa at night?

Magical Trip's Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour offers dining experiences at popular izakayas and hidden famous restaurants that tourists could never reach on their own, guided by local experts. While savoring dishes made with locally sourced ingredients and unique local sake, you'll experience Kanazawa's distinctive atmosphere firsthand - creating special travel memories. Even those concerned about language barriers can enjoy the nightlife with peace of mind, as guides provide careful interpretation and support.

・Meeting point: In front of the Korinbo Ramoda bldg.
・Tour area: Ishikawa
・Start time: 18:00

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For those who want to enjoy Kanazawa's seafood! The author's recommended top 3 exquisite sushi restaurants

Here, we introduce three sushi restaurants that use local fresh fish for those who want to fully enjoy Kanazawa's seafood to their heart's content. The exceptionally fresh sushi crafted by artisans who have trained for long periods is extraordinary. Please use this as a reference for choosing restaurants.

Komatsu Yasuke

Source:Tabelog

Komatsu Yasuke is a popular sushi restaurant rated as top-class even within Japan. It has earned such high acclaim that travelers specifically visit Kanazawa just to dine at this establishment.

While all sushi at Komatsu Yasuke is exquisite, the most popular sushi menu items are "Negitoro" (minced fatty tuna with green onion) and sea eel. The Negitoro features coarsely minced toro perfectly matched with the refreshing taste of chopped green onions. The sea eel is seasoned with Yuzu citrus and salt rather than the sweet sauce typically served at ordinary sushi restaurants, creating an elegant flavor that brings out the ingredient's natural taste.

Please try the flavors of this famous restaurant beloved by Japanese food connoisseurs.

〈Store Information〉
・Address: 2-17-21 Honmachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa Chaya Bekkan 1F
・Business hours: 11:00-, 13:00-, 15:00- by reservation
・Closed: Wednesday, Thursday
・Phone: 076-231-1001
・Official website: https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17010524/?msockid=0dca92beb0896daf1af987ccb13e6ca9

Otome Zushi

Source:Tabelog

Otome Zushi is a renowned restaurant established in 1995 that earned two Michelin stars and is one of Kanazawa's representative sushi establishments. They pay attention not only to ingredients but also to tableware and presentation, offering beautiful seasonal dishes.

While all sushi prepared by the owner with 41 years of sushi chef experience is exquisite, what I particularly recommend is the sweet shrimp called "Gasu ebi."

Since Gasu ebi loses freshness quickly, it's a precious delicacy that can only be enjoyed in limited areas along The Sea of Japan coast. You can enjoy its thick, melting texture and creamy, rich sweetness.

Please savor the seafood that can only be eaten in Kanazawa at Otome Zushi.

〈Store Information〉
・Address: 4-10 Kikura-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
・Business hours: 12:00-14:00｜17:00-22:00
・Closed: Wednesday, Sunday, holidays
・Phone: 076-231-7447
・Official website: https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17000107/?msockid=0dca92beb0896daf1af987ccb13e6ca9

Sushi Kibatani

Source:Tabelog

Sushi Kibatani is a high-end sushi restaurant located in a quiet area about 10 minutes by car from Kanazawa Station. The owner's family runs a fresh fish shop, and utilizing that experience, he personally visits fishing ports in various locations every morning to carefully select the freshest and highest quality seafood of the day.

This restaurant's characteristic is that several appetizers such as sashimi and grilled fish are served before the sushi. They also have an extensive selection of local sake from the Hokuriku area, so you can enjoy a leisurely meal while appreciating the compatibility with the dishes.

The interior has only 9 counter seats, making it an attractive point that you can closely observe the craftsman's techniques right before your eyes and enjoy conversation with the owner. If you want to enjoy high-quality sushi in a homey atmosphere, please visit this place.

〈Store Information〉
・Address: 1-8-26 Hikoso-machi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture 1F
・Business hours: 17:00～21:00
・Closed: Sunday
・Phone: 076-256-1218
・Official website: https://tabelog.com/ishikawa/A1701/A170101/17010062/?msockid=0dca92beb0896daf1af987ccb13e6ca9

If you come to "Kanazawa," a city where Japanese tradition and history live and breathe, enjoy exploring the city too

The Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour is a popular half-day tour where you can deeply experience Kanazawa's history and culture together with knowledgeable guides.

While visiting major tourist spots such as Omicho Market, Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden, and Higashi Chaya district, you can also enjoy local cuisine lunch and traditional sweets with Matcha tea time experiences.

By actually walking through traditional streetscapes and touching Kanazawa's culture and living wisdom, you'll be able to feel the true charm of this city more deeply.

・Meeting point: FamilyMart+Drug Komeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
・Tour area: Ishikawa
・Start time: 10:00

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