Tottori’s Ultimate Fishing Port! Sakaiminato – A Seafood Haven

撰文：flyGBA小編

Tottori Prefecture, located between the Sea of Japan and Japan’s Chugoku Mountain Range, is about a three-hour journey from Osaka or Kyoto. Thanks to Greater Bay Airlines’ new direct flights from Hong Kong to Yonago, access to Tottori has become much more convenient. Sakaiminato, in the western part of Tottori, is one of Japan's top fishing ports, producing 60% of the country's red snow crabs. This has solidified the association of "Tottori = Crab Prefecture" in the minds of many. Visitors coming to Sakaiminato during crab season must indulge in this seafood treasure trove!

Content List

Fresh from the Port! Sakaiminato Seafood Direct Sales Center

參觀者有機會親眼看到漁船卸下漁獲的震撼場面。(1).JPG — Sakaiminato is one of Japan’s leading fishing ports, with red snow crab alone accounting for 60% of the country’s total production.

每年九至六月是鳥取的紅楚蟹季，在境港水產直賣中心可以￥2,000買到一大袋紅楚蟹，性價比很高！2.JPG — From September to June, red snow crabs are in season in Tottori, and at the Sakaiminato Seafood Direct Sales Center, you can buy a large bag of red snow crabs for just ¥2,000, making it a high-value purchase.

Renovated in April 2022, the Sakaiminato Seafood Direct Sales Center is located next to Sakaiminato Fish Market, offering fresh local catches straight from the fishing port. The bright, market-like atmosphere resembles a seafood food court, with 15 neatly arranged seafood stores. Visitors can purchase sashimi, sushi, and crabs at the stalls and then enjoy their meal at the seating area in the middle. During crab season, especially in November when Matsuba crabs and red snow crabs are in peak season, the prices are clearly labeled according to size and quality, often surprisingly affordable! Vendors will even offer live crab-cutting demonstrations for tastings. Matsuba crabs are available in both live and pre-cooked varieties, and only live crabs can be prepared as crab leg sashimi and steamed crab. The friendly vendors will help process your purchase and provide sauces and crab-eating tools, ensuring a convenient experience.

翻新過的境港水產直賣中心，內有15間水產乾濕貨商店。(1).JPG — The renovated Sakaiminato Fish Market Direct Sales Center houses 15 stores selling both fresh and dried seafood products.

INFO:
Sakaiminato Seafood Direct Sales Center
Address: 9-5 Showamachi, Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture
Phone: 0859-30-3857
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm | Closed on Tuesdays
Access: 9 minutes by bus from JR Sakaiminato Station
Website: sanmaki-direct.jp

Crab Season Kickoff! All-You-Can-Eat Red Snow Crab

餐廳在蟹季期間會有迷你海鮮市場販賣紅楚蟹、松葉蟹，價格優惠。.JPG — During crab season, the restaurant features a mini seafood market selling red snow crabs and Matsuba crabs at discounted prices

境港「お食事処海心」推出的60分鐘紅楚蟹任食放題，客人在限時內吃完四隻蟹可再下單無限追加。.JPG — Kaishin offers a 60-minute all-you-can-eat red snow crab buffet, where customers can order unlimited additional crabs after finishing their initial four.

放題用的紅楚蟹都是每日新鮮從境港漁港購入，吃起來肉質結實又鮮甜。.JPG — The red snow crabs used for the all-you-can-eat buffet at Kaishin are freshly caught from Sakaiminato Port, ensuring that the meat is firm and deliciously sweet.

Tottori’s red snow crabs account for 60% of Japan’s total crab catch, making Sakaiminato a paradise for crab lovers every year from September when the season begins! Kaishin, a cozy izakaya in Sakaiminato, transforms into a mini seafood market during crab season, offering a 60-minute red snow crab all-you-can-eat buffet from September to June. The restaurant takes pride in using only fresh, non-frozen crabs selected daily from Sakaiminato Port. The crab meat is rich in flavor and sweetness! The buffet costs ¥4,400 per person, and after the staff demonstrates how to properly dismantle the crab, the countdown begins. Customers can order unlimited additional crabs after finishing the initial four, and any leftover crabs can be taken home (limited to the first four crabs). Due to its popularity, be sure to call ahead to reserve a spot for this all-you-can-eat crab feast!

境港水產直賣中心內也吃到勝手丼，遊客可自選刺身製作海鮮丼。.JPG — At the direct sales center, visitors can create their own seafood bowl (Katte Don) by selecting their favorite sashimi.

海鮮檔主會幫忙烹調，活松葉蟹的蟹腳、蟹嵌可做刺身，蟹身灼熟拆肉，一蟹兩食。.JPG — The seafood vendors will help with the cooking. The legs and claws of live Matsuba crabs can be prepared as sashimi, while the body is boiled and the meat is extracted, allowing you to enjoy the crab in two different ways.

INFO:
Kaishin
Address: 1802-23 Fukusadacho, Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture
Phone: 0859-42-3223
Hours: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm | Closed on Thursdays
Access: 9 minutes by car from JR Sakaiminato Station
Website: www.kaigan-kaishin.com

A Taste of Tsukiji! Witness the Port Auctions

參觀者有機會親眼看到漁船卸下漁獲的震撼場面。.JPG — Visitors have the opportunity to witness the impressive sight of fishing boats unloading their catch.

With its coastal abundance, Sakaiminato ranked third among Japan’s major fishing ports in 2023. The port produces a significant portion of Japan’s seafood, with red snow crabs alone accounting for 60% of the national total. To get a behind-the-scenes look at this heavyweight fishing port, visitors can join the Sakaiminato Port Guided Tour. This 50-minute tour, held three times daily, provides a rare opportunity to witness the unloading of seafood from fishing boats and observe the otherwise restricted auction process. The tour guide will share insider knowledge about the seafood, making this a must-do activity. After the tour, head over to the nearby Sakaiminato Seafood Direct Sales Center to enjoy the freshest seafood straight from the port!

約50分鐘的「境漁港見學導賞團」可近距離看到拍賣競投的過程。.JPG — The approximately 50-minute “Sakaiminato Fishing Port Guided Tour” allows visitors to see the auction process up close.

INFO:
Sakaiminato Port Guided Tour
Address: Inside Ryuutsu Kaikan, 9-33 Showamachi, Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture
Phone: 0859-44-6668 (Sakaiminato Fisheries Promotion Association)
Tour Times: 7:00 am (except July and August), 9:00 am, 10:00 am | Closed on Sundays, public holidays, year-end, and summer holidays
Admission: ¥500 | Free for high school students and younger (English guides available, reservations required two days in advance)
Access: 6 minutes by car from JR Sakaiminato Station
Website: www.sakaiminato.net/about/gyokou-tour

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