Local Guide
Boasting seafood! 6 gourmet spots in Senzaki, Nagato City

Surrounded by the sea on three sides, Yamaguchi Prefecture is known as one of the prefecture's great attractions - seafood is one of its great attractions. Before you travel, be sure to check out gourmet spots that boast great seafood. The area along the Sea of Japan coast from Hagi City, Nagato City, and the northern part of Shimonoseki City is known as "Kitaura" in the prefecture, and this article focuses on the area around Senzaki Port, which is a major fishing base there! Located right next to the market, there are many famous restaurants where you can enjoy a wide variety of seafood, such as swordtip squid, turban shells, and sea urchins, all in exceptional freshness. Each restaurant has a variety of signature dishes, including live sashimi, kamameshi, sushi, rice bowls, barbecue, and overnight dried fish. Here are 6 recommended restaurants that are particularly popular in Senzaki.

Enjoy the rich, sweet "Senzaki squid" served live

The most popular dish at the restaurant is the "Live Squid Set" (3,500 yen). In addition to the live squid dish, you can also enjoy tentacle tempura and squid shumai.
The most popular dish at the restaurant is the "Live Squid Set" (3,500 yen). In addition to the live squid dish, you can also enjoy tentacle tempura and squid shumai.

Swordtip squid, which is raised in the strong currents off the coast of Nagato City, is called "Senzaki squid" and has firm flesh and a rich sweetness. If you want to taste Senzaki squid, "Kiraku" is one of the first restaurants that comes to mind.
The "Live Squid Set" also comes with tentacle tempura and squid shumai, making it a true squid feast. The main dish, live sashimi, is prepared by scooping up squid swimming in the tank inside the restaurant after the order is placed. You'll be amazed by the translucent flesh and moving tentacles, but once you put it in your mouth and enjoy the crunchy texture, you'll be impressed by the rich flavor that spreads across your mouth. Enjoy the unforgettable taste of Senzaki squid to your heart's content.

Senzaki has a wide variety of seafood, including tiger pufferfish, which can be enjoyed at reasonable prices!

There are plenty of tatami seating areas, so families can enjoy the seafood at their leisure.
There are plenty of tatami seating areas, so families can enjoy the seafood at their leisure.

The quality of the fresh fish procured by the owner, a Senzaki Market broker, is impeccable, and the experienced chefs on the menu offer a selection of exquisite dishes, including the "Seafood Bowl" (2,700 yen) and "Senzaki Sashimi Gozen" (2,980 yen). The "Raw Sea Urchin Rice" (black sea urchin 3,500 yen, red sea urchin market price), which uses a whole sheet of sea urchin, is also highly rated. You can enjoy the rich flavor while feeling the subtle scent of the seashore.
Also, don't miss the "Fugu Zukuri Zen," a Yamaguchi Prefecture staple. The restaurant farms its own tiger pufferfish, and the luxurious menu includes sashimi, fried pufferfish, confit, and shumai, all at a reasonable price of just 3,500 yen.

Comments Local Guide
The "Live Squid and Sea Urchin Set" (6,480 yen) is also very popular, as it is a luxurious combination of one piece of sea urchin and Senzaki squid, two of the restaurant's most delicious dishes. This premium menu will make your trip to Nagato even more memorable.
Kiraku: Live Squid Honke
  • URLhttps://www.ikiika-kiraku.com/
  • 住所4137-3 Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 45 minutes from Mine IC on the Chugoku Expressway
  • バスアクセスTake the bus from JR Nagato City Station, get off at "Senza Kitchen" and walk for about 5 minutes
  • 営業時間11:00-14:30 (LO14:30), 17:00-21:00 (LO20:30)
  • 定休日Wednesdays (Irregular holidays from October to December)
  • TEL0837-26-1235
  • 駐車場free
  • メモPhone inquiries are accepted according to business hours, and reservations are accepted only in the evenings (reservations must be made at least one day in advance)

The lingering flavor is irresistible! Enjoy fresh local fish in nigiri sushi

"Special Nigiri" 2,700 yen. Each and every sushi is made with the utmost care to ensure its freshness.
"Special Nigiri" 2,700 yen. Each and every sushi is made with the utmost care to ensure its freshness.

This popular restaurant is located inside the roadside station's Senza Kitchen Dining building. You can enjoy dishes made with extremely fresh live fish delivered every morning. Among the many dishes on the menu, the one you should try first is the signature "Tokunigiri." You can enjoy nine pieces of sushi made with locally produced seafood, including sea bream, yellowtail amberjack, fatty tuna, raw shrimp, sea urchin, squid, and horse mackerel.
The large portions are very satisfying, the fish is very fresh, giving it a crunchy texture and rich flavor, while the sea urchin, squid, and raw shrimp are exceptionally rich. Each bite is full of flavor and leaves an irresistible aftertaste.

There are plenty of must-try dishes on the menu, including sushi rolls, rice bowls, and set meals.

It has been operating in the same location since before Senza Kitchen opened. It is a popular gourmet spot for tourists on Omijima Island.
It has been operating in the same location since before Senza Kitchen opened. It is a popular gourmet spot for tourists on Omijima Island.

This restaurant has long been popular with locals as well as tourists. They offer a wide variety of rice bowls, including the "Raw Sea Urchin Rice Bowl" (3,500 yen), the "Special Seafood Rice Bowl" (2,700 yen), and the "Seared Horse Mackerel Rice Bowl" (1,250 yen). Tempura, sashimi, and boiled fish (sea bream, yellowtail amberjack) can be enjoyed as a la carte dishes or as part of set meals (starting from 1,450 yen).
Their proud sushi rolls are also excellent. The thick rolls are especially recommended, with the "Jomaki Sushi" (1,100 yen per roll) being chock-full of seven ingredients, including shrimp, conger eel, and dried gourd. The "Salad Roll" is popular with children and women, with five ingredients including shrimp and lettuce. There is also a wide variety of "Hosomaki" and "Temaki" rolls available with different toppings.

Comments Local Guide
The restaurant closes when it runs out of stock, so it's best to visit early. The freshness of the ingredients is what makes the sushi and rice bowls best enjoyed in the restaurant, but if you're pressed for time, takeout is also an option (except for set meals). You can enjoy the delicious food on your drive or at your hotel.
Sushi and live fish dishes Sengoku
  • URLhttps://nanavi.jp/senzakitchen/facility/sengokusushi/
  • 住所Senza Kitchen Dining Building MAP, 4297-1 Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture
  • アクセスAbout 45 minutes from Mine IC on the Chugoku Expressway
  • バスアクセスTake the bus from JR Nagato City Station and get off at "Senza Kitchen"
  • 営業時間11:00～16:30（L.O.16:00）
  • 定休日Second Thursday of every month *Open in August and on public holidays
  • TEL0837-26-0682
  • 駐車場free
  • メモThe store may close if it sells out, and prices may vary depending on the availability of stock. We recommend calling to make a reservation for takeout (even if you make a reservation, there may be a waiting time depending on the situation).

Plenty of sea urchin from Kitaura! Enjoy the rich flavor of freshly cooked rice

"Sea urchin rice pot" (3,300 yen). Raw sea urchin hardens over time, so it should be enjoyed hot and quickly.
"Sea urchin rice pot" (3,300 yen). Raw sea urchin hardens over time, so it should be enjoyed hot and quickly.

A long-established restaurant in Senzaki that is famous for its seafood kamameshi. Its signature dish is the "sea urchin kamameshi," made with plenty of raw sea urchin from Kitaura.
Each serving of Kamameshi is carefully cooked over an open flame in an iron pot for 20 minutes, with sea urchin chunks mixed in with the broth, creating a savory crust. Once the rice is cooked to perfection, it is topped with plenty of raw sea urchin, which is coated with flavor by the heat of steaming. Open the lid and you'll be greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of the sea. Enjoy the rich flavor in any way you like, whether you taste the raw sea urchin on its own at first, or mix it thoroughly into the rice.

A wide variety of excellent rice bowls and set meals! Enjoy the seafood from Senzaki to your heart's content

In addition to table seating, there is also a spacious tatami room.
In addition to table seating, there is also a spacious tatami room.

The menu is packed with seafood delivered every morning from Senzaki, including the "Kaikou Donburi" (1,450 yen) and "Raw Sea Urchin Donburi" (3,000 yen), which are topped with six different kinds of ingredients, the "Hamaya Teishoku" (2,750 yen) which comes with five kinds of sashimi and tempura, and the reasonably priced Iso Teishoku (1,470 yen).
There are also a selection of single dishes unique to Senzaki, such as the "Grilled Turtle Shells" (1,080 yen for two). If you can't decide what to eat, we recommend the "Zou no Hana Teishoku" (4,880 yen, "Zou no Hana" is a famous rock formation on Omijima Island), which covers all the delicacies of Nagato, such as raw sea urchin, sashimi, grilled turban shells, and sea bream head simmered in soy sauce.

Comments Local Guide
The restaurant's proud Kamameshi (rice cooked in a pot) comes in a wide variety of varieties, including "turban shell" (2,120 yen), "conger eel" (1,730 yen), and "local octopus" (1,520 yen). Don't miss the "Kamago" (sea urchin kamago) which comes with additional sashimi or fried (or grilled) dishes (such as the sea urchin kamago for 4,500 yen).
Hamaya
  • 住所4137-5 Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture MAP
  • アクセスAbout 45 minutes from Mine IC on the Chugoku Expressway
  • バスアクセスTake the bus from JR Nagato City Station, get off at "Senza Kitchen" and walk for about 5 minutes
  • 営業時間11:30～15:00（L.O.14:00）
  • 定休日Tuesday and Wednesday
  • TEL0837-26-1436
  • 駐車場free

The concept is "Eat Nagato". Popular menu items include seafood bowls.

The "Seafood Bowl" comes in three varieties: "Jo" for 1,350 yen, "Tokujo" for 1,850 yen, and the "Toku! Tokujo" shown in the photo for 2,600 yen.
The "Seafood Bowl" comes in three varieties: "Jo" for 1,350 yen, "Tokujo" for 1,850 yen, and the "Toku! Tokujo" shown in the photo for 2,600 yen.

This popular restaurant is located inside the roadside station Senza Kitchen, a popular spot in Nagato City. You can enjoy a variety of dishes made with ingredients that Nagato is proud of, such as fresh fish and the local specialty Choshu chicken.
The signature dish, "Seafood Bowl" (with miso soup and pickles), is not only superbly fresh, but also visually stunning. The highest grade, "Special! Tokujo", is piled high with 12 to 13 kinds of seafood, covering the entire bowl, including sea urchin, squid, tuna, sea bream, shrimp, turban shells, and sometimes seasonal ingredients.

You'll be sure to be tempted by the rice bowls and set meals! Enjoy Choshu chicken along with seafood

You can see the whole of Senzaki Bay from inside the restaurant. There is also a tatami room where you can relax.
You can see the whole of Senzaki Bay from inside the restaurant. There is also a tatami room where you can relax.

Other dishes that are sure to be repeat customers include the "Sea Urchin Rice Bowl," which uses a generous portion of an entire sheet of locally caught sea urchin, the "Sea Treasure Overflowing Roll," which is piled high with sea urchin, turban shells, and tuna, the "Pickled Squid Rice Bowl," the "Premium Pickled Squid Rice Bowl," and the "Fried Whale Tatsuta."
There are also plenty of set meals for sashimi and simmered dishes, so if you can't decide what to choose, we recommend the "Senzaki Taberu Set Meal." In addition to the restaurant's specialty "Hanabi Sushi," three kinds of sashimi, and simmered dishes, you can enjoy the deliciousness of Nagato all at once, including deep-fried Choshu chicken.

Comments Local Guide
In addition to seafood, the restaurant offers a wide variety of menu items using local Nagato ingredients, such as the "Choshu Chicken Oyakodon" and "Choshu Chicken Sanzoku Yaki/Pirate Rice Bowl Set," making it an easy place for families to visit.
Dining Area Senzaki Honmaru
  • URLhttps://senzakihonmaru.jp/
  • 住所Senza Kitchen, 4297-1 Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Kitchen building map
  • アクセスAbout 45 minutes from Mine IC on the Chugoku Expressway
  • バスアクセスTake the bus from JR Nagato City Station and get off at "Senza Kitchen"
  • 営業時間11:00～19:00（L.O.18:00）
  • 定休日Second Thursday of every month *Open during peak season
  • TEL0837-26-2580
  • 駐車場free

Concentrated flavor, perfect with rice! Enjoy the exquisite overnight dried fresh fish from Kitaura in a set meal

Himono set meal "Yuuyake" (1,880 yen). The rice, made with rice from the local Yuya rice terraces, is also delicious and you can have seconds.
Himono set meal "Yuuyake" (1,880 yen). The rice, made with rice from the local Yuya rice terraces, is also delicious and you can have seconds.

Located inside the Senza Kitchen direct sales store, you can enjoy overnight dried and fried set meals using local fish from Kitaura, such as horse mackerel, blackthroat seaperch, and barracuda. Among the set meals, the most recommended is the "Yuyake" set meal, which includes overnight dried blackthroat seaperch, a popular high-class fish, and fried horse mackerel.
The blackthroat seaperch is slowly grilled over charcoal, and the rich, aromatic flavor is truly impressive, and you'll be sure to find yourself eating more and more rice. The freshly fried horse mackerel is also superb due to its freshness. The miso soup, made with plenty of locally produced miso and vegetables, is also delicious.

There is a great selection of dried and fried foods available, so you can snack on freshly fried takeaway food!

The entrance to the store is inside the Senza Kitchen agricultural and marine products shop. There is a take-out window on Parking side.
The entrance to the store is inside the Senza Kitchen agricultural and marine products shop. There is a take-out window on Parking side.

Other dishes on the menu are sure to catch your eye, including the "Hinode" set meal (980 yen), which includes fatty overnight dried mackerel and fried barracuda, and the "Yuuhi" set meal (1,680 yen), which features a luxurious lineup of fried horse mackerel, fried barracuda, and charcoal-grilled blackthroat seaperch (small).
There is also a small take-out window on Parking side, where they sell freshly fried items such as "Horse Mackerel Burger" (480 yen), Fried Horse Mackerel (320 yen), and Fried Blackthroat Seaperch (650 yen). Eating snacks while gazing at the sea with a draft beer in hand is also a special experience.

Comments Local Guide
The overnight dried fish, fried horse mackerel, and minced cutlet of mackerel served at the store are all made by Himono-dokoro Uoken, which has a factory in Senzaki. These carefully crafted dishes, including those dried at low temperatures, can also be purchased at the roadside station Senza Kitchen. They also make great souvenirs.
Himonoya Restaurant Hidamari
  • URLhttps://nanavi.jp/senzakitchen/facility/hidamari/
  • 住所4297-1 Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture (inside Senza Kitchen) MAP
  • アクセスAbout 45 minutes from Mine IC on the Chugoku Expressway
  • バスアクセスTake the bus from JR Nagato City Station and get off at "Senza Kitchen"
  • 営業時間Weekdays 9:00-15:00 Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 9:00-16:00 Take-out 9:00-17:00
  • 定休日2nd Thursday of every month *Open on August and public holidays
  • TEL0837-27-0178
  • 駐車場free

Enjoy a charcoal-fired seafood barbecue while gazing at the sea

Shellfish such as turban shells, abalone, and rock oysters are especially popular.
Shellfish such as turban shells, abalone, and rock oysters are especially popular.

It is attached to the agricultural and marine products shop of the roadside station "Senza Kitchen". You can enjoy seafood barbecued over charcoal fire in a location overlooking Senzaki Bay. The system allows you to freely purchase your favorite ingredients from the agricultural and marine products shop inside the roadside station and grill them yourself, so searching for ingredients in the fresh fish section is also part of the fun.
We recommend shellfish such as turban shells and abalone, which are always in abundance in tanks of sterilized seawater. There are also plenty of other fish, such as horse mackerel, mackerel, and sea bream, available filleted, dried, and cut into pieces, perfect for a barbecue.

You can come empty-handed, and the menu includes all the items sold at Senza Kitchen.

The restaurant has a panoramic view of Senzaki Bay. Once you're ready for the barbecue, head to the agricultural and marine products shop next door.
The restaurant has a panoramic view of Senzaki Bay. Once you're ready for the barbecue, head to the agricultural and marine products shop next door.

The seating fee (200 yen per person, 100 yen for elementary school students and younger, time limit 90 minutes) includes the cost of tableware and charcoal, and gloves and tongs are also provided, so you can come empty-handed. In addition to condiments such as salt, pepper, soy sauce, and ponzu sauce, aluminum foil is also freely available, so even ingredients that are not suitable for grilling can be enjoyed as foil grills.
In addition, Staff/staff member will give you advice on what fish are in season and how to grill them deliciously, so asking for their recommendations before purchasing your ingredients is an important way to fully enjoy a seafood barbecue.

Comments Local Guide
Not only fresh fish is on offer, but there is also a wide variety of processed products such as dried fish and fish pastes that you can't miss. In addition, there are plenty of ingredients for barbecues on sale, such as a variety of local vegetables and Nagato's specialty "Choshu chicken."
Grill House
  • URLhttps://nanavi.jp/senzakitchen/facility/grillhouse/
  • 住所Senza Kitchen, 4297-1 Senzaki, Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Kitchen building map
  • アクセスAbout 45 minutes from Mine IC on the Chugoku Expressway
  • バスアクセスTake the bus from JR Nagato City Station and get off at "Senza Kitchen"
  • 営業時間9:00-17:30 (last entry at 16:00)
  • 定休日2nd Thursday of every month (public holiday, open in August), January 1st
  • TEL0837-27-0066
  • 駐車場free
*The contents listed are current as of the date of article update. They may be subject to change, so please check before using.