Naka-Minato Fish Market
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If you are looking for something to do on the weekend, the fish market in Naka-minato is a great drive. When most people think "fish markets," they think of Tsukiji, but you don't need to go all that way to Tokyo at all! It's open all day (from nice and early if you are game) and it's easy to get to by train or car, but don't be surprised how full the car parks are on weekends and public holidays. When we were there, you could tell by the number plates that people had come from as far away as Yokohama!
There is a story that people who live near fishing ports are all really friendly. This was exactly what we found. Maybe it was the fact that the fish mongers don't often get to see 4 gaijin women at the market, or maybe they are just genuinely happy people. Every where we walked, someone would yell out hello in broken English and then be surprised we tried to trick them into believing we were born in Mito. I don't think they believed us.
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Though we didn't end up buying the big box full of scallops that looked so yummy, we had fun haggling prices. Especially later in the day, you can get some great deals. It's a shame my fridge just isn't big enough for that slab of tuna. We had to be happy with just a taste test of the scallops, cooked then and there on a BBQ still in the shell with a little bit of soy sauce. Yum yum.
However, for us, the highlight of the day was the sushi. We had to wait over an hour to get a seat next to the sushi train, but it was worth it. We put our names on the list when we first got to the market and came back later. We actually missed our name being called out the first time, but luckily being gaijin, we were remembered by the waitress and she let us get next in line.
I have never seen pieces of sushi so big. I was struggling to get them into my mouth. I don't know if I can ever go back to those 100 yen a plate places again after this. The fish was so fresh, so cheap and there were so many different varieties to choose from. I only ended up fitting 4 plates in, but my mouth watered over so many more. I recommend the flat fish (hirame) and the bonito (katsuo). I steered clear of the whale (kujira) though.
So if you have a chance, take a drive down to the fish market and enjoy it for yourself. And if you have time afterwards, there are a number of things to do and see in the area. You can visit the onsen in Ajigaura, the Hitachi Seas side park, the outlet malls in Ōarai, or even the AquaWorld Aquarium to see the ones that got away from the fisherman's net.
How to get there
By car: 40 min drive from Mito IC (Jōban Expressway)
6 min drive from Hitachinaka Interchange (Kita-kantō Expressway)
Parking: 100 yen per car
By train: Naka-minato Station (Take the Naka-minato Line from Katsuta)
Open: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm
