Enjoying Everyday Sushi at Individual Sushi Bars in a Fishermen’s Port Town

Along the approximately 96-kilometer (about 60-mile) coastline of Toyama Bay, there are sixteen fishing ports spaced at nearly equal intervals. Around these ports, sushi bars known as “town sushi” are dotted, serving casual, everyday sushi enjoyed by local people.

Among them, the area surrounding Shinminato Fishing Port, one of the representative ports of Toyama Bay, stands out for its concentration. In the compact town center alone, there are eight town sushi bars as of the time of this coverage, making it possible to walk from one to another and compare their offerings.

In particular, Kiyozushi, founded in 1972, is one of the most popular establishments. Its owner and head chef, Kiyoyuki Tsuritani, trained for two years each at sushi restaurants in Kanazawa City, Takaoka City and Toyama City before opening his own shop. Today, many regular customers from the surrounding area visit frequently to enjoy the sushi he prepares.

Except for a small number of ingredients sourced from outside the prefecture, such as sea urchin and abalone, Mr. Tsuritani purchases seafood landed at Shinminato Fishing Port through licensed wholesalers and prepares his sushi using those local catches. According to people involved at the port, his keen eye for selecting fish is well known within Shinminato Fishing Port.

“We do not do any kind of information outreach. I do not even have a mobile phone.”

This is how his wife, Tamiko, who works at the sushi bar, describes their approach. Even so, many international travelers visit after researching the bar online. On some days, travelers from Taiwan, Singapore, Australia, Brazil, Bangladesh and other countries sit shoulder to shoulder with regular customers at the counter, enjoying a pleasant time together.

Not only Kiyozushi, but also well-loved local favorites such as Ishimatsu Sushi, Naniwa Sushi and Sushi Take can be found in abundance around Shinminato Fishing Port, to the point where visitors may feel spoiled for choice.

The area around Shinminato Fishing Port, where these town sushi restaurants are concentrated, is also home to many popular dining establishments within the prefecture, including Cafe Uchikawa Rokkakudo, Bridge Bar, and Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki restaurant Tominoya. Waterside walking paths and water-based sightseeing options are well developed, and accommodations such as Mizube no Minka Hotel and AKAMA TOYAMA are also available.

While visiting these spots or while staying in this fishermen’s town, heading out for lunch or dinner to enjoy town sushi that is deeply rooted in the everyday life of a port town is one way to experience the very foundation of Toyama’s sushi culture.

By taking a seat at the counter alongside regular customers, visitors will likely also encounter the unexpectedly warm and friendly hospitality of the Toyama locals.

Contact Information
Kiyozushi
Address: Minatomachi 10-10, Imizu City, Toyama, Japan
Contact: +81 766 84 0151
Regular closing days: Confirm in advance

Photo: Kenta Nakajima