10 morning and periodic markets in Kyushu
- Ten morning and periodic markets in Kyushu are compared by the days and hours they open.
- Yobuko Morning Market (7:30–12:00) and Katsumoto Morning Market open daily, while Sasebo Morning Market runs 3:00–9:00.
- Meinohama and Amakusa open every Sunday, while Izaki opens every Saturday.
This page compares 10 morning markets and periodic markets in Kyushu by the days and hours they open. They are the Yobuko and Katsumoto markets that open daily, the Sasebo market that starts at 3:00 in the early morning, the monthly Matcha market, the Sunday markets in Amakusa and Meinohama, Shikanoshima, Hiro and Izaki run by the Fukuoka City fishermen’s cooperative, and the Nagahama fish market that opens to the public a few times a year. For permanent farm shops, see our article on farm shops in Fukuoka Prefecture (Japanese), and for squid restaurants in Yobuko, see our article on 7 Yobuko live squid sashimi restaurants (Japanese).
In short
- Nearest dates in November: Hiro and the Nagahama fish market on Saturday, November 14, and Shikanoshima and the Matcha market on Sunday, November 15.
- Open every day: Yobuko (every day except New Year’s Day, 7:30–12:00) and Katsumoto (no closed days; no stalls in bad weather).
- Earliest start: Sasebo, 3:00–9:00.
- Every Sunday: Meinohama (from 5:30) and Amakusa (from 6:30). Every Saturday: Izaki (from 14:55).
Checked with official pages on October 19, 2026 (Japan time). Prices and hours may change.
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1. Comparison of the 10 morning and periodic markets in Kyushu
Days and hours follow each market’s official page (checked on October 19, 2026). Markets may be canceled or change hours depending on weather and the catch.
| Name | Place | Open days | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yobuko Morning Market | Karatsu, Saga | Every day except New Year’s Day | 7:30–12:00 |
| Katsumoto Morning Market | Iki, Nagasaki | Every day (no stalls in bad weather) | From about 8:00 |
| Sasebo Morning Market | Sasebo, Nagasaki | No days stated officially | 3:00–9:00 |
| Matcha Morning Market | Uki, Kumamoto | 3rd Sunday of every month | 7:00–9:00 (as announced for October 2026) |
| Shirou Amakusa Tourist Morning Market | Amakusa, Kumamoto | Every Sunday | From 6:30 |
| Meinohama Morning Market | Nishi Ward, Fukuoka | Every Sunday | From 5:30 |
| Shikanoshima Morning Market | Higashi Ward, Fukuoka | 1st and 3rd Sundays, April to early December | Numbered tickets from 6:00 |
| Hiro Evening Market | Higashi Ward, Fukuoka | 2nd Saturday, May to early December | Around 14:00 |
| Izaki Seafood Evening Market | Chuo Ward, Fukuoka | Every Saturday | From 14:55 |
| Nagahama Fish Market Citizens’ Appreciation Day | Chuo Ward, Fukuoka | 2026: Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12 | 9:00–12:00 |
2. Saga and Nagasaki: 3 harbor morning markets at Yobuko, Katsumoto and Sasebo
The Yobuko Morning Market is open every day except New Year’s Day, the Katsumoto Morning Market has no closed days, and the Sasebo Morning Market is open from 3:00 to 9:00 in the early morning.
Yobuko Morning Market: every day except New Year’s Day, from 7:30
On Yobuko Asaichi Street in Yobuko, Karatsu City, the stalls sell seafood, dried fish, vegetables, fruit, pickles, flowers, sweets and pottery. The Karatsu Tourist Association’s Yobuko Morning Market page (Japanese) says the market is held every day except New Year’s Day, and describes chatting with the sellers and getting a little extra with your purchase. Opening times differ by vendor.
If you drive, there are the Yobuko Morning Market parking lot (free, 29 standard cars) and the Yobuko Rinko parking lot (paid, ¥100 up to 1 hour, 128 standard cars). By bus, it is 30 minutes from Oteguchi Bus Center, then a 1-minute walk from the Yobuko stop. For squid restaurants, see our article on Yobuko live squid sashimi.
| Name | Yobuko Morning Market |
|---|---|
| Address | Yobuko Asaichi-dori, Yobukocho Yobuko, Karatsu City, Saga |
| Hours / Closed | 7:30–12:00 (Closed New Year's Day. Opening times differ by vendor) |
| Phone | 0955-82-3426 (Yobuko Tourist Information Center) |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Katsumoto Morning Market: stalls along the shopping street and arcade
In Katsumoto-ura, Iki City, from about 8:00 in the morning, dried fish, processed seafood, vegetables and fruit are sold along the road and arcade of the shopping street. Its origin is said to be the barter of seafood and farm products in the days of the Edo-period “Kujira-gumi” whaling group. There are no closed days, but stalls may not appear in bad weather (Iki Kanko Navi’s Katsumoto Morning Market page, Japanese).
It is 20 minutes by car from Ashibe Port and 30 minutes by car from Gonoura Port. Parking is available.
| Name | Katsumoto Morning Market |
|---|---|
| Address | 204 Katsumoto-ura, Katsumotocho, Iki City, Nagasaki |
| Hours / Closed | From about 8:00 (No closed days. No stalls in bad weather) |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Sasebo Morning Market: from 3:00 in the early morning, with an auction open to anyone on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays
The Sasebo Morning Market is held from 3:00 to 9:00 in the Manzumachi city parking lot near Sasebo Gobangai. Fresh fish, processed seafood, vegetables, fruit, pickles, flowers and pottery are sold, and the best time for shopping is 5:00–7:00. On the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month, an auction open to anyone starts at 6:30 (Sasebo Convention & Visitors Association’s feature page on the Sasebo Morning Market, Japanese).
| Name | Sasebo Morning Market |
|---|---|
| Address | Manzumachi Municipal Parking Lot, Manzumachi, Sasebo City, Nagasaki |
| Hours / Closed | 3:00–9:00 (Best time for shopping: 5:00–7:00. Auction from 6:30 on 2nd and 4th Saturdays) |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
3. Kumamoto: the Matcha Morning Market and the Sunday market in Amakusa
The Matcha Morning Market is held on the 3rd Sunday of every month, and the Shirou Amakusa Tourist Morning Market every Sunday.
Matcha Morning Market: all-you-can-pack miso and ebi-dago soup in the Matsuai shopping street
This market is held on Honmachi-dori shopping street (Matsuai Hondori) in Matsuai, Shiranui, Uki City, on the 3rd Sunday of every month, a tradition since the “Matcha Ikasou-kai” group was formed in 1992. Seafood from the Shiranui Sea, local vegetables and fruit are sold, and the specialties are the “all-you-can-pack miso” with its queue and the “ebi-dago soup” (shrimp and dumpling soup) full of broth. Taking part is free, and purchases at each shop are paid. It is held in the rain, but may be canceled in strong wind or heavy rain (Matcha Morning Market website, Japanese).
The market on Sunday, October 18, 2026 was announced for 7:00–9:00. The next one is Sunday, November 15. Parking is at the former Matsuai Elementary School playground.
| Name | Matcha Morning Market |
|---|---|
| Address | Honmachi-dori shopping street (Matsuai Hondori), Matsuai, Shiranuimachi, Uki City, Kumamoto |
| Hours / Closed | 3rd Sunday of every month (7:00–9:00 in October 2026). Held rain or shine |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Shirou Amakusa Tourist Morning Market: every Sunday on Minamikawa Promenade
On Minamikawa Promenade in Hondo, Amakusa City, it opens from 6:30 every Sunday. It has been running for more than 10 years and sells fresh Amakusa fish, vegetables, prepared foods (gomoku-okowa rice, manju and dumplings) and flowers in the open air (Amakusa Takarajima Tourist Association’s page on the Shirou Amakusa Tourist Morning Market, Japanese). It is 2 hours 10 minutes by car from Kumamoto City and 15 minutes by car from Amakusa Airport.
| Name | Shirou Amakusa Tourist Morning Market |
|---|---|
| Address | Minamikawa Promenade, Sakaemachi, Amakusa City, Kumamoto |
| Hours / Closed | Every Sunday from 6:30 |
| Phone | 090-8830-5537 (contact: Masuda) |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
4. Fukuoka City: the fishermen’s cooperative’s morning and evening markets, and Nagahama fish market (5 places)
The Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative’s markets have set days and times: Meinohama every Sunday at 5:30 and Izaki every Saturday at 14:55, while Shikanoshima and Hiro open only on limited days. Changes or cancellations may occur because of weather and other reasons (Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative’s morning and evening market page, Japanese).
Meinohama Morning Market: every Sunday from 5:30, direct sales by fishermen
It opens at Meinohama fishing port from 5:30 every Sunday. Fishermen sell live and fresh sea bream, flounder, sillago, shrimp, filefish and more directly from the catch. Meinohama nori, a specialty of Hakata Bay, is sold at the cooperative’s Meinohama branch. Parking is for about 120 cars just inside the port and about 40 around the branch office.
| Name | Meinohama Morning Market |
|---|---|
| Address | Atagohama 4-chome, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka (Meinohama fishing port) |
| Hours / Closed | Every Sunday from 5:30 |
| Phone | 092-881-0025 (Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative, Meinohama branch, weekdays 9:00–17:00) |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Shikanoshima Morning Market: numbered tickets are handed out from 6:00
At Shikanoshima fishing port (next to the city ferry terminal), it opens on the 1st and 3rd Sundays from April to early December. Numbered tickets are handed out first come, first served from 6:00, you choose fish in ticket-number order from about 7:10, and the fish is handed over at about 7:30. Shrimp, crab, flounder and more are sold, and it sells out about 30 minutes after the start. Parking is for about 70 cars. The next one is November 15.
| Name | Shikanoshima Morning Market |
|---|---|
| Address | Shikanoshima, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka (Shikanoshima fishing port, next to the city ferry terminal) |
| Hours / Closed | 1st and 3rd Sundays from April to early December, numbered tickets distributed from 6:00 |
| Phone | 092-603-6509 (Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative, Shikanoshima branch, weekdays 9:00–17:00) |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Hiro Evening Market: 2nd Saturday from May to early December
At the cargo-handling facility of Hiro fishing port, it opens at around 14:00 on the 2nd Saturday from May to early December. Live fish in season and, depending on the time of year, Hiro wakame seaweed are sold. It sells out within about 30 minutes to 1 hour of the start. Since fiscal 2025, the regular market on the 4th Saturday has been discontinued. Parking is for about 15 cars next to the facility and about 45 on vacant land across the road. The next one is November 14.
| Name | Hiro Evening Market |
|---|---|
| Address | Hiro, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka (Hiro fishing port cargo-handling facility) |
| Hours / Closed | 2nd Saturday from May to early December, around 14:00 |
| Phone | 092-603-6611 (Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative, Hiro branch, weekdays 9:00–17:00) |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Izaki Seafood Evening Market: every Saturday from 14:55
At Izaki fishing port, it runs from 14:55 to about 15:30 every Saturday and ends when sold out. The official page recommends arriving at about 14:30. The fish changes with the fishing season, from kuruma prawns and yoshi prawns to long-armed octopus, cuttlefish, olive flounder, other flatfish, conger eel, abalone and turban shells. Whether it is held is decided the day before and posted on the calendar. It is a 15-minute walk from Subway Tojinmachi Station, and parking is for about 40 cars in the port and about 20 around the branch office.
| Name | Izaki Seafood Evening Market |
|---|---|
| Address | Fukuhama 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka (Izaki fishing port) |
| Hours / Closed | Every Saturday 14:55–about 15:30 (ends when sold out) |
| Phone | 092-741-2970 (Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative, Isaki branch, weekdays 9:00–17:00) |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
Nagahama Fish Market Citizens’ Appreciation Day: the day with a tuna cutting show
Once a month or so, the wholesale market building of one of Japan’s leading fish markets is opened to the public. The 2026 dates are October 10, November 14 and December 12, and there are no events from July to September or from January to March 2027. The November date is provisional because it is held together with an “agriculture, forestry and fisheries festival”. It runs 9:00–12:00, with fresh fish sold until 11:00. There are tuna cutting shows with sales, fish-filleting experiences and a sushi-making experience for children (Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Federation’s page on Nagahama Fish Market Citizens’ Appreciation Day, Japanese). For how to buy there on regular days, see our article on farm shops in Fukuoka Prefecture (Japanese).
| Name | Nagahama Fish Market Citizens' Appreciation Day |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-11-3 Nagahama, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka |
| Hours / Closed | In 2026: October 10, November 14, December 12, 9:00–12:00 (fresh fish sales until 11:00) |
| Phone | 092-711-6414 (Nagahama Fish Market, operations section) |
| Map | Open in Google Maps ↗ |
| Official site | Open the official site ↗ |
↑ Back to the comparison table
5. How to choose by purpose
| Purpose | Market | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Going on a weekday | Yobuko, Katsumoto | Open every day except New Year’s Day, or with no closed days |
| Going on a Sunday morning | Amakusa, Meinohama | Every Sunday |
| Going on a Saturday afternoon | Izaki, Hiro | Open in the 14:00 hour (Hiro only on the 2nd Saturday) |
| Not wanting to get up early | Yobuko, Nagahama fish market | From 7:30 and from 9:00 |
| Enjoying an event too | Nagahama fish market, Matcha | Tuna cutting show, all-you-can-pack miso |
| Known parking capacity | Yobuko, Meinohama, Shikanoshima | 29 free + 128 paid, about 120, about 70 |
6. FAQ
Common questions
Are the morning markets always open?
Some days are canceled depending on weather and the catch. Stalls may not appear at the Katsumoto market in bad weather, and Izaki decides the day before whether to hold it. Shikanoshima and Hiro sell out about 30 minutes after the start.
Which morning market opens earliest?
The Sasebo Morning Market, which opens at 3:00. Next are Meinohama at 5:30 and Shikanoshima at 6:00 (numbered tickets).
Which dates can I go in the rest of 2026?
November 15 (Shikanoshima), November 14 (Hiro and Nagahama fish market), November 15 (Matcha Morning Market) and December 12 (Nagahama fish market). The November date at Nagahama is provisional. The official pages say Shikanoshima and Hiro run until early December, so check the official pages for December dates. Meinohama, Amakusa and Izaki open every week.
Sources
13 pages we checked
- Yobuko Morning Market: Yobuko Asaichi Street map
- Karatsu Tourist Association: Yobuko Morning Market
- Iki Kanko Navi: Katsumoto Morning Market
- Sasebo Convention & Visitors Association: Sasebo Morning Market
- Matcha Morning Market (Matcha Morning Market Committee)
- Amakusa Takarajima Tourist Association: Shirou Amakusa Tourist Morning Market
- Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative: Let’s go to the morning and evening markets
- Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative: Meinohama Morning Market
- Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative: Shikanoshima Morning Market
- Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative: Hiro Evening Market
- Fukuoka City Fisheries Cooperative: Izaki Seafood Evening Market
- Fukuoka Prefecture Tourism Federation: Nagahama Fish Market Citizens’ Appreciation Day
- Japanese version of this page (日本語版)
Checked with official pages on October 19, 2026 (Japan time).
