Tourist Pier of Katsuura Port

Nachikatsuura: Japan's Top Town for Fresh Tuna Landings

Located in Higashimuro District, Wakayama Prefecture, the town of Nachikatsuura is a port town renowned for having some of Japan's largest landings of fresh tuna caught by longline fishing. Because the tuna is landed without being frozen, its freshness is second to none, and you can enjoy its rich fat and umami directly on the palate. Many travelers visiting the World Heritage-listed Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes and Nachi Falls make a point of stopping by to enjoy an authentic tuna lunch.

What Makes a Nachikatsuura Tuna Lunch Special

Unbeatable Freshness Straight from the Port

An auction is held at Katsuura Fishing Port in the early morning, and tuna landed that same day is served at restaurants throughout town. Never frozen, the fresh flesh melts in your mouth and offers a wonderfully rich flavor. Locals call it "nama-maguro" (fresh tuna), and its taste is considered in a league of its own compared to frozen tuna.

A Wide Variety of Menu Options

For lunch, you can enjoy classic tuna rice bowls and seafood bowls, along with tasting platters comparing lean, medium-fatty, and fatty tuna cuts, lightly seared salt-grilled tuna collar, and unique dishes featuring rare cuts—each restaurant offering its own distinctive menu. Beyond sashimi, marinated tuna bowls (zuke-don) and namerō-style preparations are also popular.

Exploring the Town Along with Your Lunch

Around Katsuura Fishing Port, you'll find a morning market, a tourist pier, and the famed Katsuura Onsen hot spring area—perfect for a post-meal stroll. Combine your visit with a pilgrimage to Nachi Falls and Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine, and you can enjoy the nature, spirituality, and cuisine of Kumano all in one luxurious day. A tuna lunch savored while breathing in the atmosphere of this port town is sure to be an unforgettable dish of your journey.

Image: Tourist Pier of Katsuura Port / Photo: 玄史生 / Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)