Akita Citizen’s Market — Restaurant in Akita

This fish market in Akita is an absolute gem for seafood lovers! It’s a vibrant, bustling place where you can truly experience the local food culture. The highlight for me was the make-your-own sashimi donburi experience—going stall to stall, choosing from an incredible variety of fresh fish, and then having it all served over a bowl of perfectly seasoned rice. It doesn’t get fresher than this!

The selection is fantastic—tuna, salmon, uni, ikura, and many other seasonal catches, all at very reasonable prices. Each vendor was friendly and happy to explain their offerings, making the experience both fun and educational.

Beyond the seafood, there’s also a great variety of fresh regional fruits and local specialties, perfect for a snack or to take home as souvenirs. The market itself is clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate, with plenty of seating areas to enjoy your freshly prepared meal.

If you’re visiting Akita, this market is a must-stop for a truly authentic and delicious experience. You’ll leave with a happy stomach and probably a few bags of local treats! Highly recommended for anyone who loves fresh seafood and wants a taste...

Came here for the nokkedon, which is a build-your-own rice bowl dish. I was not disappointed!

The hardest part was finding the right place for the nokkedon. There isn't anyone trying to sell the bowl, it's just a self-service counter. At least once you find it (see the pictures), it has plenty of instructions, some in english, but most of it is in Japanese. Luckily Google translate works really well here.

The counter has a map with the participating stores, including the place to get the rice. The rice store doesn't look like a rice shop at all, but once I got there, the lady knew right away and got some rice for me. Then, just go to whatever participating store there is and pick any sashimi that you like!

There are plenty of tables to eat your bowl, so finding a spot was not a problem! Just be mindful the nokkedon is available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Have fun!

Came back 1 day later. The rice place had changed, and now they were selling boxed rice in the store in front of the stand. It was less fresh but still good enough as there was a microwave...

A place to find cheap and fresh fish and products. You can buy ready to eat sashimi directly from many fresh fish stalls. The name of the product is "Nokkedon", literally "put everything on the rice bowl, and eat." Go to the designated "Nokkedon" desk to get tray and start with, go to rice stall to buy a bowl of rice, and miso soup for free, you will need to buy fried foods for best taste with sashimi, and go to every fresh fish stalls that sell ready-to-eat sashimi you like; You can choose every kind of sashimi you like with very cheap prices. And finally go to many available tables to put (nokke) your sashimi on your rice...