When it comes to oysters, most people think of places like Miyagi or Hiroshima.
I’ve tried oysters from both, and they are indeed delicious.
But Fukuoka is also a fantastic spot for oysters, and it even has a unique culture you won’t find in Miyagi or Hiroshima—called kakigoya (oyster huts).
Rows of greenhouse-style huts line the coast, where you can grill fresh local oysters yourself and enjoy them at very reasonable prices.
Even though I’ve lived in Fukuoka for a long time, this was actually my first visit to a kakigoya.
We decided to try one of the most popular and well-known spots: Milk Oysters Toyohisamaru!
Toyohisamaru: A Famous Kakigoya on the Itoshima Coast, Western Fukuoka
These are the kakigoya (oyster huts) lined up near the Itoshima coast.
Large greenhouse tents sit on spacious lots, surrounded by lots of parked cars.
Right nearby is the sea, with fishing boats anchored or pulled ashore. Talk about direct delivery!
This time we visited Toyohisamaru.
Here you can savor rich, flavorful oysters—called “milk oysters”—grown from the nutrient-rich waters that flow from the forests of Itoshima.
Customers gather around mesh tables to grill oysters to their hearts’ content. There were even some large groups.
A big fisherman’s flag!
We grilled everything on these well-seasoned old grills.
They had ponzu sauce, lemon, and soy sauce ready for the oysters.
Fresh, Delicious Oysters at Great Prices
It’s hard to see in the photo, but here’s the menu. Of course, we ordered oysters. 1.3 kg for only ¥1,000! (As of 2013)
And here they come! Looks like a huge pile, but it’s amazing how quickly they disappear once you start eating.
We also ordered some scallops.
A friend who’s a regular at kakigoya taught us how to grill and eat them. The first rule: place the flat side up on the grill.
Once the shell turns whitish, it’s about ready… I think. It’s tricky. You can see it bubbling slightly inside!
How to Enjoy Grilled Oysters (Watch for Hot Juice!)
How to eat delicious grilled oysters:
Stick a small spatula into the hinge of the cooked oyster.
Be careful— the shells are hot and may pop open with a burst of hot juice.
Then use leverage to pry it open!
Watch out—often the oyster sticks to the inside of the lid.
So plump and tasty! Add ponzu, lemon, or soy sauce as you like. Delicious!
We kept grilling and eating—1.3 kg of oysters disappeared in no time.
The scallops were excellent too!
Enjoy Fukuoka’s Seasonal Kakigoya from Autumn to Winter
Fukuoka is famous for motsunabe, and mizutaki, but its oysters are just as incredible.
It may be a bit outside the city center, but you can reach Itoshima’s kakigoya in under an hour by car from Hakata Station. There are also huts close to JR train stations.
Definitely give it a try!
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