Shimonoseki Fugu Festival 2025

Celebrate all things pufferfish in Japan's fugu capital

Venue
Shimonoseki Nanfu Tomari Market 
When
Mid Feb 2025

Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture is often regarded as Japan's fugu (pufferfish) capital, and an annual festival at the Nanfu Tomari Fishing Port celebrates this. There are spot sales on fugu products, a wide variety of other seafood dishes to enjoy, a lottery to win luxury prizes, and the pièce de résistance: a giant fugu nabe (hot pot) which is sold for the bargain price of only 100 yen per serving. If you've ever wanted to give fugu a try, this is your event!

Getting there

The Nanfu Tomari Fishing Port is located around 10 minutes by taxi from Shimonoseki Station, which is served by the Sanyo Main Line. Buses are also available from the station: head to bus stop No. 7, and take the Takenokojima line bus until you reach the Watase stop.

Parking is available at the venue, but it does typically get crowded during the festival date. As a result, public transportation is advised wherever possible.

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Sander van Werkhoven 3 years ago
Sounds like a good reason to visit Shimonoseki again! I did try fugu sashimi 10 years ago (and survived!), but this sounds like a great opportunity to try all kinds of fugu dishes.
Kim Bergström Author 3 years ago
😆 I laughed at the "and survived!" part!

Shimonoseki is cool. Highly enjoyed my time there!
Elena Lisina 3 years ago
I haven't tried fugu yet and wonder how it tastes.
Kim Bergström Author 3 years ago
I remember my husband saying he thought it tastes like tai (seabream)!

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