Fresh and unique fish at incredibly low prices, a must-visit place for fish processing enthusiasts. It's also close to Fukuoka city. This time, I bought sea urchin for 1300 yen, a live-caught conger eel over 70 cm for 300 yen (!), about 10 conger eel eggs for 200 yen, around 30 cleaned goby fish for 300 yen, and 25 cm horse mackerel caught with a broken neck for 350 yen. The prices are unbelievable. The horse mackerel had so many scales, I couldn't remember them being like that. The fish were in perfect condition. I made sashimi with the horse mackerel, and it was excellent quality with great fat content and no fishy smell. While there are now machines for cutting conger eel bones, it's better not to mess with them too much as you can't redo it. There were some pre-cut thick conger eels for sale, but they seemed overpriced and not as good quality. Most were sold opened up, but there was one whole conger eel for an unbelievably low price. I bought it immediately. It's a must-have for conger eel processing enthusiasts. I made conger eel sushi, conger eel sashimi, tempura, and simmered conger eel. The conger eel eggs are top-notch in taste. The goby fish were for simmering. The night before, I had mentioned wanting to have tempura with goby fish, so when I saw around 30 goby fish for 300 yen, I couldn't resist and bought them on the spot. I tried removing the central bones from a few, and then made tempura with the rest. It turned out great. The sea urchin was 1300 yen, and both the sea urchin in seawater and boxed sea urchin were the same price. They were local purple sea urchins. It's rare to find sea urchin at this price. Pairing it with freshly harvested Ariake seaweed would be heavenly. You don't need to go all the way to Hirado or Matsuura to buy fish anymore, this place is more than enough.

In November 2022, "Itoshima Kaki Menbei" is a product from Yamaguchi Aburaya Fukutaro, known for "menbei". It is unclear if "Itoshima Kaki" is a product that can only be bought here, but it can definitely be purchased here. I bought it myself to see if it could be used as a souvenir from Itoshima. Honestly, I couldn't really taste the oyster flavor (laughs), but the unique firmness of menbei was satisfying. (It has a slightly spicy taste, so it would be good as a snack with beer♪) The back of the box also introduces tourist spots in Itoshima, so I thought it would be a decent souvenir to take to other prefectures. Itoshima Kaki Menbei: 1,080 yen (tax included) [Ingredients] Starch (domestic production), squid, oyster, octopus, sauce, vegetable oil, mentaiko, red pepper, maltitol, salt / processed starch, seasonings (amino acids, etc.), sweeteners (sorbitol), niacin (contains wheat, squid, soybeans in some parts) [Contents] 2 sheets x 12 bags

Here is a review of a local direct sales store that I visit every two weeks. This time, I bought some delicious traditional Japanese sweets from a new producer called "Kuroda Genkaido." The store is located in a residential area in Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture, and specializes in additive-free sweets made with carefully selected local ingredients. I purchased their Itoshima salted Kin-Tsuba, which was delicious with a gentle sweetness and a well-crafted taste. The ingredients used are high-quality, making it a great gift option as well.

[February-March 2021] I bought the bread and strawberries on different days, but I'll post it here as a reminder. ◆Slow Bread/Sesame and Whole Wheat 130 yen (2 pieces)/tax included ※Purchased on March 22nd... Made with homemade natural yeast from Itojima-grown brown rice, this artisan bread aims to be "the kind of bread you want to eat every day, gentle on the body." I bought the "Sesame and Whole Wheat" variety this time, but there are other types available, all with a gentle and easy-to-eat flavor. <Bread Details> ◎No eggs, dairy, or genetically modified foods ◎Wheat flour from Kyushu and Hokkaido ◎Brown sugar from Okinawa and Amami ◎Uses cold-pressed non-solvent-extracted vegetable oil ◎Uses reduced-salt seawater salt (half the normal amount) ※Other ingredients used are also carefully selected for safety ◆Strawberries 350 yen/tax included ※Purchased on February 8th... Prices may vary depending on the variety and quality, but generally range from 350 yen to 550 yen per pack. At this time of year, you can find even rare white strawberries from Shima's four seasons at a reasonable price, so it's worth checking out if you're interested.

Located within the premises of Ion Shima Shopping Center in Tsuwazaki, Itoshima City, this direct sales store is operated by Itoshima Fishery Cooperative. They offer fresh fish from five fishing ports in Itoshima City, as well as popular Itoshima brand vegetables, kamaboko and tempura made from these ingredients, and a variety of side dishes and bento boxes. The store was relocated and reopened in its current location in 2006, next to the former Shima Town Hall. In 2011, a seafood bowl specialty restaurant called "Shima no Shiki" opened, further increasing its popularity. Myself and my family of four visited for a weekday "Itoshima Drive". We stopped by this restaurant, "Island Seafood Bowl Shop", for lunch. We enjoyed a seafood bowl filled with fresh, seasonal fish, and afterwards purchased some "mackerel" caught at Kaburi Fishing Port and popular Itoshima homemade ham sausages. The fresh and affordable fish here is a must-visit when in Itoshima!

I only post when I buy rare or unfamiliar vegetables. This time, I bought a vegetable called "Hakata vegetables" for 120 yen. It is also sold under the names "Hakata flowers" or "delicious vegetables". It has a unique stem, with a taste that combines the sweetness of asparagus and the bitterness of komatsuna. The texture is similar to komatsuna. It doesn't change much in volume when cooked, making it suitable for stir-fries, salads, and other dishes. I made a simple Chinese-style stir-fry with ginger, garlic, and a salty flavor.

Arrived at 11:00 for my reservation. Name was recorded, seated at 12:00. The seating is limited, so the turnover rate depends on how fast or slow people finish their meals. Some customers stayed seated for over an hour, but since the tables can accommodate 4 to 6 people, the staff should be mindful when seating customers. I ordered the larger portion as it includes more rice and toppings, and it was very satisfying. The sashimi was delicious, and I also ordered two small side dishes for ¥200 each - pickled vegetables and marinated shrimp. The shrimp had a slight bitter taste, but the pickled vegetables were decent. The sales corner sells out quickly, especially the fresh fish and popular side dishes and bento boxes. The sweet potato tempura was hot and flavorful, a bit on the salty side, but very tasty!

Next to Shima Aeon Mall, there is Shima no Shiki. It seems to open at 8:30. I recommend the vegetables from Ito Sai Sai and the fish here. Inside Shima no Shiki, there is a seafood bowl restaurant, and the seafood bowl is surprisingly delicious. The restaurant opens at 11 o'clock. You can choose from small, medium, or large sizes. The small size is 650 yen (excluding tax). It comes with fish head soup and pickles. The fish head soup is incredibly delicious with a deep flavor. It comes with plenty of wasabi, giving it a nice spicy kick. Also, the soy sauce is from Mitsuru Shoyu in Itoshima, which is great. The appearance of the seafood bowl and the interior of the restaurant may be plain, but there were a lot of people waiting. It's popular. There is a self-service tea machine where you can choose from green tea, roasted green tea, and water, both hot and cold. The tea was delicious and strong. It was a nice lunch break in between shopping. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Leek (tsubomina) ... At this time of year, you often see this vegetable at the direct sales store, but today is the first time I bought and ate it. The cooking method is very simple, just boil it in hot water (+ a little salt). If it's big, it's also good to cut it in half or quarters before boiling. It has a crunchy texture like broccoli stems, but it doesn't have any strong flavor or bitterness typical of spring vegetables, making it very easy to eat. It is said to be delicious in tempura or stir-fry as well. Since it is a vegetable with a short period of availability, I want to enjoy it while it's in season.

This is a market with JF (Fishery Cooperative) as the management body, but they also sell vegetables. The lineup is rich, and it's crowded with locals from early in the morning! There is a lively atmosphere and it really stimulates the desire to buy. The seafood is fresh and cost-effective. Even though I'm returning to Tokyo in 2 days, I found myself wanting to buy various things (laughs). I wanted to buy rare fish that are hard to find in Tokyo and try preparing them... I bought vegetables and seasonings that seem to last long (like yuzu pepper) and then I noticed this cafeteria. They served a breakfast rice bowl for only 500 yen, so I tried it. They cut the fish after I ordered, put it on top of rice, and poured a broth (like a miso soup) over it, which was enjoyable. The rice was probably from the day before, the broth was lukewarm, and the seasonings were weak, but overall, the cost performance was decent and I was satisfied. As a fish lover, I felt that my overall satisfaction increased by looking at the fish in the sales area and then eating here. As a market, I recommend it. The score will be based on the market aspect (laughs).

Visited this restaurant during my trip to Itoshima in search of a seafood bowl made with local fish. I decided to dine in the restaurant. I had read about their seafood bowl in a guidebook and was excited to try it as it looked like it was full of local fish. I arrived right at the opening time of 11 am. I quickly ordered the seafood bowl (large) for 980 yen without hesitation. The seafood bowl included seared isaki, sawara, octopus, and two other types of fish that I had never heard of but were delicious. Each type of fish came in four slices and was generously topped on the rice. The bowl was garnished with seaweed for added color. I added this seaweed to the miso soup that came with the set. The miso soup was also filled with plenty of fish, and I was thoroughly satisfied. The fish was undeniably delicious. Additionally, the slightly sweet Kyushu soy sauce with plenty of wasabi paired perfectly with the seafood bowl. It was a delicious and affordable seafood bowl that was unique to the fishing cooperative.

- Itojima roll: $3.30, delicious - Itojima inari: $2.90, flavorful but small in size

Located in the same premises as Shima Tsuwazaki Aeon Shima Shopping Center in Itoshima City, this is a direct sales outlet operated by the Itoshima Fisheries Cooperative (JF Itoshima) and the Itoshima City Tourist Association. They sell fresh fish caught from five fishing ports in the Shima area of Itoshima City, as well as freshly picked vegetables, fruits, flowers brought in by local farmers, livestock products such as Itoshima beef and Itoshima pork, processed products such as ham and fish, and side dishes. A wide variety of products from Itoshima are available at reasonable prices. They also offer free filleting service for fish up to three pieces. This time, I stopped by on the way to Itoshima Drive. I often come to this area for leisure, but I usually stop by "Itosai" on the way back to Fukuoka, so it has been a while since I visited here. I was looking forward to eating at the "Shima Seafood Bowl" in the store, but I purchased the freshly arrived "tempura" and the delicious "plate udon" that I had before as souvenirs. I had the "tako tempura (6 pieces for 330 yen)" made by Nogami Kamaboko shop. It has plenty of chopped onions in addition to octopus, and the crispy texture and sweetness are great. The "plate udon (thick noodles for 360 yen)" is a product delivered by Nishieiyo Nishi, a resident of Kariki, Itoshima City. This time, it became dinner for my husband, so I didn't get to taste it. I will come back to buy it again.

I visited the store in the early afternoon on the weekend, and it seemed like there were many customers before me. There weren't many products on the shelves. The fish case had also been picked over, with not much left. There were still plenty of bento boxes available, so I had lunch there. I also bought some fried chicken and tempura to take home. Both were still hot as if they had just been delivered. My partner bought some yogurt from Ito Monogatari, which we had for dinner. There was not much burdock tempura, which was disappointing for me. The fried chicken was well-seasoned and delicious. It seems like it's best to visit this store in the morning. Thank you for the meal.

I brought this product, "Itoshima Hamaguri Menbei" (2 pieces x 12 bags) for my husband's family as a souvenir, but I also wanted to try it myself (lol), so I decided to have some together. The texture is just like "menbei", with a crispy and crunchy bite that is quite addictive. As for the flavor and aroma of hamaguri? Well, despite the ingredients including "hamaguri" and "hamaguri peel juice", personally, it doesn't taste much different from the yuzu-flavored squid senbei. However, I do like the sunset photo (or illustration?) of Kaburaki Bay on the package, and you can get it in a special paper bag if you buy it here, so it could be a nice souvenir from Itoshima. By the way, you can also find this "Itoshima Hamaguri Menbei" at Itona Sai, just for your reference.

This is my first time posting, but I have been using this place for a while now. I mainly buy seafood here (sometimes I buy from "JA Itoshima Agri" as well). You can buy fresh and reasonably priced local fish here, and the variety is rich (depending on the day's catch). However, you need to go in the morning. In addition to seafood, you can also buy vegetables, fruits, rice, processed meat (including processed products), chicken eggs, seasonings, homemade side dishes, and bento boxes, so you can get most of your groceries here without going to a supermarket. The products in the photos I took this time are: Princess Island octopus (boiled) - delicious octopus, Itoshima hamaguri menbei - a snack with hamaguri clam flavor (a specialty of Itoshima), Funori seaweed - used in the seafood bowl at Shima's seafood bowl shop, Orange Bouquet (vegetable) - orange cauliflower, also known as "Orange Dome," Hyakusho Natto (120 yen) - recommended natto by Aizome Tanuki. It is 5 yen more expensive at Itona Sai. If I find products that can only be found at Shima no Shiki, I will post them again.

Itoshima has become a representative town of Fukuoka without us even realizing it. Nearby, there is a place called Itosai, which is a good facility but not very noticeable. Just like how every region has JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives) stores, we also have one here where you can buy vegetables and fruits from Itoshima and nearby fish. I don't like cooking, so I didn't buy any fish, but I bought bananas, persimmons, and apples. My better half bought sushi rolls and inari sushi, thinking there wouldn't be anything to eat at home. The persimmons were seedless, so it was a lucky find.

"I visit here every month" [Seaweed soup for 500 yen, and more...] This is a local produce market in Itoshima that I stop by once a month. It is located within the premises of Aeon Shima store. By the way, the seafood bowl restaurant in Shima is inside this building. They offer a variety of local products such as live fish, fresh fish, shellfish, processed foods, agricultural products, flowers, and crafts produced in the coastal areas of Itoshima. Address: 33-1 Shimasawa Saki, Itoshima City (inside the premises of Aeon Shima store) Phone: 092-327-4033 Closed: Bon holidays and New Year's holidays Business hours: 8:30 am to 6:00 pm (summer) / 5:30 pm (winter) It's recommended to go in the morning if you want to buy fresh fish to take home, as they tend to sell out by the afternoon. They will also process the fish for you as a service after you have made the payment. There is a fish tank where you can see squid swimming around. This time, I tried a soup I recently discovered, "Seaweed Thick Soup," and it was delicious. I thought it would be a typical seaweed soup, but it had a thick texture and a rich flavor. It contains amino acids and other nutrients, and when I added shiitake mushrooms and green onions, it turned into a delicious dish. It's low in calories and healthy. On this day, I also bought Kiyomi oranges, vinegar, and pickled plums. I made pickled vegetables with a product called "Delicious Vinegar," which enhances the flavor of vegetables. The homemade pickled plums from local producers have a strong salty taste and seem like they could last for 50,000 years. I tried them little by little. I also tried mixing them with hot water. There are also fresh and affordable agricultural products, bento boxes, bread, side dishes (croquettes are the best), and more. I often end up buying too much because there are so many options. It's a convenient location that can be reached in just one hour by car from Tenjin. I'm grateful for this direct sales outlet, and I wonder what I will buy next month.

Since I came all the way back to Fukuoka, I wanted to eat fresh seafood, so I went shopping with my brother at JF Itoshima Shima no Shiki from early in the morning. We arrived at the location at 7:30 in preparation for the 8:30 opening, but there were already about four people waiting. I waited for about an hour while thinking about what would be good to eat at this time of year. As soon as it opened, I rushed to the fresh fish corner and bought everything that looked delicious. In the end, I purchased red tilefish, live octopus, rock oysters, filleted conger eel, horse mackerel, barracuda, and filleted sea bream. The red tilefish was not quite suitable for sashimi, so I cooked it in a simmered dish, boiled the live octopus for sashimi and fried, lightly boiled the conger eel with plum soy sauce, grilled the horse mackerel, barracuda, and sea bream with salt, and enjoyed the rock oysters raw. Just having Shima no Shiki in Fukuoka makes me want to come back...