The sashimi slices were thick and sweet with absolutely no fishy smell.
The seafood rice bowl was super generous – packed with shrimp and sashimi, completely covering the top, and it really whets your appetite just looking at it.
The seasoning is on the lighter side, so you can really taste the natural flavors of the ingredients without it being too heavy.
The overall vibe is simple and down-to-earth, kind of like a local diner. Both tourists and locals come here, and it’s pretty busy. You do have to line up during peak hours, but it feels worth it for such fresh seafood.
Verified [Verified] denotes information that has been published with confirmation of its owing parties.
Amakusa Kaisen Kura
A dolphin-watching spot with a 90%+ encounter rate, where you can observe wild dolphins in the waters of Amakusa.
4.07
2
Located at the northern tip of Shimoshima, the largest island in the Amakusa archipelago, this popular complex offers dolphin watching in some of Kumamoto’s clearest waters along with dining options that let you fully enjoy local seafood.
Dolphin watching takes place around Tsūshi Island, which is connected to Shimoshima by a bridge. Wild bottlenose dolphins have long inhabited the waters here, and visitors can encounter them with a high probability of over 90% year-round. It takes just about 10 minutes by fishing boat to reach the area where roughly 300 dolphins roam. Known for their friendly nature, the dolphins often swim right up to the boats or race alongside them, delighting visitors with their playful behavior.
The on-site restaurant serves a wide variety of dishes made with fresh Amakusa seafood, including seafood rice bowls, octopus rice, and spiny lobster sashimi or charcoal-grilled lobster. A barbecue restaurant is also popular, where freshly caught seafood sourced directly from local fishermen can be enjoyed grilled over charcoal. The shop sells Amakusa specialties perfect for souvenirs, dolphin-themed goods, and even croquettes available for takeaway.
Highlights
-
A multi-purpose facility located on Shimoshima, one of the Amakusa Islands.
-
Board a fishing boat and reach the dolphin-watching area in just 10 minutes after departure.
-
A high chance of encountering pods of around 300 dolphins.
-
On-site restaurants and a BBQ venue where you can enjoy fresh seafood from Amakusa.
-
A shop selling local specialties and souvenirs.
Photos
-
A high chance of encountering pods of dolphins
-
Get excited as dolphins swim right up close to the boat
-
The on-site restaurant serves local seafood dishes such as seafood rice bowls
-
Charcoal-grilled spiny lobster is also available
Official FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Do you have signs or pamphlets in foreign languages? (If you do, which languages are available?)
A
English and Traditional Chinese menu are available.
Q
Is free Wi-Fi available in the area?
A
Yes, it is.
Q
Are coin lockers available?
A
Not available.
Q
Do you offer tax-free services?
A
No, we don't.
Q
Are there any sightseeing spots nearby?
A
Yes. Nearby attractions include Tenjinyama, Hikisaka Coast, Wakamiya Beach, Karihiro Glass Studio, Tōkyū Workshop, and Oppai Rock.
Q
Will I get seasick?
A
It varies from person to person and depends on the weather and sea conditions. If you’re concerned, taking motion sickness medication in advance is recommended.
Reviews
2
Some reviews are AI-translated.
-
-
The attached restaurant focuses on fresh seafood, and you can tell right away the ingredients are really solid. Both the sashimi and the seafood rice bowls are generous and feel really well done.
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 天草海鮮蔵
- Postal Code
- 863-2331
- Address
- 4733-1 Itsuwamachioniike, Amakusa City, Kumamoto
- Telephone
- 0969-52-7707
- Closed
- Irregular holidays
- Business Hours
- 9:30am - 5:00pm ※Restaurant 11:00am - 3:00pm(LO)
- Admission
- Adults(Junior high school students and older)3,000yen, Children (Elementary school students)2,000yen, Toddler(Ages 2 and older)1,000yen
- Access
-
(1)About 1 hour and 50 minutes by car from Kyushu Expressway Matsubase Interchange.
(2)About 20 minutes by car from Hondo port.
(3)About 20 minutes by car from Amakusa Airport. - Credit Cards
- Accepted
- Official Website
- Official Website (English)
Popular Articles