Hello everyone! On my recent trip, I stopped by Odawara Osakana Street (小田原おさかな通り), a lively food spot in Kanagawa Prefecture where you can feast on incredibly fresh seafood straight from Odawara Fishing Port.
This street is packed with restaurants serving local catch, buzzing with both locals and visitors. In this post, I’ll share what to expect when wandering the area, how to make the most of the seafood market, and of course—my lunch at the much-talked-about donburi restaurant Gotetsu.
What is Odawara Osakana Street?
Located in Hayakawa, Odawara, this street sits right by the fishing port. The area is famous for offering seafood caught that very morning—something you can really taste in every dish.
Think of it as a mix between a local fish market and a foodie street, with stalls and restaurants serving everything from grilled shellfish to sashimi.
Strolling Through the Street
I arrived around 10am on a Sunday. By then, the breakfast rush was over and the street had a calm, easy-going vibe—perfect for a relaxed wander.
At the heart of the area is the Odawara Osakana Centre, a big building where you’ll find fresh seafood stalls, restaurants, and even places to try things on the spot.
Expect to see scallops, clams, lobsters, and more laid out in colourful rows. You can buy them to take home or eat right there.
One highlight is the seafood BBQ corner—buy shellfish or fish from the market and grill it yourself on-site. This is very popular with tourists and honestly a brilliant way to enjoy the catch of the day.
• Price: about ¥1,100 for 90 minutes
• Includes tools like tongs, so you don’t need to bring anything
Souvenirs & Snacks
Next to the market are shops selling dried fish and seafood snacks—perfect as souvenirs. From dried squid strips to seasoned mackerel, you’ll find all sorts of nibbles that pair well with a cold beer. Some shops even offer free tastings, so you can pick your favorites before buying.
A Surprise: Seafood Vending Machines
Only in Japan—you’ll spot a seafood vending machine! It sells things like salted squid (around ¥800), marinated fish (¥2,000), and even a whole simmered red snapper (¥2,500). Definitely not your average vending machine snack.
Right next to it was something equally unusual: a vending machine for dog food. Worth a photo if you’re into quirky finds.
Gotetsu: A Donburi Specialist
After a loop around the street, I headed to Gotetsu, the restaurant with the longest queue. Opened in 2022, it’s sleek and modern with photos of mouth-watering seafood bowls outside to tempt you in.
Inside, there are only about five tables, each seating four. When I visited, four tables were already taken—two by overseas visitors, showing how well-known the place has become.
The Menu
The main draw here is the kaisendon (seafood rice bowl). The menu has a playful naming convention:
• Ichitetsu (1 type of seafood)
• Santetsu (3 types)
• …and up to Gotetsu (5 types, the most luxurious)
So the number refers to how many toppings are included.
The top-tier Gotetsu comes piled with crab, sea urchin, scallops, and more. It’s on the pricier side but looks absolutely stunning when it arrives at the table.
They also offer side dishes such as fresh oysters, whitebait fritters, and namero (a kind of seasoned fish tartare).
What I Ordered
I went for the Santetsu Donburi (three types of seafood), plus a few extras:
Even with just three toppings, the bowl was generous and came with salmon roe and crab—more than enough for one person.
Two plates of fresh oysters
The oysters really stole the show. They were huge, creamy, and far bigger than what I usually see in restaurants. Easily some of the best I’ve had.
Whitebait fritters
The whitebait fritters were another highlight—crispy, light, and full of flavour. They’re served with salt and wasabi on the side so you can switch up the taste.
A Fun Twist: Ochazuke-Style Finishes
One quirky option here is to finish your donburi as ochazuke. That means pouring hot broth or tea over the leftover rice and seafood, creating a lighter, soup-style ending to the meal.
It’s a very Japanese way to round things off and works perfectly after such a rich dish. If you run out of rice, you can order an extra bowl for about ¥100.
Practical Information
Getting There
- From Tokyo: Catch the JR Tokaidō Line or the Shinkansen to Odawara Station (about 35–50 minutes depending on the train).
- From Odawara: hop on the Hakone Tozan Railway for just one stop to Hayakawa Station (around 3 minutes).
- From there it’s an easy 5–10 minute walk to Osakana Street.
When to Go
- Morning (around 9–11am): The seafood is at its freshest and the street feels calmer before lunchtime gets busy.
- Weekdays: A quieter choice if you’d like to avoid the weekend crowds.
How Much Time to Allow
A couple of hours is plenty if you’re simply strolling, snacking and picking up souvenirs. If you’re planning a sit-down meal at Gotetsu or want to try the seafood BBQ, give yourself a little extra time.
Handy Tips
- Many eateries are small, so don’t be surprised if there’s a queue during peak times.
- Bring some cash with you—cards are increasingly accepted, but smaller stalls may still be cash-only.
- If the seafood BBQ is on your list, it’s best to go earlier in the day as the most popular items can sell out.
Final Thoughts
Odawara Osakana Street is more than just a seafood market—it’s a place where you can experience food in lots of different ways: from eating on the street to grilling your own shellfish, to sitting down for a refined donburi at Gotetsu.
Add in quirky touches like the vending machines and the tempting souvenir shops, and it makes for a brilliant half-day trip from Tokyo. If you love fresh seafood, this is absolutely worth the detour.
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