Ultimate Oyster BBQ Experience at Seaside Oyster Huts in Fukuoka

You know that winter has come when the “Kakigoya”, oyster huts, finally make their long-awaited return along the finishing port in Itoshima City in Fukuoka Prefecture. Itoshima is widely known for its fresh, delicious oysters which come into season in winter. You can enjoy cooking oysters yourselves on open barbeques and other seafood inside the temporary oyster huts. This is one of the best things to do when you visit Fukuoka in winter!

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Itoshima: A Peaceful City Full of Gifts from Sea

seaside oyster huts fukuoka Itoshima City is located on the northwest coast of Japan’s Kyushu Island. Being a fishing city, it has 10 fishing ports which accounts for around 15% of the ports in the entire prefecture. Itoshima City offers a beautiful environment, is rich in nature and attracts many tourists. Many locals from around Japan are moving to the city due to its convenience and popular living environment.One of the major industries in Itoshima is fishing and Itoshima is renowned for its oysters. Floating bamboo rafts are used to farm the oysters that grow on wires that are placed in the water. They grow in the farm for about a year consuming nutritious plankton provided by the fertile ocean. The oysters develop their shells by summer, and their flavor intensifies in winter – therefore they are best eaten in winter!

What Are “Kakigoya” Oyster Huts?

One of the main attractions of Itoshima City during winter season is “Kakigoya”, meaning oyster hut in Japanese. A number of greenhouses and huts located near the port are opened as temporary restaurants from late October every year. They then serve the highest quality oysters until around April the following year. These huts are always busy with people who have patiently waited for this seasonal delicacy to come in season.

There are 6 areas in Itoshima City where you can enjoy the oyster hut experience; the Kishi, Funakoshi, Fukuyoshi, Kafuri, Karatomari and Fukae areas. The Kishi area where the Kishi Port is located, has 13 oyster huts, the largest number of huts in the city. It has a lively atmosphere with colorful flags and unique signs decorating the huts. Those oyster huts are run by the local Fishermen’s Association, and the oysters they supply are known for their freshness and safety. They are caught on the morning of the day they are served – how could they not be delicious! More than anything, you will be surprised by the amazing creamy taste and large size of oysters at such reasonable prices!

The Ultimate Oyster BBQ Experience

Just bring yourself (and beer)
Oyster prices change each year depending on the volume harvested. But the price has been set at 1,000 yen for 1 kg during winter 2018 to spring 2019 at all huts belonging to the Itoshima Fishermen’s Association. In Itoshima oyster huts, oysters and seafood are cooked on a barbeque. The huts are fully equipped with barbeques so you don’t have to bring anything yourself, just pay 300 yen for the charcoal for each table and they have all the necessary items such as gloves, plates, chopsticks, oyster scraper and tongs. All you need to do is just bring yourself and a big appetite! Also, most of the huts allow customers to bring their own drinks free of charge! You can even bring rice to go with the seafood at some huts, however, you cannot barbeque meat at your table. seaside oyster huts fukuoka How to Barbeque the oysters
You can barbeque your oysters any way you want, however these are some easy steps!

Place the oysters in their shells directly onto the grill.
Grill the oysters for 6 - 7 minutes until they are cooked. Do not leave them on the grill too long as they will shrink and become dry.
Season the oysters to taste with a selection of seasoning provided on the table. Try Japanese condiments such as ponzu (seasoning made of vinegar and citrus juice) and yuzu kosho (citrus pepper).
Scrape the oyster meat with a scraper, and enjoy! Don’t forget to eat an adductor muscle which is full of rich flavor.

Barbequing your own oysters in these rustic oyster huts with friends and family will be such a fun memory of your stay in Japan!

*Please be careful of the fire and wear gloves when grilling food. The oysters may pop when they get very hot, and the hot juice can splash.

Don’t worry if not everyone in your group is an oyster lover; huts have non-oyster and non-fish side dishes as well. Also, they prepare jackets or aprons to prevent ash or smoke from the charcoal ruining your clothes. It is quite a view everyone in the hut wearing the same jacket (each hut uses different color) and all enjoying their grilled oysters – it is just one big oyster festival!

Explore Nearby: Couple Rocks of Sakurai Futamigaura

seaside oyster huts fukuoka After the oyster feast, why don’t you go for a refreshing drive along the seacoast? Futamigaura coast is one of the most picturesque spots in Itoshima City and is famous for “couple rock”, 2 large rocks joined by a Shinto rope. They are about 150 meters away from the beach, settled in the sea, in a powerful yet peaceful scene. This is a holy place belonging to Sakurai Shrine and is also designated as a Prefectural Cultural Property. The couple rocks and the white “Torii” gate look magnificent at sunset. There are nice cafes in the area and it is a perfect place to make a stop for a coffee break during your journey.

How to Visit?

From Tokyo to Fukuoka
It takes about 75 minutes from Tokyo to Fukuoka by airplane.Kishi Port (Oyster Huts)Car
It is about a 20-minute drive from Chikuzen-Maebaru Station on JR Chikuhi Line. If you are driving from Fukuoka City, it takes about 35 minutes to the port. There is a large free parking space at the port.

Public Transportation
If you arrive at Fukuoka Airport or JR Hakata Station, please use Fukuoka City Subway to get to Meinohama Station (about 30 minutes). Change train to the JR Chikuhi Line at Meinohama Station for Chikuzen-Maebaru Station (about 20 minutes). Then take a taxi from there to Kishi Port (about 15 – 20 minutes).

Address: Shimakishi, Itoshima, Fukuoka Prefecture 819-1334Futamigaura CoastCar
From Kishi Port: 15-minute drive
From JR Chikuzen-Maebaru Station: 25-minute drive

Bus
Take a Showa bus from JR Chikuzen-Maebaru Station, and get off at Imuda bus stop (about a 30-minute journey). From there, it takes about 30 minutes on foot to get to the Futamigaura Coast.

Address: 4433 Shimasakurai, Itoshima-shi, Fukuoka-ken 819-1304 Japan