Katsuura Marine Products Center is a specialty shop for seafood, local foods, and souvenirs located directly in front of JR Kii-Katsuura Station in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture. Its exceptionally convenient location—just a few seconds’ walk from the station—makes it an easy stop for both tourists and local residents.
The shop carries approximately 400 to 500 different products, including fresh raw tuna landed at Katsuura Fishing Port, dried seafood, local delicacies, whale products, umeboshi pickled plums, Japanese sake, Wakayama-exclusive sweets, and regional goods. With its lively, market-like atmosphere, simply walking through the store is enough to add excitement to a trip around southern Wakayama.
Nachikatsuura is known as one of Japan’s leading ports for freshly landed tuna. At Katsuura Fishing Port, wild tuna caught using longline fishing methods is landed regularly and distributed as “fresh tuna” without being frozen.
Unlike ordinary frozen tuna, fresh tuna does not undergo freezing and thawing. This helps preserve the fish’s natural flavor, firmness, and distinctive soft, almost “mochi-like” texture.
Katsuura Marine Products Center offers a wide selection of products made with this exceptionally fresh tuna, making it easy for visitors to experience one of the signature flavors of Kii-Katsuura.
Among the many products available, one of the most popular is tuna kakuni, tuna simmered in a sweet and savory sauce until richly flavored. It is delicious with steamed rice and also makes an excellent accompaniment to Japanese sake or other drinks, making it a popular souvenir for travelers.
Other tuna products include mirin-dried tuna, tuna ramen, canned tuna, and seasoned minced tuna. The shop is operated by a long-established local seafood wholesaler, and its selection reflects a strong emphasis on the quality and freshness of its ingredients.
Neighboring Taiji is famous for its long history of whaling culture, and Katsuura Marine Products Center therefore carries a variety of whale-related products.
Depending on availability, visitors may find frozen whale meat for sashimi, whale bacon, onomi (whale tail meat), lean whale meat, and saezuri, a traditional whale delicacy made from the tongue and surrounding tissue.
These products offer an opportunity to encounter a distinctive part of the local food culture that many international visitors may rarely see elsewhere in Japan.
Walking into the shop, visitors will find rows of dried and lightly dried seafood made from fish caught in the local waters. Popular products include dried round sardines, dried shark known as iragi, and various processed Pacific saury products.
The selection also includes bottled delicacies such as ika shiokara, fermented squid seasoned with salt; tuna shuto, a traditional delicacy made from salted and fermented tuna organs; and nori tsukudani, seaweed simmered in a sweet and savory sauce.
Taking these products home allows travelers to enjoy the flavors of Kii-Katsuura even after their journey has ended and brings back memories of the seaside town.
Katsuura Marine Products Center offers much more than seafood. The shop also features a broad selection of famous products from across Wakayama Prefecture.
Kishu Nanko umeboshi, made with the renowned Nanko variety of Japanese plum, is available in many styles. Choices range from traditionally salty umeboshi to milder varieties flavored with honey, with more than 30 different types available.
Visitors can also find regional sweets and snacks made with mandarins and Japanese plums, as well as local specialties such as black-sugar soft-serve ice cream.
The selection of seasonings includes Yuasa soy sauce, Kinzanji miso, and jabara citrus ponzu. Local sake, plum wine, and craft beer are also available, allowing visitors to explore the wider food culture of Wakayama in one convenient location.
The center also provides several useful services designed to make sightseeing easier and more comfortable.
Taking advantage of its location directly in front of the station, the center offers temporary luggage storage. Travelers can leave large bags behind and explore attractions such as Nachi Falls, the Kumano Kodo, and the hot-spring district without having to carry heavy luggage.
There is no need to worry about transporting large quantities of souvenirs or frozen seafood. The center offers nationwide delivery services, including refrigerated shipping, allowing visitors to send fresh seafood and other purchases directly to their homes.
An eat-in area is available inside the shop, where visitors can enjoy sashimi and light meals purchased at the store. It is a convenient place to take a short break during a sightseeing trip.
The center has a parking area that can accommodate approximately 10 passenger vehicles, as well as large tour buses. This makes it convenient not only for individual travelers but also for organized group tours.
To understand the appeal of Katsuura Marine Products Center, it is essential to know about Katsuura Fishing Port, located nearby.
Katsuura Fishing Port is one of Japan’s leading bases for fresh tuna and is known for its exceptionally large volume of fresh tuna landings. In the early morning, visitors may see huge tuna lined up at the port, while the atmosphere becomes especially lively during the fish auctions.
In recent years, tours such as fresh tuna market auction-viewing and tasting experiences have become popular with visitors. Local guides explain different types of tuna, how to distinguish them, and how longline fishing works, providing a fascinating way to learn about the seafood industry that supports Nachikatsuura.
Another popular destination to visit together with Katsuura Marine Products Center is the Katsuura Fishing Port Nigiwai Market, located within the fishing port area.
The market offers a variety of local dishes, including fresh tuna rice bowls, tuna sushi, tuna cutlets, and Katsuura-style tantanmen ramen.
One of the market’s most exciting attractions is its daily tuna filleting show. Watching a large tuna being expertly cut apart is an impressive experience and is particularly popular with visitors interested in Japanese food culture.
The market also has a wooden deck overlooking the sea. Enjoying fresh tuna dishes while feeling the sea breeze and looking out across the harbor is a memorable way to experience the atmosphere of Katsuura.
Nachikatsuura is surrounded by some of Wakayama’s most famous attractions, including Kumano Nachi Taisha Grand Shrine, Nachi Falls, the Kumano Kodo, and Nanki-Katsuura Onsen. Katsuura Marine Products Center is an ideal place to stop during a visit to these destinations.
More than just a souvenir shop, the center provides an opportunity to experience the region’s seafood culture, local food traditions, and connection with Katsuura Fishing Port.
With fresh seafood, regional specialties, unique souvenirs, and convenient services for travelers, Katsuura Marine Products Center is a worthwhile stop for anyone visiting Kii-Katsuura.
Its location directly in front of the station makes it particularly easy to visit before boarding a train or continuing your sightseeing. Take some time to explore the lively selection and find a favorite souvenir that will bring back memories of the sea, food, and culture of Nachikatsuura.