Nachikatsuura: Coast, Fish Market and Boat Trip

These attractions offer different highlights. At Ki-no-Matsushima, reefs and named rock formations shape the scenery; at the market, the auctions take center stage, while the boat trip takes you to rocky islets. You can therefore consider the landscape, market activity and boat trip as different reasons to visit.

Coastal scenery in front of the harbor

Numerous small and large reefs and rocks lie in front of Katsuura Harbor. Their beauty, compared to that of Matsushima, has earned them the name “Ki-no-Matsushima.” Distinctive formations include Camel Island, Lion Island, Tsurushima with its cave, and Yamanari Island, which is associated with the legend of Taira no Koremori.

The islands each contribute different features to the coastal scenery: Tsurushima is distinguished by its cave, while Yamanari is associated with a legend. Camel Island and Lion Island add to the lineup of named formations. The comparison with Matsushima refers to the beauty of the landscape; the cave and legend describe special features of individual islands. Ki-no-Matsushima can therefore be understood both as a group of small and large reefs and rocks and through the names of its individual formations.

Tuna market and auction start time

Tuna caught in the surrounding waters are landed at Katsuura Fish Market. Auctions begin at 7 a.m. and can be watched from a designated viewing area. The viewing area is a three-minute walk from Kii-Katsuura Station. This gives you both a specific time in the morning and a named place from which to watch the auctions when planning your visit. Check the schedule again before you go.

A visit to the market offers a different focus from the coastal scenery: here, the emphasis is on market activity and auctions; there, it is on reefs, rocks and individual islands. If you plan to visit the market in the morning, the 7 a.m. auction start is the specific time to keep in mind. The three-minute walk is the distance from Kii-Katsuura Station to the viewing area.

Boat trip in Katsuura Bay

A boat trip takes you to the rocky islets in Katsuura Bay. Its destination sets it apart from the fish market, with its viewing area and morning auction start. This gives you different perspectives to choose from: the rocky coastline in front of the harbor, market activity, and a trip to the islets in the bay.

As you organize your travel plans, you can distinguish these attractions by their individual highlights. The market is anchored by the auction time and viewing area. Ki-no-Matsushima can be explored through its named formations and their features; the boat trip is defined by its destination in the bay. You can first decide whether a morning market visit, the coastal scenery or a trip to the rocky islets is your priority.

Discover more destinations: Taiji, Kushimoto.

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