Pile on what you love: Create your own one-of-a-kind seafood bowl

Washo Ichiba Market is packed with around 40 stores, offering not only fresh seafood delivered directly from local fishing grounds, but also prepared foods, meat, fresh produce, processed goods, and even places to dine. While keeping local residents well stocked, the market also showcases the region’s unique charm in full. Established in 1954 with the founding of the Kushiro Washo Cooperative, a roofed area for shops to gather was completed two years later. Since then, it has undergone renovations and renewals while consistently valuing face-to-face sales and human connection. The market’s signature specialty is the famous Katte-Don (“build-it-yourself seafood bowl”). This dish fulfills the indulgent wish to “eat exactly what you want, as much as you want.” Start by purchasing a bowl of rice, then stroll from fish shop to fish shop, adding your favorite toppings to create a one-of-a-kind seafood bowl. Asking about unfamiliar fish or getting recommendations from the shopkeepers is all part of the fun. Available ingredients change with the seasons, and portion sizes and prices vary accordingly. Be sure to savor the seasonal flavors during your visit.

*Information accurate as of July 2025