Kawataro

Kawataro is the original famous restaurant for live squid sashimi (ika-ikizukuri), with branches in Nakasu (Fukuoka) and near Hakata Station. It opened in 1961 (Showa 36) as Japan’s first “live-fish tank restaurant.” While it gained popularity with fresh seafood from the Genkai Sea, the first-generation chef recognized the excellence of local spear squid (yari-ika), leading to its reputation as a premier ika-ikizukuri restaurant. Its core commitment is providing extremely fresh squid: it uses seawater suited to squid in its in-house tanks and strictly manages water temperature and oxygen levels to maintain freshness. Skilled craftsmanship further maximizes the squid’s value, and the restaurant also focuses on training chefs. The most popular dish is “live squid sashimi,” prepared immediately after an order—often followed by tempura or ika shumai—so you always enjoy freshly made flavors. By public transportation, take a Showa Bus from Karatsu Oteguchi Bus Center toward Yobuko (about 40 minutes), get off at “Yobuko Daiba Minato Plaza,” and walk 1 minute. By taxi, it is about 30 minutes from Karatsu Station.