Misaki: Tokyo’s Tuna Port, 80 Minutes from Shinagawa
At the southern tip of the Miura Peninsula, about 80 minutes from Shinagawa, sits a small fishing port that Tokyo food lovers have quietly kept to themselves. Misaki has long been a base for deep-sea tuna fishing, and the streets around the harbor are lined with restaurants serving tuna every way you can imagine (BE-PAL). On weekends it’s busy with Japanese day-trippers. International visitors are still rare.
This guide covers how to get there, the one ticket you should buy, the Sunday morning market, and a short ferry ride to Kanagawa’s largest island.
Why Misaki now?
Winter is a good time for tuna in Japan, and Misaki is one of the easiest places near Tokyo to eat it fresh. It also stays relaxed in a way the big fish markets in the city do not.
- Tuna, close to Tokyo: a full tuna lunch without the Tsukiji crowds
- One ticket covers the day: train, bus, lunch and an extra treat are bundled into a single pass
- A real working port: boats, wholesalers and a Sunday morning market where locals shop
- An island next door: Jogashima is a short ferry ride from the harbor
How to get to Misaki from Tokyo
- Train: take the Keikyu Line from Shinagawa to Misakiguchi, the last stop, about 80 minutes (Santatsu)
- Bus: from Misakiguchi Station, take a Keikyu Bus bound for “Misakiko” (Misaki Port) to the last stop, about 15 minutes
The ticket to buy: Misaki Maguro Kippu
The Misaki Maguro Kippu is one of the best-value day passes near Tokyo. It covers your round trip on the Keikyu Line, unlimited Keikyu buses in the area, a tuna meal at one of the participating restaurants, and one extra ticket for a souvenir, a café, a hot spring or an attraction (Keikyu press release).
- Paper ticket: ¥5,000 from Shinagawa, sold at Keikyu stations
- Digital ticket: cheaper on most days. From Shinagawa it costs ¥4,100 on weekdays and ¥4,500 on weekends in November, and ¥3,850 every day in December and January. Buy it online up to 14 days before you travel
Pick your restaurant from the list that comes with the ticket, and go early: popular places fill up by lunchtime on weekends.
Urari Marche and the Sunday morning market
Urari Marche is the big building on the harbor. The ground floor is full of stalls selling tuna, local fish and seafood snacks, and the upper floor sells fresh Miura vegetables. The fish floor opens at 9:00 (7:00 on Sundays) (BE-PAL).
On Sunday mornings, the Misaki Asaichi morning market sets up right in front of the port from 5:00 to 8:30. Locals come for fish, vegetables and hot breakfast. Get there early: some stalls sell out before 7:00.
Jogashima: a ferry to Kanagawa’s largest island
From the pier by Urari, the small “Sanshiro” ferry crosses to Jogashima, the largest island in Kanagawa Prefecture. The one-way fare is about ¥500 for adults. The island is known for its sea cliffs, coastal walks and dozens of friendly cats (BE-PAL).
A one-day Misaki itinerary from Tokyo
- Morning: leave Shinagawa around 8:30 on the Keikyu Line. Take the bus from Misakiguchi to Misaki Port
- Late morning: browse Urari Marche and walk the harbor
- Lunch: your tuna meal with the Misaki Maguro Kippu
- Afternoon: take the ferry to Jogashima for a coastal walk, or use your extra ticket for a café or hot spring
- Evening: bus back to Misakiguchi and train to Tokyo
Practical tips
- Buy the digital ticket in advance: it is cheaper than the paper ticket on most days
- Go on a weekday if you can: weekend lunch lines at the popular tuna restaurants can be long
- Carry some cash: small shops, the ferry and the morning market may not take cards
- Check the weather: the ferry can stop in strong wind
FAQ
Is Misaki worth a day trip from Tokyo?
Yes. It takes about 80 minutes by train and 15 minutes by bus, and one ticket covers your transport and lunch.
When is the morning market?
Every Sunday from 5:00 to 8:30, in front of Misaki Port.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
It helps, but you can point at menus and food stalls. Show your Misaki Maguro Kippu meal ticket at the restaurant and they will know what to serve.
Is it crowded?
Weekends are busy with Japanese visitors, but you’ll rarely meet other international travelers.
Cover photo: Aspere / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)
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