Toba Marine Terminal

**Market strategy:** The seafood market is small (10–15 vendors) but high quality — seafood is ultra-fresh (some items are still alive in tanks). Vendors are accustomed to tourists and offer free samples aggressively (grilled scallops, dried squid, smoked fish). Purchasing etiquette: trying samples without buying is acceptable, but purchasing something small (¥500–1,000) is courteous if you sample extensively. Popular purchases: dried squid strips (¥600), seasoned seaweed (¥800), or vacuum-sealed Ise-ebi tails (¥3,000–5,000, ships frozen). **Kaisen-don (seafood rice bowl):** Second-floor restaurants serve kaisen-don — bowls of rice topped with assorted sashimi (tuna, salmon, scallops, shrimp, ikura roe). The '特選海鮮丼' (tokusen kaisen-don, special seafood bowl, ¥2,500) includes 10+ types of sashimi and represents excellent value compared to Ise's tourist-area prices. The fish is sashimi-grade fresh (sourced from downstairs market). English photo menus available. No reservations needed; expect 20–30 min waits during lunch rush (12:00–13:00). **Bay cruise option:** Toba Bay cruises (¥2,000, 50 minutes) depart from the terminal's ferry dock, offering scenic views of Toba Bay's islands and pearl farms. The cruise is relaxing but not essential if you've already visited Ago Bay or Yokoyama Observatory. The cruise is worthwhile if you have extra time in Toba or traveling with children (they enjoy the boat ride). Departures hourly 9:30–15:30.