Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

Many people visit Hokkaido for its fresh seafood and sushi, but you don’t necessarily have to visit an extravagant restaurant for top quality sushi! Conveyor belt sushi restaurants offer superb sushi as well, and many locals frequent them too. Here are some of the conveyor belt sushi shops highly recommended by locals!

The sushi served in Hokkaido’s conveyor belt sushi shops are unlike any other, due to the variety and freshness of the seafood. Shops like TORITON, which can be found in various locations around Hokkaido, boast unique sushi such as zuke or aburi prepared by their own master chefs. These chefs carefully cultivate flavors to complement the catch of the day, tweaking their sushi recipes to present customers with plates of perfection. Many locals choose TORITON as their go-to sushi place, so you know you’re definitely in for a treat!

Another well-loved sushi chain is Hanamaru, which originated in the port town of Nemuro. With access to the freshest of harvests from Japan’s bountiful seas, Hanamaru consistently serves extraordinarily fresh fish. What’s more, it is directly connected to Sapporo station and hence extremely convenient for all travelers to visit. If there’s a waiting list for a table, you can spend your time shopping for souvenirs at the station first!

Don’t miss the sushi chain Kantaro as well, which traces its beginnings back to 1982 in the fishing port of Hakodate. You’ll find that fresh fish is one of the winning points of Hokkaido’s sushi shops; Nagoyaka Teieven delivers fresh gourmet sushi to their customers!

-Kaiten Sushi TORITON – トリトン

Outlets available at Sapporo, Asahikawa, Kitami, and Engaru (refer to the website for more details)

11 am – 10 pm daily (For Sapporo outlet; check timings for other shops at the website)

http://toriton-kita1.jp/english/

-Kaiten Sushi Hanamaru – 花まる

Conveyor belt outlets (Kaiten-sushi Nemuro Hanamaru) can be found in Nemuro and Sapporo while sushi bar outlets (Sushi Bar Siki Hanamaru) can be found in Sapporo (refer to the website for more details)

11 am – 10 pm (depending on the outlet, check timings on the website)

https://www.sushi-hanamaru.com/la_en/

-Kantaro – 函太郎

Outlets available at Hakodate, Hokuto, Otaru, and Chitose (refer to the website for more details)

11 am – 10 pm (depending on the outlet, check timings on the website)

http://en.kantaro-hakodate.com/index.html#enjoy

-Nagoyakatei – なごやか亭

Outlets available at Sapporo, Kushiro, and Obihiro (refer to the website for more details)

11 am – 10 pm (depending on the outlet, check timings on the website)

http://www.mitsuboshi.net/nagoyakatei/

In Japan and all around the globe, Hokkaido milk is renowned for its quality. Did you know that Hokkaido produces more than 50% of the milk in Japan? Everything in Hokkaido, from the cool climate to careful treatment of cows, convene to produce the milk of the highest quality and distinct flavor.

-Niseko Takahashi Dairy Farm Kobo

Carries a wide range of milk products from bottles of milk to soft serve, cakes, puffs, and more. If you’re a dairy lover, try their ice-cream making workshop or have a sumptuous meal at one of their eateries which feature dairy products like cheese, cream, and butter in their dishes. Enjoy your ice cream made from farm-to-table fresh milk, with a resplendent view of Mount Yotei to boot!

888-1, Soga, Niseko-cho Abuta-gun, Hokkaido

9:30 – 18:00 daily (depending on the season)

https://niseko-takahashi.jp/

-Hakko-Gakuen Nousanbutsu Chokubaijo

Hakko-Gakuen Nousanbutsu Chokubaijo is both a farmer’s market and an agricultural school. Recognized by locals as having one of the best soft serves in Sapporo, you definitely need to have a taste of their richly flavored milk ice cream when you visit! The availability of soft serve is dependent on the season, so do check before making a trip down.

13-1-12, Tsukisamu E2, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

May-October: 10:00 – 17:00 (Fri-Wed) / November-April: 10:00 – 16:00 (Sat-Mon)

*Ice cream is not served during winter

https://hakkougakuen.ac.jp/

The cafés in Hokkaido aren’t just hipster and Instagrammable, they serve incredible food and drinks made from quality ingredients as well. Tucked in a little wooden shed is Wednesday Cafe&Bake which offers a cozy ambience and good coffee. Opened in August 2017, head over for some good food and take your favorite coffee blends back with you as a souvenir.

Higashikawacho, where Wednesday Cafe&Bake is located, is a burgeoning trendy area where more and more fancy cafes are starting to emerge! So head on down and you’ll never know what other quaint cafes you might discover.

Ice Cream Bar HOKKAIDO Milk Mura is one of the quirkier bars you’ll find in Hokkaido. The owner, who was trained in France, concocts his own Hokkaido milk ice cream and desserts and pairs them with various spirits. It boasts an impressive collection of more than 100 different liquors! Be blown away by the delightful drink and dessert pairings available, arranged to give you optimum tasting pleasure!

Cafés like Baristart Coffee are all about pale wood furnishings and minimalist designs but their ‘choose your own milk’ mantra is a testament to their stand on the role of Hokkaido milk in the local coffee scene. They even make regular tours to milk farms around Hokkaido, to gain a deeper understanding of the milk that they use in their coffee and maintain a close relationship with local producers!

It is unlikely that you will find a café as gorgeous as Kitaichi Hall, an extension of Kitaichi Glass Otaru glassware company. The dark wood in this hall is illuminated by the light of 167 flames, painstakingly lit by the staff every morning. Have a meal surrounded by chandeliers and oil lamps, along with the live piano performances every weekday afternoon; you’ll get a nostalgic yet romantic café experience unlike any other.

-Wednesday Cafe&Bake

N1, E8, Kamikawa-gun, Hokkaido

11:00-17:00 (closed on Thu)

https://www.facebook.com/Wednesday.cafeandbake/

-Ice cream Bar HOKKAIDO Milk Mura

New Hokusei Building 6F, 7-1, S4, W3, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

13:00-23:40 / Wednesdays: 17:00-23:40 (closed on Mon)

-Baristart Coffee

‘Choose your own milk’ stand

furi-den Bld.1F, 8, S1, W4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido

10:00-17:00 daily

https://www.facebook.com/baristartcoffee/

Baristart Coffee Asahikawa

22-118-12 4-jodori, Asahikawa-shi, Hokkaido

10:00-18:00 (closed on Thu)

https://www.instagram.com/baristartcoffee_asahikawa/

-Kitaichi Hall – 北一ホール

7-26 SakaiMachi, Otaru, Hokkaido

9:00-18:00 daily

https://kitaichiglass.co.jp/kitaichihall/

When visiting Hokkaido, a trip to an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) is a must! Popular izakayas like “Domin Yakitori to Namagyoza no Mise Toriei”, offer light skewers that pair perfectly with a cold beer. You can also order heavier dishes like oden (a mix of ingredients simmered in broth) and Zangi (Hokkaido-style fried chicken). The appeal of izakayas is being able to enjoy good food and drinks while interacting with locals.

The charcoal-grilled yakitori at “Izakaya Shirachan” has an amazing flavor. You’ll definitely find that 2-3 skewers are not enough. You can also order hot pot dishes and other meals, making it perfect for sharing with a large group.

At “Sumiyaki Robata Kushiro Susukino Building”, originating from Kushiro City, the counter seats are popular for watching the lively cooking process.

“Hokkaido Obanzai-dokoro Maruhira” offers a menu using seasonal ingredients from Hokkaido, carefully selected by the proprietress who visits the central market daily to choose the best ingredients.

“Shuko Shusai Tenohira” is bustling with locals, offering fresh seafood from Hokkaido and a wide variety of local sake in a warm, old-house-style interior.

If you're unsure about which atmosphere to choose, head to “Hiragishi Golden Street”, where many izakayas and bars gather. It’s a cozy area filled with local people.

Domin Yakitori & Namagyoza no Mise Toriei

Address: Takase Building 2F, Minami 5-jo Nishi 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

https://toriei-susukino-souhonten.net/

Izakaya Shirachan

Address: Sun Three Building 3F, Minami 3-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ000938760/

Sumiyaki Robata Kushiro Susukino Building

Address: Susukino Building 3F, Minami 4-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

https://hokkaido-sapporolion.jp/shop/kushiro/Susukino.html

Hokkaido Obanzai-dokoro Maruhira

Address: Shikishima Kita Ichijo Building B1F, Kita 1-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

https://maruhira-obanzai.com/

Shuko Shusai Tenohira

Address: New Hokusei Building B1F, Minami 4-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

https://tenohira.jp.net/

Hiragishi Golden Street

Address: Dai-ni Matsui Building B1F, Hiragishi 2-jo 8-chome, Toyohira-ku, Sapporo

(Hours vary by establishment)

https://hiragishi-golden.com/

This puzzling name is bound to confuse you, as the dish itself doesn’t in fact, have any obvious relations to the Mongolian figure. A popular dish involving grilled lamb and vegetables, and often served with beer, the name supposedly originates from the shape of the griddle (resembling a Mongolian soldier’s helmet).

Nevertheless, it’s a delicious and unique meal that you should definitely try! If you’re apprehensive due to the possible gamey smell of the meat, put your worries to rest at

Daruma Honten. They are popular amongst locals and established in 1954. Known for their unique flavors of Genghis Khan, you have to try out their secret sauce which adds depth to the taste of grilled lamb meat!

Alternatively, head to one of Hokkaido’s more established brands – Matsuo Genghis Khan – which marinates the meat prior to grilling, providing you with an even more aromatic and savory taste of lamb meat. Eat the meat and vegetables with their special dipping sauces provided for an authentic and gastronomically amazing experience!

-Daruma Honten – 成吉思汗だるま本店

5, S5 W4, Chuo-ku, Sapporo-Shi

17:00-23:00 daily

https://sapporo-jingisukan.info/

-Matsuo Genghis Khan – 松尾ジンギスカン

Outlets available at Sapporo and Chitose airport (refer to the website for details)

Hours depend on individual shops

https://www.matsuo1956.jp/

A typical Japanese person wraps up a night on the town with something they call a shime ramen. In Sapporo, however, getting a shime parfait is all the rage – meaning that you end off your night (of drinking, usually) with a pretty parfait. Parfait shops like Parfait, Coffee, Sake, Sato open late into the night, offering seasonal as well as regular parfaits that complement their range of beverages, including alcoholic beverages like sake.

Using seasonal ingredients, Gaku Inc. serves elaborately constructed and artisanal desserts to end off your night. Each of their outlets offers you a unique dining experience; their Parfaiteria PaL branch combines both liquor and parfait in a delicate balance of flavors, while their Nanakamado store exudes chill café vibes.

If you’re looking for a wider range of desserts to bring your night to a close, try Initial, which serves a colorful array of sweet desserts not limited to just parfaits. Take your pick from shaved ice desserts, sundaes, and so on.

So remember, after your drinking session at an izakaya, head over to any of these places for a shime parfait to end the night on a sweet note!

Parfait, Coffee, Sake, Sato

Ki NINARU Building 2F & 3F, 2-1-2 M1 N1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

Mon-Thu: 18:00-24:00 / Fri: 18:00-26:00 / Sat: 13:00-26:00 / Sun: 13:00-24:00

https://pf-sato.com/

Parfait PaL

10-1, S4 W2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

Mon-Thu and Sun: 18:00-24:00 / Fri-Sat: 18:00-26:00

https://risotteria-gaku.net/

Nanakamado

10, S4 W5, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

Mon-Thu and Sun: 18:00-24:00 / Fri-Sat 18:00-26:00

https://risotteria-gaku.net/

INITIAL

36-1, S3 W5, Chuo-ku, Sapporo

Mon-Sat: 15:00-24:00 / Sun: 15:00-23:00

https://www.facebook.com/INITIAL.sapporo/

Hokkaido is irresistible in terms of food and we’ve just shown you why. So follow this guide and prepare your stomach for sumptuous meals, exquisite desserts, fresh premium ingredients, and more! A truly phenomenal gastronomic adventure awaits you in Hokkaido.