The Best 10 Sushi Restaurants You Must Eat in Hokkaido

When you come to Hokkaido, eating fresh seafood is a must! There are certain types that can only be found here and the freshness is something that cannot be beat anywhere else in Japan. In Hokkaido, you can have your sushi at a casual restaurant or at a more formal place. Today we will introduce the top 10 places you must go to eat!

1. Sushi Tanabe

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“Sushi Tanabe” is the sushi place in Hokkaido with the highest ratings. This is 1of 4 Michelin 3 star rated restaurants in Japan and the only sushi restaurant of the 4! There is a course that comes with appetizers (14800 yen) as well as a course with mainly sushi (10500 yen). There are also a variety of other courses available.

The types of sushi available focus on those specifically from Hokkaido. The purple sea urchin is the best! There are counter seats as well as personal seating areas so you can choose what suits the arrangements for you meal. Be sure to make a reservation before you come as seats do run out!

2. Tachiguidokoro Chokotozushi

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Now this shop is known as a sushi place of good quality. However, when it begin it was just a food stall. Being able to eat standing and leave quickly was its sell. It was also in an entertainment district and was open till 4 a.m.

After having a drink, it the perfect place to stop for sushi. They have scallion sets and tuna sets available with 3 to 4 pieces of sushi per set. These sets are sold at a very reasonable price! When you come to Hokkaido this is a place you must visit.

3. Nemuro Hanamaru

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Stellar Place is connected to Sapporo Station making it very easy to access. It is a great place to visit at the end of a day of visiting different sights in Sapporo. Their menu is also in English, Korean, and Chinese so it is great for foreign travelers!

Because of its popularity, you may have to wait to be seated. However, there is also a phone service that can call you if you chose not to wait in front of the store. This fish available includes those that are from this district and others that cannot be found in Tokyo so please do try many kinds here!

4. Nanda

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Here you can have not only sushi but also crab and other seafood and tempura to your hearts content. Not only is seafood available but also Hokkaido beef and pork. You can try everything Hokkaido has to offer right here!

The sushi available is particular to the season making it that must more delicious. Please do come and try all Hokkaido has to offer!

5. Kuchauzo

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The seafood of Hokkaido is the best but one will often wonder how much it will cost. This is why we chose to introduce this conveyor-belt sushi that is inexpensive and delicious. It is a price and freshness that can only be acquired because the fish is purchased straight from the docks. Most sets of 2 are 120 yen or 220 yen!

The most popular types of sushi here, salmon, tuna, and mackerel, are all available for 120 yen. Of course you kind find the types of sushi you would expect, but you can also find rarer varieties here. These varieties change every day so there is something new to look forward each day you might visit. This is a place that is very popular with the locals as well!

6. Sushisai Wakichi

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This is a store that has received 2 stars with Michelin. Weekdays it is only open in the evenings and you must choose from one of two time frames.

Through individual research of testing with salt, konbu, time and season and their specialty sushi rice, “Sushisai Wakichi” has created an unforgettable experience. There is only one course on the menu but this is necessary to provide the best taste to you. This “chef’s platter” is the only course available here. It is 15850 yen but worth every bit of it. When you visit Hokkaido, this is one of the stores we highly recommend you visit!

7. Kaitenzushi Toriton

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The popular conveyor-belt sushi of Hokkaido is “Kaitenzushi Toriton”. They make available fresh and inexpensive sushi like only they can. Though it is a conveyor-belt sushi, the variety they have is amazing.

You can enjoy the famous giant shrimp, scallop, and cololabis sushi and others only available in Hokkaido. There are 13 shops of this type in Japan but the one with the best access is the Toyohira shop. This is a place you will not be disappointed!

8. Isezushi

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Otaru is especially close to the ocean and is blessed with fresh seafood. This is why the sushi here is particularly spectacular. The city itself claims to be “the place for sushi shops” and currently there are approximately 120 shops.

“Isezushi” opened in 1967 and is popular with the locals and tourist alike. It has received 1 Michelin star. The menu is the same day and night and there is also a course that serves strictly Hokkaido fish. Please do come and try the sushi in Otaru!

9. Kushiro Washo Market

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Off the shore of Kushiro is where the Chishima Current and the Japan Current meet and it is a treasure chest of sea life. “Kushiro Washo Market” is where you can create your own thick seafood bowl with the ingredients of your choice.

First, you buy your sushi rice. Then you buy the many different toppings at the different shops. When you have completed your bowl you can enjoy it in the free space available in the center of the shops. Being able to make your own sushi bowl is such a treat! Of course the quality of fish is also something that cannot be beat!

10. Hakotaro

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Hakodate, which faces the Tugaru Channel, is very famous for its squid and tuna. “Hakotaro” is the restaurant here that is praised the most by the locals.

Here you can have squid fresh from the fish-tank or the “Hakataro roll” stuffed full of squid, salmon, tuna, and roe. All their sushi is original. Especially at the Ugaura branch the beautiful scenery is one that cannot be matched anywhere else. Please come and enjoy a taste only found here in Hakodate!

Let’s Have Delicious Sushi in Hokkaido!

What will you choose? We have introduced Michelin’s star-rated restaurants and cheaper conveyor belt sushi. They all are delicious but please decide where to go based on your schedule and budget. There is sushi here that you cannot experience anywhere also in Japan!