Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture, is surrounded by fertile oceans and is famed for its exceptional seafood, which is arguably the best in Japan. The cold waters around the island are teeming with a variety of fish and shellfish, making it a paradise for seafood lovers. From the bustling markets of Hakodate to the gourmet restaurants of Sapporo, join us on a culinary journey to explore the best seafood that Hokkaido has to offer.
Nijo Market in Sapporo: A Seafood Haven
Experience: Start your seafood journey in Sapporo at the Nijo Market, where local chefs and residents come to source the freshest seafood each morning. Stalls here offer everything from crabs to scallops and sea urchin.
Highlight: Try a bowl of donburi, a rice bowl topped with fresh sashimi that showcases the day’s catch, a perfect breakfast to kickstart your day.
Learn More: Nijo Market
Hakodate Morning Market: Seafood Delights
Experience: No visit to Hakodate is complete without a trip to the Morning Market, which is located just a few steps from JR Hakodate Station. This market is famous for its squid, which can often be seen dancing in tanks before it is served fresh.
Highlight: Participate in a ‘squid fishing’ experience and have your catch prepared right in front of you, either grilled or as fresh sashimi.
Visit Hakodate Morning Market: Hakodate Morning Market
Otaru: Sushi Street
Experience: Otaru, a small harbor city, is renowned for its beautifully preserved canal area and its historic Sushi Street. The street has numerous sushi restaurants that serve up some of the freshest seafood in Hokkaido.
Highlight: Visit a traditional sushi restaurant along the canal and taste local specialties such as uni (sea urchin) and ikura (salmon roe), which are particularly prized for their freshness and quality.
Explore Sushi in Otaru: Otaru Tourism
Uni Murakami in Hakodate
Experience: For sea urchin lovers, Uni Murakami in Hakodate offers a dining experience focused on this delicacy. The restaurant serves sea urchin in various forms, from raw in shells to incorporated in luxurious dishes.
Highlight: Opt for the uni tasting menu, which allows you to compare the different types of sea urchin sourced from various coastal waters around Hokkaido.
Discover Uni Murakami: Uni Murakami
Kaisen Ichiba Kitano Gourmet in Sapporo
Experience: For a comprehensive taste of Hokkaido’s seafood without leaving the capital, visit Kaisen Ichiba Kitano Gourmet. This popular spot offers a seafood market vibe with the convenience of a restaurant.
Highlight: Enjoy the ‘kaisendon’, a seafood bowl that lets you taste a bit of everything, from shrimp and crab to mackerel and octopus.
Kaisen Ichiba Kitano Gourmet: Kitano Gourmet
Conclusion
Hokkaido’s seafood is celebrated not just for its variety but also for its unparalleled freshness and quality. Each visit to a market, restaurant, or street food stall offers a new opportunity to indulge in the rich flavors of the ocean. Whether you’re slurping fresh sea urchin or savoring a slice of fatty tuna, the seafood of Hokkaido promises a culinary journey that’s as thrilling as it is delicious.
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