Japanese Restaurant Guide: The Hokkaido Dining Experience

Hokkaido is definitely one of the top destinations for food enthusiasts in Japan. The world-renowned Sapporo beer, okonomiyaki, and snow crab are only a few of the many mouthwatering dishes Hokkaido has to offer.

There are many restaurants to choose from when dining in Hokkaido, and here are some awesome suggestions to make your Hokkaido dining experience a memorable one.

Hanamaru

This restaurant is among the top sushi destinations in Hokkaido. Dishes are served on a conveyor belt, and diners can pick and choose whatever they prefer. Sushi dishes at Hanamaru are affordable, considering the superb quality of its fish.

Hanamaru is open Monday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. It is located at 1 Chome-2-3 Nishikimachi, Tomakomai-shi, Hokkaido 053-0023.

Mikuni

If you are looking for international dishes, Mikuni is your go-to place. It is one of the best French-style restaurants in Hokkaido. This restaurant offers French fusion cuisine, with a menu that boasts of staple, traditional French dishes that uses the freshest local produce. The restaurant also features about 3,000 bottles of wine produced in France.

Mikuni is open from Wednesday to Monday at 11:00 am and closes at 10:00 pm, with breaks from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm. It is located at the 9th floor of the JT Tower Hotel Nikko in Sapporo.

Asari View at Kiroro Resort

If you want an amazing view of Mt. Asari, Kiroro Resort’s Asari View is definitely the place to visit. The Asari View is located at the peak of the Kiroro Resort at the Gondola terminal. The restaurant is located 1,180 meters above sea level, offering diners a magnificent view of the mountainside. Aside from the delicious dishes offered at the restaurant, guests can also experience powder skiing at the Kiroro Resort.

Asari View at Kiroro Resort is open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm during ski season.

Gotsubo

If you want to veer away from the usual fine or casual dining, sample some of the awesome street food-style oysters of Gotsubo. There are only a few sitting rooms inside, so expect to stand near the counter bar on the street like most diners do. This restaurant is known for using the freshest catch of the day for its famed oyster dishes.

Gotsubo is located at 4 Chome Minami 6 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo, Hokkaido. It is open from Monday to Sunday from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am.

Kanihonke

If you want to partake of the freshest seafood, Kanihonke is the place to go. It serves a wide variety of fish and seafood, which diners really enjoy. The restaurant has also made crab-cooking its specialty. Diners will also experience kaiseki ryōri, a traditional multi-course cuisine that’s popular among the aristocratic circles in Japan. The custom follows a specific order of dishes.

It is located at 4 Chome Ujinanishi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima-ken 734-0014 and is open from Monday to Sunday from 11:30 am to 10:00 pm.

Aoi Sora Organic Cafe

Here is a treat for vegetarians. Aoi Sora in Sapporo offers organic vegan dishes. Its vegetables are sourced from local farms and are usually cooked the traditional way. Aoi Sora also boasts of its wide menu, which changes regularly.

It is located at Aoi Sora Minami 1 Jonishi, Sapporo. It is open from Friday to Wednesday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

With so many choices to satisfy your cravings, Hokkaido offers a tasty treat for those looking to dine on Japanese cuisine. If you’re looking for a unique dining experience in Japan while taking in its unique culture, then Hokkaido is a place that you should add to your bucket list.

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9 Comments

  1. says: Kevin

    These all sound so delicious. Curious how the vegan food? Is vegan actually pretty big in Japan?

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