5 Recommended Restaurants Proud of Their Seafood to Enjoy While Sightseeing in the Port Town of Otaru | Hokkaido Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-date: Oct 08 2024

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

5 Recommended Restaurants Proud of Their Seafood to Enjoy While Sightseeing in the Port Town of Otaru | Hokkaido

If one visits Otaru during a trip to Hokkaido, they would want to enjoy the exceptionally fresh seafood. Therefore, a selection of recommended sushi restaurants and Japanese dining establishments with easy access from Otaru Station has been compiled. It is great to savor seafood dishes alone at the counter, or to enjoy a lively meal with family and friends. They should definitely experience the unique flavors and textures of freshly caught seafood.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Hokkaido and Otaru.

1. Sushi-dokoro Saika (Sushi)

Enjoy seasonal ingredients at a seafood sushi restaurant from Hokkaido.

A seafood sushi restaurant from Hokkaido where seasonal ingredients can be enjoyed -

Located just a 5-minute walk from Otaru Station, Sushi-dokoro Saika offers sushi made with fresh seafood from Hokkaido and seasonal ingredients from across the country. The owner, Mr. Nagayama, carefully selects ingredients that pursue the flavors of each season. Guests can experience different tastes with each visit. The menu features a variety of options, including individual sushi pieces, the "Shio Course" which includes small side dishes, seafood bowls, and a range of a la carte dishes.

The clean and tidy interior of the restaurant creates a calm atmosphere, featuring counter seats, table seats, and fully private rooms, making it suitable for various occasions. Additionally, there are tatami mat areas, allowing families to visit comfortably. This sushi restaurant is also recommended for business meetings, drinks with colleagues, or solo visits.

Sushi-dokoro Saika

Open: [Monday-Wednesday, Friday-Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Thursday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,500 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from JR Otaru Station, near the arcade
Address: 2-11-3, Inaho, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido
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2. Otaru Masazushi Zenan (Sushi)

Enjoy exquisite cuisine and fine sake at a long-established restaurant along the Otaru Canal.

Facing the tourist attraction Otaru Canal, Otaru Masazushi Zenan is a long-established sushi restaurant loved by locals. The fresh ingredients sourced from their own fish shop include top-quality items such as natural tuna, freshly caught shrimp, and seawater sea urchin. In addition to sushi, the menu featuring tempura and appetizers is popular among women and families. The drink selection is also extensive, offering sake from Tanaka Shuzo in Otaru and a variety of 80 types of awamori.

The restaurant, surrounded by glass windows and enveloped in soft light, has a calm atmosphere where one can enjoy a leisurely meal. In addition to table seating, there is also a large counter where guests can savor authentic sushi while watching the skilled sushi chefs at work. It is the perfect restaurant to stop by as part of a sightseeing trip in Otaru.

Otaru Masazushi Zenan

Open: [Mondays - Wednesdays, Fridays - Sundays, Holidays, Day Before Holidays] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Thursdays
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 2,000 JPY
Access: About 3-4 minutes' by taxi from JR Otaru station. By Chuo Bus (Yamate Line) it is right next to the Honkyokumae stop.
Address: 1-2-1 Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido
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3. Otaru Ankake Yakisoba Ryuho (Chinese Cuisine)

Savor the local gourmet dish 'Otaru Ankake Yakisoba'

Located just a 10-minute walk from Otaru Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line and near the Otaru Canal, Ryuho is a restaurant that comes highly recommended. The must-try dish here is the local Otaru specialty, "Otaru Ankake Yakisoba." The rich and thick sauce, made from a luxurious chicken clear soup using only chicken thigh meat, combined with the flavors extracted from over 10 different ingredients, is a point of pride. Additionally, the "Unagi Wagyu Juu," which can only be tasted here, is also a popular menu item.

The restaurant features only counter seating, with chairs arranged comfortably. Guests can enjoy their time without worrying too much about their surroundings. At the entrance, there are signs in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, along with a ticket vending machine for orders. For lunch or a light snack while sightseeing in Otaru, they should definitely try the Otaru Ankake Yakisoba at Ryuho.

Otaru Ankake Yakisoba Ryuho

Open: 11:00 am - 7:30 pm (L.O. 7:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 1,800 JPY
Access: 10 minutes walk from Otaru Station toward Otaru Canal Located in Otaru Denuki-koji, close to Otaru Canal and other sightseeing areas.
Address: Denuki-koji, 1-1, Ironai, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido
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4. Uni Senmon-ten Yoichiya [Otaru Unga Branch] (Seafood)

Indulge in a blissful sea urchin bowl at a specialty restaurant.

At the Otaru Canal branch of sea urchin specialty restaurant Yoichiya, which is a 15-minute walk from Otaru Station on the JR Hakodate Main Line, visitors can enjoy premium sea urchin selected from various regions, not only from within the prefecture. The signature dish, the "Five Major Sea Urchin Tasting Bowl," is especially irresistible for sea urchin lovers, allowing them to savor sea urchin from different regions all at once, varying by the day.

The interior exudes a modern and calm atmosphere, making it a place where one can relax and spend time comfortably. Visitors can enjoy a blissful moment savoring Hokkaido's sea urchin in the stylish interior while taking in the picturesque streets of Otaru. It is highly recommended for creating memories on dates or trips.

Uni Senmon-ten Yoichiya [Otaru Unga Branch]

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Sunday, National Holidays, Day Before National Holidays] 10:00 am - 8:00 pm (L.O. 7:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 5,500 JPY / [Lunch] 5,500 JPY
Access: 6-minute by car from the Sasson Expressway Otaru IC / 60-minute from Sapporo City via National Route 5 / 15-minute walk from Otaru Station
Address: 2-18, Sakai-machi, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido
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5. Otaru Takeno-sushi (Sushi)

Enjoy exquisite sushi crafted by skilled artisans and customizable rice bowls.

Enjoy sushi showcasing artisan skills and customized rice bowls.

At Otaru Takeno-sushi, which is a 20-minute walk from JR Hakodate Main Line Otaru Station, customers can enjoy sushi made with carefully selected ingredients by the chef. They can savor authentic sushi made with fresh seafood from the nearby waters of Otaru, such as sea urchin and flounder. Additionally, in addition to sushi, rice bowls are also available, and the popular menu item "Ainori Don" allows customers to choose three types of their favorite toppings.

The restaurant features a wooden architecture that evokes a sense of history, with six counter seats and table seating on the first floor, and a banquet space on the second floor that can accommodate around 20 guests, making it suitable for various celebrations. It also offers a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, including sake and shochu. How about enjoying the seafood from Hokkaido in this spacious and relaxed environment?

Otaru Takeno-sushi

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, national holidays, days before national holidays] Lunch 10:30 - 16:00. Dinner 17:00 - 21:00.
Closed: Irregular
Access: Next to Kitaichi Glass on Sakaimachi Dori. A ten-minute walk from JR Otaru Station.
Address: 2-22 Sakai-machi , Otaru, Hokkaido
More Details Reservation

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.