Great Food Options After Visiting Famous Cherry Blossom Viewing Locations in Sapporo and Hakodate Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 05 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Great Food Options After Visiting Famous Cherry Blossom Viewing Locations in Sapporo and Hakodate

Hokkaido's sakura (cherry blossom) season usually begins in late April and lasts until early May. Hokkaido's crystal-clear blue sky, wind with just a hint of chill left in it, and vivid sakura, all come together to form a very beautiful view. After viewing the sakura, you can stop by some delicious restaurants nearby that will satisfy both your stomach and heart. Here are some restaurants that are not to be missed near Maruyama Park (Maruyama Koen) in Sapporo, and Goryokaku Park (Goryokaku Koen) in Hakodate!

Click here for some facts on cherry blossom viewing.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Sapporo and Hakodate.

1. Munakata

This restaurant is around a 5-minute walk from Maruyama Park. Enjoy seasonal ingredients and high-quality sake (Japanese alcohol). The bright, warm feeling of the wooden interior allows you to enjoy superb dishes - made from carefully-selected, fresh, and seasonal ingredients - at fair prices. One of the recommended dishes is the [Munakata Shun Zen Bento] (Munakata's Seasonal Traditional Lunch Box), which includes items such as [Gin-karei no Saikyo-yaki] (flatfish grilled Kyoto-style) and [Ke-gani to Junsai no Tosazu] (horsehair crab and water-shield in tosazu vinegar).

It has a pure and elegant atmosphere. You can spend time peacefully enjoying the warm, beautiful aura of the place.

The restaurant mainly focuses on course-based dishes, but it is also possible to order à la carte.

Munakata

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Saturday] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm)
[Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm (L.O. 8:30 pm) *For lunch, only bookings are accepted
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: 8,000 JPY *Courses start from 6,000 JPY
Access: From Maruyama koen Station, head down Nishi 25-chome Road towards Hassamu. You'll find it along the road left from Kita 1-jo Miyanozawa Road.
Address: 5-minute walk from Maruyama koen Station Map
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2. Ajisai Main Branch

This restaurant is around a minute's walk from Goryokaku Park. Established over 80 years ago, this ramen (noodle) restaurant has a long history. While you take in the view of Goryokaku Park through its large windows, you can enjoy one-of-a-kind Hakodate ramen, along with other meals. You can even see sakura during Golden Week! The [Ajisai Shio Ramen] is recommended as a classic Hakodate salt-flavored ramen.

If you're there at the right time, you can see the sakura in full bloom from their large windows!

They have many popular side dishes that go well with beer, such as [Zangi] (Hokkaido deep-fried chicken or seafood) or [Gyoza] (dumplings).

Ajisai Main Branch

Open: [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 11:00 am - 8:25 pm (L.O. 8:25 pm)
Closed: Wednesday *If the 4th Wednesday of the month is a national holiday, the restaurant will be closed the next day.
Average price: [Dinner] 1,100 JPY / [Lunch] 880 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from Goryokaku-koen-mae Station
Address: 29-22, Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido

3. Kitaichi Ajisai Shokudo

Around a 1 minute walk from Goryokaku Park, this restaurant revives classic Hokkaido dishes, such as zangi and curry. Kitaichi Ajisai Shokudo brings back the nostalgic taste and atmosphere of the well-loved Chuka Shokudo Ajisai from the Hakodate Daimon entertainment district and the public eatery, Kitaichi Shokudo. Popular menu items from the Showa era (1926 - 1989) can be tasted here, such as [Zangi], as well as several other classic dishes from the past.

The retro interior reminds one of the Showa period, but it's still very trendy and also has a Western feel to it.

Their desserts, such as their homemade [Coconut Milk Pudding] and [Almond Tofu], are also very popular.

Kitaichi Ajisai Shokudo

Open: 10:30 am - 8:25 pm (L.O. 8:25 pm)
Closed: Irregular
*Closed on the 4th Wednesday of the month. Closed the following day instead if it is a national holiday.
Average price: [Dinner] 999 JPY
Access: 7-minute walk from Goryokaku-koen-mae Station. Located right next to Goryokaku Tower in Goryokaku Park.
Address: 29-22, Goryokaku-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido

4. Hakodate Sumiya Honjin

This restaurant is around an 8-minute walk from Goryokaku Park. The restaurant owner carefully selects branded Wagyu (a type of high-quality beef) that you can enjoy grilled over binchotan (high-quality white charcoal), which is the best for bringing out the flavor of meat. Enjoy carefully-selected Kuroge Wagyu (a type of Wagyu) and offal from all over the country here! They switch up which branded beef they serve each week, such as A5-ranked branded Wagyu.

The interior of the restaurant is very chic, even down to the lighting that is used.

Their Belgian-style dessert is highly recommended by the owner, who said that it's the perfect match for yakiniku (Japanese BBQ).

Hakodate Sumiya Honjin

Open: [Monday - Wednesday, Friday] Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm

[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm

Closed: Thursday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: From JR Hakodate station take the Hakodate City Tram bound for Yunokawa. Get off at Goryokaku-koen station and walk for about 15 minutes.
Address: 7-24 Taya-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.