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Otaru is a popular tourist city, ranking 4th in Japan's most attractive city rankings (2019 Tourism Intent Ranking). What comes to mind when you hear "delicious gourmet food" in Otaru? Most people probably think of "sushi" or "kaisen-don" (seafood rice bowls). While it's true that the seafood caught in Otaru, located on the Japan Sea side of Hokkaido, is exceptionally delicious, Otaru offers much more than that. As a popular city in Hokkaido, known as a treasure trove of food, Otaru boasts a wide variety of other delicious foods. Here, we introduce "Otaru Gourmet: A Tour of Delicious Foods."

Giving Otaru as a Gift.

From UNGAPLUS, which delivers "Otaru's Story" that has walked hand-in-hand with Kitamae-bune ships,
from the "Old Otaru Warehouse" overlooking the canal,
we introduce "Places to Visit in Otaru."

Please enjoy "Otaru."

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Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ①

EBIJIN Otaru Branch

"EBIJIN (Ebijn)" in Otaru is the eagerly awaited second branch of the popular Yezo deer burger specialty shop from Yoichi, which gained fame through word-of-mouth. The owner-chef, Taiyu Akine, is not only a chef but also an experienced hunter, operating a deer meat processing facility in Yoichi.

With the desire to "let people know the true deliciousness of deer meat," he opened a Yezo deer burger specialty shop adjacent to the processing facility in March 2023. Its deliciousness continues to spread by word-of-mouth, and visitors keep coming.

The deer meat used for the patties comes from Yezo deer up to two years old, hunted in Yoichi and the Shiribeshi area, and quickly processed within two hours. This high-quality meat has none of the gamey smell or strong flavor often associated with venison. After about 10 years of trial and error with various methods, EBIJIN has developed its unique blood-draining and aging techniques. Tasting their Yezo deer meat will change your perception of "deer meat."

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ②

Western Restaurant Mangiare TAKINAMI

"Western Restaurant Mangiare TAKINAMI" is a Western-style restaurant where you can fully enjoy the bounties of the sea and mountains from Otaru and Shiribeshi. A portion of the old wooden-frame stone warehouse remains inside, allowing visitors to feel Otaru's history.

The signature dish, "Paella," is topped with shrimp, crab claws, clams, mussels, squid, and more. Each pot is carefully cooked to order, allowing the rice to absorb the rich flavors of the seafood and become fragrant.

"Otaru-produced Hakkaku and Shako Acqua Pazza" is a dish where locally caught hakkaku (sailfin poacher) and shako (mantis shrimp) are steamed in white wine and water, resulting in a rich seafood flavor.

"Yoichi-produced Kitajima Pork Homemade Prosciutto with Marinated Onions" is a prosciutto made only from bone-in pork leg and natural salt. The fat has a sweet taste, and it takes over a year to make. With a wide range of dishes, the restaurant can accommodate various occasions, from casual meals to anniversaries and banquets.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ③

Stone and Iron

"Stone and Iron" is a cafe bar & hostel converted from a stone warehouse with over 100 years of history. The first floor operates as a cafe restaurant from lunch to dinner, and the second floor houses two guest rooms.

The atmosphere of "Stone and Iron," with its stone and iron motif, evokes a sense of both Otaru and a foreign land. This is thanks to the blend of the "stone" of the stone warehouse, which still forms Otaru's distinctive cityscape, and the "iron" of Hokkaido's first railway, once laid in Otaru.

In addition to 5 counter seats offering a full view of the kitchen, there are 6 tables, including box seats and table seats.

The lunch menu offers several options such as green curry sets and croissant open sandwiches. The dinner menu has a rich lineup, including dishes made with local Otaru chicken, suitable for those who want to have a light drink or a full meal. You can enjoy everything from coffee brewed by a barista to various dishes using Otaru chicken, and wines centered around Otaru and Yoichi.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ④

Otaru ISO

"Otaru ISO" is located about a 5-minute walk from the Otaru Canal, a representative tourist destination in Otaru.

The building is a renovated 114-year-old historic red brick "Old Isono Storehouse." The restaurant aims for a fusion of modern Hokkaido cuisine and Western dishes, with a concept of wood-fired steaks, primarily using Hokkaido beef, cooked with birch wood, which is Otaru City's official tree.

For lunch, they offer seafood curry, pasta dishes with ingredients like sea urchin and king crab, among others. For dinner, they serve aged Hokkaido beef grilled over birch wood. The bar area offers a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, including craft beers, natural wines, and craft gins.

Please enjoy Otaru ISO's signature dishes, featuring seasonal Hokkaido ingredients and authentic game meats.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑤

PRESSCAFE

"PRESSCAFE" is located in a corner of the historic "Former Shibusawa Warehouse," built in 1895 (Meiji 28), at the foot of "Kitahama Bridge" over the "North Canal," at the northern end of the Otaru Canal.

While the famous Otaru Canal is only traversed by tourist cruise ships, the North Canal is still active, with working boats and small vessels like cruisers docked there. The surrounding area, lined with old stone warehouses, creates a very charming cityscape.

The interior of the former Shibusawa Warehouse, with its wooden-frame stone construction, features high ceilings, large windows facing the canal, and a classic car that is still in use.

The menu boasts a flavorful coffee brewed cup by cup with paper drip using specialty coffee beans, as well as a wide selection of sweets like pancakes. On weekdays, there are reasonably priced lunch options, but the top recommendation is their original "North Indian style Chicken Curry." The soup, with its spicy kick and slightly mature flavor, is addictively delicious.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑥

Otaru Soba Restaurant Yabuhan

Located about a 5-minute walk from Otaru Station, tucked away in a back alley, "Otaru Soba Restaurant Yabuhan" is a long-established soba shop founded in 1954 (Showa 29). It's a renowned restaurant that visitors to Otaru should definitely experience, with its quaint Japanese-style building exuding an air of distinction.

The restaurant is a grand structure created by integrating the stone warehouse of the Shiratori family, a herring fishing magnate, the historic building "Gorakuen (former Tomojiro Kanazawa Residence)," and an old traditional Japanese restaurant.

You can choose between two types of soba noodles: local flour noodles (from Hokkaido) and standard flour noodles (a blend of foreign wheat). Recommended dishes include "Nishin Soba" (herring soba), which evokes the "Otaru essence" of a port town that flourished with herring fishing, and the popular "Unitoji Soba" (sea urchin omelet soba). The restaurant's hidden number one menu item, "Curry Soba," is also an irresistible masterpiece.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑦

Chinese Restaurant Ryuhou

"Chinese Restaurant Ryuhou," located about a 10-minute walk from Otaru Station, is a renowned Chinese restaurant popular for its surprisingly large portions and unique original dishes.

Its yellow roof with red characters for its name and the customers always lined up in front of the store are its trademarks.

The "Ankake Yakisoba" (sauce-covered fried noodles) comes in a regular size that's a large portion equivalent to two servings of noodles, and a half size that's equivalent to one regular serving. The extra-large size is a massive three servings of noodles. Sharing is not allowed, so it's recommended to start with the half size.

What's surprising is not just the size, but also the 23 different flavors of "Ankake Yakisoba" available.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑧

Western Food & Candles Otaru Muse

"Otaru Muse" is a restaurant born from the desire to offer delicious homemade dishes made with carefully selected ingredients, a distinctive Otaru atmosphere, and wonderful music, all illuminated by candlelight.

The owners are a chef who trained for about 10 years at a restaurant in Toyako Town, meticulously preparing delicious dishes with carefully selected ingredients, and his wife, a candle artist. They opened this Western-style restaurant in Otaru in 2009.

It's located about a 10-minute walk from Otaru Station, along National Route 5 towards Sapporo. A projecting sign with a candle design marks the spot, and an antique British door from the 1930s, perfectly matching Otaru's exotic atmosphere, welcomes you.

Upon entering, the flickering candlelight, created by the wife's artwork, allows time to flow more slowly than usual, creating a feeling of being in a foreign country.

The name "Muse" also means "to ponder." Please enjoy your meal leisurely, happily, and sometimes pensively, amidst the candlelight.

The menu emphasizes homemade dishes prepared from scratch, creating unique flavors that can only be found here. They are very particular about their ingredients, always striving to provide safe, healthy, and delicious food.

The signature dish is the "stewed hamburger steak," made with 100% beef and pork from Kuromatsunai. The demi-glace sauce is homemade and additive-free, carefully prepared by simmering aromatic vegetables like tomatoes and beef sinew in red wine. Even the herbs used for flavoring are homegrown, showcasing their dedication. The aroma of the sauce, aged through years of adding to it, whets the appetite.

For lunch, they offer a rich menu, including soup curry, omurice, and fried dishes, all at very reasonable prices. As a thoughtful gesture, a small portion of zenzai (sweet red bean soup) is served with drinks after the meal. The red beans are meticulously cooked, with a perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness, and the soft shiratama dumplings offer a comforting sensation.

For dinner, in addition to the stewed hamburger steak, they offer the chef's omakase dinner course, omurice, and a satisfying selection of delicious snacks to pair with drinks.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑨

Kissa Hashibirokou

"Kissa Hashibirokou" is a new cafe that opened in December 2020 on a hill in Irifune, Otaru. The name "Hashibirokou" refers to the shoebill, a very large bird native to the wetlands around Lake Victoria in Africa, recently popular for its large head, enormous boot-shaped beak, strong gaze, and tendency to remain still.

The shop is a renovated old house, a quaint traditional cafe with a charming Showa-era exterior. Upon opening the stylish door, you'll find a 5-seat counter immediately inside, along with two 2-person tables and one 4-person table.

A shoebill illustration drawn in chalk on the wall stands out prominently, commanding attention.

Unusually for Otaru, it opens at 7 AM, serving breakfast until 11 AM. A thick slice of toast, a boiled egg, and all-you-can-drink coffee for just 350 yen is an incredibly attractive offer. After 11 AM, the food menu includes curry rice, paella, pasta, and pork chop, with the option to make it a set meal for an additional 200 yen. You can enjoy a relaxing lunch in a tranquil atmosphere, bathed in soft sunlight.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑩

Bistrot Blanche

About a 5-minute walk from Otaru Canal, in Ironai 1-chome, near the former Temiya Line, there is a bistro known to locals called "Bistrot Blanche."

It's a renovated retro Western-style building made of brick from the Taisho era, offering original cuisine that fuses Italian and French flavors. The interior features 5 counter seats and 5 tables in total, including 4-person and 2-person tables.

With a spacious and relaxed atmosphere and pleasant music, it's a calm setting perfect for enjoying food and conversation.

The lunch menu includes various pastas and pizzas, as well as course meals featuring fish or meat dishes, all very reasonably priced from around 1,500 yen including drinks. Dinner courses, including an appetizer with a fish or meat course, or a double main course, are also very affordable, starting from around 3,000 yen.

While Otaru is famous for its sushi and kaisen-don, for a date or a birthday celebration with a loved one, we recommend Bistrot Blanche, where you can immerse yourself in Otaru's unique atmosphere. The dishes are also generously portioned, so even younger guests will be fully satisfied.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑪

Nishizuka

"Nishizuka" is a popular long-established restaurant in Otaru, celebrating its 45th anniversary. It is located in a residential area, a little off the main bustling streets of Otaru. The interior, based on light wood, is clean and offers a calm atmosphere for relaxation.

You can savor Japanese cuisine that carefully selects ingredients and utilizes skilled techniques, as well as sushi featuring seasonal toppings. The restaurant's concept is "to provide fresh, seasonal ingredients from Hokkaido and Otaru in the best possible condition without compromising quality." In addition to seasonal omakase courses that require advance reservation, they also offer set menus that can be chosen upon arrival. It's a renowned restaurant frequented by both travelers and locals alike.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑫

Otaru Sankaku Market

Otaru Sankaku Market, located just a 1-minute walk from JR Otaru Station, was named for its triangular plot of land and roof. The motto of Sankaku Market is "Surprisingly cheap!"

Visitors can enjoy shopping in an atmosphere unique to a market, with lively calls from the vendors on both sides.

The market is approximately 200m long, with 16 shops lining both sides of a narrow, about 2-meter-wide, sloped path. Six of these shops are restaurants, where you can enjoy meals from 7 AM to 5 PM. They offer bowls made with fresh seafood and daily set meals featuring seasonal ingredients. You can also buy products at the market and have them cooked on the spot to create your own original rice bowl.

The market began around 1948, shortly after the war. It started with 7-8 street vendors setting up stalls in front of Otaru Station and later developed into a morning market. Besides fresh seafood like crabs, sea urchin, and scallops, it also sells vegetables, fruits, and daily necessities, making it a very convenient and popular market for everyday shopping and finding souvenirs.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑬

Otaru Sushi Street

Hokkaido has a unique sushi culture, distinct from Edo-style sushi. It's often colloquially referred to as "Ezo-mae," where many restaurants serve fresh seafood directly without curing it with vinegar or salt.

Otaru, with its large port, is known as a treasure trove of seafood from Ishikari Bay and is also famous as a "sushi town." The reputation for fresh, high-quality seafood attracted young chefs from all over Japan, who trained in various regions during the Taisho and Meiji eras, to open sushi restaurants in Otaru.

The street leading from Otaru Station towards the canal, lined with nearly 20 sushi restaurants, is named "Sushi Street." Here, the quality of the ingredients is excellent, and chefs from all over Japan compete with their skills.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑭

Wakadori Jidai Naruto Main Store

"Wakadori Jidai Naruto Main Store," affectionately known as "Naruto," is one of Otaru's representative establishments. Since its founding in 1965 (Showa 40), it has been a soul food for Otaru citizens and can be considered the originator of half-fried young chicken in Hokkaido.

At the main store in Inaho, Otaru, in addition to their signature "half-fried young chicken" which has become nationally famous, they offer a diverse menu including sushi and rice bowls made with Otaru seafood, various set meals, curry, tempura, and ramen.

The half-fried young chicken has maintained its traditional flavor since its establishment, resulting in crispy skin and juicy meat. Excess fat is rendered, making it surprisingly light and less greasy than it appears. The lightly salted seasoning pairs perfectly with white rice and is an excellent match for beer.

All payments are made in advance, and additional orders require separate payment each time.

Otaru Tourism - Recommended Gourmet and Lunch ⑮

Kamaei Kamaboko in Otaru

Otaru's popular kamaboko shop "Kamaei," which has been loved for many years by not only Otaru citizens but also many Hokkaido residents, was founded in 1905 (Meiji 38). It now boasts over 100 years of history, with 4 stores in Otaru, 6 in Sapporo, and a total of 12 stores including airport branches.

In addition to the red and white Ita-kamaboko (fish cake slices on a board), which is essential for celebrations, they also offer un-fried kamaboko such as "uni-ita" (sea urchin kamaboko) and "yaki-ita" (grilled kamaboko). Many Hokkaido residents are such fans that they say, "It's not a celebration without Kamaei's kamaboko."

At the head office factory in Sakaimachi, Otaru, visitors can observe skilled artisans making kamaboko through a glass partition for free. Freshly fried kamaboko bought on the spot is particularly popular.

The top recommendation is the "Pan Roll," a limited-edition item, which was reportedly developed by the former president in 1962 (Showa 37). The pan roll, made by wrapping a paste of pollock, minced pork, and onion in ultra-thin bread and frying it, is a superb kamaboko dish with a crispy texture, perfectly balanced saltiness, and the sweetness of the fish paste.

UNGAPLUS

Good fortune from the canal city of Otaru...
May your luck open up, harnessing the flow that has been preserved uninterrupted.

During the Meiji period, Otaru flourished as the gateway to the development of Hokkaido.
Kitamae-bune ships sailed across the vast ocean with their pure white sails, bringing many goods and cultures to this land through their trade with Honshu.

UNGAPLUS delivers original products embodying the history and culture still remaining in Otaru, as well as high-quality goods from the ports of call of Kitamae-bune ships, all from the "Old Otaru Warehouse Main Building," Hokkaido's first commercial warehouse built by Kitamae-bune shipowners Sozaemon Nishide and Shohachi Nishitani.

From this place, we bring you the story of Otaru's journey with the Kitamae-bune ships.

We look forward to your visit, offering a selection of unique original items that make delightful souvenirs.

"UNGAPLUS" Details here