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Hokkaido has a unique sushi culture that differs from Edo-mae style. In fact, there's even a colloquial term, "Ezo-mae," and you'll find many restaurants that don't cure their ingredients with vinegar or salt, but instead serve fresh seafood as is.

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 of fresh, high-quality seafood attracted young chefs who had trained across Japan during the Taisho and Meiji eras, leading them to open restaurants in Otaru.

At its peak, there were reportedly nearly 200 sushi restaurants, but currently there are about 120. The city even has a "Sushi Restaurant Street" lined with sushi establishments, and there are renowned restaurants that attract sushi connoisseurs from all over the country.

Gift Otaru.

From UNGAPLUS, delivering the "Story of Otaru"
that walked with the Kitamaebune from the "Old Otaru Warehouse" overlooking the canal,
we introduce "Must-Visit Places in Otaru."

Please enjoy Otaru.

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Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ①

Nigiri Kukizen

A renowned restaurant awarded two Michelin stars.

This esteemed restaurant, awarded two Michelin stars, features a bright, clean, and elegant Japanese-style interior with a counter and private rooms, making it suitable for dining with children. It offers sushi and seafood appetizers made with Hokkaido ingredients. They also have a rich selection of original unpasteurized sake named after the restaurant and local Otaru sake. The "Kukizen Omakase Nigiri" is highly recommended, featuring a satisfying selection of seasonal ingredients carefully prepared on the day.

Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ②

Isezushi

Awarded one Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido 2012.

Established in 1967, "Isezushi" is renowned for its overwhelming quality of ingredients, specializing in natural catches, and its masterful technique, attracting visitors from both Japan and abroad. The second-generation owner inherits the spirit and skill of the predecessor while developing unique techniques. It was awarded one Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido 2012. At the two counters, guests can enjoy both the artistry of the chefs and pleasant conversations. In the back, there are two tables for four, where you can savor elaborate Edo-mae style sushi and Ezomae style sushi that brings out the flavors of Hokkaido. The selection of sake, curated by the proprietress who is a certified sake sommelier, is also not to be missed.

Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ③

Otaru Masazushi Main Branch

A renowned restaurant leading the brand of "Otaru Sushi."

With the philosophy of "creating deliciousness, nurturing people, and fostering happiness," Otaru Masazushi has been in business for over 80 years on Otaru's sushi restaurant street, which is lined with long-established sushi restaurants. As one of Otaru's leading and oldest establishments, it has supported Otaru's tourism and spread Otaru sushi, making it a well-known famous restaurant. Adhering to the traditions passed down since its founding and meticulously selected ingredients, it provides "relaxation" through food to its visitors. For "tuna," only Atlantic Canadian tuna exceeding 300 kg, highly regarded as the best in the world, is carefully sourced in November, its peak season, to ensure stable availability throughout the year. Its sweetness, tenderness, and melt-in-your-mouth texture are exceptional, an experience not to be forgotten once tasted. In addition to two locations within the city, it also has branches in Ginza, Shinjuku, and Bangkok, Thailand, leading the brand of "Otaru sushi."

Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ④

Takarazushi

A Japanese modern restaurant with a hidden gem atmosphere.

This restaurant boasts a hidden gem atmosphere, located slightly off Otaru's famous "Sushi Restaurant Street." It's about a 10-minute walk from Otaru Station. The Japanese modern and elegant interior features a white wood counter and table seating. Conversing with the friendly chef and proprietress is one of the joys of visiting. The lunch menu offers only "Omakase Nigiri," allowing you to savor 12 pieces of seasonal sushi. The restaurant's recommended anago (sea eel) is an exquisite dish with a wonderfully fluffy texture. All the ingredients are exceptionally fresh, and the generous portions offer great value for money.

Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ⑤

Nishizuka

A renowned Takashima restaurant frequented by locals.

"Nishizuka" is a popular and long-established Otaru restaurant that has been in business for 45 years. It is located a little away from the bustling downtown area of Otaru, in a quiet residential neighborhood. The interior, based on white wood, is clean and offers a calm atmosphere for relaxation. You can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine made with carefully selected ingredients and seasonal sushi. The restaurant's concept is "to provide Hokkaido and Otaru's seasonal ingredients in the best possible form without compromising quality." In addition to omakase courses featuring seasonal ingredients available by reservation the day before, they also offer set menus that can be chosen upon arrival. It is a famous restaurant frequented by both tourists and locals alike.

Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ⑥

Sushi Dokoro Yoshi

A restaurant recommended by local food-loving taxi drivers.

Otaru is known as one of the best seafood kingdoms in Hokkaido. "Sushi Dokoro Yoshi," located just off Otaru's "Otaru Sushi Street," is a sushi restaurant recommended even by local food-loving taxi drivers. It attracts not only local fans but also many people who travel from afar just to visit this establishment. The owner, who has experience as a fisherman, prides himself on fresh Hokkaido ingredients. You can enjoy sushi and seafood bowls that highlight the owner's skill. For lunch, the "Omakase Nigiri" at 6,000 yen is recommended, and for dinner, the "Kaiyama Course" at 13,200 yen. Starting April 2023, reservations are required, so it's advisable to book early.

Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ⑦

Ko-Zushi

Committed to homemade ingredients, including tamago, gari, and sushi soy sauce.

A long-established restaurant in Otaru, "the city of sushi." The second-generation owner continues the Edo-mae techniques from his predecessor, running a friendly sushi restaurant with his son, the third generation. The master, with over 50 years of sushi experience, carefully prepares seasonal Otaru ingredients. Each piece of sushi from the array of toppings is available individually. The master often says, "Everything served in my restaurant must be delicious." Ko-Zushi's commitment lies in preparing all ingredients, including tamago (omelet), gari (pickled ginger), and sushi soy sauce, in the traditional homemade way. The popular "Hana Nigiri" set, which includes 10 pieces of sushi and miso soup, is very filling.

Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ⑧

Miyofuku

A well-known sushi restaurant frequented by locals.

In Otaru, one of Hokkaido's top tourist destinations with over 100 sushi restaurants, some people rate Miyofuku as one of the best. It's beloved by locals. Currently, the second-generation couple maintains the establishment, a small family-run business with an 8-seat counter. They offer only three types of sushi: Regular, Jyo (special), and Toku (premium). The prices are surprisingly high-value, with even the "Toku" sushi featuring exceptionally fresh abalone, bluefin tuna, otoro, and sea urchin, priced at 2,600 yen (tax included). With an omakase style featuring seasonal ingredients, its approachable atmosphere also attracts many solo diners. While not a typical guidebook highlight, it's a hidden gem among locals.

Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ⑨

Nihonbashi

All chefs are from Otaru and Yoichi's fishing communities.

"Otaru Sushi Street Nihonbashi" is located on Otaru's sushi restaurant street, about a 10-minute walk from Otaru Station. It is a renowned sushi restaurant popular with both locals and tourists. All the chefs are from Otaru and Yoichi's fishing communities. Having grown up with fish since birth, they possess extensive knowledge and passion for local fish. They use naturally caught ingredients from near Otaru, preparing delicious sushi with skill and care. The clean interior features 10 counter seats and 24 raised tatami seats, with banquet rooms on the second and third floors, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions.

Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ⑩

Shakotan Cuisine Fujizushi Otaru Branch

The highlight is the limited-time sea urchin chirashi.

This sushi and seafood restaurant is located on "Sakaimachi Shopping Street," a famous tourist spot in Otaru. The interior has a calm atmosphere, providing a relaxing and pleasant space. You can fully enjoy Hokkaido's fresh and delicious seafood, with the highlight being the limited-time sea urchin chirashi, available only from May to August. The bowl filled with sea urchin is simply luxurious. Besides sea urchin, the ikura (salmon roe) bowl, thickly layered so that no rice is visible, is also a popular menu item. You can fully savor the popping texture and unique flavor of the ikura. This is a popular restaurant highly rated by locals.

Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ⑪

Takeno Sushi

All of them are authentic flavors that showcase the chef's skill.

"Otaru Takeno Sushi," which opened in March 2013, is a restaurant renovated from the "Former Nakayama Warehouse," built in the early Taisho era. The building's exterior and window lattice retain traces of its past, exuding an air of distinction. The sushi, crafted by a chef with 25 years of experience using carefully selected ingredients, all boast authentic flavors that highlight the chef's skill. Each piece is meticulously prepared with fresh ingredients such as fish caught near Otaru, scallops from Funka Bay, and Hokki clams from Tomakomai. In addition to sushi, a wide variety of rice bowls are also available. The first floor features a 6-seat counter and table seating. The second floor has a table-style room that can accommodate about 20 people, making it perfect for banquets, celebrations, and anniversaries.

Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ⑫

Sushidokoro Hamaya

A famous restaurant with a wide variety of fresh and delicious seasonal ingredients.

Delicious Otaru Sushi - Otaru Sightseeing ⑬

Shikama Sushi

A popular restaurant known for its refined, fresh, and delicious sushi.

UNGAPLUS

Good fortune from Otaru, the city of marine transport...
May your luck also open up, supported by the continuous flow that has been preserved.

In the Meiji era, Otaru flourished as the gateway to Hokkaido's development.
Kitamaebune (northern-bound ships) sailed across the vast ocean with their pure white sails, carrying many goods and cultures to this land through their trade with Honshu.

From the "Former Otaru Warehouse," the first commercial warehouse in Hokkaido built by Kitamaebune shipowners Sonzaemon Nishide and Shohachi Nishitani, UNGAPLUS delivers original products infused with Otaru's enduring history and culture, along with quality goods from the Kitamaebune's port-of-call destinations.

The story of Otaru, which journeyed with the Kitamaebune, begins here.

We offer a selection of unique original items, also perfect as souvenirs, and look forward to welcoming you to our store.

Click here for "UNGAPLUS" details