Home > Otaru Sightseeing Portal > Otaru's Kaisen-don

Japan boasts many kinds of donburi, such as katsudon, oyakodon, tendon, and gyudon, but among them, kaisen-don is a luxurious and uniquely Japanese dish where fresh seafood is generously piled on top of rice. Its history is surprisingly shallow, having originated after the war with the development of freezing technology.

While the exact origins are unclear, it is believed to have spread nationwide from northern Japan, including Hokkaido and Tohoku. There is also a theory that it evolved from "kaisen chirashi" (scattered seafood) at sushi restaurants, but its veracity remains uncertain.

In Otaru, a city renowned for its delicious seafood, kaisen-don is an indispensable dish enjoyed by many visitors. Compared to sushi, kaisen-don is more budget-friendly, and Otaru has numerous establishments where you can savor it to your heart's content.

Giving Otaru.

From UNGAPLUS, located in the "Former Otaru Warehouse" overlooking the canal,
we bring you the "Story of Otaru" that walked alongside the Kitamaebune (northern-bound ships),
and introduce you to "Places to visit in Otaru."

Please enjoy Otaru.

See more Otaru Gourmet

Delicious Otaru Kaisen-don - Otaru Sightseeing ①

Ajidokoro Takeda

The original shop that was quick to introduce kaisen-don.

Ajidokoro Takeda is a restaurant directly managed by a fresh fish dealer in Sankaku Market, where you can enjoy seasonal Hokkaido seafood all year round. It was one of the first shops to introduce the kaisen-don that is now prevalent in Sankaku Market. The fresh seafood bought daily by the owner at auction is exquisite. In addition to donburi dishes, a wide variety of set meals and à la carte options are available. The shop's recommendation is the "ANA Don," created in collaboration with ANA. This proud dish is generously topped with sea urchin, crab, salmon roe, and salmon. Enjoy the exceptionally fresh seafood.

Delicious Otaru Kaisen-don - Otaru Sightseeing ②

Takinami Shokudo

All the staff are energetic women.

Takinami Shokudo, located in Sankaku Market right next to Otaru Station, attracts many people daily who come to enjoy its fresh seafood. Shellfish, for example, are taken from the tank and prepared immediately after ordering. You can savor the bounty of Hokkaido, so generously served that it spills from the bowl. The recommended dish is the "Wagamama Don," where you can choose 3 to 4 items from 9 popular seafood toppings. All the staff working here are energetic women. The dining hall can accommodate up to 56 people.

Delicious Otaru Kaisen-don - Otaru Sightseeing ③

Kawashima

A red noren (curtain) is the landmark of "Kawashima."

Kawashima is a fish shop and restaurant in Sankaku Market, popular with tourists and located right next to JR Otaru Station. Among the many shops lining the market, it is one of the few that directly sources fresh fish every morning at the local auction. There are six eateries in the market, and the red noren (curtain) of Kawashima, the third shop from the left after entering from the JR Otaru Station side, is its landmark. You can also create an original donburi by having the seafood you buy at the storefront prepared on the spot.

Delicious Otaru Kaisen-don - Otaru Sightseeing ④

Sankaku-tei

A student discount donburi that's okay even if you're not a student.

A kaisen-don shop in Sankaku Market, a 2-minute walk from Otaru Station. They pride themselves on their handmade dishes and their ability to accommodate customers' requests. Their No. 1 dish is the "Colorful Don," a lavish bowl with 10 kinds of seafood for 2,300 yen. The toppings vary depending on the day. The "Gakusari Don" (student discount donburi), a mini kaisen-don for 1,100 yen that's popular even among non-students, is also a hit. In addition to kaisen-don, they also offer a limited daily set meal (8 servings).

Delicious Otaru Kaisen-don - Otaru Sightseeing ⑤

Otaru Ezoya

Opened in 2013 on Otaru Sakaimachi Dori shopping street.

Otaru Ezoya is a restaurant that opened in 2013 on the Otaru Sakaimachi Dori shopping street, where you can enjoy fresh Hokkaido seafood. They offer their signature "Kaisen-don" made with fresh seafood, mainly from Hokkaido, as well as recommended "Kaisen Aburi-yaki" (seafood炙烧) and "Kaisen Nabe" (seafood hot pot). They also sell local products and gifts at the store, with the motto of providing fresh flavors with the best hospitality.

Delicious Otaru Kaisen-don - Otaru Sightseeing ⑥

Kaisen Shokudo Sawazaki Suisan

Kaisen-don featuring live scallops and premium king crab.

Kaisen Shokudo Sawazaki Suisan is a seafood restaurant directly managed by a fishery company, where you can savor the exceptionally fresh flavors of Hokkaido. The restaurant is located in Otaru Denuki Koji, where the bustle of olden days has been revived. The fresh ingredients are meticulously selected by the experienced owner. You can enjoy authentic Hokkaido flavors, including high-quality crab not typically found in markets and fatty Atka mackerel. Their recommendations include kaisen-don featuring freshly boiled king crab, homemade salmon roe, live scallops, and premium king crab. They also offer local delivery services on the spot. Seafood bento boxes are available for takeout.

Delicious Otaru Kaisen-don - Otaru Sightseeing ⑦

Otaru Kaisen-don En

"Kaisen Hitsumabushi," nicknamed fisherman's makanai-meshi.

A seafood restaurant located in Sakaimachi, Otaru. You can enjoy seafood dishes made with fresh, Hokkaido-sourced ingredients such as sea urchin, salmon roe, crab, shrimp, and scallops. Highly recommended is the "Kaisen Hitsumabushi," nicknamed fisherman's makanai-meshi (staff meal). This unique dish is eaten like chirashizushi, and finished with dashi (broth) poured over it.

Delicious Otaru Kaisen-don - Otaru Sightseeing ⑧

Otaru Poseidon

Serving dishes with a large shamoji.

This is a fun restaurant that serves dishes with a large shamoji (rice paddle), a symbol of robatayaki, primarily featuring live shellfish sourced in the morning. Their most popular dish, "Poseidon Don," is a vibrantly arranged bowl of fresh seafood classics (shrimp, scallops, tuna, salmon roe, sea urchin, salmon, etc.). Their second most popular item is the "Kaisen Zukedon," a popular one-coin donburi featuring seafood marinated in a special sauce.

Delicious Otaru Kaisen-don - Otaru Sightseeing ⑨

Manjiro

A diner run by a married couple on Sakaimachi Dori shopping street.

A diner run by a married couple on Sakaimachi Dori shopping street, a famous tourist spot located a 5-minute walk from Otaru Canal. They continue to offer hearty set meals with the motto "Delicious and Affordable!" for local customers. It has also gained popularity among tourists through word of mouth. Their recommended dish is the kaisen-don, topped with sweet shrimp, squid, and salmon, served with a homemade sesame sauce. The spicy tuna donburi, made with red tuna mixed with a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce, is also highly recommended. The generous serving of rice is a welcome bonus.

UNGAPLUS

Good fortune from Otaru, the city of shipping...
May good luck be on your side, following the preserved currents.

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

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

The story of Otaru, which walked hand in hand with the Kitamaebune, from this very place.

We await your visit, offering a selection of unique original items that also make delightful souvenirs.

"UNGAPLUS" Details here