Recommended Sushi Restaurants in Otaru, Town of Sushi, from Long-established to New Restaurants
Otaru faces the Sea of Japan, and its coastal waters are one of Hokkaido’s most abundant fishing grounds. Naturally, the city is blessed with fresh seafood, and there are about 120 sushi restaurants lining its streets.One such area is “Sushiya-dori” (Sushi Street), a cluster of renowned restaurants that attracts sushi connoisseurs from all over the country. From long-established institutions to more casual spots, here are four popular local sushi restaurants renowned for their artisans’ skills and high-quality ingredients.
1Otaru Sushiya Street, Nihonbashi
A famous sushi restaurant on Sushi-ya Dori where the chefs who grew up on the beach show off their skills.
Otaru is a sushi town with about 120 sushi restaurants in the city. This famous restaurant faces "Sushi-ya-dori," a street where many long-established and famous sushi restaurants are gathered. The owner, who was born and raised in a fisherman's house, and all the other craftsmen are from Otaru, Yoichi, and other areas of Otaru. He is confident that his fish connoisseurship and passion for fish is second to none. The taste of nigiri (hand-formed sushi) made with top-notch techniques using seasonal ingredients from the waters around Otaru, such as sea urchin, salmon roe, hokki, and squids, is exceptional. You can enjoy the delicacies of the northern sea.
The lively atmosphere typical of a seaside town and the personality of the proprietress are also attractive.
In addition to omakase (hand-rolled sushi) and nigiri of your choice, we also offer a wide variety of kaisendon (rice bowls with fresh seafood) and set menus. A la carte dishes that take a little extra effort to prepare the freshest seafood are also available. The chef's workmanship will arouse your expectations for a gastronomic experience, and the personality of the proprietress, whose attentive and thoughtful service will make you happy. In addition to the counter and table seating on the first floor, the spacious restaurant is equipped with banquet rooms on the second and third floors. It is one of the larger restaurants on Sushi-ya-dori, where you can relax and enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the local people.
Local Guide
Supporters
For those who want to enjoy nigiri, a la carte dishes, and dessert, we recommend our various set menus.
- Otaru Sushi-ya Dori Nihonbashi
-
1-1-4 Inaho, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido MAP
15 min. walk from JR Otaru Station
11:00 AM–3:00 PM (Last Order 2:30 PM), 5:00 PM–8:30 PM (Last Order 8:00 PM)
1st and 3rd Wednesdays, Thursdays (occasional closing)
0134-33-3773
Free of charge
2Otaru Take no Sushi
Enjoy the fresh taste of sushi at a reasonable price!
A sushi restaurant located on Sakaimachi-dori, Otaru’s main tourist street. The chef sources ingredients fresh every morning at the market—including seafood caught in the waters near Otaru and along the Hokkaido coast—and the rice is a blend that highlights Hokkaido-grown rice. The nigiri selection includes individual pieces, as well as sets named after Hokkaido locations, such as “Otaru Nigiri”“Sapporo Nigiri,” and “Hakodate Nigiri.”
The menu also features a wide variety of seafood bowls, with the most popular being the “Ainori Don,” where you can choose three toppings of your choice from about 20 options, including salmon roe, scallops, tuna, and sweet shrimp. You can enjoy the exceptional flavor of the freshest ingredients at a reasonable price.
Enjoy the retro-modern atmosphere and conversation with the owner
Renovated from the "old Nakayama warehouse house" built in the early Taisho period (1912-1926), the restaurant has a retro-modern atmosphere, with counter and table seating on the first floor and tables that can accommodate about 20 people at a time on the second floor. The owner has been a sushi chef for 30 years, having honed his skills at a long-established sushi restaurant nearby and opened his own restaurant 10 years ago. He has been a sushi chef for 30 years. His motto is "dining should be fun," and he places great importance on communication with customers. Sushi restaurants tend to be intimidating, but there is no need to worry at this restaurant. The conversation with the friendly owner is part of the experience.
Local Guide
Supporters
Both nigiri and kaisendon are reasonably priced, and the restaurant has an easygoing atmosphere. You can casually enjoy sushi while strolling the streets of Sakaimachi-dori.
- Takeno-zushi
-
- 2-22 Sakai-cho, Otaru-shi, Hokkaido MAP
- About a 10-minute walk from JR Minami-Otaru Station
About a 15-minute walk from JR Otaru Station - 11:00 AM–4:00 PM, 5:00 PM–9:00 PM (Last order at 8:00 PM) *May close early if ingredients run out
- Thursdays
December 31st: Take-out by reservation only - 0134-25-1505
- No parking (use nearby toll parking)
3Sushidokoro Hamaya
The master chef carefully selects the best ingredients and techniques.
The owner, who trained in Otaru, where he was born and raised, opened his own sushi restaurant in 2011. Before opening for lunch and dinner, the owner personally visits the market to purchase fresh fish, mainly from the waters around Hokkaido. At Sushidokoro Hamatani, you can enjoy seasonal items such as hokki, scallops, oysters, and salt water sea urchins, which are unique to Otaru. The skillful use of a decorative knife produces a pleasant texture and beautiful finish, and the skilled chefs' technique shines through. The rice is made from "Hoshi-no-Yume" rice produced in Hokkaido, which has excellent graininess and a well-balanced taste. The slightly smaller size of the rice enhances the texture and flavor of the fish.
Taste the best of the day's delicacies at omakase.
The restaurant is tucked away in a narrow alley near Otaru Station, creating the atmosphere of a hideout for those in the know. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, including nigiri for one and kaisendon (bowls of rice topped with seafood), but for a true taste of Hamaya Sushi Restaurant, we recommend the omakase of the day served at the polished cypress counter. The restaurant selects the best ingredients of the day and serves them in the most delicious way, such as sashimi, sake snacks, or nigiri. We also have an extensive lineup of Hokkaido's locally brewed sake and local Otaru wines. Enjoy the marriage of local production and local consumption and savor a night in Otaru that slowly fades away.
Local Guide
Supporters
From kinki sashimi and large clams steamed in sake to raw oysters from Akkeshi and sea urchin, not only are the nigiri exceptional, but the à la carte dishes are also truly outstanding.
- Sushi Restaurant Hamaya
-
- 2-10-3 Inaho, Otaru City, Hokkaido MAP
- 3 minutes walk from JR Otaru Station
- 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5:30 PM–9:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 0134-33-2323
- No parking (use nearby toll parking)
4Sushi-dokoro Maeda
Enjoy the "unique taste" of the specialties
The owner, who trained for many years at a famous sushi restaurant in Otaru and also worked at a standing sushi restaurant in Otaru Station, opened his own restaurant in May 2022. He personally visits the market and purchases fish items with a keen eye, mainly from Hokkaido, to offer the seasonal flavors. For local customers who are accustomed to eating fresh seafood, the restaurant proposes a unique way to eat it with a little extra care. Depending on the item, black pepper may be sprinkled on it, or a dash of soy sauce may be added to the boiled-down soy sauce.
Stop by and enjoy the skill of our chefs in a casual atmosphere.
Sushi can be ordered by the piece or as a set, and the Kaisendon, a bowl of rice topped with six to eight different kinds of ingredients, and the Tokushaisendon, a bowl of rice topped with 10 different kinds of ingredients, are also popular. Sipping a glass of local Hokkaido sake with fresh sashimi before enjoying nigiri is also a sophisticated adult pleasure.
The restaurant is small, with only seven seats at the counter, but even if it is full, there is no need to worry. In the center of the Otaru Yataimura Romain Yokocho floor, where the restaurant is located, there is a common space that can be used like a food court. Stop by for a quick bite of sushi at the next party before going out for a drink or to finish up after a night of drinking. Enjoy the freshness unique to Otaru at this casual sushi restaurant where you can casually have fun in such a casual manner.
Local Guide
Supporters
Otaru Yataimura Romanyokocho is also crowded with other small izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) and yakitori (grilled chicken) restaurants. Enjoy drinking and eating with the locals.
- Sushi Restaurant Maeda
-
- 1-3-9 Inaho, Otaru City, Hokkaido, Otaru Yatai Village Roman Yokocho MAP
- Approx. 9 min. walk from JR Otaru Stn.
- 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM (Last Order: 10:00 PM) *Closes when the rice runs out
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays *May be closed on other days as well
- 080-4508-6300
- None
MAP
- Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
Local Guide who was in charge of this article
OMO5 Otaru
Otaru, Hokkaido
A boutique hotel in a renovated historical building. You can enjoy a retro trip to Otaru.
Access by bus Approx. 9 min. walk from JR Otaru Sta.
- Example of Accommodation Rates
- 1 person per night From 6,000 yen