Nijo Market in Sapporo: A Seafood Lover’s Paradise with Over 100 Years of History
Sapporo is the prefectural capital of Hokkaido, and while the city center is lined with department stores and commercial facilities, it is characterized by lush green scenery when you move away from the center. Because you can enjoy both urban life and nature together, it is one of the most popular areas for tourism in Japan.
Surrounded by seas and with vast nature spreading within, Hokkaido allows you to enjoy both seafood and mountain delicacies, and Sapporo, the central city of Hokkaido, is known as one of Japan's leading gourmet cities.
Sapporo has restaurants of various genres, and among them, seafood using fresh marine products is particularly popular with tourists. This time, we will introduce Sapporo Nijo Market, a market where Sapporo's exquisite seafood gathers, along with its attractions.
Sapporo is Famous as an Area with Some of the Nation's Richest Marine Resources
Hokkaido is famous as an area with some of the nation's richest marine resources, and it is said to account for about 1/4 of Japan's total catch volume.
This is because Hokkaido is surrounded by three seas with different characteristics - the Sea of Japan, the Pacific Ocean, and the Sea of Okhotsk - and also has tidal boundaries where the nutrient-rich Oyashio and Kuroshio currents meet, creating ideal fishing grounds. The fact that nutrient-rich plankton that serves as fish food occurs in large quantities under the drift ice of the Sea of Okhotsk is also one of the reasons why various seafood can be caught.
There are so many restaurants in Sapporo city that mainly feature marine products caught from various locations that you'll be spoiled for choice.
Each Season Has Its Peak Fish, Allowing You to Enjoy the Most Delicious Seafood at Any Given Time
Fish have their peak seasons, and in Sapporo you can enjoy the most delicious seafood at any given time. Japan is characterized by distinct spring, summer, autumn, and winter seasons due to its location in the mid-latitude region, and Hokkaido, which is surrounded by seas, is particularly known for its abundance of seasonal fish.
Spring (March-May): Thick and sweet king crab, cherry salmon with plump flesh and rich fat, hair crab characterized by rich crab miso, etc.
Summer (June-August): Scallops with tender flesh and mild sweetness, Hokkaido shrimp with elastic texture, etc.
Autumn (September-November): Salmon with refreshing taste, Pacific saury full of fat and rich umami, smelt with distinctive aroma, etc.
Winter (December-February): Cod with no peculiar taste and protein-rich flavor, oysters with smooth texture and creamy taste, kinki (thornyhead) - a high-class fish rich in fat, etc.
Fish that have reached their peak season are loaded with fat and full of umami, allowing you to savor the ultimate taste. Rather than seasoning with condiments, we recommend eating them with simple cooking methods like grilled fish or sashimi, as you can directly taste the fish itself.
Sapporo Nijo Market, Where Fresh Seafood Gathers in Sapporo, is a Must-Check
If you want to eat delicious seafood cuisine in Sapporo, Sapporo Nijo Market, where fresh seafood gathers, is a must-check.
Sapporo Nijo Market is a long-established market with over 125 years of history, and currently about 30 stores line up. The market not only displays freshly caught seafood, but also has restaurants where you can taste exquisite seafood bowls and sushi made with that seafood, making it a popular tourist spot.
The attractive point is that it's easily accessible within walking distance from Sapporo Station and Odori Park.
Store Information:
- Address: Sapporo City, Chuo Ward, Minami 3-jo Higashi 1 Higashi 2
- Business Hours: Varies by store
- Regular Holidays: Varies by store
- Official Website: https://nijomarket.com/
Fresh Hokkaido Ingredients Famous for Their Freshness Gather Here
Fresh Hokkaido ingredients famous for their freshness gather in the market, and the seafood purchased that day is displayed closely packed at the storefronts. Looking at crabs, scallops, shrimp, and other seafood in their uncooked, freshly caught state feels like being in a mini aquarium, and you can enjoy just strolling around.
Not only do they sell seafood, but restaurants also offer sushi, rice bowls, and individual dishes made with freshly caught seafood. King crab, salmon roe, scallops, and sea urchin are Hokkaido specialties, so please try them. Fresh seafood cuisine has an unforgettable deliciousness once you taste it!
You Can Sample and Purchase Foods You Like
Source:Sapporo Tourist Association
Did you know that at Sapporo Nijo Market, you can sample foods while purchasing ingredients you like? As you stroll through the market, you'll be invited to try samples here and there. Since sampling is free, definitely respond to these invitations and try comparing various foods! When I visited the market and sampled products I was curious about at various shops, I almost got full just from the samples alone.
The shops don't only sell seafood, but also a wide range of products including Hokkaido specialty items, fruits, and vegetables. Why not sample various ingredients and choose the perfect item for yourself?
Many Processed Goods and Packaged Foods, Perfect for Souvenir Shopping
Source:Sapporo Tourist Association
Inside Sapporo Nijo Market, many processed seafood products and packaged goods are also sold. I purchased dried natural scallop adductor muscles and kelp as souvenirs for friends. Both are distinctly Japanese foods, so my cooking-enthusiast friends who received these souvenirs were very pleased. The scallop adductor muscles can be eaten as-is, not just used in cooking, making them perfect as snacks or appetizers with alcohol.
Dried processed foods can be carried at room temperature and have longer expiration dates, making them ideal for souvenirs.
When Visiting Sapporo Nijo Market, Go Before 10 AM When Products Are Fully Stocked
When visiting Sapporo Nijo Market, I recommend heading there before 10 AM when products are fully stocked. Since many people gather seeking products, you can also experience the market's unique lively atmosphere.
Additionally, restaurants open around 7 AM, so it's appealing that you can enjoy luxurious seafood dishes with exceptional freshness for breakfast. Starting your day with exquisite seafood cuisine for breakfast will surely give you a great start to your day.
If you're aiming to enter popular shops with inevitable lines or targeting limited-quantity menu items, wake up early and visit!
Must-Visit When You Come to Sapporo Nijo Market! 3 Recommended Restaurants for Excellent Seafood
From here, I'll introduce three recommended restaurants you should visit when you come to Sapporo Nijo Market, where you can enjoy excellent seafood. These shops are popular with locals too, where you can fully taste fresh seafood unique to Hokkaido.
Nijo Market Sapporo Seafood Donbe
Source:Tabelog
At Nijo Market Sapporo Seafood Donbe, you can affordably enjoy authentic seafood bowls using plenty of fresh seafood. The shop owner personally goes to the market to select the seafood used, showing such dedication that not only tourists but also locals line up for it.
I ordered the popular "Satisfaction Bowl." The bowl was piled with tuna, salmon, shrimp, scallops, salmon roe, sea urchin, and more, overflowing from the plate. When it was brought to me, I was overwhelmed by its dynamic visual impact. Not only was the appearance impressive, but the seafood also tasted delicious, and I finished it in no time.
I also recommend the "Seafood Scattered Sushi" that costs 500 yen and has been featured in magazines. It's limited quantity, so those who want to try it should line up early!
⟨Store Information⟩
- Address: 3-2-8 Minami 3-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 7:00-19:30
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 011-330-8859
- Official Website: https://www.instagram.com/donbe.sapporo.nijo.market/
OHISO
Source:Official website
At OHISO, you can enjoy various seafood dishes including popular seafood bowls, grilled seafood, sashimi, and homemade gratin. They offer over 30 types of seafood bowls using seafood purchased that day and over 20 types of grilled fish, with a reputation for allowing you to taste rare seafood unique to Hokkaido.
I ordered the additive-free saltwater Ezo purple sea urchin bowl. They source the most delicious sea urchin of the season without using myōban (an additive to preserve freshness), so you can savor the authentic taste of sea urchin. I was so absorbed in eating that I forgot my conversation with my friend. You can enjoy the sea urchin's melting texture and rich flavor in this bowl, so even a small size will leave you fully satisfied!
Since they have bowls featuring various seafood combinations, please find the perfect bowl for yourself.
⟨Store Information⟩
- Address: 3-2-8 Minami 3-jo, Chuo-ku, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat 7:30-15:30, 17:00-21:00; Sun & Holidays 7:30-16:00
- Closed: Wednesday
- Phone: 011-219-0013
- Official Website: https://ohiso.jp/
Kondo Noboru Shoten
Source:Tabelog
Kondo Noboru Shoten is a long-established seafood store that opened in 1922, featuring an attached restaurant called Sushi Dokoro Keiran where you can enjoy sushi, seafood bowls, and sashimi.
I have tried the "omakase kaisendon" (chef's choice seafood bowl) at Sushi Dokoro Keiran, which is popular among locals. When I ordered it, the toppings included 8 varieties featuring Hokkaido specialties such as tuna, salmon, ikura (salmon roe), crab, and more, piled so generously that the vinegared rice underneath was completely hidden.
All ingredients are cut to order with substantial thickness, making the dish more voluminous than it appears. The accompanying soup bowl contained crab broth infused with rich crab essence, which had an impressive presence that hardly seemed like a mere side dish.
Why not savor the flavors that have been cherished by Hokkaido locals for many years?
Store Information
- Address: 3-2-8 Minami 3-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 8:00-16:00
- Regular Holiday: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 011-241-3376
- Official Website: https://www.instagram.com/kondoshoten/?hl=ja
3 Selected High-End Sushi Restaurants Serving Exquisite Sushi Worth Visiting
Here are 3 carefully selected high-end sushi restaurants where you can experience exceptional sushi that's worth visiting at least once. All require advance reservations due to their popularity.
Sushi Miyakawa
Source:Tabelog
Sushi Miyakawa is a sushi restaurant opened in 2014 by a chef who trained at renowned Tokyo establishments. This popular restaurant has earned Michelin stars and offers only a 32,000 yen omakase course.
Their signature uni (sea urchin) rice is a luxurious creation featuring vinegared rice mixed with uni served in a small bowl, topped with an abundance of additional uni and seaweed. Their prized uni is sourced from fishing grounds nationwide, selecting the most delicious variety for each season. A single bite fills your mouth with the rich umami of uni - when I first tried it, I was stunned by the dish's exceptional quality and refinement.
Why not experience Michelin 3-star flavors in this intimate space with only 8 counter seats?
Store Information
- Address: 4-25-2-2 Kita 4-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 17:00-19:15, 19:30-TBD
- Regular Holiday: Irregular holidays
- Phone Number: 011-613-2221
- Official Website: https://www.sushi-miyakawa.com/
Sushi Shinonome
Source:Tabelog
Sushi Shinonome is a sushi restaurant where you can enjoy Edo-mae sushi (Tokyo-originated nigiri characterized by a refreshing taste using red vinegar) made abundantly with Hokkaido ingredients. The fresh ingredients, sourced from locations including the renowned Sapporo Nijo Market, ensure the highest quality for their creations.
I have experienced their omakase course featuring 19 dishes in total, including 10 pieces of sushi. Sushi Shinonome's distinctive feature is that they don't simply serve raw fish as sashimi, but add arrangements such as salt-curing, vinegar-curing, searing, and boiling. Each piece offered a different taste from the sushi I usually eat, and I was able to spend an exhilarating dining time imagining what kind of dish would come next.
For drinks, they have an extensive selection centered on Japanese sake as well as wines, so you can enjoy food and drink pairings.
Store Information
- Address: 2F, 22-2-15 Minami 1-jo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 17:00-22:00
- Closed: Thursdays
- Phone: 011-215-4144
- Official Website: https://shinonome.online/
Sushi Tanaka
Source:Tabelog
Sushi Tanaka is a sushi restaurant opened in 2017 by a chef who entered the world of sushi at age 16. The menu consists of two types: the "Omakase Course Special" with about 20 dishes and the "Omakase Course" with about 15 dishes.
The restaurant's commitment to quality is evident in every detail: they use rice that is not commercially available to the general public, soy sauce from Itoshima's Mitsuru Shoyu, and ingredients sourced directly from fishermen after the chef confirms their quality with his own eyes and palate. Many of these premium ingredients can also be found at Sapporo Nijo Market, known for its exceptional seafood selection.
What impressed me most during my meal was the tuna hand roll sushi. The umami of the tuna, the moderately sweet vinegared rice, and the seaweed with its ocean aroma blended together in my mouth, creating an exquisite taste experience. The crispy texture of the seaweed added an accent, making it impressively delicious.
Please enjoy watching the chef's skilled techniques at the counter while savoring the array of carefully crafted dishes.
Store Information
- Address: 6-1 Minami 6-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
- Business Hours: 18:00-19:30, 20:30-22:00
- Closed: Irregular holidays
- Phone: 011-215-0120
- Official Website: https://www.instagram.com/yasu.sushi_tanaka/
Explore Sapporo with a Knowledgeable Guide and Enjoy Exquisite Cuisine Beyond Seafood!
Why not explore Sapporo with a guide who knows the city inside and out and enjoy exquisite cuisine beyond seafood? The Sapporo Bar Hopping Food Tour allows you to fully enjoy bar hopping centered around "Susukino," Sapporo's popular entertainment district.
During the tour, you'll savor Hokkaido's distinctive food and drinks, including meat and seafood at restaurants recommended by your guide, finishing with either ramen or parfait. Since Hokkaido has a deeply rooted culture of eating parfait at the end of drinking parties called "shime parfé," I recommend the parfait.
Sweet treats after alcohol are exceptional! For those interested in exploring local ingredients beforehand, a visit to Sapporo Nijo Market offers an excellent opportunity to see the fresh seafood and local produce that make Hokkaido cuisine so special.
Join the tour and experience Sapporo's unique drinking culture!
Information
- Meeting Point: Susukino Station
- Tour Area: Sapporo
- Start Time: 18:00
