With an expansive geographical area, Hokkaido has a beautiful landscape full of flower fields, national parks and clear turquoise water bodies. But more than that, with an abundance of fresh produce, the seafood of Hokkaido is a must-have for every traveller. Along with the food, the Sapporo beer is another one of Hokkaido's specialities which needs to be experienced first-hand. Here is a trail through Hokkaido's best eats for you and the best things to eat in Hokkaido.
Hokkaido’s food is a celebration of Japan’s pristine northern bounty. Renowned for its fresh seafood like uni and crab, creamy dairy products, and rich miso ramen, it offers unmatched culinary indulgence. Seasonal produce, including melons and potatoes, highlights its agricultural excellence, while local dishes reflect the region’s distinct culture and climate. Since this is an island and aquatic resources are abundant, you will get the freshest seafood there.
If you have the means to cook, head over to the local markets and get your hands on freshly sourced King Crab, Snow Crab and a lot of different varieties of other seafood. Otherwise, head to Kani Honke Sapporo for the most delicious seafood bowls and crab specialities.
Where: 2 Chome-1-18 Kita 3 Jonishi, Chuo Ward, Sapporo
"If you are travelling to Hokkaido, you will enjoy delicious food" said Ikuya Takahashi, founder of ika/Japanese Literature Amplifier and a resident of Tokyo. "You can visit Otaru, a popular port town with more than a hundred sushi restaurants that you can enjoy."
Where: Take a train or bus north to Otaru, which will take you around an hour to reach. Kukizen and Isezushi are some of the best sushi joints in Otaru that you can explore.
Named after the Mongolian ruler Genghis Khan, the Jingisukan uses the Mongolian yakiniku style of cooking with meat which is seared on a helmet-shaped charcoal grill. The dish is completed by the addition of seasonal vegetables like cabbage and bean sprouts. The Jingisukan Daikokuya in Asahikawa is the best way to try this sumptuous main dish.
Where: 5 Chome-3 4 Nakadori 4-jodori, Asahikawa
Sapporo beer is one of the oldest beer brands in Japan, which originated in the capital city of Hokkaido. Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, after which the beer is named, has a beer museum dedicated to the beverage whose tagline reads "This is Japan's only museum dedicated to beer, which explores the long history of Sapporo Beer, passed down from the days of the 1876 Kaitakushi business."
Where: The Sapporo Beer Garden, which is 10 minutes by bus from the Sapporo station