Hey there! Enjoying your time in Sapporo? Since you’ve come all the way to Sapporo, the capital of the north, I really want you to eat lots of delicious food. Especially sushi! I bet you have that image, right? “Hokkaido means sushi!”
Today, I want to talk honestly about the charm of “kaitenzushi” (conveyor belt sushi) – the kind of place locals like me go to regularly. It might be in the guidebooks, but let me give you the real local scoop.
So, What Exactly is “Kaitenzushi”?
“Wait, the sushi goes around?” some of you might be thinking. Yep, literally! It’s a style of sushi restaurant where plates of sushi circle around the seating area on a conveyor belt.
You just grab the plates with the sushi you want as they pass by. Simple, right? The price is determined by the color or pattern of the plate, and when you’re done, the staff counts your plates to calculate the bill.
Lately, ordering via touch screens has become pretty standard. When you order this way, the sushi chef might hand it to you directly, or at some places, it might arrive at your seat on a special express lane (sometimes shaped like a mini Shinkansen bullet train, which is pretty fun!). It’s hygienic, and you get freshly made sushi, so many people might prefer this method.
Also, while it’s not at every single restaurant, some places have a slot at your seat where you can deposit your finished plates. For every certain number of plates, a little game might start on the screen, and if you win, you get a small toy (like from a gacha capsule machine!). This is especially popular with families. Having this entertainment aspect is one of the fun things about kaitenzushi.
Sapporo Locals’ Top 3 “Best Bets” for Kaitenzushi!
Sapporo has tons of kaitenzushi chains, but among locals, there’s a sort of “Big Three” that everyone knows you can count on.
- Kaiten Sushi TORITON (回転寿し トリトン)
- Official Site (English Available)
- Known for the freshness and generous size of their sushi toppings (neta). It’s always lively and popular. This is my personal favorite!
- Nagoyakatei (なごやか亭)
- Official Site (English available via tab)
- Characterized by its energetic atmosphere with lively calls from the staff. They have fun menu items too, like “kobore ikura” (overflowing salmon roe). (It seems you can switch the page language using a tab on their site!)
- Nemuro Hanamaru (根室花まる)
- Official Site (English available)
- As the name suggests, it originated in Nemuro, in eastern Hokkaido. They pride themselves on fresh seafood, especially catches from the nearby Nemuro waters. It’s conveniently located in the JR Sapporo Station building (Stellar Place), which is a plus.
All three of these are top-notch, and it’s hard to say which is definitively “best.” Honestly, when Sapporo locals think, “Let’s get some tasty sushi,” these are probably the places that come to mind first.
Counter Sushi vs. Kaitenzushi? A Local’s Honest Take…
Of course, Sapporo also has many high-end counter sushi restaurants, including Michelin-starred ones. Those places are truly exceptional. You’ll encounter artistic, mind-blowing pieces made with the absolute best ingredients. For a special occasion or when you really want to savor the finest quality, those restaurants are definitely worth it.
However… for everyday dining, or when you just want to casually eat your fill of delicious sushi, I think you’ll often find more satisfaction at one of the top-tier kaitenzushi places I mentioned earlier, considering the value.
【A Real Local’s Perspective / 地元民からの本音】 Let me be frank – and this is something my friends in Tokyo and I often talk about – sometimes when you go to a decent, mid-range counter sushi place in Tokyo, you might find yourself thinking, “Huh… maybe Toriton back in Sapporo was actually better?” Of course, Tokyo’s absolute peak sushi is incredible, but comparing typical price points, the quality you get at Sapporo’s top kaitenzushi chains is just that good! This isn’t just my opinion; my friends within Hokkaido and acquaintances living in Tokyo all say the same thing, so I’m pretty confident about it.
My personal top pick is Toriton. I love how fresh and large the toppings are, and the lively atmosphere. Whenever friends visit from Tokyo, it’s become a habit to go there together, usually because they request it (haha).
Kaitenzushi: An Everyday Luxury
Being able to casually decide, “Hey, let’s go for sushi tonight!” even when it’s not a special day, and enjoy delicious sushi easily – I think that’s a really wonderful thing. Getting high-quality seafood at reasonable prices… having these kinds of places nearby is definitely one of the things I appreciate most about living in Sapporo.
It’s not just sushi, either. They usually have a great selection of side dishes like miso soup (the ones with fish scraps or crab are amazing!), chawanmushi (savory steamed egg custard), and even desserts. Think soft-serve ice cream made with Hokkaido milk, or tasty puddings. So, even if someone in your group isn’t a huge sushi fan, they can still enjoy themselves.
Maybe One Small Thing to Note?
Because these places are so popular, they often get very crowded, especially during peak meal times like lunch and dinner on weekends. Waiting for an hour isn’t uncommon. It’s proof that they’re good, though!
If you dislike waiting, I’d recommend trying to go during off-peak hours – maybe around 11 AM for lunch, or an early dinner around 5 PM, or even later, after 8:30 PM. You might still have to wait, but it should be a bit better. (※Please remember that wait times can vary greatly depending on the day and the specific branch, so treat this just as a rough guide. It’s best to go with plenty of time!)
Conclusion: Definitely Try Kaitenzushi in Sapporo!
So, what do you think? Did I manage to convey some of the appeal of Sapporo’s kaitenzushi? Fresh toppings, reasonable prices, a lively atmosphere, and most importantly, delicious taste! I really hope all you travelers from overseas get to experience this wonderful food culture.
You really can’t go wrong with the top three I mentioned. Make sure to add kaitenzushi to your list of delicious Sapporo memories!
