10 Best Places To Eat In Otaru

1. Masa Zushi

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Located on Otaru’s “sushi street”, Masa Zushi has been in business for over 70 years being one of the oldest and most well established in the city. For years they have protected the tradition of sushi making and ensure only the best quality ingredients are put into the meals. Chef Nakamura ensures that every November, they carefully select over 300 kg worth of tuna taken from the Atlantic ocean to ensure they are able to serve it all year round. The sweetness and tenderness of the tuna as well as how it melts in your mouth will leave you speechless. This is an absolutely must try for the sushi lovers out there!

Masa Zushi

Address: 1 Chome-1-1 Hanazono, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0024, Japan

Website: Masa Zushi

Opening hours: Thu - Tue: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 8pm

2. Ramen Shodai

Ramen Shodai was established way back in the year 1994. The restaurant has been passed down through generations of family. Their ramen broth is known as “soy sauce” soup, and it takes one month to prepare in order to ensure the rich and deep flavor the restaurant is proud of. The flavor that has not been altered since it’s establishment. Come give it a try yourself and taste years of tradition.

Ramen Shodai

Address: 14-8 Sumiyoshi Cho, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0015, Japan

Website: Ramen Shodai

Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 11am - 7pm (closed on Tue)

3. Kukizen

This restaurant will surely open your eyes to flavors you didn’t think possible and take your sushi experience to new heights. Otaru, being a port town, has an abundance of seafood. Kukizen is sure to provide you the best seasonal seafood from the sea of Hokkaido.

Everything on offer is masterfully prepared and served on nice cool glassware made in Otaru.Enjoy your sushi as the light from outside pours into the intimate shop through the big glass windows. Kukizen is not a two-Michelin-star restaurant for nothing. It is an absolute must for sushi lovers.

Kukizen

Address: Japan, 〒047-0025 Hokkaido, Otaru, Shinonomecho, 2−２番４号 ヴィスタ東雲

Website: Kukizen

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 9:30pm; Mon: 11am - 3pm (closed on Tue)

4. Yabuhan Soba

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Yabuhan Soba is a classic Japanese-style restaurant. The interior is beautifully decorated with paper lanterns and there are even tatami tables. The Soba is made from the restaurants own homegrown buckwheat flour from their very own farm. The customers have the option of ordering the 100% Japanese buckwheat flour for their noodles or the cheaper option of the half imported flour.

Once you order, the staff dressed in beautiful Kimonos and traditional Japanese wear will bring you your order in just around 20 minutes. The Soba is cooked to perfection with just the right amount of chewiness. If you love Soba, this place is perfect for you.

Yabuhan Soba

Address: Japan, 〒047-0032 Hokkaido, Otaru, Inaho, 2 Chome−19−14 静屋通り

Website: Yabuhan Soba

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 8pm (closed on Tue)

5. Minshuku Aotsuka Shokudou

Minshuku Aotsuka Shokudou is a cafeteria-style restaurant that also serves as a guest house. These kinds of restaurants were popular back in the 1970s and 1980s. This place serves a variety of set meals, as well as premium items that are a bit pricier than usual, such as the Abalone which costs around 60 USD.

The ingredients is guaranteed to be fresh such as their grilled Herring, which they purchase same day and the servings are very large and worth the price. Just a tip to be mindful of: they don’t accept credit cards.

Minshuku Aotsuka Shokudou

Address: 3 Chome-210 Shukutsu, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0047, Japan

Website: Minshuku Aotsuka Shokudou

Opening hours: 10am 8pm (daily)

6. Naruto Honten

You cannot leave Otaru without visiting Naruto Honten. Naruto Honten is a nice little traditional Japanese restaurant. But, what is special about Naruto Honten is aside from their delicious offerings, they are home to Otaru’s famous fried chicken.

Although there are different branches such as the Sapporo branch, locals agree none can compare to the captivating flavors of the original branch in Otaru. What started as an Okonomiyaki shopback in 1957 has grown to be known by some as one of Otaru’s treasures. Be sure to try their Hanashinage chicken.

Naruto Honten

Address: 3 Chome-16-13 Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0032, Japan

Website: Naruto Honten

Opening hours: 11am - 8:30 pm (daily)

7. Yoshi

The chef and owner, Nishimori Yoshiyuki, has been a sushi chef for over 30 years. The ingredients are carefully selected and prepared by Nishimori himself. They use ingredients caught along the shores of Hokkaido and ensure quality food for all the customers. Aside from sushi, the restaurant also serve grilled dishes, appetizers and things to snack on while you’re drinking. A nice quiet and intimate little place for you to visit and enjoy quality food.

Yoshi

Address: 1 Chome-10-９ Ironai, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0031, Japan

Website: Yoshi

Opening hours: Mon - Wed, Fri: 5:30pm - 10pm; Sat & Sun: 11:30am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 10:30pm (closed on Thu)

8. Uomasa

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you love unagi or in english, eel, Uomasa is the place you wanna visit. They greatly pride themselves in their specially made live eel called Tokuchukatsuman. All the eels they cook are completely domestic and grown in-house.

From the moment you place your order, it may take a minimum of 40 minutes to prepare your dish. This is due to the fact that once you place your order, the live eel will be cut up and prepared for you to ensure maximum freshness. You may enjoy the delicious appetizers while you wait.

Uomasa

Address: 2 Chome-5-11 Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0032, Japan

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 2pm, 4pm - 9pm (closed on Sun)

9. il Piatto Nuovo

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you are looking to try some fusion food, then il Piatto Nuovo is perfect for you. This is not your everyday Japanese restaurant. This establishment is home to chefs who have been trained in various parts of Italy. They utilize the freshest of ingredients that you can find in Hokkaido and combine concepts of Japanese and Italian cooking to bring forth very unique creations. Definitely for those who want to try a little twist on Japanese cuisine.

il Piatto Nuovo

Address: 2-3 Shinonmecho, Otaru 047-0026, Hokkaido, Japan

Opening hours: Sun: 9am - 10pm; Mon - Tue: 11:30am - 3pm, 5pm - 10pm; Thu - Sat: 11:30am - 3pm, 5pm - 3pm (closed on Wed)

10. Ramen Tokaiya

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

They say what makes the ramen is the soup. If the soup is rich in flavor, it will perfectly tie all the ingredients together. Ramen Tokaiya does that absolutely perfectly! The ramen at Ramen Tokaiya is not only your traditional Japanese ramen but it has a twist.

The head chef had studied French cuisine and is able to seamlessly infuse concepts and inspiration from both French and Japanese cuisine. He uses selected ingredients to achieve flavors that give the dish a rich flavor. So, be sure to get yourself a bowl. You’re guaranteed to be slurping in pure happiness the whole meal.

Ramen Tokaiya

Address: 3 Chome-7-14 Inaho, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0032, Japan

Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 12pm - 8:30 pm (closed on Tue)

Enlighten your taste buds

Japanese cuisine has continuously evolved throughout the years. The dishes, flavors, ingredients, and more may vary depending on what part of Japan you are in but one thing is for sure, if you ever find yourself on the island of Hokkaido, you have to pay a visit to Otaru. It is considered to be one of Japan’s key sushi places.