The food of Hokkaido is one of the northern island's biggest attractions, especially the high quality seafood caught in its cold waters and the agricultural products grown on its wide farmlands.
Seafood
Hokkaido is renowned for the high quality and freshness of its seafood, as the cold waters surrounding Japan's northernmost prefecture are ideal for fish and sea vegetation.
Within the prefecture some areas are particularly famous for a certain product, such as the uni (sea urchin) of Rishiri and Rebun. Some other highly celebrated seafood products are kani (crab), ika (squid), ikura (salmon roe) and hotate (scallops).
A popular way to sample the prefecture's famous seafood is visiting a fish market and having a donburi (rice bowl) breakfast. Typical toppings are fresh uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe), ika (squid) or a combination thereof. Popular markets include Sapporo's Nijo Market, Hakodate's Morning Market and Kushiro's Washo Market.
Dairy Products
Thanks to its expansive countryside, Hokkaido is able to support a massive dairy industry. The prefecture produces about half of the country's milk, of which about 60% is used for drinking while the rest is processed into other dairy products like butter, cheese, yoghurt and ice cream.
Dairy products from Hokkaido enjoys a very strong brand value across Japan, and many butter and milk packages prominently advertise their ties to the northern prefecture.
Inside Hokkaido, travelers may notice that dairy products are used in dishes more often than elsewhere in the country. For instance, ramen is frequently served with a slice of butter on top. And one of the most popular local souvenirs are butter cookie sandwiches, which consist of two cookies with butter and raisins in the middle.
Produce
As with dairy products, Hokkaido is able to support extensive farming thanks to its large size, relatively small population and favorable soil and climate.
For example, it produces almost ten times as much wheat as any other prefecture. Among other farm products readily associated with Hokkaido are potatoes, corn, onions and melons.
Ramen
Ramen is a noodle soup dish that has its origins in China, but was imported to Japan during the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and then Japanized. It is popular throughout the country, but is also well known as a specialty of Hokkaido.
The soup base, noodles and toppings used for ramen vary across Japan, and even within Hokkaido there are variations between the regions. While Sapporo is known for its miso based broths, salt based broths are more common in Hakodate and soya sauce based ones in Asahikawa.
Like in the rest of the country, ramen shops are among the most numerous types of restaurants, found across cities and along major roads. Tourists can find an entire collection of ramen shops in the Ramen Village in Asahikawa or the Ramen Yokocho in Sapporo.
Genghis Khan (Jingisukan)
Named after the man who founded the Mongol Empire in the early 13th century, Genghis Khan is a dish consisting of meat (usually mutton) and vegetables cooked on a dome shaped metal grill in the middle of the table. The meat is usually dipped in a shoyu based sauce and eaten right off the grill.
Genghis Khan can be enjoyed at specialized restaurants across Hokkaido. One of the best places to enjoy it is the atmospheric beer hall at the Sapporo Beer Museum.
Beer
Beer has become the most popular alcoholic beverage in Japan since it was introduced from Germany in the beginning of the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Sapporo Beer, one of the first and most popular beer brands in Japan, was founded in Hokkaido and dates back to the opening of Japan's first brewery in 1876.
Travelers can learn about the history of beer in Hokkaido at the Sapporo Beer Museum, and enjoy a beer tasting afterwards. Beer tastings can also be enjoyed at a small tasting bar at the Sapporo Factory shopping center, the former site of the original brewery.
Set 6.5 km from Sapporo Station, 10 km from Shin-Sapporo Station and 24 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center, Guesthouse OYADO SAPPORO offers accommodation situated in Sapporo. Featuring a bar, the 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Otaru Station is 40 km from the guest house and Susukino Station is 4 km away. Each unit comes with a safety deposit box and some rooms come with city views. There is a coffee shop and lounge. Sapporo Dome is 4.7 km from the guest house, while Sapporo TV Tower is 4.9 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 14 km from Guesthouse OYADO SAPPORO.
Well located in the Sapporo City Centre district of Sapporo, The Base Sapporo Susukino is located 13 km from Shin-Sapporo Station, 20 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 36 km from Otaru Station. Each accommodation at the 3-star hotel has city views and free WiFi. The property is 2.7 km from Sapporo Station, and within 700 metres of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. At The Base Sapporo Susukino each room has bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Susukino Station, Odori Park and Odori Station. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 9 km from The Base Sapporo Susukino.
Shabby House is a 60-year old traditional Japanese home that is situated in Sapporo. Nishisenjuyojo Station is a 3-minute walk away from the property. The accommodation offers a free shuttle service to the home upon prior request. Shabby House features free WiFi. Guests will find a coffee machine in the room. Bathroom facilities are shared. Free bicycle and umbrella rentals are available on site. There is a 24-hour supermarket behind the property. Sapporo Clock Tower is 2.9 km from Shabby House, while Former Hokkaido Government Office is 2.9 km from the property. Shabby House is 2.5 km from Odori Park. The nearest airport is New Chitose Airport, 40 km from the property.
Ocho Guest House is located within a 10-minute walk to Horohirabashi subway station and a 5-minute walk from Nakajimakoen Dori tram station. The dormitory rooms are furnished with simple yet stylish interior, and guests have access to the shared kitchen. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. Bunk beds come with reading lights, USB ports, power outlets, personal lockers and curtains to secure privacy. Bathroom facilities are shared with other guests. The kitchen is equipped with an electric kettle, toaster and a coffee maker. There is also a washing machine on site. A simple breakfast consisting of toast, coffee and tea is provided for free. The lively Susukino area can be reached with a 10-minute tram ride, while popular attractions including Odori Park and Sapporo Clock Tower are a 10-minute drive away. The nearest airport is New Chitose Airport, a 60-minute drive from the property.
VILLA KOSHIDO kotoni is situated in Sapporo, 15 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 17 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. With free WiFi, this 2-star hotel offers a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk. The property is non-smoking and is set 5.1 km from Sapporo Station. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a bidet. The units feature a wardrobe. Otaru Station is 31 km from VILLA KOSHIDO kotoni, while Former Hokkaid? Government Office is 5 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 8 km from the accommodation.
Featuring 1-star accommodation, Sapporo Guest House ˆÁ Anne is set in Sapporo, 14 km from Sapporo Station and 25 km from Otaru Station. The air-conditioned accommodation is 7.7 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center, and guests can benefit from complimentary WiFi and private parking available on site. The accommodation offers a housekeeping service and bicycle parking for guests. At the guest house, the units have a shared bathroom. There is a coffee shop on-site. Skiing is possible within the area and the guest house offers ski storage space. Shin-Sapporo Station is 26 km from Sapporo Guest House ˆÁ Anne, while Kita-Juni-Jo Station is 13 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 16 km from the accommodation.
Offering quiet street views, BEACH AND FIELD INN is an accommodation set in Sapporo, 3.9 km from Sapporo Station and 10 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. This 2-star guest house offers luggage storage space and a shared lounge. Sapporo Convention Centre is 1 km from the guest house and Naebo Station is 1.5 km away. With a shared bathroom fitted with a bidet and slippers, units at the guest house also feature free WiFi. At the guest house, units are fitted with bed linen and towels. Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 22 km from the guest house, while Otaru Station is 38 km from the property. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 8 km from BEACH AND FIELD INN.
Offering quiet street views, Pirka Sapporo is an accommodation located in Sapporo, 2.7 km from Sapporo Station and 12 km from Shin-Sapporo Station. Featuring a shared lounge, the 1-star guest house has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a shared bathroom. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. At the guest house, all units have a tatami. At the guest house, all units are fitted with bed linen and towels. Otarushi Zenibako City Center is 22 km from the guest house, while Otaru Station is 38 km away. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 5 km from Pirka Sapporo.
Conveniently located in the Sapporo City Centre district of Sapporo, Hotel Classe Stay Sapporo is set 12 km from Shin-Sapporo Station, 21 km from Otarushi Zenibako City Center and 37 km from Otaru Station. With a shared lounge, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is 2.7 km from Sapporo Station, and within 1 km of the city centre. All guest rooms come with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a desk. At the hotel all rooms include bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near Hotel Classe Stay Sapporo include Susukino Station, Sapporo TV Tower and Odori Station. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 9 km from the accommodation.
ONSEN RYOKAN Yuen Sapporo features a sauna and a hot spring bath, as well as air-conditioned accommodation in the centre of Sapporo, 1.8 km from Sapporo Station. This 3-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. Every unit comes with a kettle, a flat-screen TV and free WiFi, while certain rooms are fitted with a balcony and some have city views. At the ryokan, each unit is fitted with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Former Hokkaid? Government Office, Odori Park and Odori Station. The nearest airport is Okadama Airport, 9 km from ONSEN RYOKAN Yuen Sapporo.