The 10 unmissable restaurants in Hakodate, Hokkaido, June 2019 Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Nov 15 2023

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

The 10 unmissable restaurants in Hakodate, Hokkaido, June 2019

Planning a trip to Hokkaido and looking for something specific to eat? There are plenty of restaurants to suit every tastes. Discover the best places to eat here, from traditional meal and quintessentially comfort food to western-style dishes and varied ethnic cuisine.

See full listings of Japanese Cuisine restaurants found in and around Hakodate.

1. Teppanyaki VUE MER

Enjoy a sophisticated meal in VUE MER's elegant, glass-walled space, located on the 8th floor of Hakodate Kokusai Hotel. Committed to using local produce, this restaurant serves both steak and seafood. Options include Kuroge Wagyu (a type of high-quality beef) raised in Hokkaido and locally-caught ezo-abalone prepared teppanyaki style (ingredients grilled on an iron griddle). [Garlic Rice], with a fragrant aroma of soy sauce and garlic, is the perfect accompaniment to teppanyaki. Both courses and a la carte menus are available, so feel free to choose the options that fit your preferences. All tables are counter seating, so you can enjoy the chef's performance unfolding before your eyes. This restaurant is perfect for dates or celebrations, as well as entertaining, business meals, or even as a special treat for yourself.

Teppanyaki VUE MER

Open: [Lunch] 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / [Dinner] 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 10,800 JPY / [Lunch] 4,000 JPY
Access: Alight at [Shiyakusho-Mae Station] or [Uoichiba-Dori Station] and head towards Hakodate Port
Address: 8F, West Building, Hakodate Kokusai Hotel, 5-10, Otemachi, Hakodate city, Hokkaido Map
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2. Hakodate Dining Gaya

This restaurant handpicks select fresh fish every day. [Sashimi plate of the day] features an assortment of 12 varieties of seafood available only in Hakodate for the ultimate seafood plate-for an excellent price. A super-popular specialty: superb in both volume and quantity. This restaurant's popular cooked fish dishes feature fresh seafood such as broadfin thornyhead, sablefish, flounder, and more. They also offer salt-crusted grilled white-edged rockfish. Their salt-crusted grilled dishes are limited offerings and very popular, so they sell out quickly! They want all the customers to enjoy a pleasant-and delicious-time at their restaurant. This restaurant is perfect for those who wish to enjoy Hakodate's freshest seafood, locals, and tourists alike. They also have English-speaking employees on staff, providing a comfortable experience for diners from both home and abroad.

Hakodate Dining Gaya

Open: [Opening hours] 17:00 - 00:00 (last order 23:00). The above hours may vary depending on the season. / Lunch 11:30 - 14:30 (last order 14:00)
Closed: -
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY
Access: A 2-minute walk from the west exit of JR Hakodate station. When facing Mt. Hakodate from the west exit, you will see the restaurant sign. Hakodate Morning Market Area entrance.
Address: 9-14 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido Map
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3. Hakodate Kaisenryori Kaikobo

They stick to the basics with a commitment to freshness and make sure both hot dishes and cold dishes are served at their best temperature. They are committed to cooking with live ingredients, which includes sashimi (raw fish slices) of course, but their baked dishes are also prepared with live ingredients. For instance, their live squid is baked over charcoal and served piping hot while still sizzling on the griddle! This gem of a dish allows you to enjoy squid's flavor at the highest level, and even better, it features a special sauce made with fresh squid intestines. Live squid from Hakodate and live crab are their mainstays, but you will also find many other kinds of fish and shellfish in the huge water tank! When you come to dine, you can enjoy browsing their huge water tank that extends from inside to outside and choosing your preferred seafood selection. Their spacious restaurant is perfect for every scene, whether it be with family and friends, or for tour stops and banquets. They invite you to enjoy their delicious menu prepared with the finest cooking techniques.

Hakodate Kaisenryori Kaikobo

Open: Lunch 11:00 -14:00 (last order 13:30) / Dinner 17:00 - 23:00 (last order 22:00)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: A 3-minute walk from JR Hakodate station towards the Hakodate Asaichi Market.
Address: 11-8 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido Map
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4. Sushidokoro Kihara

In the heart of Yunokawa hot spring, [Sushi Restaurant Kihara] situated at the best location overlooking the Tsugaru Strait right in front of your eyes. In the restaurant, Aomori hiba solid plate counter creates a dignified atmosphere. On a clear day, the view of the Shimokita Peninsula creates a refreshing atmosphere. In this atmosphere, sushi is served with selected local ingredients including seafood supplied from the chef's hometown former Minami Kayabe-cho. 80% of the sushi at the restaurant is in the authentic style, but chef's creed of [local specialty sushi] creates original dishes such as gizzard shad lightly washed with vinegar and rolled with local specialty kelp. After 20 years in Hakodate, the restaurant serves Hakodate style sushi based on Edo mae style.

Sushidokoro Kihara

Open: [Weekdays except Wednesday, Weekends, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 11:30 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm) Prior booking essential
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 12,000 JPY / [Lunch] 5,000 JPY
Access: 15 minutes from JR Hakodate Station by car, 10 minutes from Hakodate Airport by car, or 10 minutes walk from Yunokawa Onsen Station on City Tram.
Address: 2-1-2, Yunokawa-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido Map
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5. Steak Kaisen Teppanyaki Kitakaze

Steak Kaisen Teppanyaki Kitakaze cuisine

Great stress has been placed on the freshness of this seafood from local coastal waters, and technique backed by experience ensures that the meat is lightly grilled and tender. The steak sirloin and filets are made using the meat of carefully-chosen cattle from Sekitani Ranch Jersey, Tomuraushi, in the center of Hokkaido. Try this delicious meat whose flavor is on par with that of Japanese Black cattle. Also, constant care and attention are given in order to offer customers a meal that matches their pace. "Steak/Seafood Teppanyaki Kitakaze" located in the "Lounge＆Bar Kitakaze." In this place for adults you can eat your fill of teppanyaki, then casually enjoy cocktails, whiskey, other spirits, and conversation at the bar corner.

Steak Kaisen Teppanyaki Kitakaze

Open: 18:00-23:30 (last order)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 7,000 JPY
Access: 15 minutes by car from JR Hakodate station. 2 minute walk from Goryokaku Koen station on the street car line. From there (Honcho intersection 6), go north on route 571 for about 100m, and it will be on your left.
Address: 5F Mitsuwa Building, 8-20 Honcho, Hakodate, Hokkaido Map
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6. Hakodate Seafood Izakaya Uomasa Goryokaku Main branch

Hakodate Seafood Izakaya Uomasa Goryokaku Main branch cuisine

[Hakodate Seafood Izakaya Uomasa Goryokaku Main branch] reopened on November 15, 2016, after being relocated and renovated as [the main branch]! 132 guests can be seated at the same time in the banquet hall. They are also well known as [a renowned restaurant for banquets]. Many guests visit to entertain their clients with various local dishes from Hakodate in a relaxing private room with horigotatsu (sunken tables). They stock vegetables, meats, and seafood directly from the producers in this area, with the motto of "local production for local consumption." They also stick to using domestic ingredients and seasonings. You will see why they are popular when trying their specialties, such as [Sashimi of Live Squid]. Please make prior reservations, as they are often full not only on weekends but also on weekdays!!

Hakodate Seafood Izakaya Uomasa Goryokaku Main branch

Open: [Monday - Thursday, Sunday, National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 0:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm) [Friday, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 1:00 am
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: 161 meters from [Goryokaku Koen-mae Station]
Address: 4-8 Honcho, Hakodate city, Hokkaido Map
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7. Marukan Gyogyobu Umigakihonten

The squid swims in tanks in the restaurant until the moment they are prepared, for extraordinary freshness. The squid's body is transparent and has a firm and tender texture. They use either spear squid or squid (common Japanese squid) depending on the season and change the cutting technique depending on the type of squid. The owner's family runs a fishing business, meaning they get the fish with extraordinary freshness from a trusted local source. Fish delivered directly from the harbor guarantees freshness and is much fresher than that from the wholesale market. They even get great feedback from people who usually dislike fish. They are able to enjoy its true taste. They butcher the fish swimming in the six tanks they have in the restaurant right in the kitchen. The squid is prepared while they are still kicking, and their flesh is still transparent. They try to inform the guests as much as possible, explaining the fish species, where they come from, and more. However, the thing they want the most is for them to have fun. Their goals are to communicate clearly and create a friendly atmosphere.

Marukan Gyogyobu Umigakihonten

Open: [Opening hours] 17:00 - 00:00
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: A 3-minute walk straight through the shopping arcade at the main (front) exit of JR Hakodate station.
Address: 6-14 Matsukaze-cho , Hakodate, Hokkaido

8. Nikuyakidokoro Hakodatesumiyahonjin

Nikuyakidokoro Hakodatesumiyahonjin cuisine

This premium yakiniku (grilled meat) platter offers two types of belly meat: marbled under-belly meat and a lighter kalbi (Korean style beef). Both are, of course, graded at A5. Savor the quality taste of the best Wagyu Japanese beef. They are very proud of the way that they meticulously select A5-graded official Wagyu. They believe that, while the preparation of yakiniku is simple, it has limitless potential. They are committed to delivering customer service that puts their guests at ease. The little extra touches that bring joy to the guests are their passion. They have endeavored to create a clean space so that customers can sample their food in an environment that reflects the quality of their ingredients. They hope that customers will use the restaurant as a venue for important events, such as dates and parties.

Nikuyakidokoro Hakodatesumiyahonjin

Open: [Saturday, Sunday, Holidays] Dinner 17:00 - 23:30 / [Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday] Dinner 17:30 - 23:30
Closed: Wednesday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY
Access: From JR Hakodate station take the Hakodate City Tram bound for Yunokawa. Get off at Goryokaku-koen station and walk for about 15 minutes.
Address: 7-24 Taya-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido

9. Morning Market Restaurant Yamasan Michishita Shoten

Morning Market Restaurant Yamasan Michishita Shoten cuisine

[Morning Market Restaurant Yamasan Michishita Shoten] is in Donburi Yokocho at Hakodate Morning Market, a popular spot among tourists from inside/outside Hokkaido. They serve seafood bowls and set meals with an abundance of fresh seafood! Their most popular menus are seafood bowls with fresh seafood from Hakodate, Hokkaido, such as squid, crab, sea urchin, and scallop. The best recommendation is [Okonomi-don] where you can select your favorite seafood toppings for your unique seafood bowl! You will surely be satisfied with the fresh seasonal ingredients selected with the expertise of a professional! They have counter seats, table seats, and horigotatsu (sunken tables) on the first and second floors. Please visit them alone, with your family or friends!

Morning Market Restaurant Yamasan Michishita Shoten

Open: [Spring Time] Lunch 6:00 am - 2:00 pm , Dinner 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm / [Winter Time] Lunch 7:00 am - 2:00 pm , Dinner: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: -
Access: 1 minute walk from JR Hakodate Station, towards the direction of the Morning Market
Address: (In Donburi Yokocho at Hakodate Morning Market) 9-15 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate, Hokkaido

10. Hakodate Morning Market Sakaeya Shokudo

Hakodate Morning Market Sakaeya Shokudo cuisine

Hakodate is renowned especially as a gourmet port town, in Hokkaido. [Sakaeya Shokudo] is ideal to fully enjoy savory seafood from the morning to your heart's content. This restaurant, directly operated by a seafood processing company, serves a wide variety of fresh seafood. The recommendations are [The Three Major Crabs; King, Snow, and Hairy], [Live Oysters], and two kinds of [All-You-Can-Eat Gangan-yaki for 90 Minutes] courses to fully enjoy the blessings from the sea. Also enjoy the popular [Kaisen-don (seafood bowls)] with an abundance of seafood from Hokkaido, such as sea urchin, salmon-roe, scallops, Sakhalin surf clams, and whelk. At the restaurant, you may encounter the special event such as live squid fishing during the fishing season of Pacific flying squid, as the shop holds time-limited events. They have 120 seats in total. Alone or with groups, please visit to enjoy seafood from Hokkaido.

Hakodate Morning Market Sakaeya Shokudo

Open: 6:00 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:45 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY
Access: From the nearest tram stop, walk towards the direction of Hakodate Morning Market. Pass Donburi Yokocho (alley), turn left in front of [Mitsuya Suisan], then on the right side
Address: In Hakodate Morning Market, 11-4 Wakamatsu-cho, Hakodate city, Hokkaido Map
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.