Located right off National Route 230, Kitakitai is well-known for its easy access by car. It is also a popular restaurant in Asahikawa and Chitose, and is known for its rare ingredients, which it uses to connect with fishing ports around the country, and the freshness of its ingredients, which can only be achieved by having them delivered directly from the source.

Look for the red sign. There is a private parking lot with space for 25 cars.

Kitakitai is a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant brand operated by W Corporation, which also operates the yakiniku restaurant Bluestar and the tonkatsu specialty restaurant Katsukichi. They offer fresh seasonal ingredients sourced from fishing ports throughout Hokkaido. While popular in Asahikawa and Chitose, they made their debut in Sapporo in 2024.

In addition to sushi, they offer a wide variety of side dishes such as octopus zangi, homemade chawanmushi, and seafood tempura. In the conveyor belt sushi industry, which has seen prices soar in recent years, they offer high-quality sushi at reasonable prices, hoping to make it enjoyable for families.

The store manager, Takumi Takahashi, has 10 years of experience as a craftsman, and says, "We want to offer high-quality products because they are found everywhere."

They have a network of brokers in various regions, and they have an expert eye for freshly caught seafood. They deliver directly from the source, so it doesn't take long to get to the store. They also specialize in pre-processing perishable organs and other items locally, minimizing the loss of freshness. With the motto of "good quality at a good price," the brokers carefully select the best seafood at the time. It's also fun to wait until you come to the store to find out what the recommendation of the day is.

"Shiraoi Beef Seared Sushi" (638 yen). Premium taste using rare Zabuton cuts.

The regular menu includes not only bluefin tuna, but also hand-peeled sweet shrimp from Haboro, and homemade marinated mackerel made from cold mackerel at their most fatty, all of which are appealing. The "Shikotsu Lake Chip (Himemasu)" is delivered directly from the Lake Shikotsu Fisheries Association. After persistent negotiations with local businesses, they are apparently the only conveyor belt sushi restaurant allowed to deliver directly. With overwhelming freshness, this is a premium dish that can only be enjoyed here.

"Lake Shikotsu Chip" 506 yen. Himemasu, a type of sockeye salmon that spends its entire life in freshwater.

"Hokkaido Daisetsu Raw Salmon" 506 yen. If you imagine it to be a traditional salmon, you might be surprised.

Kitakitai's salmon, a conveyor-belt sushi staple, is a little different. Their Hokkaido Daisetsu Raw Salmon is domestically raised using underground water from Mount Daisetsu in Asahikawa. The fresh fat has almost no distinctive odor, and the meat is firm and rich.

What's more, the restaurant is also surprising in that it has a selection of attractive fish from all over Hokkaido, including "Nemuro Kinki" purchased directly from Nemuro, a city known for its high-quality fishing grounds, and "Hachikaku" nigiri, a specialty of southern Hokkaido, garnished with crispy fried skin.

"Hokkaido Hakkoku" - a white fish with a rich, sweet fat, 418 yen

"Shirayaki eel" aged for 10 days to lock in the delicious flavor, 638 yen

Luxurious three-item "Gunkan Yamato" 880 yen

Kitakitai also offers sake that pairs well with fish. They have rare brands like "Bijofu Kome Ichibu Sake Itteki" and "Ura-Gasanryu Kouka," and you can order by the glass for a casual enjoyment. They also have a wide variety of three-piece sets that allow you to enjoy several different types of sushi on one plate, such as "Kai Zanmai," which lets you savor the freshness of shellfish, and "Gunkan Yamato," which includes raw sea urchin, salmon roe, and snow crab. Many people combine these to enjoy a slightly luxurious "drink at a sushi restaurant."

"Hokkaido Shellfish Feast" 638 yen. A plate of Hokkaido's classic shellfish, including surf clams, whelks, and scallops!

*All prices include tax. Ingredients may change depending on the season and day. *Menus and prices are current as of July 2025. Please check the official website or social media of each store for the latest information.

Conveyor belt sushi restaurant Kitakitai Yamahana branch

■Location: 1-18 Minami 19-jo Nishi 11-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo ■ Business hours: 11:00-21:00 ■Closed: Open daily Click here for details and maps of "Kaiten Sushi Kitakitai Yamahana Branch"

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