Founded in Hakodate, it has expanded to Honshu. This popular restaurant, which continues to promote the appeal of high-quality Hokkaido seafood, has finally made its first foray into the fiercely competitive conveyor belt sushi market of Sapporo. This restaurant is known for its large, meaty toppings and a variety of original dishes. We will delve into the particular taste that has tourists lining up to try it.

Modern interior with blue lighting

Kantaro opened its first store in Hakodate in 1998. Since expanding into Aomori Prefecture in 2007, it has opened stores in various prefectures in the Tohoku region. It has also opened stores in Tokyo and Osaka, and in 2022, it expanded to Sapporo. It actively incorporates fresh seafood from Hakodate, and each piece of sushi is made with a perfect balance of large toppings and small rice. The lively atmosphere, where craftsmen make each piece one by one at the counter, is also well-known.

"Kaiman-Zanmai" 1,064 yen. From the left, raw scallops, live surf clams, and live whelks

Every morning, we purchase live whelks and surf clams from Hokkaido with their shells still attached, cook them in the store, and serve them freshly shucked. Because the price of shellfish is directly related to their freshness, the plump, firm flesh has very little of the characteristic sea smell, and is irresistibly chewy and naturally sweet.

"Homemade pickled mackerel" 286 yen. We are particular about using domestic mackerel, and the fish is carefully selected.

"Homemade marinated mackerel" is also a popular dish. They only use mackerel with a fat content of 20% or more, and they change the amount of salt and vinegar depending on the thickness of the fish and the season. The mackerel is caught when it is at its fattiest, and then flash-frozen in alcohol at -30°C. This allows them to provide the highest quality all year round while maintaining its freshness.

When it comes to sushi, the indispensable "red tuna" is 539 yen.

The rice is made with Hokkaido "Fukkuriinko" rice as a base, blended to go well with sushi. The mixed vinegar is an original sushi vinegar made by mixing brewed vinegar with kelp stock, and is characterized by its mild acidity and gentle umami flavor. The nigiri is served at body temperature, not too hot or too cold, creating an exquisite balance with the cold toppings.

"Flounder and green onion sushi" is a rare dish in Hokkaido, 396 yen

One of the attractions of Hakotaro is that it offers unusual toppings such as cod roe marinated in honey and rare raw salmon farmed in Hakodate. The sushi with green onions, which is not very common in Hokkaido, is served in a unique style wrapped in flounder meat instead of seaweed, using green onion sushi procured from Kyomaruen, a farm in Shizuoka Prefecture. Many people become addicted after trying it once, and each menu item has its own fans.

"Kantamusume" 396 yen. The refreshing sweetness is perfect after a meal.

Kantaro also puts effort into creating original menu items. A favorite among people of all ages and genders is the "Kanta Musume," vanilla ice cream topped with hot pumpkin. The ice cream is made by the extremely popular Hakodate Milk company, known to all Hakodate residents, and the pumpkin is steamed and then cream is added to make a smooth paste. The contrast between hot and cold is exquisite, and the refreshing, gentle sweetness is irresistible.

Assistant manager Tomokazu Kuwahara is originally from Hakodate, and he pours his love for his hometown into every sushi dish.

Other luxurious dishes include the "Hakota Roll" (242 yen), a thick roll of salmon, egg, cucumber, etc. topped with salmon roe, and the "Kaiho Kobore Maki" (638 yen), a thin roll of sushi rice only topped with a generous amount of shrimp, salmon roe, crab, cucumber, etc. "Hakotaro" competes in the fierce sushi battleground of Sapporo with its unique style and carefully selected menu.

*All prices include tax. Some products may be in limited supply depending on the weather and season. *This information was updated in July 2025 based on information current as of July 2024. Please check the official website or social media of each store for the latest information.

Gourmet conveyor belt sushi restaurant Kantaro Teine Maeda branch

■Location: 1-5 Maeda 6-jo 13-chome, Teine-ku, Sapporo ■Business hours: 11:00-21:00 (last orders 20:30) ■Closed days: Open everyday Click here for details and map information for "Gourmet Conveyor Belt Sushi Kantaro Teine Maeda Branch"

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