Founded in Hakodate and expanding to Japan's main island of Honshu, this popular restaurant continues to showcase the appeal of high-quality Hokkaido seafood. Now, it has made its long-awaited debut in Sapporo, a competitive area for conveyor belt sushi. Known for its large, thick toppings and a variety of original menu items, this establishment is a hot topic. We delve into the commitment to flavor that has tourists lining up to get a taste.

A modern interior characterized by blue lighting

"Kantaro" opened its first store in Hakodate in 1998. Since expanding to Aomori Prefecture in 2007, it has successively opened stores in various prefectures in the Tohoku region. After also opening locations in Tokyo and Osaka, it finally expanded to Sapporo in 2022. The restaurant actively incorporates fresh seafood from Hakodate, creating a single piece of sushi with an exquisite balance of large toppings and smaller portions of rice. The lively atmosphere, with chefs preparing each piece one by one behind the counter, is also highly praised.

"Shellfish Trio" for 1,064 yen. From left: raw scallop, live surf clam, and live whelk.

Every morning, live whelks and surf clams from Hokkaido are sourced with their shells intact, then prepared in-store and served freshly shucked. Because the freshness of shellfish directly impacts the flavor, the plump and firm meat has very little of the characteristic sea smell, offering a firm texture and the natural sweetness of the shellfish itself.

"Homemade Cured Mackerel" for 286 yen. They are particular about using domestic mackerel and carefully select the fish.

The "Homemade Cured Mackerel" is another popular dish. They insist on using only mackerel with a fat content of 20% or more, and the amount of salt and vinegar is adjusted according to the thickness of the fish and the season. The mackerel is caught during its fattiest season and flash-frozen in alcohol at minus 30 degrees Celsius. This maintains its freshness, allowing them to serve it at peak quality throughout the year.

An essential for sushi: "Bluefin Tuna (Lean Cut)" for 539 yen.

The sushi rice (shari) is a blend based on Hokkaido's "Fukkurinko" rice, specially formulated to complement sushi. The accompanying vinegar is an original blend of brewed vinegar with kombu dashi, characterized by its mild acidity and gentle umami flavor. The rice is shaped at a human body temperature—not too hot, not too cold—and served in perfect balance with the cool toppings.

A rare find in Hokkaido: "Flounder and Chive Sprout Nigiri" for 396 yen.

One of Kantaro's charms is its selection of unusual toppings, such as cod roe marinated with honey and rare raw salmon farmed in Hakodate. The chive sprout sushi, which is not very common in Hokkaido, uses sprouts sourced from Kyomaruen farm in Shizuoka Prefecture. It's served in a unique style, wrapped in flounder instead of nori seaweed. Many people get hooked after trying it once, and each menu item seems to have its own set of fans.

"Kantamusu-me" for 396 yen. Its refreshing sweetness is perfect after a meal.

Kantaro also focuses on its original menu items. A favorite among all ages is the "Kantamusu-me," which features vanilla ice cream with hot pumpkin. The ice cream is from "Hakodate Gyuunyuu," a super-popular brand that every Hakodate resident knows, and the pumpkin is steamed and blended with cream to create a smooth paste. The contrast between hot and cold is exquisite, and its refreshing, gentle sweetness is irresistible.

Assistant Manager Tomokazu Kuwabara. A Hakodate native, he puts his local love into every piece of sushi.

Other luxurious dishes include the "Kanta Roll" (242 yen), a thick roll with salmon, egg, and cucumber, topped with salmon roe, and the "Kaiho Kobore Maki" (638 yen), a thin roll of just rice generously topped with shrimp, salmon roe, crab, cucumber, and more. With its unique style and special menu, "Kantaro" is competing in the fierce sushi battleground of Sapporo. Why not pay it a visit?

※All prices include tax. Some products may have limited availability depending on weather and season.
※Information is based on data from July 2024 and was partially updated in July 2025. Please check the official websites and social media of each store for the latest information.

Gourmet Kaiten Sushi Kantaro, Teine-Maeda Branch

■Location: 1-5 Maeda 6-jo 13-chome, Teine-ku, Sapporo
■Hours: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Last Order 8:30 PM)
■Closed: Open year-round
Click here for details and map information for Gourmet Kaiten Sushi Kantaro, Teine-Maeda Branch

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