Hokkaido and Sapporo are home to numerous conveyor belt sushi restaurants where you can enjoy the freshest seafood. We've carefully selected six of the best, loved by locals and popular with tourists alike. Each restaurant boasts incredibly fresh toppings and expertly crafted sushi.

15 locations in Hokkaido and 3 in Tokyo

Founded in Kitami City in 1989, Toriton is one of Hokkaido's most iconic conveyor belt sushi restaurants. The secret to its popularity lies in the size and freshness of its toppings. Every morning, skilled buyers select the freshest seafood at the market, and to maintain that freshness, the fish is prepared in-store.

A Commitment to Freshness and an Extensive Menu

The surprisingly large "Fresh Salmon" for 350 yen

The popular "Fresh Salmon" is exceptionally fresh as it's prepared using the ikejime method right after being caught. The limited-quantity "Kaisen Bakudan Gunkan" (Seafood Bomb Warship Roll) for 242 yen is a hearty dish made with a mix of various ingredients, primarily tuna and salmon, loved for its vibrant appearance and rich flavor. Toriton also offers a wide variety of unique items, such as "Tako Salad" (octopus salad) and "Salmon Avocado Roll."

The Allure of Toriton's Dedication to Ingredients

Toriton was founded in 1989 in Kitami, Hokkaido

Toriton's commitment extends beyond its large toppings to its sushi rice and nori (seaweed). They use carefully selected domestic rice to create a glossy shari, and the nori, sourced from specific regions, has a rich磯aroma. This dedication to each and every piece of sushi is one of the reasons Toriton remains a fan favorite.

*Prices may vary by region and season.

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Nemuro Hanamaru's "Homemade Soy-Marinated Red Salmon Roe" for 418 yen

Originating from Nemuro, a major fishing hub in eastern Hokkaido, Nemuro Hanamaru is a popular restaurant with numerous locations in central Sapporo, including JR Tower and Cocono Susukino, drawing long lines of customers daily. The fish, served under strict freshness control, is sourced from its home base of Nemuro whenever possible. Its appeal lies in the combination of fresh toppings and a diverse menu.

Confident in Preparation, Meticulous Freshness Control

"Nikai-date Hotate" (Double-Decker Scallop) for 418 yen (1 piece)

Nemuro Hanamaru's commitment to freshness is achieved through its own processing plant, where freshly caught fish is prepped and sent to stores with strict temperature control. The Nishino branch features an open kitchen, allowing customers to watch the preparation and cooking process, and enjoy the chefs' skillful techniques. Classic items like the "Nikai-date Hotate" (Double-Decker Scallop) and "Aburi Engawa Kogashi Shoyu Nigiri" (Seared Fluke Fin with Scorched Soy Sauce) are visually appetizing with their fresh appearance.

Nemuro Hanamaru: Serving High-Quality Sushi Every Time

The restaurant is filled with the lively calls of the staff

At Nemuro Hanamaru, the shari (sushi rice) is also a point of pride, made with Hokkaido rice. It's cooked in small batches 20-30 times a day to maintain the same quality until closing time. To preserve the freshness of the sushi on the conveyor belt, they have thoroughly researched the timing and selection of what to serve and when.

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Nagoyakatei's birthplace, Kushiro City, is one of Japan's leading fishing grounds

Nagoyakatei is a popular conveyor belt sushi restaurant that originated in Kushiro City in eastern Hokkaido. It opened its first Sapporo branch in Hassamu in 1997 and now has nine locations in the city. They use fresh fish sourced daily from the Sapporo Curb Market and maintain its freshness by preparing it frequently throughout business hours, ensuring delicious sushi is always served.

The Spectacular "Overflowing Salmon Roe" and an Extensive Menu

"Kobore Ikura" (Overflowing Salmon Roe) made with local Kushiro salmon roe for 1,320 yen

Nagoyakatei's signature dish, the "Kobore Ikura," is a sight to behold. It features a generous heaping of salmon roe from Kushiro, and its arrival is announced with bells and drums, creating a lively performance for the whole restaurant to enjoy. With over 150 items on the menu, there's a wide variety of specially prepared toppings, including marinated bluefin tuna, fresh scallops, and "Tsubasa no Saba" (mackerel raised in a dedicated fishery). The Hokkaido-sourced fresh scallops are particularly noteworthy for their sweetness and texture, offering an unforgettable taste.

Crafted with Specially Selected Rice and High-Quality Nori

"Sushi-ya no Tennen Zuke Maguro" (Sushi Shop's Wild Marinated Tuna) for 407 yen

Nagoyakatei is also particular about its rice, a crucial component of sushi. Each year, during the new rice season, they taste-test different brands to select the optimal blend. They adjust the water amount and steaming time according to the season to consistently provide the best quality. Furthermore, they use high-quality nori seaweed grown in a prime location in the Ariake Sea, Saga Prefecture, which enhances the sushi's appeal with its rich aroma and vibrant color. These details give each piece of sushi its profound flavor.

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7 locations in Hokkaido and 13 outside Hokkaido

Founded in Hakodate in 1998, Gourmet Kaiten Sushi Kantaro has gained popularity for its sushi made with fresh Hokkaido seafood, opening its first Sapporo location in 2022. It is known for the exquisite balance of large, thick toppings and smaller portions of sushi rice, making it a favorite among both tourists and locals.

Confident in Shellfish Freshness! Homemade Marinated Mackerel is Also a Hit

"Kai Sanmai" (Three Kinds of Shellfish): Fresh Scallop, Live Surf Clam, and Live Whelk for 1,064 yen

Kantaro places a special emphasis on the freshness of its shellfish, sourcing live Hokkaido shellfish every morning and preparing them in-store. The freshly shucked scallops and whelks are irresistible with their firm texture and natural sweetness. Another popular item is the homemade shime saba (marinated mackerel), made with mackerel that has a fat content of over 20%. It is flash-frozen at -30°C to ensure top quality throughout the year.

Popular with Families for its Unique Original Menu

The restaurant has a lively atmosphere

In addition to sushi, Kantaro also focuses on its desserts. The "Kantakko," a combination of vanilla ice cream and hot pumpkin, is particularly exquisite, offering a delightful contrast between cold ice cream and warm pumpkin. Its gentle sweetness comes from Hakodate milk ice cream and a pumpkin paste enriched with cream. The restaurant also offers a variety of other unique menu items, such as the "Kanta Roll" and the "Kaiho Kobore Maki" (Overflowing Seafood Treasure Roll).

Read more about Gourmet Kaiten Sushi Kantaro

Hokuhokutei has 5 locations across Hokkaido, including Chitose and Asahikawa

A popular restaurant in Asahikawa and Chitose, Hokuhokutei opened its first Sapporo location in 2024. Conveniently located right off National Route 230, it's easily accessible by car. The restaurant's appeal lies in its fresh seafood delivered directly from fishing ports across the region.

Directly Sourced Fresh Toppings Through Unique Connections

Incredibly fresh Himemasu (a type of sockeye salmon) "Shikotsuko Chippu" for 506 yen

The secret to Hokuhokutei's deliciousness is its network of brokers in various regions who select and procure freshly caught seafood. The fish is prepped on-site and shipped directly to maintain its freshness, allowing the restaurant to serve incredibly fresh toppings. Through its connection with the Lake Shikotsu Fisheries Cooperative, it is the only conveyor belt sushi restaurant to directly source exceptionally fresh Himemasu (Chippu).

A Rich Lineup of Fresh Fish, Rare Even for Hokkaido Locals

"Dosan Hakkaku" (Hokkaido-grown poacher fish), a white fish with a rich, fatty flavor, for 418 yen

The menu features a variety of fresh fish from Hokkaido that are rarely eaten even by locals, such as "Hakkaku" (poacher fish), commonly found in the southern Donan region, and domestically raised salmon from the spring waters of the Daisetsuzan mountains, whereas imported salmon is more common. They also source a wide range of fresh fish from outside Hokkaido, from places like Kochi and Shimane, making it an exciting destination even for Hokkaido residents accustomed to conveyor belt sushi.

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As its name suggests, Hakodate Isaribi is a conveyor belt sushi restaurant that serves fresh seafood delivered directly from Hakodate in southern Hokkaido. Located adjacent to a supermarket in Sapporo's Minami Ward, it attracts a wide range of customers, from shoppers to tourists. It is known for its affordable lunch sets and a selection of eight different items priced at just 132 yen.

Great Value Lunch Sets Starting from 792 Yen

The popular "C Lunch: Yokubari 10-piece Set" for 792 yen

The lunch menu, available daily from 11 AM to 5 PM, is a big draw. There are four sets to choose from, including a seafood bowl, all served with a shrimp-broth miso soup, and prices are very reasonable, starting from 792 yen. Since they use the same fresh toppings as the regular menu, you can enjoy high-quality sushi at an excellent value. There are also plenty of set menus that allow you to enjoy several types of toppings on one plate, with the "Kita no Katsugai 3-kan Mori" (Northern Live Shellfish 3-piece Platter), featuring live surf clam, live scallop, and live whelk, being a popular choice.

A Diverse Menu and Affordable Post-Meal Coffee!

Lake Shikotsu "Himemasu" for 451 yen

In addition to standard sushi toppings, the menu also features unique and specially prepared items. For example, there are gems like fresh spear squid from Hakodate, seared octopus with salt and lemon, and marinated salmon, all of which are worth trying at least once. The restaurant also offers a wide selection of à la carte items and desserts, and you can enjoy a cup of coffee after your meal for just 110 yen.

Read more about Hakodate Isaribi

*All prices include tax. Some products may have limited availability due to weather or season.
*Menus and prices are current as of July 2025. Please check the official websites or social media of each restaurant for the latest information.

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