ARTICLES
Sapporo Yakiimo Terrace Is Open! A Taste Test Report on 5 Must-Try Autumn Treats
Sapporo's iconic autumn event, the "Sapporo Yakiimo Terrace," is back at Nakajima Park! In 2025, a record-breaking number of around 20 vendors have gathered, offering not only yakiimo (roasted sweet potatoes) but also a wide variety of treats like sweet potato desserts and craft beer. In this article, I'll share my top 5 must-try picks from the event, based on my own taste test.
- Moist, Fluffy, and Gently Sweet: Shiba Farm's "Yakiimo (Beni Haruka)"
- Aged Sweetness and a Rich Texture: Namara Tokachiya's "Yakiimo (Beni Haruka)"
- Rich Butter & a Sticky, Smooth Texture: Kyoto Imoya Imo to Yasai's "Super-Rich Sweet Potato"
- The Gentle Aroma of Sweet Potato Paste Cream: Patisserie Frere's "Sweet Potato Mont Blanc"
- Beni Haruka Dark Beer & Yukkuri-imo Shochu: Yakiimo Sakaba's "Sweet Potato Dark Beer & Imo Shochu"
- A Bustling Venue from Day One! Event Details and Schedule
Moist, Fluffy, and Gently Sweet: Shiba Farm's "Yakiimo (Beni Haruka)"
Yakiimo "Beni Haruka 1kg" for 1,500 yen. It's huge...!
Shiba Farm, from Oyafuru in Ishikari City, is a first-time vendor this year. They offer Beni Haruka sweet potatoes grown completely without pesticides. While a regular yakiimo costs 800 yen, they also sell a special extra-large 1kg size (limited quantity). Its smooth texture and gentle sweetness mean you won't get tired of eating it. Recommended for sharing with friends!
Moist and fluffy. Its gentle sweetness pairs perfectly with butter.
Aged Sweetness and a Rich Texture: Namara Tokachiya's "Yakiimo (Beni Haruka)"
"Yakiimo (Beni Haruka)" for 700 yen each (or 2 for 1,000 yen)
"Namara Tokachiya," run by a farmer from Memuro Town in Tokachi, is also a first-time vendor. They offer smaller-sized Beni Haruka yakiimo. While Beni Haruka isn't typically known for being overly sweet, these are carefully aged to bring out their sweetness, resulting in an irresistibly rich texture.
Even though they're both "Beni Haruka," the flavor can change completely from one vendor to another.
Rich Butter & a Sticky, Smooth Texture: Kyoto Imoya Imo to Yasai's "Super-Rich Sweet Potato"
"Super-Rich Sweet Potato" for 1,000 yen
"Kyoto Imoya Imo to Yasai" is a first-time vendor from Kyoto. Their yakiimo has a deep orange color like a ripe fruit, and its sticky, smooth texture is simply shocking. The sweet potato dessert made from it features the rich aroma of butter and a melt-in-your-mouth texture from the added egg.
The yakiimo is sold by weight at 500 yen per 100g. The sticky texture is to die for.
The Gentle Aroma of Sweet Potato Paste Cream: Patisserie Frere's "Sweet Potato Mont Blanc"
"Sweet Potato Mont Blanc" for 800 yen
"Patisserie Frere" is back again from last year. Their event-exclusive "Sweet Potato Mont Blanc" has an exquisite, gentle aroma from the sweet potato paste cream. They also offer a wide variety of other sweet potato desserts, such as seasonal puddings and cream puffs.
The sweets corner features five vendors with a rich variety of treats.
Beni Haruka Dark Beer & Yukkuri-imo Shochu: Yakiimo Sakaba's "Sweet Potato Dark Beer & Imo Shochu"
From left: "Sweet Potato Dark Beer" for 1,000 yen, "Yukkuri-imo Honkaku Shochu Minamisorachu" for 600 yen per glass
The venue also has a standing-style alcohol booth. The craft beer is "Moon Shine," brewed at Sapporo's "Streetlight Brewing." It's a dark beer made with roasted Beni Haruka sweet potatoes, with pleasant roasted notes and a caramel-like flavor.
The shochu is made with "Yukkuri-imo," a branded variety from the "Sorachi Minami Satsumaimo Club." The rice koji, which greatly influences the shochu's flavor, is made using "Yumepirika" rice from JA Sorachi Minami. It's best enjoyed with soda water.
The "Yakiimo Sakaba" also offers regular beer (Sapporo Classic), whiskey, wine, and more.
A Bustling Venue from Day One! Event Details and Schedule
I went on the first day, despite the unfortunate weather!
The "Sapporo Yakiimo Terrace" has been bustling with people since its opening day. The event is held at Nakajima Park's Minami 9-jo Hiroba (in front of the Kogumaza Children's Puppet Theater) and runs until November 3rd (Mon, Holiday). Despite the poor weather on the first day, the venue was crowded with many visitors enjoying yakiimo made with various methods, as well as sweet potato desserts.
Some shops had lines forming right after opening.
There are also booths selling vegetables from farmers near Sapporo and coffee from "Smooch Coffee Stand," which is located near Nakajima Park.
Be sure to visit the "Sapporo Yakiimo Terrace" to savor the delicious flavors of autumn!
▼Click here for more details about the "Sapporo Yakiimo Terrace 2025" event!
*All prices include tax.
Sapporo Yakiimo Terrace 2025
■Dates: October 24 (Fri) - November 3 (Mon, Holiday)
■Hours: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
*Closes at 7:00 PM on the last day. Last order is 15 minutes before closing.
*Hours are subject to change without notice.
■Fee: Free admission (food and drink sold separately)
■Venue: Nakajima Park, Minami 9-jo Hiroba (Plaza in front of Sapporo Children's Puppet Theater Kogumaza & Nakajima Children's Hall)
Click here for map and details on "Sapporo Yakiimo Terrace 2025"
Writer's Profile
Magazine/Book Editor & Writer Kyohei Yamashita
While working in program production at a radio station, he began producing fanzines and writing for magazines. He later joined a publishing house as an editor, where he worked on various articles, mainly for a local city guide. His hobbies include cooking, mountain climbing, river fishing, and exploring Sapporo's stone monuments. He lives in and deeply loves Sapporo's Minami Ward.
